1 series vs 3 series PHEV reliability
Discussion
I need a new (used) car. I've always had VAG and Fords and fancy something different so considering BMW. I'm currently comparing 118i and 330e from circa 2020.
I was planning on getting a 1 series but 330e's are so cheap just now! I assume these are company cars that have completed their lease, and supply outweighs demand on the used market. So despite costing over £10k more new they are now very similarly priced. They're also cheaper than the 320i that they are based off. My only concern is reliability and repair costs. Has any got much experience of BMW PHEVs? From what I've read on forums they seem to be pretty good aside from one case of an electrical failure which wrote off the car out of warranty (bit of an odd story). I've heard electric cars are generally ok with minimal service needs, and the combustion components are relatively easy to access so shouldn't be much worse than a 320i from that perspective. Are there many transmission issues?
Background: I have a driveway with plug socket access, commute <40miles, second car is an estate for the family and long haul, so practicality wise the PHEV should work well.
I was planning on getting a 1 series but 330e's are so cheap just now! I assume these are company cars that have completed their lease, and supply outweighs demand on the used market. So despite costing over £10k more new they are now very similarly priced. They're also cheaper than the 320i that they are based off. My only concern is reliability and repair costs. Has any got much experience of BMW PHEVs? From what I've read on forums they seem to be pretty good aside from one case of an electrical failure which wrote off the car out of warranty (bit of an odd story). I've heard electric cars are generally ok with minimal service needs, and the combustion components are relatively easy to access so shouldn't be much worse than a 320i from that perspective. Are there many transmission issues?
Background: I have a driveway with plug socket access, commute <40miles, second car is an estate for the family and long haul, so practicality wise the PHEV should work well.
I've a 2020 330e that I've had from new it's now on 64k miles.
Mine was part of the battery recall which BMW replaced at 20k miles.
Every so often the screen goes blank for ten seconds then comes back on but it's done this since new and BMW say they can't find a problem.
Apart from that it's had tyres and servicing that's it. Serviced last week and the rear brake pads were 60% worn and fronts 40% worn which surprised me to be honest I was expecting them to need replacing really at that mileage.
Nothing else has gone wrong except a fox smashed the front end up.
Mine was part of the battery recall which BMW replaced at 20k miles.
Every so often the screen goes blank for ten seconds then comes back on but it's done this since new and BMW say they can't find a problem.
Apart from that it's had tyres and servicing that's it. Serviced last week and the rear brake pads were 60% worn and fronts 40% worn which surprised me to be honest I was expecting them to need replacing really at that mileage.
Nothing else has gone wrong except a fox smashed the front end up.
Thanks for the replies. What was the battery recall? The cars I'm looking at are mostly 70 plates (late 2020) so might need to look into that.
I haven't looked into insurance but I have 10 years no claims and live in a quite neighbourhood so if it's not affordable here then it won't be anywhere!
Sorry about the fox. Poor critter!
I haven't looked into insurance but I have 10 years no claims and live in a quite neighbourhood so if it's not affordable here then it won't be anywhere!
Sorry about the fox. Poor critter!
Be interested to hear thoughts on this and what OP decides. It's recently occured to me that since my 3 x weekly commute (7m return to one office, 14 to the other) - a phev would make sense in that I would likely use electric only most of the time. Non commute use is generally low miles too (I seem to be doing 6-7k annually). I've also noticed the 330e and it's attractive price.
I was previously set on either a petrol Octavia/Superb or Leon estate but very tempted with this.
I think as long as the battery can deal with those commutes even in the coldest weather, it could be a goer.
I was previously set on either a petrol Octavia/Superb or Leon estate but very tempted with this.
I think as long as the battery can deal with those commutes even in the coldest weather, it could be a goer.
We have the a 2023 330e and love it! Was a sceptical work lease for her but it’s honestly brilliant and a perfect daily.
Also worth noting a seagul smashed into the front of ours as well that is turning out to be a costly replacement
I believe the previous gen 330e will still run petrol only if the battery has issues. Infact on the Facebook group there is quite the market for people buying a 330e that has no battery and running them petrol only with a remap. Essentially a bargain 3 series.
Also worth noting a seagul smashed into the front of ours as well that is turning out to be a costly replacement
I believe the previous gen 330e will still run petrol only if the battery has issues. Infact on the Facebook group there is quite the market for people buying a 330e that has no battery and running them petrol only with a remap. Essentially a bargain 3 series.
Thanks for the interest everyone.
That is really interesting about the Facebook group. I really can't understand why the 330e is cheaper than the 320i on the used car market just now. It's bonkers. And 330i are considerably more expensive. The cars I've been looking at appear to have lost 50 - 60% of their market value in the first 3 years. The trade in prices online are also similar to the purchase price, so I figure worst case scenario I hate it and sell in 6 months with a £1-2000 loss.
I considered an Octavia when I had concerns about reliability assuming it is a simpler and surely more reliable car. However WhatCar actually give it a lower reliability score! I've chatted on a few threads which have put me at ease and have decided to give it a go rather than the 1 series. I'm going to look at two tomorrow and if I don't buy one I think my wife won't let me back in the house.
I've been a bit scathing of electric cars and have always believed hydrogen is more likely to be the next generation of transport. But it will be fun to jump on the band wagon in a half hearted kind of way and who knows, maybe I will be a born again EV fan.
That is really interesting about the Facebook group. I really can't understand why the 330e is cheaper than the 320i on the used car market just now. It's bonkers. And 330i are considerably more expensive. The cars I've been looking at appear to have lost 50 - 60% of their market value in the first 3 years. The trade in prices online are also similar to the purchase price, so I figure worst case scenario I hate it and sell in 6 months with a £1-2000 loss.
I considered an Octavia when I had concerns about reliability assuming it is a simpler and surely more reliable car. However WhatCar actually give it a lower reliability score! I've chatted on a few threads which have put me at ease and have decided to give it a go rather than the 1 series. I'm going to look at two tomorrow and if I don't buy one I think my wife won't let me back in the house.
I've been a bit scathing of electric cars and have always believed hydrogen is more likely to be the next generation of transport. But it will be fun to jump on the band wagon in a half hearted kind of way and who knows, maybe I will be a born again EV fan.
It is done. Put a deposit on a 330e and will be collecting on Friday.
A word of warning to those going to look. As we all know these are mostly going to be lease / company cars and most the ones I looked at had issues. Make sure you have a look under the bonnet and not just the shell. Ended up paying a bit more than anticipated but think I got a better car for it.
A word of warning to those going to look. As we all know these are mostly going to be lease / company cars and most the ones I looked at had issues. Make sure you have a look under the bonnet and not just the shell. Ended up paying a bit more than anticipated but think I got a better car for it.
GiantScotsman said:
It is done. Put a deposit on a 330e and will be collecting on Friday.
A word of warning to those going to look. As we all know these are mostly going to be lease / company cars and most the ones I looked at had issues. Make sure you have a look under the bonnet and not just the shell. Ended up paying a bit more than anticipated but think I got a better car for it.
Been searching the market for a 330e to replace my F30 320d, did you go for the F30 or the G20? (2019-) A word of warning to those going to look. As we all know these are mostly going to be lease / company cars and most the ones I looked at had issues. Make sure you have a look under the bonnet and not just the shell. Ended up paying a bit more than anticipated but think I got a better car for it.
Interested to know what you mean by issues?
Congratulations on the new purchase btw!
Went for a G20 (70 reg). I kinda hoped they would have learnt any issues from the earlier generation and improved on them. And the cars been around for a while so hopefully most software issues are now settled.
Two cars were subtly uncared for. Small scratches from reversing into things, chips on doors, cheap tyres. One engine had a much louder rattle than the others when running and also a petrol smell on the coolant lid which put me off a lot. The third car had quality tyres and looked generally well cared for.
All anecdotal. Will probably break down in the first two weeks now 😅
Two cars were subtly uncared for. Small scratches from reversing into things, chips on doors, cheap tyres. One engine had a much louder rattle than the others when running and also a petrol smell on the coolant lid which put me off a lot. The third car had quality tyres and looked generally well cared for.
All anecdotal. Will probably break down in the first two weeks now 😅
GiantScotsman said:
Thanks for the replies. What was the battery recall? The cars I'm looking at are mostly 70 plates (late 2020) so might need to look into that.
I haven't looked into insurance but I have 10 years no claims and live in a quite neighbourhood so if it's not affordable here then it won't be anywhere!
Sorry about the fox. Poor critter!
This was the recall,I haven't looked into insurance but I have 10 years no claims and live in a quite neighbourhood so if it's not affordable here then it won't be anywhere!
Sorry about the fox. Poor critter!
https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/manufacturer-news...
Worked out quite well for me as I got a payment from BMW for each month I couldn't charge the car this went on for six months as they couldn't get the car booked in. I got a brand new 320i that had every extra going for three months of that time to use but the 330e was the far better car.
GiantScotsman said:
It is done. Put a deposit on a 330e and will be collecting on Friday.
A word of warning to those going to look. As we all know these are mostly going to be lease / company cars and most the ones I looked at had issues. Make sure you have a look under the bonnet and not just the shell. Ended up paying a bit more than anticipated but think I got a better car for it.
Bear in mind the manufacturer's warranty on the hybrid battery will be 6 years/60k miles, whichever occurs first. That's the other reason many of these used PHEVs appear to be "relatively good value" A word of warning to those going to look. As we all know these are mostly going to be lease / company cars and most the ones I looked at had issues. Make sure you have a look under the bonnet and not just the shell. Ended up paying a bit more than anticipated but think I got a better car for it.
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