I had the P85+ for about a month now with 2,800 miles. Took it in service in yesterday for some minor alignment stuff from the factory. Got a brand in a new P85 loaner car with 25 miles and put around 300 miles in 2 days. I figure I give a fair comparison between the two since I haven't driven the p85 except on the test drives previously.
1) Acceleration:
P85 feels quicker due to the softer suspension. When you step on the gas pedal, the whole car lurches back and it feels like a rocket launch. P85+ not as much due to the firmer suspension in rear. 0-60 feels about the same. P85 tends to lose traction when I step on it from 30-35 mph, P85+ never did so.
2) Handling:
P85 is soft, when you take a corner hard. You can feel the body rolling towards one side. Sitting in the car in a high corner speed feels like I am sliding all over the place in the seat. I feel the P85 needs more bolstering on the seat more than the P85+ due to more body roll. Higher speed maneuvering feels unsafe. Driving at speed 70-80mph the car feels squirmy and loose. It feels like its floating. P85+ feels planted and tight. P85 freeway behavior feels like an american car, P85+ more like a german car. Also noticed during high speed corners, traction control comes on more frequent than the p85+ probably due to the less sticky tires. The p85 loaner had continental tires.
3) Ride Quality and tire noise
P85 is definitely more comfortable over road imperfections. It is also quieter both highway speed and normal speed. The shocks feel more compliant and forgiving over bumps compare to than the P85+.
4) Steering feel.
The sport setting steering on the P85 is tight and solid. The p85+ on sport setting feels artificially heavy and harder to drive compare to the P85. Not sure why, but maybe due to the tires? I prefer sport steering feel of the P85, and standard on the P85+. P85 feels more accurate.
Conclusion: I feel the P85+ should have been the P85 to begin with. If I were debating between a P85 and S85, I would just buy the S85 or step up and get the P85+. The acceleration difference between P85 and S85 probably gets old after 1 month, but the handling aspect of the p85+ is definitely worth the upgrade.
My background in cars include owning and still own: 911 turbo, bmw m3, couple mitsubishi evo, and subaru brz. Driven probably all the sports car out there as well. I do couple track events a year so I am very particular on a car's handling ability.
1) Acceleration:
P85 feels quicker due to the softer suspension. When you step on the gas pedal, the whole car lurches back and it feels like a rocket launch. P85+ not as much due to the firmer suspension in rear. 0-60 feels about the same. P85 tends to lose traction when I step on it from 30-35 mph, P85+ never did so.
2) Handling:
P85 is soft, when you take a corner hard. You can feel the body rolling towards one side. Sitting in the car in a high corner speed feels like I am sliding all over the place in the seat. I feel the P85 needs more bolstering on the seat more than the P85+ due to more body roll. Higher speed maneuvering feels unsafe. Driving at speed 70-80mph the car feels squirmy and loose. It feels like its floating. P85+ feels planted and tight. P85 freeway behavior feels like an american car, P85+ more like a german car. Also noticed during high speed corners, traction control comes on more frequent than the p85+ probably due to the less sticky tires. The p85 loaner had continental tires.
3) Ride Quality and tire noise
P85 is definitely more comfortable over road imperfections. It is also quieter both highway speed and normal speed. The shocks feel more compliant and forgiving over bumps compare to than the P85+.
4) Steering feel.
The sport setting steering on the P85 is tight and solid. The p85+ on sport setting feels artificially heavy and harder to drive compare to the P85. Not sure why, but maybe due to the tires? I prefer sport steering feel of the P85, and standard on the P85+. P85 feels more accurate.
Conclusion: I feel the P85+ should have been the P85 to begin with. If I were debating between a P85 and S85, I would just buy the S85 or step up and get the P85+. The acceleration difference between P85 and S85 probably gets old after 1 month, but the handling aspect of the p85+ is definitely worth the upgrade.
My background in cars include owning and still own: 911 turbo, bmw m3, couple mitsubishi evo, and subaru brz. Driven probably all the sports car out there as well. I do couple track events a year so I am very particular on a car's handling ability.