BMW 330e ordered...
Discussion
REALIST123 said:
As has been said, the only reason to get one of these is for the BIK saving. I doubt there is 1 privately owned one in the U.K.
If mileage matters a diesel is still better, and if you can really utilise the EV side of a 330e then you really don’t need a car like that at all, just a Leaf, Note or similar commuting toy.
I have the MB alternative to the 330e, but it's functionally identical I suppose. In truth, very few of us NEED a specific vehicle bar something that can fulfil the most basic requirements. What we WANT is quite another thing though. Thankfully we can still make those choices - personally, no matter how good it is, my personal choice/taste would never see me in a Leaf.If mileage matters a diesel is still better, and if you can really utilise the EV side of a 330e then you really don’t need a car like that at all, just a Leaf, Note or similar commuting toy.
My C350e is privately owned and I suspect there are probably a few privately owned 330e out there too. Does it make financial sense? almost certainly not, but there is more to life than that.
So BMW live chat have now said
"There is a quality enhancement not a recall. this is not a safety issue its just re programming one of the control units."
"Not sure what it could be as the information given is very basic, there are around 10 senor units in the new cars and it just needs an update. it wouldn't have noting to do with the range at all. "
Anyone any ideas?
"There is a quality enhancement not a recall. this is not a safety issue its just re programming one of the control units."
"Not sure what it could be as the information given is very basic, there are around 10 senor units in the new cars and it just needs an update. it wouldn't have noting to do with the range at all. "
Anyone any ideas?
Edited by Funkydunc on Wednesday 14th February 13:11
Chris-S said:
REALIST123 said:
As has been said, the only reason to get one of these is for the BIK saving. I doubt there is 1 privately owned one in the U.K.
If mileage matters a diesel is still better, and if you can really utilise the EV side of a 330e then you really don’t need a car like that at all, just a Leaf, Note or similar commuting toy.
I have the MB alternative to the 330e, but it's functionally identical I suppose. In truth, very few of us NEED a specific vehicle bar something that can fulfil the most basic requirements. What we WANT is quite another thing though. Thankfully we can still make those choices - personally, no matter how good it is, my personal choice/taste would never see me in a Leaf.If mileage matters a diesel is still better, and if you can really utilise the EV side of a 330e then you really don’t need a car like that at all, just a Leaf, Note or similar commuting toy.
My C350e is privately owned and I suspect there are probably a few privately owned 330e out there too. Does it make financial sense? almost certainly not, but there is more to life than that.
But in answer to your question, it’s not only financial sense that it doesn’t make, it didn’t make any sense at all.
Unless you never do other than short journeys you’re burning more fuel than you need to or what an equivalent ICE would. No green benefit.
It’s cost more to buy and they appear to depreciate faster.
They’re more complex and less reliable than ICE equivalents.
Why would one buy one if not for the BIK benefit.
Funkydunc said:
My January 2017 330e is in for its first service today.
Apparently there is a software recall on it. When I asked what it was they didn’t have a clue! (Something to do with electrics) where can I actually find out what it is?
Thanks
My car is booked in for it's 1st service next week. 21 months, just under 20k miles just now and 800 miles left on the service indicator. Called to book it in and get it done after a lengthy trip I will have at the weekend.Apparently there is a software recall on it. When I asked what it was they didn’t have a clue! (Something to do with electrics) where can I actually find out what it is?
Thanks
I travel a couple hours for my servicing, always book for 0800, wait for the car and hit the road again sharpish. So asked if the 330e would be the normal 1 - 1.5 hours because I would make other arrangements and need a courtesy car if it was a longer job. Got a wee waffle about the software update and possibly a 2 - 2.5 hour max at the dealer. No idea what the software requirements are but I will ask when in.
Be very interested to know what they tell you when complete and if you notice any difference.
As an aside and apart from how impressed I still am with the car, I cannot believe how easy it is on tyres. 20k miles and a lot of life left in the Eagle F1s. A pleasant surprise.
REALIST123 said:
I stand corrected.
But in answer to your question, it’s not only financial sense that it doesn’t make, it didn’t make any sense at all.
Unless you never do other than short journeys you’re burning more fuel than you need to or what an equivalent ICE would. No green benefit.
It’s cost more to buy and they appear to depreciate faster.
They’re more complex and less reliable than ICE equivalents.
Why would one buy one if not for the BIK benefit.
I only do journeys beyond the EV-only range a handful of times a year. I could do them in Taxi's for less than the depreciation I've already suffered, but I don't choose to.But in answer to your question, it’s not only financial sense that it doesn’t make, it didn’t make any sense at all.
Unless you never do other than short journeys you’re burning more fuel than you need to or what an equivalent ICE would. No green benefit.
It’s cost more to buy and they appear to depreciate faster.
They’re more complex and less reliable than ICE equivalents.
Why would one buy one if not for the BIK benefit.
It does better MPG than the equivalent petrol-only car due to the energy recovery capability. More than offsets the extra weight.
Yes, correct, it was more expensive than the petrol equivalent...but it performs better and is cheaper to run.
Yes, correct, it is more complex. Less reliable - no idea, I'll let you know.
I've never had a company car in my life - always had to buy my own, so BIK is not a factor. It does however get free RFL, which is a new experience for me and helps offset some of the other costs. I am of course aware that there are plenty of other vehicles that enjoy that bonus, but I've never had one before now.
Why would I buy one? Because I wanted to! Simples. I can choose how to spend my money and don't really need someone telling me I'm wrong. I'm wrong in your opinion, and that's fine, you are of course most welcome to that view. I'll thank you to let me have my own view too, if you don't mind.
And a point of order, I didn't actually ask for a response. It was rhetorical, and I answered it myself, as one does in those situations.
I knew it was a bloody mistake posting on this forum.......
Edited by Chris-S on Wednesday 14th February 21:02
No noticeable change that I can see or feel other than:
Some settings were reset to default ie dash displays etc
The other laughable thing is that it now says I will get 22 miles on a full charge. I’ve not seen that since the car was new! (In current weather I’m lucky if it does 11 miles electric)
Anyhow from a 20 mile journey tonight I’d say range hasn’t gone up, just the computer that works out range was reset too so is currently deluded about possible range lol
In reality
Some settings were reset to default ie dash displays etc
The other laughable thing is that it now says I will get 22 miles on a full charge. I’ve not seen that since the car was new! (In current weather I’m lucky if it does 11 miles electric)
Anyhow from a 20 mile journey tonight I’d say range hasn’t gone up, just the computer that works out range was reset too so is currently deluded about possible range lol
In reality
REALIST123 said:
I stand corrected.
But in answer to your question, it’s not only financial sense that it doesn’t make, it didn’t make any sense at all.
Unless you never do other than short journeys you’re burning more fuel than you need to or what an equivalent ICE would. No green benefit.
It’s cost more to buy and they appear to depreciate faster.
They’re more complex and less reliable than ICE equivalents.
Why would one buy one if not for the BIK benefit.
Mine is on a lease so I got the BIK benefit. However there are reasons to buy private.But in answer to your question, it’s not only financial sense that it doesn’t make, it didn’t make any sense at all.
Unless you never do other than short journeys you’re burning more fuel than you need to or what an equivalent ICE would. No green benefit.
It’s cost more to buy and they appear to depreciate faster.
They’re more complex and less reliable than ICE equivalents.
Why would one buy one if not for the BIK benefit.
It drives better than an ICE, and although not perfect surly even you can see that using electric in busy areas is better for the local environment. It also gets just as good mpg as an ICE too if not better
DragonflyTrumpeter said:
bmwphever said:
Each to their own I say...
I did find that particular scenario funny tbh and I just remembered it when reading south tdf's post. The thought of spending approx £40k for a 250hp 330e then worrying like hell about a miniscule mpg saving cracks me up. But I absolutely agree, each to their own 100%. Apologies.
And I’m with the others here on reasons to buy privately. In my case I can do 2000 miles between visits to the fuel station, I get half of my charging for free, and I get an awesome car to boot. What’s not to love?
After fiurther driving my car this morning I think I have worked out what the software upgrade is.
The tolerance for ICE to kick in appears to have been lowered. An example of this is is on my commute I turn on to a flat straight 60mph road from a junction. Previously I would have to manually kick the ICE in or the car would stay in battery the whole 3 mile road eating the battery (ie battery would kick in around 55/60mph). This has now dropped to a max of 45mph.
To be honest I think it’s done more on engine loading, whatever the correct term is. It’s hilly where I live and again I found the car automatically kicking ICE in where before I would have to manually do it.
I still think the tolerance is too high, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Overall the driving experience is better as you spend lest time trying to conserve battery
Shame it’s still not a good system though. It can’t be hard these days surely to design a system that does actually intelligently use the sat Nav?
The tolerance for ICE to kick in appears to have been lowered. An example of this is is on my commute I turn on to a flat straight 60mph road from a junction. Previously I would have to manually kick the ICE in or the car would stay in battery the whole 3 mile road eating the battery (ie battery would kick in around 55/60mph). This has now dropped to a max of 45mph.
To be honest I think it’s done more on engine loading, whatever the correct term is. It’s hilly where I live and again I found the car automatically kicking ICE in where before I would have to manually do it.
I still think the tolerance is too high, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Overall the driving experience is better as you spend lest time trying to conserve battery
Shame it’s still not a good system though. It can’t be hard these days surely to design a system that does actually intelligently use the sat Nav?
REALIST123 said:
I stand corrected.
But in answer to your question, it’s not only financial sense that it doesn’t make, it didn’t make any sense at all.
Unless you never do other than short journeys you’re burning more fuel than you need to or what an equivalent ICE would. No green benefit.
It’s cost more to buy and they appear to depreciate faster.
They’re more complex and less reliable than ICE equivalents.
Why would one buy one if not for the BIK benefit.
With all due respect you of the above is BS....But in answer to your question, it’s not only financial sense that it doesn’t make, it didn’t make any sense at all.
Unless you never do other than short journeys you’re burning more fuel than you need to or what an equivalent ICE would. No green benefit.
It’s cost more to buy and they appear to depreciate faster.
They’re more complex and less reliable than ICE equivalents.
Why would one buy one if not for the BIK benefit.
I privately leased a C350e - one of the most enjoybale cars Ive ver owned or driven. ( without trying to willy wave i have access to brand new cars on monthly basis so have a lot to compare against)
The C350e was cheaper to lease than the equivalent petrol or diesel.
I got much better MPG over 20K miles than my E320 cdi ( a mix of motorway and back roads)
For day to day use the near instant power would embarrass most cars on the road.
Never went wrong in 20K miles.
It was by no means perfect but when the car went for sevice and i had both the equivalent petrol and diesel - the c350e came out miles ahead...
Just ordered a Mineral-Grey 330e msport on salary sacrifice lease from the NHS. it actually works out cheaper monthly than every other BMW - including a base-spec 1 series due to the BIK changes. Its "apparently" for delivery before the end of march - so it must be a stock car from somewhere... but im not holding my breath!
It was a bit of an impulse buy - was only looking to see what was on offer - was originally looking at buying a 320i/d privately.
The more i look into it, the more im looking forward to it - my commute is 6 miles each way in and out of Manchester city centre so in theory that could be all-electric.. far better than the avg 24mpg i get out of my current Leon Cupra.
The Missus is happy because she gets a BMW on the drive, and Im happy for the geek factor!.
It was a bit of an impulse buy - was only looking to see what was on offer - was originally looking at buying a 320i/d privately.
The more i look into it, the more im looking forward to it - my commute is 6 miles each way in and out of Manchester city centre so in theory that could be all-electric.. far better than the avg 24mpg i get out of my current Leon Cupra.
The Missus is happy because she gets a BMW on the drive, and Im happy for the geek factor!.
REALIST123 said:
DragonflyTrumpeter said:
bmwphever said:
Each to their own I say...
I did find that particular scenario funny tbh and I just remembered it when reading south tdf's post. The thought of spending approx £40k for a 250hp 330e then worrying like hell about a miniscule mpg saving cracks me up. But I absolutely agree, each to their own 100%. Apologies.
If mileage matters a diesel is still better, and if you can really utilise the EV side of a 330e then you really don’t need a car like that at all, just a Leaf, Note or similar commuting toy.
The main selling point for me is that the car is superbly easy to live with, extremely quiet and comfortable, handles great and has no real downside that the average person thinks of when talking about hybrids, its definitely made me reconsider future car choices, I'm looking for another hybrid or full electric vehicle, hopefully an suv, might even ditch the petrol cars altogether.
DragonflyTrumpeter said:
My car is booked in for it's 1st service next week. 21 months, just under 20k miles just now and 800 miles left on the service indicator. Called to book it in and get it done after a lengthy trip I will have at the weekend.
I travel a couple hours for my servicing, always book for 0800, wait for the car and hit the road again sharpish. So asked if the 330e would be the normal 1 - 1.5 hours because I would make other arrangements and need a courtesy car if it was a longer job. Got a wee waffle about the software update and possibly a 2 - 2.5 hour max at the dealer. No idea what the software requirements are but I will ask when in.
Be very interested to know what they tell you when complete and if you notice any difference.
As an aside and apart from how impressed I still am with the car, I cannot believe how easy it is on tyres. 20k miles and a lot of life left in the Eagle F1s. A pleasant surprise.
We have got a few 330e’s in our company fleet and all have needed front tyres before the rears due to edge wear (my 1st set lasted 16k) but I know mine is alignment related. This is made worse as Kwit Fit we’re unable to carry out an alignment check. I travel a couple hours for my servicing, always book for 0800, wait for the car and hit the road again sharpish. So asked if the 330e would be the normal 1 - 1.5 hours because I would make other arrangements and need a courtesy car if it was a longer job. Got a wee waffle about the software update and possibly a 2 - 2.5 hour max at the dealer. No idea what the software requirements are but I will ask when in.
Be very interested to know what they tell you when complete and if you notice any difference.
As an aside and apart from how impressed I still am with the car, I cannot believe how easy it is on tyres. 20k miles and a lot of life left in the Eagle F1s. A pleasant surprise.
Bit of uncertainty on mine I'm afraid. Order went through on 9th Feb but lease company came back with message that BMW cannot guarantee a build on the vehicle due to the model finishing. Been advised to sit and wait a couple of weeks to see if BMW allocate a build slot. Other than this don't really know what else to order ?
Mine is only a month away from being 2 years old. In this time it has had 4 tyres, 1 oil service and 1 set of pads and disks (Warranty). Apart from needing to top up the coolant, the odd engine light and warning message it has been faultless.
Average MPG seems to be stuck at 42 with it being charged most week nights which is quite good as I can’t think of many other mainstream petrol cars that offer the same performance and economy. I know it’s not the fastest car on the road but there are not many mainstream cars that can keep pace with it and it feels perfectly safe at any speed, including on a continental trip where 140 was seen.
On the specification mine is quite standard, the upgrade stereo is good but I don’t recall what the standard one is like. I did not option the folding rear seats but I have never missed it and the only thing I would order next time is heated seats as I presumed they were standard but then the pre conditioning removed the problem on outward journeys.
As its a company car I get the option to keep it another year and wait for the new 3 Series, order another 330e now for June or just take the generous car allowance.
Average MPG seems to be stuck at 42 with it being charged most week nights which is quite good as I can’t think of many other mainstream petrol cars that offer the same performance and economy. I know it’s not the fastest car on the road but there are not many mainstream cars that can keep pace with it and it feels perfectly safe at any speed, including on a continental trip where 140 was seen.
On the specification mine is quite standard, the upgrade stereo is good but I don’t recall what the standard one is like. I did not option the folding rear seats but I have never missed it and the only thing I would order next time is heated seats as I presumed they were standard but then the pre conditioning removed the problem on outward journeys.
As its a company car I get the option to keep it another year and wait for the new 3 Series, order another 330e now for June or just take the generous car allowance.
Mines a year old now with 30k on the clock. No reliability issues other than with my home charger.
No tyres yet and none due for another 5k or so. I too am stuck on 42 mpg and charge overnight most nights plus office charging 2 days a week for return journey.
Would definitely order another but would like more range
No tyres yet and none due for another 5k or so. I too am stuck on 42 mpg and charge overnight most nights plus office charging 2 days a week for return journey.
Would definitely order another but would like more range
tomo2001 said:
Bit of uncertainty on mine I'm afraid. Order went through on 9th Feb but lease company came back with message that BMW cannot guarantee a build on the vehicle due to the model finishing. Been advised to sit and wait a couple of weeks to see if BMW allocate a build slot. Other than this don't really know what else to order ?
That’s not good news, not had any updates on mine yetGassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff