Are all hybrids this bad?
Discussion
My i4's in for a warranty repair, and for the duration they've provided me with a 330e hybrid.
Unfortunately, despite a plethora of M badges it's pretty bare spec-wise, but that's another issue.
Electric range on full-charge is barely 20 miles. I can almost get to work and back - the engine cut in as I entered my street last night. Performance such as it is, is sluggish and dull. It's really poor - why anyone would choose one of these over a full EV or proper petrol I have no idea (except tax breaks I guess).
Terrible experience. Can't wait to get mine back.
Unfortunately, despite a plethora of M badges it's pretty bare spec-wise, but that's another issue.
Electric range on full-charge is barely 20 miles. I can almost get to work and back - the engine cut in as I entered my street last night. Performance such as it is, is sluggish and dull. It's really poor - why anyone would choose one of these over a full EV or proper petrol I have no idea (except tax breaks I guess).
Terrible experience. Can't wait to get mine back.
You've answered your own question!
If a full EV doesn't work for you, for many people they don't given 50% of UK homes don't have off-street parking. This makes sense as a company car!
What I4 do you drive for reference? To this day my old G series 330e is still one of the best all-rounders i've had, I certainly wouldn't say it lacked performance either. Warmer months I would see over 30 miles on the battery, if charged the MPG was well into the 60's
If a full EV doesn't work for you, for many people they don't given 50% of UK homes don't have off-street parking. This makes sense as a company car!
What I4 do you drive for reference? To this day my old G series 330e is still one of the best all-rounders i've had, I certainly wouldn't say it lacked performance either. Warmer months I would see over 30 miles on the battery, if charged the MPG was well into the 60's
Answered your own question - cars like the 330e were created for tax reasons. The majority were company cars, never got plugged in and provided very cheap motoring.
I noticed when shopping for a used 3 series recently the hybrid models are the cheapest by some margin, I guess the complexity of a hybrid powertrain as a used buyer, outside warranty has limited appeal.
I noticed when shopping for a used 3 series recently the hybrid models are the cheapest by some margin, I guess the complexity of a hybrid powertrain as a used buyer, outside warranty has limited appeal.
We had a Toyota Yaris Hybrid thing for a month as a courtesy car. There were no expectations of performance which might have helped, but the drive train was smooth and the transition between petrol engine and electric was pretty seamless in terms of handover, but very obvious when you asked for any acceleration. The electric motor just got on with it, delivering a nice wave of torque; the ICE engine mated to the CVT turned the petrol into noise rather than making the car go faster.
Was fairly cheap to run though - I think we only put 10-15 quid of petrol in during the whole month compared to our usual spend of 40-50.
Was fairly cheap to run though - I think we only put 10-15 quid of petrol in during the whole month compared to our usual spend of 40-50.
We had two main cars but only ever used one at a time so I sold the Leaf which we used for local trips, and the X-Type diesel which we'd had for ten years and only used on longer runs as diesels are even slower to reach optimum temperature than petrol cars. I bought a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV which fits in both categories. Local runs to shops and doctors/hospital visiting daughter five miles away, all are done on electric power which costs half that done in the Jaguar and there's no concerns with only half warming up an ICE car. On longer journeys it returns about 40mpg which for a AWD SUV is pretty good. Anyone with a similar use profile to mine would do well to consider a plug-in hybrid.
I have PHEV Volvo V60 T6 which has a "pure" range of 20-25 miles on electric (a model year newer and they got 50 mile batteries).
My work is 8 miles away so I can do there and back with some reserve. The battery costs 60p to charge using an EV overnight rate which has meant that my total commuting bill for the last year worked out to be £100
On longer journeys I used the hybrid mode and the sat nav does clever things for max efficiency. ie it reserves the battery for slower roads and stop start traffic as its more suited for there and I end up doing around 60-70mpg which I don't think is too bad.
the T6 is 335bhp and I think it drives well and is quite responsive for what it is. its a family wagon not a sports car and I previously had a Audi A6 2.0TDI (190bhp)
Realistically I think it comes down to car choice and driver preference. just because the BMW hybrid didn't work doesn't mean another won't. also even if there is a mile or so of petrol use along side the majority of electric use it will still be a saving vs petrol or diesel only.
My budget wouldn't stretch to an EV, and even if it did there wasn't really much that met my wants - mainly a huge boot and not an SUV ideally (as most had smaller boots than estates) when prices come down I would consider a VW ID.7 estate.
My work is 8 miles away so I can do there and back with some reserve. The battery costs 60p to charge using an EV overnight rate which has meant that my total commuting bill for the last year worked out to be £100
On longer journeys I used the hybrid mode and the sat nav does clever things for max efficiency. ie it reserves the battery for slower roads and stop start traffic as its more suited for there and I end up doing around 60-70mpg which I don't think is too bad.
the T6 is 335bhp and I think it drives well and is quite responsive for what it is. its a family wagon not a sports car and I previously had a Audi A6 2.0TDI (190bhp)
Realistically I think it comes down to car choice and driver preference. just because the BMW hybrid didn't work doesn't mean another won't. also even if there is a mile or so of petrol use along side the majority of electric use it will still be a saving vs petrol or diesel only.
My budget wouldn't stretch to an EV, and even if it did there wasn't really much that met my wants - mainly a huge boot and not an SUV ideally (as most had smaller boots than estates) when prices come down I would consider a VW ID.7 estate.
LordGrover said:
My i4's in for a warranty repair, and for the duration they've provided me with a 330e hybrid.
Unfortunately, despite a plethora of M badges it's pretty bare spec-wise, but that's another issue.
Electric range on full-charge is barely 20 miles. I can almost get to work and back - the engine cut in as I entered my street last night. Performance such as it is, is sluggish and dull. It's really poor - why anyone would choose one of these over a full EV or proper petrol I have no idea (except tax breaks I guess).
Terrible experience. Can't wait to get mine back.
It’s probably as simple as you having been spoilt with an EV and going back feels like a retrograde step for the type of use you have. You should count yourself lucky you’re happy with full EVs and can run one. Unfortunately, despite a plethora of M badges it's pretty bare spec-wise, but that's another issue.
Electric range on full-charge is barely 20 miles. I can almost get to work and back - the engine cut in as I entered my street last night. Performance such as it is, is sluggish and dull. It's really poor - why anyone would choose one of these over a full EV or proper petrol I have no idea (except tax breaks I guess).
Terrible experience. Can't wait to get mine back.
Ordinary hybrids are ok but plug in hybrids that haven't been plugged in or set to sport mode are awful - no performance and no economy.
I had booked a Tesla model Y hire car last year but instead was given a brand new 5 series - I think 530e, with a flat battery.
It was only after I had run it in sport mode for quite a while which charged the battery up a little bit that it gave halfway decent performance by combining the battery and engine. On electric or on petrol alone it was poor.
It was extra embarrassing as the 5 series was matt black and had big M badges to make it look like an M5.
Similarly a new Volvo XC90 that hadn't been plugged in. Terribly slow and only 24mpg.
I had booked a Tesla model Y hire car last year but instead was given a brand new 5 series - I think 530e, with a flat battery.
It was only after I had run it in sport mode for quite a while which charged the battery up a little bit that it gave halfway decent performance by combining the battery and engine. On electric or on petrol alone it was poor.
It was extra embarrassing as the 5 series was matt black and had big M badges to make it look like an M5.
Similarly a new Volvo XC90 that hadn't been plugged in. Terribly slow and only 24mpg.
Adore my outlander PHEV, I mention it a lot on here 
. Range is only 20-30 miles, but I live 11 miles from office. It's perfect for our use - petrol tank is tiny, only £40 to fill it but I still only fill it up once a month. I also drive aggressively - long straight roads allowing lots of overtaking. Hit the sports button and it flies (rarely need to use sport mode). 240bhp petrol engine kicks in smoothly, car performs really well for something so big.
. Range is only 20-30 miles, but I live 11 miles from office. It's perfect for our use - petrol tank is tiny, only £40 to fill it but I still only fill it up once a month. I also drive aggressively - long straight roads allowing lots of overtaking. Hit the sports button and it flies (rarely need to use sport mode). 240bhp petrol engine kicks in smoothly, car performs really well for something so big.I've had the odd hybrid loaner or hire car and I've never warmed to them but then I've never driven one long enough to really become accustomed to how they are best managed. I know some of the more luxury brands are putting bigger and bigger batteries in them, I presume chasing lower emissions, but may help. One thing I did notice was the efficiency on battery seemed quite bad. I think if you've made the switch to EV then a hybrid doesn't cut it, but if you're not sure or limited charging options etc, then I guess it might at least make you feel like you're helping save the planet.
plfrench said:
LordGrover said:
My i4's in for a warranty repair, and for the duration they've provided me with a 330e hybrid.
Unfortunately, despite a plethora of M badges it's pretty bare spec-wise, but that's another issue.
Electric range on full-charge is barely 20 miles. I can almost get to work and back - the engine cut in as I entered my street last night. Performance such as it is, is sluggish and dull. It's really poor - why anyone would choose one of these over a full EV or proper petrol I have no idea (except tax breaks I guess).
Terrible experience. Can't wait to get mine back.
It s probably as simple as you having been spoilt with an EV and going back feels like a retrograde step for the type of use you have. You should count yourself lucky you re happy with full EVs and can run one. Unfortunately, despite a plethora of M badges it's pretty bare spec-wise, but that's another issue.
Electric range on full-charge is barely 20 miles. I can almost get to work and back - the engine cut in as I entered my street last night. Performance such as it is, is sluggish and dull. It's really poor - why anyone would choose one of these over a full EV or proper petrol I have no idea (except tax breaks I guess).
Terrible experience. Can't wait to get mine back.
Many people say that a plug in hybrid is the best of both worlds- I think it's more accurate to say it's a great compromise of both worlds, but not the 'best' of either. As the OP now knows, the BEV is better at being an electric car
MOBB said:
I borrowed a 330e from work when my Honda e was poorly
Totally s
t in most aspects, couldn t wait to get my car back
No idea what people see in them
I guess when in sport mode with a fully charged battery they're 'nippy', probably faster and a bit posher for many new to salary sacrifice schemes happened to drive before. I associate them solely with company car drivers because I can't fathom why anyone else would choose one, at least not new.Totally s
t in most aspects, couldn t wait to get my car backNo idea what people see in them
Most salary sacrifice BMW's are also fairly low spec as people tend not to pay extra for options, and a BMW without options feels a bit 'poverty spec' inside!
A few people had 330e's at work, they always seemed to have issues.
I have a Nissan X-trail e-power e-4orce which is good. Mainly because it is a series hybrid, so drives more like electric and is pretty silent most of the time unless you are particularly heavy footed. Then the battery needs replenishing quicker and rather than the low setting the engine kicks it up a notch and you get a bit of a mooing from the engine compartment as it keeps up. But it never struggles for shove but the feeling is a little bit odd because none of your senses match with how speed is built.
I have a Nissan X-trail e-power e-4orce which is good. Mainly because it is a series hybrid, so drives more like electric and is pretty silent most of the time unless you are particularly heavy footed. Then the battery needs replenishing quicker and rather than the low setting the engine kicks it up a notch and you get a bit of a mooing from the engine compartment as it keeps up. But it never struggles for shove but the feeling is a little bit odd because none of your senses match with how speed is built.
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