Why all those reservation about the speedbrakes? If it's there, use it when you need to. It doesn't make you a bad pilot. Even the best planned approach can result in the use of speedbrakes. Even the ones you've done a hundred times.
Then about buffet. We fly the E170/190 into LCY and use the Steep Approach funtion which commands the number 4 and 5 outer wing spoilers to offset slightly while the control column is in a neutral position, creating the drag required to increase the rate of descent. However, especially on a light E190 it creates a lot of buffet. Far 'worse' than normal use during full deployment inflight. I've done an empty ferry flight and it was so bad that you're eyes had difficulty focussing on the glareshield due to the vibration.
