Considering a 330e
Discussion
I have been thinking about getting a 3 series touring for some time now, I've currently got a Golf GTI as a daily and it's getting a little tired so I am ready for a change soon.
I've been looking at 330's...my preference would be a 330i, but looking on AT, if I search for a 330i touring with less than 20k miles on the clock there are 5 to pick from...a 330e shows 92 cars available.
I may end up with a 330e just because there is a lot more choice and the prices are lower compared to equivalent i's.
I don't care that much about mpg, anything about 35 on a longer trip is fine, and I am not a company car driver so I don't care about BIK.
Most of the reviews I've read seem to focus in on those things, but what I am more wary of is that is the battery running low on juice and leaving me with a 2 ton car being hauled about by a 180bhp engine. When I visit my parents for example I have a boring 2 hour motorway drive followed by a 40 minute fun drive through some more entertaining roads...am I going to get to the end of the motorway part and find that I am driving a slow, underpowered, overweight car?
Anyone with a 330e able to shed some light on the real world use over longer distances?
I've been looking at 330's...my preference would be a 330i, but looking on AT, if I search for a 330i touring with less than 20k miles on the clock there are 5 to pick from...a 330e shows 92 cars available.
I may end up with a 330e just because there is a lot more choice and the prices are lower compared to equivalent i's.
I don't care that much about mpg, anything about 35 on a longer trip is fine, and I am not a company car driver so I don't care about BIK.
Most of the reviews I've read seem to focus in on those things, but what I am more wary of is that is the battery running low on juice and leaving me with a 2 ton car being hauled about by a 180bhp engine. When I visit my parents for example I have a boring 2 hour motorway drive followed by a 40 minute fun drive through some more entertaining roads...am I going to get to the end of the motorway part and find that I am driving a slow, underpowered, overweight car?
Anyone with a 330e able to shed some light on the real world use over longer distances?
mathmos said:
I have been thinking about getting a 3 series touring for some time now, I've currently got a Golf GTI as a daily and it's getting a little tired so I am ready for a change soon.
I've been looking at 330's...my preference would be a 330i, but looking on AT, if I search for a 330i touring with less than 20k miles on the clock there are 5 to pick from...a 330e shows 92 cars available.
I may end up with a 330e just because there is a lot more choice and the prices are lower compared to equivalent i's.
I don't care that much about mpg, anything about 35 on a longer trip is fine, and I am not a company car driver so I don't care about BIK.
Most of the reviews I've read seem to focus in on those things, but what I am more wary of is that is the battery running low on juice and leaving me with a 2 ton car being hauled about by a 180bhp engine. When I visit my parents for example I have a boring 2 hour motorway drive followed by a 40 minute fun drive through some more entertaining roads...am I going to get to the end of the motorway part and find that I am driving a slow, underpowered, overweight car?
Anyone with a 330e able to shed some light on the real world use over longer distances?
Fire away with any specific questions.I've been looking at 330's...my preference would be a 330i, but looking on AT, if I search for a 330i touring with less than 20k miles on the clock there are 5 to pick from...a 330e shows 92 cars available.
I may end up with a 330e just because there is a lot more choice and the prices are lower compared to equivalent i's.
I don't care that much about mpg, anything about 35 on a longer trip is fine, and I am not a company car driver so I don't care about BIK.
Most of the reviews I've read seem to focus in on those things, but what I am more wary of is that is the battery running low on juice and leaving me with a 2 ton car being hauled about by a 180bhp engine. When I visit my parents for example I have a boring 2 hour motorway drive followed by a 40 minute fun drive through some more entertaining roads...am I going to get to the end of the motorway part and find that I am driving a slow, underpowered, overweight car?
Anyone with a 330e able to shed some light on the real world use over longer distances?
I’ve had a 2021 330e company car for. 2 1/2 years and done 50k in it. On the whole a very positive experience, a great mix of economy and power.
Gets around 20 electric miles in winter, 30 in summer.
On a return journey with no plug in charge left it manages around 43mpg at 78mph. When there is no plug in charge it does a good impression of a mild hybrid and does regenerate quite a bit itself, going downhill etc, and then uses that to help push it back up, so is still pretty economical.
And don’t worry re it running out and leaving you with just the petrol engine. It always keeps a little in reserve, so will always give you full power anytime.
Downsides I would say are there is no hiding its weight, it can feel a bit wayward on twisty roads. The 330e has higher suspension and you can feel the lean a bit. Other thing is the small fuel tank, max range with both is around 300-320.
I looked at these a few months ago. Just doing some more window shopping, the F saloon models are up for 'peanuts'!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404248...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404248...
Edited by _Hoppers on Wednesday 24th April 16:41
Had a 2020 330e for 3 years and 60k. Now replaced.
You always have the full power available as the battery never fully depletes.
Steering is pretty numb, car feels pretty heavy not a car I would take out on an early morning blast but it was comfortable on the motorway, decent enough steer when off it but not brilliant.
Interior was good, well built and ergonomic.
It was a good all round car but I wouldn’t buy another. I think the 5 is a better package.
You always have the full power available as the battery never fully depletes.
Steering is pretty numb, car feels pretty heavy not a car I would take out on an early morning blast but it was comfortable on the motorway, decent enough steer when off it but not brilliant.
Interior was good, well built and ergonomic.
It was a good all round car but I wouldn’t buy another. I think the 5 is a better package.
Stupot123 said:
Fire away with any specific questions.
I’ve had a 2021 330e company car for. 2 1/2 years and done 50k in it. On the whole a very positive experience, a great mix of economy and power.
Gets around 20 electric miles in winter, 30 in summer.
On a return journey with no plug in charge left it manages around 43mpg at 78mph. When there is no plug in charge it does a good impression of a mild hybrid and does regenerate quite a bit itself, going downhill etc, and then uses that to help push it back up, so is still pretty economical.
And don’t worry re it running out and leaving you with just the petrol engine. It always keeps a little in reserve, so will always give you full power anytime.
Downsides I would say are there is no hiding its weight, it can feel a bit wayward on twisty roads. The 330e has higher suspension and you can feel the lean a bit. Other thing is the small fuel tank, max range with both is around 300-320.
Good info all, thanks!I’ve had a 2021 330e company car for. 2 1/2 years and done 50k in it. On the whole a very positive experience, a great mix of economy and power.
Gets around 20 electric miles in winter, 30 in summer.
On a return journey with no plug in charge left it manages around 43mpg at 78mph. When there is no plug in charge it does a good impression of a mild hybrid and does regenerate quite a bit itself, going downhill etc, and then uses that to help push it back up, so is still pretty economical.
And don’t worry re it running out and leaving you with just the petrol engine. It always keeps a little in reserve, so will always give you full power anytime.
Downsides I would say are there is no hiding its weight, it can feel a bit wayward on twisty roads. The 330e has higher suspension and you can feel the lean a bit. Other thing is the small fuel tank, max range with both is around 300-320.
So for the comments about it feeling heavy...do you guys have the adaptive suspension? Wondering if that makes any difference?
I've got a Cayman GTS as a fun car, so I am not looking to thrash the 330e very much, just looking for a decent bike carrier that doesn't feel to sluggish. Sounds like the 330e may fit the bill for most situations.
Oh...that was the other question...I understood the car does a bit of battery usege planning if you tell it where you are going, does that only work if you use the in-built sat-nav or does that still work if you use apple car-play and google maps?
mathmos said:
Good info all, thanks!
So for the comments about it feeling heavy...do you guys have the adaptive suspension? Wondering if that makes any difference?
I've got a Cayman GTS as a fun car, so I am not looking to thrash the 330e very much, just looking for a decent bike carrier that doesn't feel to sluggish. Sounds like the 330e may fit the bill for most situations.
Oh...that was the other question...I understood the car does a bit of battery usege planning if you tell it where you are going, does that only work if you use the in-built sat-nav or does that still work if you use apple car-play and google maps?
Mine doesn’t have adaptive suspension, just standard MSport, not pro. It does drive absolutely fine, and is a nicely balanced compromise. I maybe made it sound more critical than I intended, i do not think you would jump in and be disappointed. Was comparing it directly to my Dads 320d and it does feel a touch heavier on the backroads. Not uncomfortably so, just thought it merited mentioning. If you have a close look at the ride height you will notice all 330e’s rides on slightly higher suspension. No idea why.So for the comments about it feeling heavy...do you guys have the adaptive suspension? Wondering if that makes any difference?
I've got a Cayman GTS as a fun car, so I am not looking to thrash the 330e very much, just looking for a decent bike carrier that doesn't feel to sluggish. Sounds like the 330e may fit the bill for most situations.
Oh...that was the other question...I understood the car does a bit of battery usege planning if you tell it where you are going, does that only work if you use the in-built sat-nav or does that still work if you use apple car-play and google maps?
The battery planning usage only works with factory nav. I tend to use Waze. In all honesty I don’t think it would gain you anything. In hybrid it goes into electric at lower speeds when electric is more efficient, and turns on the engine at higher speeds when the engine is more efficient. That concept isn’t going to change if it knows where you are going, suspect it would just keep some electric if you are going into a town for lower emissions, would suspect it’s not any more efficient.
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