Discussion
I have a G31 530d touring as a daily hack and I’m wondering why on earth I just don’t get an EV - it is (obviously) auto, with no driver engagement - just a reasonable amount of torque. I got it as I do loads of miles and historically I always had M Cars as dailies, and given I have other things more interesting filled weekend and summer I wanted something cheap to run and quick ish as practica for every day Surely for a daily hack. 70,000 miles in, I can’t see next what on earth if I’d miss if I swapped it for a EV. Torque? EV will have more. Engine noise? There’s isn’t any to speak of. Driver engagement? None either…. Am I missing something in thinking an EV will be even cheaper to run and will be much quicker with no less involvement….
Edited by Billy_Whizzzz on Saturday 3rd May 18:47
The diesel has one advantage, you can cover long distances without needing to break your journey for more than five minutes or so. If you're doing more than 200 mile days on a frequent basis, it's probably better suited.
Otherwise for a typical mix of trips where longer journeys are occasional matters, then yes assuming you can charge at home, an EV will be smoother, quieter, cheaper and lower maintenance. A little extra time stationary on the occasional longer trip is outweighed by the benefits the rest of the time.
Otherwise for a typical mix of trips where longer journeys are occasional matters, then yes assuming you can charge at home, an EV will be smoother, quieter, cheaper and lower maintenance. A little extra time stationary on the occasional longer trip is outweighed by the benefits the rest of the time.
I came to a similar conclusion when buying my Ix3.
I was looking at 520ds and x3 20ds, but:
1) I didn’t want another diesel that’s even more complicated than ever with AdBlue etc.
2) I decided I didn’t want another 4 pot diesel rattling away.
3) A lot were covid cars with missing spec or not in good condition/SH.
So I looked at 30ds, but they are rare in the age/spec I wanted again due to covid, and subsequently often had quite a premium on them.
But then I realised for the same money as an average specced x3 20d M sport I could get the same age Ix3 Premier Pro which is faster, stacked with kit and costs buttons to run.
Ok it only has a realistic range of low-mid 200s but all but 2-3 occasions a year this isn’t a problem for me.
It’s quiet, smooth, easy to drive in traffic and has plenty of overtaking shove when needed.
I was looking at 520ds and x3 20ds, but:
1) I didn’t want another diesel that’s even more complicated than ever with AdBlue etc.
2) I decided I didn’t want another 4 pot diesel rattling away.
3) A lot were covid cars with missing spec or not in good condition/SH.
So I looked at 30ds, but they are rare in the age/spec I wanted again due to covid, and subsequently often had quite a premium on them.
But then I realised for the same money as an average specced x3 20d M sport I could get the same age Ix3 Premier Pro which is faster, stacked with kit and costs buttons to run.
Ok it only has a realistic range of low-mid 200s but all but 2-3 occasions a year this isn’t a problem for me.
It’s quiet, smooth, easy to drive in traffic and has plenty of overtaking shove when needed.
I would say you have hit the nail on the head. We bought a Polestar 2 recently, and cannot see any reason to go back to a petrol/diesel vehicle, unless it is something interesting, as a second car. For every day driving, an EV makes so much sense. Charging at 7p/kWh makes it dirt cheap.
People who argue that you can’t drive long journeys, forget that no one does more than 100-150 miles in one go. Fast charging an EV from say 20-80% wouldn’t take any longer than the time it takes to use the loo, get a coffee and a general rest. I don’t believe it is inconvenient or time consuming like people seem to think - it is based on lots of misinformation.
It won’t suit EVERYBODY, but 95% of people would have no issues.
People who argue that you can’t drive long journeys, forget that no one does more than 100-150 miles in one go. Fast charging an EV from say 20-80% wouldn’t take any longer than the time it takes to use the loo, get a coffee and a general rest. I don’t believe it is inconvenient or time consuming like people seem to think - it is based on lots of misinformation.
It won’t suit EVERYBODY, but 95% of people would have no issues.
As somebody with a F11 530d still worth about £10k on a good day I’m starting to look at early Tesla M3P’s at say £17k.
We probably put two tanks of diesel in the car per month (£160ish), 80% short journey stuff and never greater than 200miles.
Thinking newer, faster, and cheaper to run. Even if financing the £7k difference, the fuel savings would cover the monthly cost on a small personal loan.
We probably put two tanks of diesel in the car per month (£160ish), 80% short journey stuff and never greater than 200miles.
Thinking newer, faster, and cheaper to run. Even if financing the £7k difference, the fuel savings would cover the monthly cost on a small personal loan.
robertfleckney said:
I would say you have hit the nail on the head. We bought a Polestar 2 recently, and cannot see any reason to go back to a petrol/diesel vehicle, unless it is something interesting, as a second car. For every day driving, an EV makes so much sense. Charging at 7p/kWh makes it dirt cheap.
People who argue that you can’t drive long journeys, forget that no one does more than 100-150 miles in one go. Fast charging an EV from say 20-80% wouldn’t take any longer than the time it takes to use the loo, get a coffee and a general rest. I don’t believe it is inconvenient or time consuming like people seem to think - it is based on lots of misinformation.
It won’t suit EVERYBODY, but 95% of people would have no issues.
True, I have had an EV for 13 months and it's great. People who argue that you can’t drive long journeys, forget that no one does more than 100-150 miles in one go. Fast charging an EV from say 20-80% wouldn’t take any longer than the time it takes to use the loo, get a coffee and a general rest. I don’t believe it is inconvenient or time consuming like people seem to think - it is based on lots of misinformation.
It won’t suit EVERYBODY, but 95% of people would have no issues.
BUT, with more range (Honda eNy1 I've found is well over 200 miles in summer, but more like 150 in winter) I could go further on the charging at home costs. 
I'm on 8.5p on Octopus Go overnight and on a recent trip to Dorset and back, I got 70p per kWh a Lidl in Shaftesbury and 53p in a small place called Lytchett Matrevers (great name!) but at 11 kW speed. Had to stay an hour, nice place for a sarnie and a stroll. You pays your money, you takes your choice; at least it was only just over 6 x what I pay at home. Pubic chargers on motorways charge up to 10 times what I pay at home.
I think you’ve answered your own question OP! Absolutely no reason if you can charge at home as the others have said.
I ditched a 71 plate E350d estate for an ID3 18 months and 37,000 miles ago. Haven’t looked back or regretted it once. Far prefer the ID3 drivetrain, just instant response with no waiting for boost or gear changes.
Give one a good test drive and I’m sure you’ll not regret it.
I ditched a 71 plate E350d estate for an ID3 18 months and 37,000 miles ago. Haven’t looked back or regretted it once. Far prefer the ID3 drivetrain, just instant response with no waiting for boost or gear changes.
Give one a good test drive and I’m sure you’ll not regret it.
plfrench said:
I think you’ve answered your own question OP! Absolutely no reason if you can charge at home as the others have said.
I ditched a 71 plate E350d estate for an ID3 18 months and 37,000 miles ago. Haven’t looked back or regretted it once. Far prefer the ID3 drivetrain, just instant response with no waiting for boost or gear changes.
Give one a good test drive and I’m sure you’ll not regret it.
From the ones we have had in they are very cheap feeling inside I ditched a 71 plate E350d estate for an ID3 18 months and 37,000 miles ago. Haven’t looked back or regretted it once. Far prefer the ID3 drivetrain, just instant response with no waiting for boost or gear changes.
Give one a good test drive and I’m sure you’ll not regret it.
Billy_Whizzzz said:
I have a G31 530d touring as a daily hack and I’m wondering why on earth I just don’t get an EV - it is (obviously) auto, with no driver engagement - just a reasonable amount of torque. I got it as I do loads of miles and historically I always had M Cars as dailies, and given I have other things more interesting filled weekend and summer I wanted something cheap to run and quick ish as practica for every day Surely for a daily hack. 70,000 miles in, I can’t see next what on earth if I’d miss if I swapped it for a EV. Torque? EV will have more. Engine noise? There’s isn’t any to speak of. Driver engagement? None either…. Am I missing something in thinking an EV will be even cheaper to run and will be much quicker with no less involvement….
Some people on here will think less of you. Edited by Billy_Whizzzz on Saturday 3rd May 18:47
Other than that, nothing. With the assumptions you don't do >300 miles per day and can charge from home.
stevemcs said:
From the ones we have had in they are very cheap feeling inside
So was the Mercedes, in fact the ID3 rattles less. I’m more interested in how it drives and less about some scratchy plastics here and there 
Not suggesting the OP should get an ID3 by the way, just that the switch to EV for a daily is well worth considering.A 530d will for many years be (quite rightly) sought after on the used market. Not sure EV’s are going down so well on the used market. Personally having driven a few EV’s I wouldn’t rush to change your 530d, which having owned one previously can vouch for their great all round abilities.
cerb4.5lee said:
It is quite simple really for me, do you want a car with a good range(diesel), or do you want a car with a poor range?(EV).
The EV will be much cheaper to run from what I can gather though in fairness.
You can already get EVs that will do close to 400 miles in the real world. The EV will be much cheaper to run from what I can gather though in fairness.
blueg33 said:
cerb4.5lee said:
It is quite simple really for me, do you want a car with a good range(diesel), or do you want a car with a poor range?(EV).
The EV will be much cheaper to run from what I can gather though in fairness.
If you stop for a break every 2-3 hours range is irrelevant. The EV will be much cheaper to run from what I can gather though in fairness.
smn159 said:
blueg33 said:
cerb4.5lee said:
It is quite simple really for me, do you want a car with a good range(diesel), or do you want a car with a poor range?(EV).
The EV will be much cheaper to run from what I can gather though in fairness.
If you stop for a break every 2-3 hours range is irrelevant. The EV will be much cheaper to run from what I can gather though in fairness.
Edited by blueg33 on Sunday 4th May 08:35
samoht said:
The diesel has one advantage, you can cover long distances without needing to break your journey for more than five minutes or so. If you're doing more than 200 mile days on a frequent basis, it's probably better suited.
Otherwise for a typical mix of trips where longer journeys are occasional matters, then yes assuming you can charge at home, an EV will be smoother, quieter, cheaper and lower maintenance. A little extra time stationary on the occasional longer trip is outweighed by the benefits the rest of the time.
^Otherwise for a typical mix of trips where longer journeys are occasional matters, then yes assuming you can charge at home, an EV will be smoother, quieter, cheaper and lower maintenance. A little extra time stationary on the occasional longer trip is outweighed by the benefits the rest of the time.
Most sensible answer I’ve seen on here with the ICE v EV debate.
M138 said:
samoht said:
The diesel has one advantage, you can cover long distances without needing to break your journey for more than five minutes or so. If you're doing more than 200 mile days on a frequent basis, it's probably better suited.
Otherwise for a typical mix of trips where longer journeys are occasional matters, then yes assuming you can charge at home, an EV will be smoother, quieter, cheaper and lower maintenance. A little extra time stationary on the occasional longer trip is outweighed by the benefits the rest of the time.
^Otherwise for a typical mix of trips where longer journeys are occasional matters, then yes assuming you can charge at home, an EV will be smoother, quieter, cheaper and lower maintenance. A little extra time stationary on the occasional longer trip is outweighed by the benefits the rest of the time.
Most sensible answer I’ve seen on here with the ICE v EV debate.
I'm a massive fan of the fan of the BMW 3.0d and they do have character and sound good under load.
However, unless you're doing over 200miles a day or can't home charge then an EV makes sense.
I had a 5 series of that era years ago and it's very dull but it was a nice place sit and do hundreds of miles. While a model 3, polstars etc are great, they are a step down in interior luxury and probably less comfy in comparison.
If you did under 150 miles a day, the Jag ipace is worth a look.
However, unless you're doing over 200miles a day or can't home charge then an EV makes sense.
I had a 5 series of that era years ago and it's very dull but it was a nice place sit and do hundreds of miles. While a model 3, polstars etc are great, they are a step down in interior luxury and probably less comfy in comparison.
If you did under 150 miles a day, the Jag ipace is worth a look.
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