BMW 330e ordered...

[Happy_Harris1431]

DragonflyTrumpeter said:

Duly noted. Total motoring costs of £135 a month for a car like that is a real bummer for the tax man And whilst it will change a bit in in the coming years, the 330e is going to be way more income tax friendly for cc drivers than similar options.

The 330e is currently bik 7% then 9, 13 + 16% in 19/20. Compared to 330d, currently 26% then 28, 30 + 33%. So still less than half after 4 years. The e is a cheaper list price than the d as well, even without grant.

As Soov535 says, we pay plenty income tax so may as well enjoy one benefit. Many will choose just to simply take the cut rate whilst it is an option and then change to suit when the rules dictate.

You're spot on Dragonfly, my 330e has been an absolute bargain!!

Speaking to my colleague today who also has one and lives just 6 miles from our office, he set himself a challenge and for over 2 weeks on his travels his combustion engine has never come on once! If that's not eco-friendly im not sure what is??

And lets not forget that Deisel is on a real shakey pegg at the moment for more than one reason.

NOX levels and cheating devices are a big problem but putting those aside, just drive a 330e for a month then try and drive a deisel again!! Its awful!!

[anonymous-user]

Happy_Harris1431 said:

DragonflyTrumpeter said:

Duly noted. Total motoring costs of £135 a month for a car like that is a real bummer for the tax man And whilst it will change a bit in in the coming years, the 330e is going to be way more income tax friendly for cc drivers than similar options.

The 330e is currently bik 7% then 9, 13 + 16% in 19/20. Compared to 330d, currently 26% then 28, 30 + 33%. So still less than half after 4 years. The e is a cheaper list price than the d as well, even without grant.

As Soov535 says, we pay plenty income tax so may as well enjoy one benefit. Many will choose just to simply take the cut rate whilst it is an option and then change to suit when the rules dictate.

You're spot on Dragonfly, my 330e has been an absolute bargain!!

Speaking to my colleague today who also has one and lives just 6 miles from our office, he set himself a challenge and for over 2 weeks on his travels his combustion engine has never come on once! If that's not eco-friendly im not sure what is??

And lets not forget that Deisel is on a real shakey pegg at the moment for more than one reason.

NOX levels and cheating devices are a big problem but putting those aside, just drive a 330e for a month then try and drive a deisel again!! Its awful!!

Why doesn't your colleague drive a proper EV then? Or even cycle to work?

The fact is that most can't do what he's doing and won't be getting anywhere near diesel mpg from a 330e. Surely there's no doubt that the 330e, as many others, has the prime purpose of avoiding BIK? Nothing wrong with that but why deny it?

I wonder how many have been sold to non CC drivers?

[PSRG]

REALIST123 said:

I wonder how many have been sold to non CC drivers?

Not a 330e (I got bored waiting for the car ordered on a very cheap lease to be delivered!!) but I bought, privately, an ex demo A3 e-tron. It's done 14,000 miles in a year, a combination of roughly 40% me using it to commute to work (almost always 100% EV only), 40% longer but still local journeys (maybe 50% EV) and the balance being half a dozen 4/500 mile journeys (maybe 95% ICE/hybrid). It's averaged around 80mpg accoring to the OBC, and we've probably used around £120 of electricity looking at the meter on the charging point. The Mercedes C250CDi it replaced averaged 42 mpg in the same conditions....

[ism123]

I've had my 330e M Sport since April and done 9k, mix of urban and motorway. I'm getting 35mpg, highest was 40mpg, but then I rarely charge it. Let's face it, it's just a tax swizz and the technology is way off being where it should be to make hybrid or electric a realistic alternative. I also had the coolant topped up at 7k, apparently the dealer I use is seeing a few of them for this.

ETA: As a company car driver it's a PITA to be forced into stuff like this. I've got the nod to change it as I don't like it, however, the pain in the wallet is more severe than filling up more often, the low mpg, the hassle of charging it, the lack of boot space etc etc

Ian

Edited by ism123 on Thursday 15th December 23:16

[JonnyVTEC]

Not using something properly doesn't make it a tax fiddle.

"My plugin hybrid doesn't meet my expectations. PS I don't plug it in "

[bmwphever]

REALIST123 said:

I wonder how many have been sold to non CC drivers?

+1 for mine; collecting on Sunday

[PSRG]

JonnyVTEC said:

Not using something properly doesn't make it a tax fiddle.

"My plugin hybrid doesn't meet my expectations. PS I don't plug it in "

So true! Our PHEV is at least plugged in when at home and not in use...at the weekend than can mean 100+ miles of short journeys all in EV mode. Sometimes I'll even plug it in at work to top it up

[ism123]

JonnyVTEC said:

Not using something properly doesn't make it a tax fiddle.

"My plugin hybrid doesn't meet my expectations. PS I don't plug it in "

6-7 mile range from fully charged hardly makes it a usable feature

[The Beaver King]

ism123 said:

JonnyVTEC said:

Not using something properly doesn't make it a tax fiddle.

"My plugin hybrid doesn't meet my expectations. PS I don't plug it in "

6-7 mile range from fully charged hardly makes it a usable feature

Not sure where you pulled that number from, I've never seen less than 13 miles on my C350e and the battery is around the same size as the BMW.

It really isn't rocket science; if you are doing regularly journeys or commutes of more than 30-40 miles then don't get a PHEV, you just won't see the benefit. It would be like buying a Tesla and claiming it is crap because you have to charge it or you can't do a 400 mile journey in one hit.

For the rest of us, it is fantastic and saves me a ton in petrol. Currently averaging 80+ mpg Monday to Friday; A full tank of petrol (50 litres or £55 ish) will see me for 3 to 4 weeks with my commute. The BiK is just the cherry on top.

[RicksAlfas]

REALIST123 said:

The fact is that most can't do what he's doing and won't be getting anywhere near diesel mpg from a 330e.

You are absolutely right, but it does depend on your usage. Most of my journeys are slow, urban trips.
My last car was 320ED and averaged 44mpg.

I've now got a C350e which is considerably faster and more fun to drive, but at the same time I'm now averaging 55mpg, so it works well for me.

If I was doing 20,000 miles + a year up and down the motorway I would be far better off with the 320ED as it excelled at that kind of trip. However I don't. So the hybrid suits me fine. But I fully appreciate it doesn't work for everyone. What's happened is too many people have seen the headline BIK figure and not given it a second thought. It's just the same as people choosing DPF-equipped diesels and pottering to the shops and back.

I do plug it in though, because that's how it works best. If you don't plug it in you might as well get a 320i, ow whatever the equivalent is without the electrogubbins.

[Bigred67]

Hello All,

Sorry if this has already been posted, I did have a quick scan through but must admit that it was not all 87 pages.

Do any of you know if there are rumors of a 330e estate or GT every being produced, ideally in the near future? If not, is there a reason for this?

Thanks.

[bmwphever]

Bigred67 said:

Hello All,

Sorry if this has already been posted, I did have a quick scan through but must admit that it was not all 87 pages.

Do any of you know if there are rumors of a 330e estate or GT every being produced, ideally in the near future? If not, is there a reason for this?

Thanks.

I've not heard of any model other than the saloon. The reasoning I've seen behind there being no estate is because the primary target markets for the 330e are where the estate isn't popular (including the US I believe). BMW are revamping the 5 series next year, with an assumption that a hybrid version will follow in 2018. Whether there will also be additional models in the 3 range, well I've seen no rumours suggesting there will be.

[Funkydunc]

Its becoming more apparent that the current stock of hybrid cars can not offer what the manufacturers claim. For most people, most of the time they are obviously not meeting the marketed claims of the manufacturer.

Personally I made the decision to switch because I wanted to get away from a dirty diesel as the main reason, and I have a much faster, higher spec car for less than I was paying per month previously.

The 3 series is a long distance mile munching car, not a city car (BMW already offer a solution for that) so it should be able to perform over longer distance. The fact that it performs worse over long distance than a 320i is bad for our pockets and the environment.

It will be interesting to see what claimed and actual range the all electric 3 series has when it comes out in 2018...

[Bigred67]

Thanks BMWphever,

I thought that may be the case.

I'll keep pestering the dealers for future model information, but in the mean time will probably replace my current daily drive after Christmas, then look at EV in two years time. With a bit of luck the technology will of caught up by then, making it even more beneficial for trips of a higher mileage and include other models.

Regards,

BR

bmwphever said:

Bigred67 said:

Hello All,

Sorry if this has already been posted, I did have a quick scan through but must admit that it was not all 87 pages.

Do any of you know if there are rumors of a 330e estate or GT every being produced, ideally in the near future? If not, is there a reason for this?

Thanks.

I've not heard of any model other than the saloon. The reasoning I've seen behind there being no estate is because the primary target markets for the 330e are where the estate isn't popular (including the US I believe). BMW are revamping the 5 series next year, with an assumption that a hybrid version will follow in 2018. Whether there will also be additional models in the 3 range, well I've seen no rumours suggesting there will be.

[JD]

JonnyVTEC said:

Not using something properly doesn't make it a tax fiddle.

"My plugin hybrid doesn't meet my expectations. PS I don't plug it in "

This thread is staggering.

Many people adamant the car is rubbish and only gets 35mpg, and think charging it is "not worth the hassle"; Completely ignorant towards the posts from other people saying they are plugging theirs in every day and getting 55mpg!

[Ruxpin]

It is quite amusing to see how many people don't understand these cars, bought them just because of the low BIK and without researching to see if they genuinely fit their journey profile. People not charging because they "only" do 13miles on the battery, people doing 30k+ a year and comparing them to a 2ltr diesel etc etc

My C350e is more economical than i expected. It, like a 3 series is a petrol 2ltr turbo, realistically it isn't going to do more than 35mpg on its own. Yet the lowest full tank mpg i have seen with no charging is 37mpg and that included driving with a roof box! Without charging it seems to do 40-45mpg which i think is very impressive. Charge the thing and use it as designed and it has done 72mpg and over 700miles from its 50ltr tank.

I drove the car from Leicester to North London and back yesterday hitting rush hour on the M1/north circular in the morning, so a mix of clear m-way and plenty of slow stop start. 189miles, 48.7mpg over 4hrs of driving. It did 53miles with the engine off - quite a bit more than the 13miles it left with! In my experience of 330d/335ds I don't believe the current 6cly diesels will get near that. My older 2006 335d would do 32-34mpg on the same journey.

[DragonflyTrumpeter]

RicksAlfas said:

You are absolutely right, but it does depend on your usage. Most of my journeys are slow, urban trips.
My last car was 320ED and averaged 44mpg.

I've now got a C350e which is considerably faster and more fun to drive, but at the same time I'm now averaging 55mpg, so it works well for me.

If I was doing 20,000 miles + a year up and down the motorway I would be far better off with the 320ED as it excelled at that kind of trip. However I don't. So the hybrid suits me fine. But I fully appreciate it doesn't work for everyone. What's happened is too many people have seen the headline BIK figure and not given it a second thought. It's just the same as people choosing DPF-equipped diesels and pottering to the shops and back.

I do plug it in though, because that's how it works best. If you don't plug it in you might as well get a 320i, ow whatever the equivalent is without the electrogubbins.

But not plugging it in does not mean you only get 320i performance. The drivetrain solves that problem very well, it just means your fuel efficiency is more comparable to a 330i and not the 320i. Back to the 'who pays the running costs / company car' discussion.

[davidab157]

ism123 said:

6-7 mile range from fully charged hardly makes it a usable feature

If you get 6 miles from a full charge either there is a problem with your car or you are not driving it properly.

15 miles is fairly easily achievable on a daily basis, 20 is about the most I have done on e-power only and you should see 25 ish on a long journey where you can recoup some energy coasting and braking (although I think the ICE will do the odd bit of charging once the battery dies which will increase the % electric driven you see on the app).

15-20 miles covers the majority of daily commutes and that is what these cars are aimed at. I think I had 60% total electric driving at last look (before the app changed and took away that functionality!), so I wouldn't say it's a tax fiddle if ordered for the correct reasons (although the tax is what put it in my budget).

[RicksAlfas]

DragonflyTrumpeter said:

But not plugging it in does not mean you only get 320i performance. The drivetrain solves that problem very well, it just means your fuel efficiency is more comparable to a 330i and not the 320i. Back to the 'who pays the running costs / company car' discussion.

Yes, fair point.
It's the split personality of these cars which I think is so appealing. On the one hand you get a good BIK friendly car. But on the other you can do 0-60 in six seconds.

[The Beaver King]

RicksAlfas said:

Yes, fair point.
It's the split personality of these cars which I think is so appealing. On the one hand you get a good BIK friendly car. But on the other you can do 0-60 in six seconds.

Also known as the 'Tesla' model