BMW 330e a good option?
Discussion
Looking to change my 2017 430D and a 3-4 year old 330e looks good value in the current market. I want xDrive which you can’t get on the 330i. I’ve driven an M340i and wasn’t blown away and 380 BHP is overkill for a motorway cruiser on today’s roads.
I work from home around 90% of the time and make a trip to an office 180 miles away once a month. Other than that I drive maybe 40 miles in a weekend and a couple of short trips during the week.
I currently have access to a home charger but that might change soon. I don’t care at all about MPG as all my commuting mileage is expensed.
I’ve read a fair bit on people’s experience with the 330e but trying to get any more views on my particular usage. I know there are different driving modes. I’d really be looking to have the battery there for torque fill (eg from a standing start) to make the drive smoother and more performance when overtaking as I don’t care about MPG or running in pure EV mode. Would my use keep the battery sufficiently charged if I was not charging it?
I work from home around 90% of the time and make a trip to an office 180 miles away once a month. Other than that I drive maybe 40 miles in a weekend and a couple of short trips during the week.
I currently have access to a home charger but that might change soon. I don’t care at all about MPG as all my commuting mileage is expensed.
I’ve read a fair bit on people’s experience with the 330e but trying to get any more views on my particular usage. I know there are different driving modes. I’d really be looking to have the battery there for torque fill (eg from a standing start) to make the drive smoother and more performance when overtaking as I don’t care about MPG or running in pure EV mode. Would my use keep the battery sufficiently charged if I was not charging it?
Go and drive one. I had a Golf GTE about 4 years ago and drove a colleagues 530e a couple of times. I didn't feel that the hybrid system was anywhere near as smooth and fluid as the Golf and the engine would cut in at speeds under 30mph, and driving on full ev it felt pretty cumbersome. I would imagine the 3 series to be better, but I'm not sure. You need to be confident that a PHEV works for you and your driving style.
MrBig said:
Go and drive one... You need to be confident that a PHEV works for you and your driving style.
That’s why I’m asking a specific question for people who may have used them in the same way I would. I can’t take one for a test drive for a month and do a single 360 mile round trip in it. Have you used one in the specific use case I gave?
Martyn76 said:
Horses for courses but I would take an M340i over pretty much any other 3 Series model and I wouldn't trust the hybrid EV element in an out of warranty vehicle.
Agreed on the first point.Ref the second, I have no real interest in hybrids personally, so can't really comment.
Hi there
I have had a G20 330e company car since end of 2020 and I think it's brilliant. I largely do long-distance driving (I've done 85k since getting the car) and it really is excellent, can't fault it. It really shifts when you need it to but otherwise is an easy and comfortable drive. It's been very reliable and I haven't really had any problems with it at all and It is comfy on long journeys.
I think my average MPG since getting it over the 85k miles is about 70mpg, which is amazing really. I charge it on the drive from a 240v socket and it takes about 6-7 hours I think.
I love the pre-heating/cooling feature too. My only gripe I guess is that it is quite low down and my job takes me to remote areas with poor roads. I wanted the touring but it wasnt available when I got my one. Next time I might look at the new X1 hybrid or another 330e but touring.
As to extras, next time I would get the radar cruise but the sound system is great in it - people on the BMW forums said the standard sound system is awful but it really isn't, its very good. My wife has a 23 plate Kia Sportage and the sound system in that is much worse.
I have had a G20 330e company car since end of 2020 and I think it's brilliant. I largely do long-distance driving (I've done 85k since getting the car) and it really is excellent, can't fault it. It really shifts when you need it to but otherwise is an easy and comfortable drive. It's been very reliable and I haven't really had any problems with it at all and It is comfy on long journeys.
I think my average MPG since getting it over the 85k miles is about 70mpg, which is amazing really. I charge it on the drive from a 240v socket and it takes about 6-7 hours I think.
I love the pre-heating/cooling feature too. My only gripe I guess is that it is quite low down and my job takes me to remote areas with poor roads. I wanted the touring but it wasnt available when I got my one. Next time I might look at the new X1 hybrid or another 330e but touring.
As to extras, next time I would get the radar cruise but the sound system is great in it - people on the BMW forums said the standard sound system is awful but it really isn't, its very good. My wife has a 23 plate Kia Sportage and the sound system in that is much worse.
There's a flood of 3/4 year old ex company 330es on the market at the moment. Most have probably never been plugged into a charger, they were just a tax dodge really. They don't make much sense as a private buy though ; short EV range, heavier than the ICE only equivalent, lots of very complex and expensive technology to go wrong. IMO a PHEV is best if you have a short daily commute and hardly ever need to put petrol in it. That said, if you don't care about fuel costs and have a robust warranty then they do offer good value for money currently. Definitely worth a test drive though, you might find it a bit disappointing coming from the excellent 30d engine.
Chris Peacock said:
There's a flood of 3/4 year old ex company 330es on the market at the moment. Most have probably never been plugged into a charger, they were just a tax dodge really. They don't make much sense as a private buy though ; short EV range, heavier than the ICE only equivalent, lots of very complex and expensive technology to go wrong. IMO a PHEV is best if you have a short daily commute and hardly ever need to put petrol in it. That said, if you don't care about fuel costs and have a robust warranty then they do offer good value for money currently. Definitely worth a test drive though, you might find it a bit disappointing coming from the excellent 30d engine.
I think they make sense for some private buyers. If you have a short commute and maybe can even charge at work and you occasionally drive longer distances. Have the older ones proved reliable or not? Genuine question.
I've had one as a company car since Feb 23, for a company car with the tax i cannot fault it.
You dont really notice the switch from ICE to electric, its got enough power when needed, however the stopping power is very lacking when pressing on and you do feel the extra weight in the corners, so it's really not a b road blaster.
Would I buy one as a personal car......really depends on how much the car was, if similar priced to a 320i i would go for the 320, as its basically a 320 with the electrics strapped to it and the "benefit" of slightly more power and 25 miles of EV range is off set from the extra weight and if not charging less MPG from carrying said electrics.
If massively cheaper then would potentially purchase.
You dont really notice the switch from ICE to electric, its got enough power when needed, however the stopping power is very lacking when pressing on and you do feel the extra weight in the corners, so it's really not a b road blaster.
Would I buy one as a personal car......really depends on how much the car was, if similar priced to a 320i i would go for the 320, as its basically a 320 with the electrics strapped to it and the "benefit" of slightly more power and 25 miles of EV range is off set from the extra weight and if not charging less MPG from carrying said electrics.
If massively cheaper then would potentially purchase.
mr2turbogts said:
I've had one as a company car since Feb 23, for a company car with the tax i cannot fault it.
You dont really notice the switch from ICE to electric, its got enough power when needed, however the stopping power is very lacking when pressing on and you do feel the extra weight in the corners, so it's really not a b road blaster.
Would I buy one as a personal car......really depends on how much the car was, if similar priced to a 320i i would go for the 320, as its basically a 320 with the electrics strapped to it and the "benefit" of slightly more power and 25 miles of EV range is off set from the extra weight and if not charging less MPG from carrying said electrics.
If massively cheaper then would potentially purchase.
If you didn’t want the power of an M440i, then long term and considering resale values, a 320i is the way to go. You dont really notice the switch from ICE to electric, its got enough power when needed, however the stopping power is very lacking when pressing on and you do feel the extra weight in the corners, so it's really not a b road blaster.
Would I buy one as a personal car......really depends on how much the car was, if similar priced to a 320i i would go for the 320, as its basically a 320 with the electrics strapped to it and the "benefit" of slightly more power and 25 miles of EV range is off set from the extra weight and if not charging less MPG from carrying said electrics.
If massively cheaper then would potentially purchase.
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