Daily driver - BMW 330e Touring vs Mercedes C300e Estate

[Church of Noise]

It's time to pick my next daily driver (company car, in Belgium) and I can't seem to make up my mind (quite atypical, I usually know what I want 6 months before I can actually order my next car).

There were initially 4 options:

• BMW 330e Touring
• BMW iX3
• Mercedes C300e Estate
• Mercedes EQC
• (Volvo V60 hybrid was not even on the list as budget wise it would never fit)

I've driven all 4 last weekend.

Now, taking into account that my girlfriend's family lives 850 miles from where we live, and we visit them around 4 times a year (so her child can spend time with dad, grandparents, family, ...) range is a very big topic.
Whereas we can do the trip on today in 11-12 hours as a very significant share of it is in Germany, with the current offer of electric cars that would become 16hr+, so not feasible within one day.
The option of a fully electric car therefore kind of fell off the table. (I know there are other solutions, such as using our second family car for the trips or flying, but the first option is less comfortable and the last one implies 3 persons x 4 times = 12 flight tickets a year + taxis so that's a no no too).

That brings it down to BMW 330e vs Mercedes C300e.

• The BMW would have the 'sport' line, with 'sports 'seats, Harman kardon stereo, half fake leather half alcantara seats, a panoramic roof (I love these because of the way they bring light into the cabin) ...
• The Mercedes would have similar equipment but no pano roof

Having driven them, the BMW felt very familiar as an improved and faster version of the previous generation 318d I used to have. Familiar, very nice balance between comfort and sportiness. But also not very 'new'.

On the other hand, the Mercedes has a very nice interior, much more modern than the BMW, and somewhat more comfy and less sporty.

I'm still doubting somewhat, but I tend to lean towards the Mercedes.

What's the view of the wisdom of PH?

Edited by Church of Noise on Wednesday 26th January 18:20

[ajap1979]

What’s a c300e Break?

[TheDeuce]

ajap1979 said:

What’s a c300e Break?

Guessing shooting brake (estate)

[Church of Noise]

I mean estate indeed.

[ZesPak]

I'd still look into one of the EV's, check https://abetterrouteplanner.com/.

I know the EQC and iX3 aren't exactly Tesla's, but it hardly adds any travel time to my travels, esp with the wife and kids.
Before I bought an EV, I went back and look at my holidays, and noticed that a "short stop" which included bathroom break and a quick bite was often 30 minutes, enough to have a quick charge so in total the EV adds very little to the journey time.
A 1300km stint as you'd state would add about three hours of charging along the way.
Of course, if you say 11h that's 11h of driving at 120km/h... if that's how you do that stint electric won't do it indeed and will force you to stop every 3-something hours. Making it maybe 15h. But if you do take the odd brake in the ICE as well, the difference might be a lot less than you'd think.

Real example: From Antwerp to Warshaw is about 1300km, google maps say you can do that in 11h30 no traffic no stops.
ABRP with an EQC claims 15h30
With an iX3 claims 14h50.

As it's a company car it's all temporary, so you might as well go for the E class. But traveling electric -especially through most of Europe- is a lot more relaxing than most non-ev owners would want to make you think.

[TheDeuce]

Church of Noise said:

The option of a fully electric car therefore kind of fell off the table. (I know there are other solutions, such as using our second family car for the trips or flying, but the first option is less comfortable and the last one implies 3 persons x 4 times = 12 flight tickets a year + taxis so that's a no no too).

I'd have thought that 12 flight tickets a year would easily be paid for by the BIK saving from having an full EV? And a faster way to travel of course.. Have you checked the full BIK cost of the BMW and Merc including fuel card vs the cost of travel?

Or do the drive in the EV and stay somewhere nice overnight to break it up - another cost I'd have thought easily covered by the 1% BIK vs 12% for the 330e + fuel BIK too. I guess somewhere between £1600 pa @ 20% in total of £3200 pa @ 40%

If my numbers are about right I'd be sorely tempted to take the more fun EV option and sack off the 800 mile drive 4 times a year - that's what planes are for

[DragonflyTrumpeter]

TheDeuce said:

I'd have thought that 12 flight tickets a year would easily be paid for by the BIK saving from having an full EV? And a faster way to travel of course.. Have you checked the full BIK cost of the BMW and Merc including fuel card vs the cost of travel?

Or do the drive in the EV and stay somewhere nice overnight to break it up - another cost I'd have thought easily covered by the 1% BIK vs 12% for the 330e + fuel BIK too. I guess somewhere between £1600 pa @ 20% in total of £3200 pa @ 40%

If my numbers are about right I'd be sorely tempted to take the more fun EV option and sack off the 800 mile drive 4 times a year - that's what planes are for

My 330e msport is 8% bik as proved by the certificate of conformity and agreed by hmrc (UK based, obviously). I know a few 330e cc drivers and all are the same.

With my driving pattern, including twice a month 450 mile round trips with charging limitations and therefore time issues, the hybrid currently fits perfect rather than an EV and is very cost effective. Particularly with private fuel paid at only 8% bik. Without having to guess, my numbers are right and EV is not an option for me just yet.

[TheDeuce]

DragonflyTrumpeter said:

TheDeuce said:

I'd have thought that 12 flight tickets a year would easily be paid for by the BIK saving from having an full EV? And a faster way to travel of course.. Have you checked the full BIK cost of the BMW and Merc including fuel card vs the cost of travel?

Or do the drive in the EV and stay somewhere nice overnight to break it up - another cost I'd have thought easily covered by the 1% BIK vs 12% for the 330e + fuel BIK too. I guess somewhere between £1600 pa @ 20% in total of £3200 pa @ 40%

If my numbers are about right I'd be sorely tempted to take the more fun EV option and sack off the 800 mile drive 4 times a year - that's what planes are for

My 330e msport is 8% bik as proved by the certificate of conformity and agreed by hmrc (UK based, obviously). I know a few 330e cc drivers and all are the same.

With my driving pattern, including twice a month 450 mile round trips with charging limitations and therefore time issues, the hybrid currently fits perfect rather than an EV and is very cost effective. Particularly with private fuel paid at only 8% bik. Without having to guess, my numbers are right and EV is not an option for me just yet.

This implies 11% this year rising to 12% next year: https://comcar.co.uk/companycar/tax/calculation/?v...

Thanks for the other info but I was asking the OP if HIS Bik would exceed the cost of flights for the specific long distance trips he would make. I don't expect the same answer will apply to you and/or all other 330e drivers

[Church of Noise]

ZesPak said:

I'd still look into one of the EV's, check https://abetterrouteplanner.com/.

I know the EQC and iX3 aren't exactly Tesla's, but it hardly adds any travel time to my travels, esp with the wife and kids.
Before I bought an EV, I went back and look at my holidays, and noticed that a "short stop" which included bathroom break and a quick bite was often 30 minutes, enough to have a quick charge so in total the EV adds very little to the journey time.
A 1300km stint as you'd state would add about three hours of charging along the way.
Of course, if you say 11h that's 11h of driving at 120km/h... if that's how you do that stint electric won't do it indeed and will force you to stop every 3-something hours. Making it maybe 15h. But if you do take the odd brake in the ICE as well, the difference might be a lot less than you'd think.

Real example: From Antwerp to Warshaw is about 1300km, google maps say you can do that in 11h30 no traffic no stops.
ABRP with an EQC claims 15h30
With an iX3 claims 14h50.

As it's a company car it's all temporary, so you might as well go for the E class. But traveling electric -especially through most of Europe- is a lot more relaxing than most non-ev owners would want to make you think.

Thanks, that is very useful!

Currently, the 1340 km trip takes 11-12 hours door to door (driving + stops) as the higher speed in Germany compensates for the time lost in fuel stops. That won't work in an EV as the higher speed presumably has a huge impact on range.

In an iX3 that would indeed be 14h50, which might be still just be acceptable.
One worry I still have is the availability of a charger when and where you want to charge, could you share your experience with that?

TheDeuce said:

This implies 11% this year rising to 12% next year: https://comcar.co.uk/companycar/tax/calculation/?v...

Thanks for the other info but I was asking the OP if HIS Bik would exceed the cost of flights for the specific long distance trips he would make. I don't expect the same answer will apply to you and/or all other 330e drivers

I live in Belgium, and taxes are somewhat different here, but this is the gist of it:

• There is a tax for company cars based on emissions and cost. The hybrids and full EVs I mention all would cost me similar amounts in taxes on a yearly basis so no financial (dis)advantage in either.
• For the lease cost, because of resale and tax value, I can typically get a slightly roomier and better equipped EV

Edited by Church of Noise on Wednesday 26th January 18:22

[ZesPak]

Church of Noise said:

Thanks, that is very useful!

Currently, the 1340 km trip takes 11-12 hours door to door (driving + stops) as the higher speed in Germany compensates for the time lost in fuel stops. That won't work in an EV as the higher speed presumably has a huge impact on range.

In an iX3 that would indeed be 14h50, which might be still just be acceptable.
One worry I still have is the availability of a charger when and where you want to charge, could you share your experience with that?

Largely dependent on region, the Netherlands and some of Scandinavia is crazy good.
But, I never had any problems finding chargers in the UK, Belgium, France, Italy (even the far south) or Germany.
At first I thought a lot of it is planning, but went on an unplanned stint through Europe (5500km) with the family without any issues.

I do see that in my Tesla, I could do with 4 stops, but for that iX3 it's 8!!

The thing we love about traveling in the EV is that the kids never complain as it's never more than a couple of hours. These stops are forced upon you but have made or family travels so much nicer.

Church of Noise said:

I live in Belgium, and taxes are somewhat different here, but this is the gist of it:

• There is a tax for company cars based on emissions and cost. The hybrids and full EVs I mention all would cost me similar amounts in taxes on a yearly basis so no financial (dis)advantage in either.
• For the lease cost, because of resale and tax value, I can typically get a slightly roomier and better equipped EV

, and within the next couple of years anything with an ICE will disappear off that list as they become less and less deductible for employers.
Do keep note that for some leasings, your home charger will be in your cost of the car. So if your home charger installation is 1000 EUR, that goes off your budget. There are also different arrangements regarding your electricity reimbursement. I know some leasings just offer a "smart cable", where the cable basically relays the kWh charged to the leasing company, where the leasing company pays you X per kWh. Best check beforehand, it'll be relevant for either EV and PHEV .

On the other hand, if your wallbox is an extra perk, that's another personal cost you might avoid in the future.
Edit: The wallbox is mostly for BEV, a PHEV is perfectly usable without.

Edited by ZesPak on Wednesday 26th January 19:32

[DragonflyTrumpeter]

TheDeuce said:

This implies 11% this year rising to 12% next year: https://comcar.co.uk/companycar/tax/calculation/?v...

Thanks for the other info but I was asking the OP if HIS Bik would exceed the cost of flights for the specific long distance trips he would make. I don't expect the same answer will apply to you and/or all other 330e drivers

I specified UK for a reason, as I assumed you thought so with your 12%. I was merely pointing out that you are wrong. I know of many 330e cc drivers and every one has a certificate of conformity and paying the lower 8% rate of bik.

As it is, the OP is in Belgium and it matters not a jot