BMW 330e ordered...

[bigphil47]

Evening - had my pride and joy stolen last night from my driveway. On a positive side I could tell the police exactly where the car was parked. Scumbags broke into my home where my wife and daughter were asleep sometime between 10.30 and 11.30 and stole the keys (which were not on view) - I had been out at a dinner and arrived home at midnight to find an empty space on the drive. I immediately looked at the app and informed the police where the car was, 20 mins later they called the police who came to the burglary to confirm they had the car. I am now waited for the police to advise that I contact Lex to arrange for the car to be re-coded and new keys issued, assuming it is all ok and no damage done. We believe that it was stolen to order, so I am going to be on pins now at night wondering if they will be back.

[DragonflyTrumpeter]

Holy crap bigphil47, that is shocking. Hope all goes well from here and no damage has been done.

[beardman]

hopefully resolved soon, never nice to hear that..

most important thing is that your family are safe.

side note:

for those that have the m sport spec..

putting the car into sports plus through the buttons quickly charges the battery to a maximum of 15%

additionally, putting the shifter into m sport allows for at least 30% battery charge to be achieved quickly.. at least.

an alternative to the save mode.

[simonss]

Echo Dragonfly's comments bigphil...one of your worst nightmares. Gives us all a reality check, hope all gets sorted...and the car is ok

[andychamb]

Hi All,

I've just had a 330e for the weekend on test. Like many doing research for the next company company car. Loved the car apart from..... wind noise.

The car I had this weekend had very noticeable wind noise coming from the windscreen somewhere. Anything above 40-50mph generated a whistling wind noise that was really quite annoying. I thought it could be the wiper blades but the noise did not change change when I moved them. I opened and closed the vents as sometimes dry leaves can cause a noise, but nope the noise stayed.

Anybody else have this or was it unique to this car?

Cheers

Andy

[Happy_Harris1431]

andychamb said:

Hi All,

I've just had a 330e for the weekend on test. Like many doing research for the next company company car. Loved the car apart from..... wind noise.

The car I had this weekend had very noticeable wind noise coming from the windscreen somewhere. Anything above 40-50mph generated a whistling wind noise that was really quite annoying. I thought it could be the wiper blades but the noise did not change change when I moved them. I opened and closed the vents as sometimes dry leaves can cause a noise, but nope the noise stayed.

Anybody else have this or was it unique to this car?

Cheers

Andy

Have driven mine for 5 months now with no such issues, also know of another 3 owners that have never mentioed this problem, mine is whisper quiet at 70mph. Must have been an issue with the test car

[Keggers]

Mine is dead quiet as well. No problem with wind noise.

Only had it a week so far, but I think they are brilliant cars. Definitely recommend it.

Edited by Keggers on Monday 3rd October 21:42

[Bumferrets7]

Happy_Harris1431 said:

andychamb said:

Hi All,

I've just had a 330e for the weekend on test. Like many doing research for the next company company car. Loved the car apart from..... wind noise.

The car I had this weekend had very noticeable wind noise coming from the windscreen somewhere. Anything above 40-50mph generated a whistling wind noise that was really quite annoying. I thought it could be the wiper blades but the noise did not change change when I moved them. I opened and closed the vents as sometimes dry leaves can cause a noise, but nope the noise stayed.

Anybody else have this or was it unique to this car?

Cheers

Andy

Have driven mine for 5 months now with no such issues, also know of another 3 owners that have never mentioed this problem, mine is whisper quiet at 70mph. Must have been an issue with the test car

Hi Andy

Had mine a month now very quiet at all speeds I would say it was the test car

Would recommend this car just a great car you got the speed when you need it or you can just cruise on a electric so smooth in all modes only downside I have and it was my fault I order the car before finding this site opt for the split seats 40-20-40 I didn't know it was a option

[Chris1712]

Don't have any wind noise problems but there is a lot of tyre roar.

[aberdeeneuan]

bigphil47 said:

Evening - had my pride and joy stolen last night from my driveway. On a positive side I could tell the police exactly where the car was parked. Scumbags broke into my home where my wife and daughter were asleep sometime between 10.30 and 11.30 and stole the keys (which were not on view) - I had been out at a dinner and arrived home at midnight to find an empty space on the drive. I immediately looked at the app and informed the police where the car was, 20 mins later they called the police who came to the burglary to confirm they had the car. I am now waited for the police to advise that I contact Lex to arrange for the car to be re-coded and new keys issued, assuming it is all ok and no damage done. We believe that it was stolen to order, so I am going to be on pins now at night wondering if they will be back.

It's not a nice feeling, especially as you weren't in at the time. My car was stolen (to order as well, as three others of the same type were done in two days) in February via a break in while we were all asleep, never to be seen again. I was nervous for a long time but what can you do? We bolstered some security around the house but if they want it, they'll get it somehow.

[andychamb]

Thanks all, most likely the test car then. I didn't think it could be a 3 series feature!

I was amazed by the seamless electric/ICE changeover, it was barely noticeable. Excellent performance, although I'm not sure I explored all the modes properly. I was pleasantly surprised by the interior space. I was worried it might seem small compared to the Jag XF I currently have. The only compromise seems to be boot size. But on the whole I think I could live with it. I will probably need a roof box for family holidays though!!

I charged at home through the lounge window LOL. I have a driveway but no garage. Maybe a tethered charging box would be the best option. I have an energy monitor plug. It pulled 6.08amps consistently and used just under 7kWh to charge on average, so that's under a pound for your 15-18 miles. My commute is 16 -20 miles one way depending on the route I take and work charging should be possible soon. So I'm literally target audience for a PHEV.

I'm going to test drive the Outlander PHEV next, but something tells me I'm not going to like it............! On our car scheme the Volvo and Merc 350e are way too expensive. This just leaves the 330e and Outlander as viable for me, others being the 2 series BMW and the Golf but I'm not going there. Shame that there is no 5 Series PHEV yet, but that would probably be ruled out by cost also.

[Ashy28]

I've been reading this post for months as I try to decide on my next car. Based on all of your good comments and photos (plus the low BIK of course) I've convinced myself that the 330e is the way to go. I have a test vehicle for a few days at the end of the month for a trial. I have to decide on options, and after having HUD on my current 5 series that's a definite addition for me to start with. Any other options people swear by? Cruise with stop-go function? I'm going for EB, and want a light interior. Unfortunately it looks like the oyster leather package only comes with the light lower dash (glove box etc). Is that correct? Can you spec the oyster with black dash.....or would I have to go for the "individual Cashmere" leather option? Thanks.

[bigphil47]

aberdeeneuan said:

It's not a nice feeling, especially as you weren't in at the time. My car was stolen (to order as well, as three others of the same type were done in two days) in February via a break in while we were all asleep, never to be seen again. I was nervous for a long time but what can you do? We bolstered some security around the house but if they want it, they'll get it somehow.

I too am in the process of bolstering the house security, but tend to agree with the theory of 'if they want it.... Some good news, been to see mine today, and apart from the dust the police use to check for prints she looks ok. All contents were still in the car too, I guess they don't like Genesis!! After an inspection underneath and a new lock-set and re-coding I am hoping to have her back by the end of next week. I am worried that they will be back for another go, but hope that as it was located 40 minutes after being parked they will decide not to bother. Whilst the connected app could use some additional features, the location app worked a treat. Anyone any ideas on additional security that can be added to the car as an additional deterrent?

[aberdeeneuan]

bigphil47 said:

aberdeeneuan said:

It's not a nice feeling, especially as you weren't in at the time. My car was stolen (to order as well, as three others of the same type were done in two days) in February via a break in while we were all asleep, never to be seen again. I was nervous for a long time but what can you do? We bolstered some security around the house but if they want it, they'll get it somehow.

I too am in the process of bolstering the house security, but tend to agree with the theory of 'if they want it.... Some good news, been to see mine today, and apart from the dust the police use to check for prints she looks ok. All contents were still in the car too, I guess they don't like Genesis!! After an inspection underneath and a new lock-set and re-coding I am hoping to have her back by the end of next week. I am worried that they will be back for another go, but hope that as it was located 40 minutes after being parked they will decide not to bother. Whilst the connected app could use some additional features, the location app worked a treat. Anyone any ideas on additional security that can be added to the car as an additional deterrent?

Advice when I got mine nicked was visual, stuff to slow them down like a steering lock etc. You could consider a driveway bollar too. We also put more light onto the drive, always use the alarm at night, changed a few other things too. It's the balance between Fort Knox and a home after all.

Good news it's in good nick though. Mine was suspected to be on false plates and gone within 12 hours!

[bmwphever]

andychamb said:

I charged at home through the lounge window LOL. I have a driveway but no garage. Maybe a tethered charging box would be the best option. I have an energy monitor plug. It pulled 6.08amps consistently and used just under 7kWh to charge on average, so that's under a pound for your 15-18 miles. My commute is 16 -20 miles one way depending on the route I take and work charging should be possible soon. So I'm literally target audience for a PHEV.

Excellent; thank you for the info.

andychamb said:

others being the 2 series BMW and the Golf but I'm not going there.

I know what you mean; the wife tried to sway me to the 2 series, but I just couldn't do it.

[HookyBeerMan]

That doesn't make me feel any better. Test drove the A3 Etron, 330e, and 225xe and went for the 225. Bigger boot and 4x4 swung it for me, against the better driving experience and economy of the 330e. Same 140 mile test drive returned 45 mpg for the 225xe vs 49mpg for the 330e. 330e was much faster, and had more toys model for model, but growing family, lots of camping trips, and the number of 3 series shaped holes in the hedges on the roads out of my village swing me towards the 225. The wife and kids all preferred the 225, though in the case of the kids I think the large sunroof and ipod holder on the back of the front seats swung the vote. Delivery should be in Jan, but the company may hold it back for the 17 registrations.

Now if they only did a 330xe tourer........

[bmwphever]

Sorry

We're getting an X3 for the family car, so fortunately the family aspect didn't come into the argument for my car. I didn't actually drive the 2 series, and the one point I did like about the spec was the 4x4 ability for the 1 day a year that we get some snow down South (although they're saying this could be a harsh winter). In reviews though the 225 came out pretty well and is a more practical (or maybe more versatile?) car at the end of the day.

[HookyBeerMan]

Yes listen to me, slightly upset because my new 30k BMW is driven from the wrong end! That's what a life of company cars does for you. To be honest I did enjoy the 225, it made a wonderful noise at the top end of the revs, and was very surefooted. Standard seats were very uncomfortable, definitely needed the sports seats, and after having diesels for the last 20 years the real time economy on the motorway, once the battery had been worn down made me wince. I live on the edge of the Cotswold's and am on call for my company, which means I often end up driving round the Midlands in the wee small hours. 4x4 makes a huge difference in icy conditions, and it will be interesting to see how the system on the 225 copes. Water ingress into the electrical bits is also a bit of a worry as one route out of my village includes a ford. It will be my first BMW for 24 something years, last one being a fondly remembered 1992 E36 320i, now that did make a wonderful noise!

[superbmw75]

Hi
I have owned my 330E (Sport) for a couple of months now. I ordered the car (as a company car renewal) back in February, before any test car was available, so it was a bit of a punt in terms of E-drive, however as a previous owner of a 320D and a test drive of i3 I had a good idea of what to expect. I am overall really impressed with the car, my only growing concern is around battery charge state. On delivery, at full charge the car reported range of 21 miles. It then within a couple weeks reduced to 18, then 17 and now will only report only 14 mile after a full charge. (On normal longer drives I will use AUTO, and on the more frequent short term city / school run drives I default to MAX E Drive. On MAX E drive, with light foot, I may be able to achieve 10 or 11 miles maximum). My BMW dealer has previously advised a full battery charge should be between 18-20 miles. I just wondered what other 330e drivers here can report for their full charge state, and if they have seen any reduction since initial use? I expected some battery reduction over time, but at this rate…

[andychamb]

HookyBeerMan said:

That doesn't make me feel any better. Test drove the A3 Etron, 330e, and 225xe and went for the 225. Bigger boot and 4x4 swung it for me, against the better driving experience and economy of the 330e. Same 140 mile test drive returned 45 mpg for the 225xe vs 49mpg for the 330e. 330e was much faster, and had more toys model for model, but growing family, lots of camping trips, and the number of 3 series shaped holes in the hedges on the roads out of my village swing me towards the 225. The wife and kids all preferred the 225, though in the case of the kids I think the large sunroof and ipod holder on the back of the front seats swung the vote. Delivery should be in Jan, but the company may hold it back for the 17 registrations.

Now if they only did a 330xe tourer........

I am absolutely with you on the pressures of family life! So far, I have always managed to keep out of the car I should have had, for one one I actually quite liked instead! I have managed to get away with something with a big boot rather than a people carrier. I'm in an Jag XF at the moment and the lease ends next year. I was pleasantly surprised by the 330e interior space, my son is 6' 3" and didn't complain of lack of space. The only down side being the smaller boot, but then, just how often do you really need all that space? I would spec split fold rear seats to help with that and then use a roof box for trips away. The other 95% of the time will be me in the car on my own with no more than an overnight bag or two for work. But it's different for everyone for sure.