BMW 330e ordered...
Discussion
Wazza26 said:
Does anyone have any ideas on the life expectancy of the battery?
I'll be doing 3 miles a day in the winter to and from work - with the engine only being used on the weekends. Not sure how this'll effect things....
The most important thing for battery life is to look after it, basically not leaving it discharged for extended periods. Sounds like you'll be charging daily, and actually not using much of the available capacity, so sounds to me like you'll get good life out of it. I think I recall correctly that the battery warranty is 8 years, and you should expect for it to last beyond that with your usage I'd say. I'll be doing 3 miles a day in the winter to and from work - with the engine only being used on the weekends. Not sure how this'll effect things....
Battery warranty is the earlier of 6 years or 60,000 miles.
BMW iPerformance Battery Warranty (as opposed to BMW i Battery Warranty i.e. pure EV):
The BMW iPerformance Warranty includes a BMW iPerformance Battery Warranty against failures of the high voltage battery as a result of manufacturing defects. In addition to the BMW iPerformance Three Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty, the high voltage battery is warranted for up to six years from the date of first registration, or up to 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
Should a capacity check at a BMW Service Authorised Workshop within the warranty period mentioned above show that the net battery capacity has dropped below 70% of its original value at delivery of the new BMW iPerformance, the portion below 70% will be regarded as excessive capacity loss. This excessive capacity loss will be repaired free of charge under the terms of the BMW iPerformance Battery Warranty.
BMW iPerformance Battery Warranty (as opposed to BMW i Battery Warranty i.e. pure EV):
The BMW iPerformance Warranty includes a BMW iPerformance Battery Warranty against failures of the high voltage battery as a result of manufacturing defects. In addition to the BMW iPerformance Three Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty, the high voltage battery is warranted for up to six years from the date of first registration, or up to 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
Should a capacity check at a BMW Service Authorised Workshop within the warranty period mentioned above show that the net battery capacity has dropped below 70% of its original value at delivery of the new BMW iPerformance, the portion below 70% will be regarded as excessive capacity loss. This excessive capacity loss will be repaired free of charge under the terms of the BMW iPerformance Battery Warranty.
A bit of MPG info for you.
Tuesday I did a trip of just under 300 miles. Started with a full charge, used Eco Pro mode on the motorway, cruised at 75mph where possible and arrived with the trip computer showing 52mpg.
Wednesday, I drove back to home, same deal, fully charged at the start but lots of traffic and detours due to M6 and arrived home showing 49mpg.
Tuesday I did a trip of just under 300 miles. Started with a full charge, used Eco Pro mode on the motorway, cruised at 75mph where possible and arrived with the trip computer showing 52mpg.
Wednesday, I drove back to home, same deal, fully charged at the start but lots of traffic and detours due to M6 and arrived home showing 49mpg.
Edited by Orion917 on Thursday 27th July 13:33
Gb908010 said:
Don't know if it's already been asked but can these cars pull caravans? Mrs wants one but I'm sure it cant due to batteries in the way
No you can't fit a towbar to the 330e. It's not type approved for towing so even if you found a way of physically fitting on it would be illegal to drive it. We had same issue and ended up fitting tow bar to wife's car.
FYI. The c350e can tow if you can get one. Just watch the estate though as to get the tow bar you have to have larger wheels and it pushes emmissions over 49g so if company car your BIK tax will jump up.
Lesmat said:
I've had my 330e for just over a year and have been happy with it. 18 electric miles in the summer and about 12 in the winter. The issue I now have is that the charger that came with the car (plugs into standard outlet at home) developed a fault. BMW said it was misuse, I used it too often as it is only an occasional charger 'when you are stuck out in the countryside with no fuel or charge'. I also used an extension lead as the cable was too short to connect to a socket at my house, which not allowed. They want me to pay £647.00 to replace it, with a charger I can only use - 'when you are stuck out in the countryside with no fuel or charge'. As it's a lease car, at some stage I will need to buy one to go back to the lease company!!! Be warned.
This has concerned me as I only use the bundled charger at home and at work. So reading the manual that comes with the car, nowhere does it say that it's for "occasional use". Then if you follow this link and read the Delphi information, again, nowhere does it say "occasional use".https://www.delphi.com/manufacturers/auto/hevevpro...
I think the BMW dealer is talking
I would persist with the warranty claim. Unless they can prove that you misused it somehow. Didn't run over it did you?
Looking at the photos in a thread on Speakev, repairing it once its popped looks tricky due to the surface mount components inside. So unless its a break in a cable somewhere, its probably toast.
Hoping someone can help with expected delivery time frames. I've been given the code 9065 by BMW -"pre uk port of entry". Does anyone have any experience of how long this will take to arrive at the dealer? I'm hoping 2 weeks but fear I may be being slightly optimistic...
Edit. 9605 not 9065
Edit. 9605 not 9065
Orion917 said:
A bit of MPG info for you.
Tuesday I did a trip of just under 300 miles. Started with a full charge, used Eco Pro mode on the motorway, cruised at 75mph where possible and arrived with the trip computer showing 52mpg.
Wednesday, I drove back to home, same deal, fully charged at the start but lots of traffic and detours due to M6 and arrived home showing 49mpg.
What stretch of the M6 do you use typically mate? I've seen one or two 330e's on my travels between J13 to J15 and I wonder if we've passed each other ? LolTuesday I did a trip of just under 300 miles. Started with a full charge, used Eco Pro mode on the motorway, cruised at 75mph where possible and arrived with the trip computer showing 52mpg.
Wednesday, I drove back to home, same deal, fully charged at the start but lots of traffic and detours due to M6 and arrived home showing 49mpg.
Edited by Orion917 on Thursday 27th July 13:33
I've had a right mixed bag with regards to MPG at present but provided I charge each morning I generally get 50mpg+ for the entire day - that's one charge for a round trip (2 journeys) of about 44 miles and a pre-condition of the car before heading home on the second trip.
I've only just dabbled with driving on the motorway in max edrive up to 75mph but in doing so my mpg jumps up significantly and I use all electric available well b4 I get home.
Like many I started the first couple of charges with supposedly 26/27 miles of electric range only to see that drop 2 weeks on to 18/19 miles full charge. Can't help thinking it's a calibration thing but it could be a more sinister thing bmw are doing with regards to "official figures" if I was being pessimistic!
Still loving the car either way....especially the HK audio
So I am looking to replace my i3 with a 330e, after 3 years I fancy something more normal-looking. Currently I am thinking black with the brown interior.
My daily commute is 28 miles each way, primarily 55mph A roads, and I won't be able to charge at work. Can I expect eariy 50's mpg or late 40's?
Also, how reduced is the bootspace over the regular model? I do wish they did a touring model, I am drawn to the Merc C350s for that reason...
My daily commute is 28 miles each way, primarily 55mph A roads, and I won't be able to charge at work. Can I expect eariy 50's mpg or late 40's?
Also, how reduced is the bootspace over the regular model? I do wish they did a touring model, I am drawn to the Merc C350s for that reason...
TallTony said:
So I am looking to replace my i3 with a 330e, after 3 years I fancy something more normal-looking. Currently I am thinking black with the brown interior.
My daily commute is 28 miles each way, primarily 55mph A roads, and I won't be able to charge at work. Can I expect eariy 50's mpg or late 40's?
Also, how reduced is the bootspace over the regular model? I do wish they did a touring model, I am drawn to the Merc C350s for that reason...
Hi Tony,My daily commute is 28 miles each way, primarily 55mph A roads, and I won't be able to charge at work. Can I expect eariy 50's mpg or late 40's?
Also, how reduced is the bootspace over the regular model? I do wish they did a touring model, I am drawn to the Merc C350s for that reason...
My daily commute is slightly different to yours (roughly 22 miles each way, 2/3rds Motorway and 1/3rd A Roads / Country lane). First week or so of use charging only at home, one way, and charging the car 4 out of the 5 work days and I got 46MPG average for the week. That included some sporty driving too and not enough use of ECO mode. I need to do another test, driving more economically and charging 5 mornings a week - but I suspect I would get close to or just over 50MPG.
So dependant upon your driving style I would say it is entirely possible to be hitting early to mid 50's. Just don't use the "BATTERY SAVE" mode if you've much less than 90% charge as the car will use the engine to both drive and charge the batteries - lowering the MPG from anywhere between 25 - 35 MPG!
As for boot-space; the standard 3 series has apparently a 480 litre boot. The 330e boot drops this down to 370 litres - so roughly a 25% loss of space. It's still a reasonable size but to take anything particularly long such as a bag of golf clubs you'll need the rear seat folding option - which is part of the Comfort Pack or can be had on its own for about £300 extra. I went Comfort Pack as for another £330 or so it included heated seats, heated steering wheel and additional luggage pockets etc.
Yes it is a shame it doesn't come as a tourer also. I may have opted for the bigger boot if it had been a possible. Having said that the car does look better as a saloon in my humble opinion! I had a few reservations regarding the Mercedes personally. The company car tax being higher, the charge socket flap has been reported as being a bit flimsy and easy to break, the range is in practice worse on electric than the 330e - but performance-wise it is supposedly a fraction faster (not that that really matters as they are both quick enough).
Hope this helps!
Shepster said:
Moved to 9650 - awaiting dispatch to dealer. Impressed that within in 3 days it's been through the port, on the boat and arrived within the UK. Hopefully will be with the dealer tomorrow so I can pick it up next week. So excited now!
I remember that feeling. The building excitement to pick up day, only to be followed by disappointment ... the disappointment of having to go to work and not just drive my lovely new car all day!!!Hope you get her soon!
TallTony said:
Thanks Max, useful indeed.
I've been driving nothing but BMW for 12 years now, the move to Mercedes would be difficult. However I was impressed with the interior of a friends C350h, was outstanding actually.
Interior is indeed excellent, and more up to date than the BMW's although I'm not a huge fan of the infotainments screen (much prefer the setup in the Bimmer). I've been driving nothing but BMW for 12 years now, the move to Mercedes would be difficult. However I was impressed with the interior of a friends C350h, was outstanding actually.
Generally I found the 330e a far better drive than the c350e especially when driving in petrol (seems to be the general consensus amongst motor journalists too).
I'm also no fan of the way Merc estates look (I think the latest generation BMW Tourings look great in comparison,) and so I would have probably gone for the saloon had I gone down that route, but the boot space there is 330 litters so seriously reduced over the regular model (which smilier to the BMW has 480 litters to begin with), even more so than the BMW and shape isn't as useful. but hey, if you need the space, you need the space!
That's definitely one trick BMW are missing out on, and I assume they'll fix that at some point (at the moment the 530e has no states version either).
Aj93 said:
So made some needed changes to my charging set up at home. Consists of a MasterPlug IP54 weatherproof box for the transformer to call home.
Now have the plug in a weatherproof socket (padlocked) and the weatherproof box (padlocked) for the transformer, making it more discreet and secure.
Hi,Now have the plug in a weatherproof socket (padlocked) and the weatherproof box (padlocked) for the transformer, making it more discreet and secure.
Just interested in how you are getting on with your charging set up? Looks like a good solution and I was looking to do something similar.
Thanks
TallTony said:
So I am looking to replace my i3 with a 330e, after 3 years I fancy something more normal-looking. Currently I am thinking black with the brown interior.
My daily commute is 28 miles each way, primarily 55mph A roads, and I won't be able to charge at work. Can I expect eariy 50's mpg or late 40's?
Also, how reduced is the bootspace over the regular model? I do wish they did a touring model, I am drawn to the Merc C350s for that reason...
My commute is 20 miles each way motorway and a roads with about a mile of urban roads. Even if I push it for parts of the journey I'm still in the 40s for mpg. If you're doing lots of A roads at 40-50 that can drain the battery quickly so you may find you get better overall by puttng it into manual or sport at times to force ICE on at these speeds.My daily commute is 28 miles each way, primarily 55mph A roads, and I won't be able to charge at work. Can I expect eariy 50's mpg or late 40's?
Also, how reduced is the bootspace over the regular model? I do wish they did a touring model, I am drawn to the Merc C350s for that reason...
My stats from return commute today - as it's summer still had over 50% battery (can only charge at home).
74.3 mpg Consumption
19.9 mi Total distance
26.0 min Duration
38 % Electric distance driven
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