Bmw 530e ordered?
Discussion
So, I'm 4 and a bit months into ownership of my new 530e and starting to see some cracks already.
I'm pushing 9k miles. I have a (now) regular tyre pressure warning on all 4 tyres. Warning has come on 3 times in 2 weeks, right rear losing too much and others all losing PSI within a few miles of driving (actually being checked out this afternoon). And... The iDrive controller no longer scrolls left or right.
First world problems and all that, but niggly faults so soon... not what I expected.
I'm pushing 9k miles. I have a (now) regular tyre pressure warning on all 4 tyres. Warning has come on 3 times in 2 weeks, right rear losing too much and others all losing PSI within a few miles of driving (actually being checked out this afternoon). And... The iDrive controller no longer scrolls left or right.
First world problems and all that, but niggly faults so soon... not what I expected.
I’m 3 months and 6000 miles in my 530e now. It’s a company car so a no brainier on BIK vs diesel.
I have a home charger installed (£500 government grant) and plug in every time I get home. I don’t charge at all away from home. My company pays me 15p per business mile, I’ve done the calculations and that more than covers the combined cost of petrol and electricity so I’m happy. At weekends/ evenings all my running around shopping, dropping kids off etc is pretty much in max EV so no petrol used, just electricity at about 4p/mile. I always leave home with a full charge: a 60 mile day I get aprox 65mpg, a 100 mile day I’ll get around 50mpg. At the other extreme a 340 mile trip to the west of Ireland leaving with a full charge gave me 46mpg. I’m really happy with these figures. I tend to use eco pro on the motorway as this allows the vehicle to coast when off the throttle (but this means no regen) as opposed to comfort which uses regen off throttle so slows the car down. On longer trips I’ll engage battery hold to charge the battery at key times, for example through 50mph average speed check areas.
I was really worried that the car was going to wrong for me and I’d be lumbered with it for 3 years but I absolutely love it.
The new upgraded version is now available with 12kwh battery (up from 9.2) so figures will be even better, I was aware this was coming when I ordered but I didn’t want to risk waiting and then the car disappearing off my my fickle company car list! A bird in the hand.....
If anyone wants any specifics answering I’m happy to help out, one thing that really frustrated me was the lack of real world usability info on line ahead of ordering.
I have a home charger installed (£500 government grant) and plug in every time I get home. I don’t charge at all away from home. My company pays me 15p per business mile, I’ve done the calculations and that more than covers the combined cost of petrol and electricity so I’m happy. At weekends/ evenings all my running around shopping, dropping kids off etc is pretty much in max EV so no petrol used, just electricity at about 4p/mile. I always leave home with a full charge: a 60 mile day I get aprox 65mpg, a 100 mile day I’ll get around 50mpg. At the other extreme a 340 mile trip to the west of Ireland leaving with a full charge gave me 46mpg. I’m really happy with these figures. I tend to use eco pro on the motorway as this allows the vehicle to coast when off the throttle (but this means no regen) as opposed to comfort which uses regen off throttle so slows the car down. On longer trips I’ll engage battery hold to charge the battery at key times, for example through 50mph average speed check areas.
I was really worried that the car was going to wrong for me and I’d be lumbered with it for 3 years but I absolutely love it.
The new upgraded version is now available with 12kwh battery (up from 9.2) so figures will be even better, I was aware this was coming when I ordered but I didn’t want to risk waiting and then the car disappearing off my my fickle company car list! A bird in the hand.....
If anyone wants any specifics answering I’m happy to help out, one thing that really frustrated me was the lack of real world usability info on line ahead of ordering.
I'm glad you're enjoying the 530e Dan. My miles, use and charging habits are very similar to yours and I'm nearly a year in with 12k miles done. I still love the car and although a bigger battery would have been nice I'm not that bothered by the facelifted version.
In all honesty the car is probably a little bigger than I need and so I may swap down to a 330e (or 325e) if they are available when my lease ends in 2 years time.
In all honesty the car is probably a little bigger than I need and so I may swap down to a 330e (or 325e) if they are available when my lease ends in 2 years time.
I've had my 530e since December 2017.
Currently about to hit 30,000 miles of which 12,000 have been electric.I have a 3.7kW chargemaster at home which I've used pretty religiously.
I also sometimes charge at the office which is a round trip of 28 miles, so battery / range is not big enough on a single charge there and back.
At around 28,000 miles I had to have the KLE charge control unit replaced as the car could not charge. Plugging in tripped the breaker in my garage.
I believe this is quite an expensive part, but done under warranty. Took BMW close to two weeks for ordering part and fit.
Pleased with the car though. Coming from a 4 series there is no hiding the weight of the thing and the battery intrusion in boot space is big, but it has a nice amount of poke.
Currently about to hit 30,000 miles of which 12,000 have been electric.I have a 3.7kW chargemaster at home which I've used pretty religiously.
I also sometimes charge at the office which is a round trip of 28 miles, so battery / range is not big enough on a single charge there and back.
At around 28,000 miles I had to have the KLE charge control unit replaced as the car could not charge. Plugging in tripped the breaker in my garage.
I believe this is quite an expensive part, but done under warranty. Took BMW close to two weeks for ordering part and fit.
Pleased with the car though. Coming from a 4 series there is no hiding the weight of the thing and the battery intrusion in boot space is big, but it has a nice amount of poke.
GreenMushroom said:
I've had my 530e since December 2017.
Currently about to hit 30,000 miles of which 12,000 have been electric.I have a 3.7kW chargemaster at home which I've used pretty religiously.
I also sometimes charge at the office which is a round trip of 28 miles, so battery / range is not big enough on a single charge there and back.
At around 28,000 miles I had to have the KLE charge control unit replaced as the car could not charge. Plugging in tripped the breaker in my garage.
I believe this is quite an expensive part, but done under warranty. Took BMW close to two weeks for ordering part and fit.
Pleased with the car though. Coming from a 4 series there is no hiding the weight of the thing and the battery intrusion in boot space is big, but it has a nice amount of poke.
How do you find the refinement comparing the 4 and 5? As much as I really like the 5, and still have at least another two years before the company will consider replacing it, I sometime wish I'd held out for the smaller 3, which should actually fit in my garage.Currently about to hit 30,000 miles of which 12,000 have been electric.I have a 3.7kW chargemaster at home which I've used pretty religiously.
I also sometimes charge at the office which is a round trip of 28 miles, so battery / range is not big enough on a single charge there and back.
At around 28,000 miles I had to have the KLE charge control unit replaced as the car could not charge. Plugging in tripped the breaker in my garage.
I believe this is quite an expensive part, but done under warranty. Took BMW close to two weeks for ordering part and fit.
Pleased with the car though. Coming from a 4 series there is no hiding the weight of the thing and the battery intrusion in boot space is big, but it has a nice amount of poke.
I have had mine over 4 months now - it replaced a 520d M Sport.
It's an easy one - for motorway use the 520d is a better car.
For In town around town the 530e wins.
Without access to a charger (currently having an extension so don't have one at home) I don't see more than 30mpg and this is long motorway runs of 50 miles a day. On a charger I get around 55mpg.
Both cars are good but there are currently 520d deals to be had for £269 a month and IMHO that would be a better deal for non company car drivers.
I would suggest anyone to try both before buying
It's an easy one - for motorway use the 520d is a better car.
For In town around town the 530e wins.
Without access to a charger (currently having an extension so don't have one at home) I don't see more than 30mpg and this is long motorway runs of 50 miles a day. On a charger I get around 55mpg.
Both cars are good but there are currently 520d deals to be had for £269 a month and IMHO that would be a better deal for non company car drivers.
I would suggest anyone to try both before buying
PrancingHorses said:
I have had mine over 4 months now - it replaced a 520d M Sport.
It's an easy one - for motorway use the 520d is a better car.
For In town around town the 530e wins.
Without access to a charger (currently having an extension so don't have one at home) I don't see more than 30mpg and this is long motorway runs of 50 miles a day. On a charger I get around 55mpg.
Both cars are good but there are currently 520d deals to be had for £269 a month and IMHO that would be a better deal for non company car drivers.
I would suggest anyone to try both before buying
You must be travelling fast. It's an easy one - for motorway use the 520d is a better car.
For In town around town the 530e wins.
Without access to a charger (currently having an extension so don't have one at home) I don't see more than 30mpg and this is long motorway runs of 50 miles a day. On a charger I get around 55mpg.
Both cars are good but there are currently 520d deals to be had for £269 a month and IMHO that would be a better deal for non company car drivers.
I would suggest anyone to try both before buying
Trips at 75mph return about 40mpg for me (compared to my 520 which was about 48mpg). Trips over 80mph and it does sharpley drop into the 30's, never seen 30mpg on a motorway run though.WRumbled said:
GreenMushroom said:
I've had my 530e since December 2017.
Currently about to hit 30,000 miles of which 12,000 have been electric.I have a 3.7kW chargemaster at home which I've used pretty religiously.
I also sometimes charge at the office which is a round trip of 28 miles, so battery / range is not big enough on a single charge there and back.
At around 28,000 miles I had to have the KLE charge control unit replaced as the car could not charge. Plugging in tripped the breaker in my garage.
I believe this is quite an expensive part, but done under warranty. Took BMW close to two weeks for ordering part and fit.
Pleased with the car though. Coming from a 4 series there is no hiding the weight of the thing and the battery intrusion in boot space is big, but it has a nice amount of poke.
How do you find the refinement comparing the 4 and 5? As much as I really like the 5, and still have at least another two years before the company will consider replacing it, I sometime wish I'd held out for the smaller 3, which should actually fit in my garage.Currently about to hit 30,000 miles of which 12,000 have been electric.I have a 3.7kW chargemaster at home which I've used pretty religiously.
I also sometimes charge at the office which is a round trip of 28 miles, so battery / range is not big enough on a single charge there and back.
At around 28,000 miles I had to have the KLE charge control unit replaced as the car could not charge. Plugging in tripped the breaker in my garage.
I believe this is quite an expensive part, but done under warranty. Took BMW close to two weeks for ordering part and fit.
Pleased with the car though. Coming from a 4 series there is no hiding the weight of the thing and the battery intrusion in boot space is big, but it has a nice amount of poke.
But at the end of the day it's a BIK car, and for me maybe not the model I would have as a private buyer. In this regard the difference in tax per month is where the savings are greatest. I don't feel I've saved that much on fuel. At the time my company was offering this or the 330e and the usual diesel engines. I knew the 330e was going to be replaced soonish, so opted for the 530e.
If I recall correctly there wasn't much difference in price between the 330e M Sport or the 530e SE
I get most comments about the leather interior, I chose cognac. It's a real like / dislike colour for people!!!
I have a 530e on order in Sophistico Grey, with the following options:
Msport plus Pack,
Harmon Karden Speakers
Rear reversing camera
Sunroof
split folding rear seats
Massage seats
powered bootlid
So think i ticked the comfort and premium package.
Apparently its goingto be one of the very first in the country (on a 69 plate) with the new denser battery pack and the updated dials, so looking forward to it.
I borrowed my collegues 530 e Msport (standard wheels) yesterday and coming from a previos gen F10 520d msport my intial imprerssions are:
The interior quality, look and feel is night and day better, and the refinement is knockout too when on battery.
The performance is quick and it handles and grips well. I think we are going to get along. The ride quality was very good, but I assume it's because it doesn't have the msport suspension - being the 'e' even though its an MSport.
It wasn't all wallowy either, so I presume they stiffen the springs up a bit to counter the extra battery weight.
Anybody got the 20" wheels on here and if so what's the ride quality like? Also was the HK Stero upgrade worth it?
I'd like to get an EV Charger at home, whats the go to place for these and I assume I can still get a governmnet grant? Reading other people comments it's best to get a tethered cable so I don't have to faf about getting the cable in and out the car?
Msport plus Pack,
Harmon Karden Speakers
Rear reversing camera
Sunroof
split folding rear seats
Massage seats
powered bootlid
So think i ticked the comfort and premium package.
Apparently its goingto be one of the very first in the country (on a 69 plate) with the new denser battery pack and the updated dials, so looking forward to it.
I borrowed my collegues 530 e Msport (standard wheels) yesterday and coming from a previos gen F10 520d msport my intial imprerssions are:
The interior quality, look and feel is night and day better, and the refinement is knockout too when on battery.
The performance is quick and it handles and grips well. I think we are going to get along. The ride quality was very good, but I assume it's because it doesn't have the msport suspension - being the 'e' even though its an MSport.
It wasn't all wallowy either, so I presume they stiffen the springs up a bit to counter the extra battery weight.
Anybody got the 20" wheels on here and if so what's the ride quality like? Also was the HK Stero upgrade worth it?
I'd like to get an EV Charger at home, whats the go to place for these and I assume I can still get a governmnet grant? Reading other people comments it's best to get a tethered cable so I don't have to faf about getting the cable in and out the car?
Edited by craste on Saturday 17th August 10:31
craste said:
The interior quality, look and feel is night and day better, and the refinement is knockout too when on battery.
...
I'd like to get an EV Charger at home, whats the go to place for these and I assume I can still get a governmnet grant? Reading other people comments it's best to get a tethered cable so I don't have to faf about getting the cable in and out the car?
Re the charger, I'd definitely recommend tethered unless you really enjoy having to wrap up dirty, wet cables and stick them in the boat each morning!...
I'd like to get an EV Charger at home, whats the go to place for these and I assume I can still get a governmnet grant? Reading other people comments it's best to get a tethered cable so I don't have to faf about getting the cable in and out the car?
In terms of the driving style of the 530e when on all-electric mode, how brisk is it? I understand the motor isn't even 100bhp, so doesn't it feel painfully slow or does the instant torque make it still feel ok?
Blue Oval84 said:
Re the charger, I'd definitely recommend tethered unless you really enjoy having to wrap up dirty, wet cables and stick them in the boat each morning!
In terms of the driving style of the 530e when on all-electric mode, how brisk is it? I understand the motor isn't even 100bhp, so doesn't it feel painfully slow or does the instant torque make it still feel ok?
Becasue of the instant torque it pulls away really nice and if you do want to save money by driving purely on electric you automatically reduce your driving style - a bit like when you are in the end of the red trying to get to the garage before you run out of fuel!!In terms of the driving style of the 530e when on all-electric mode, how brisk is it? I understand the motor isn't even 100bhp, so doesn't it feel painfully slow or does the instant torque make it still feel ok?
Plus its so quiet, and in those luxury arm chair like seats you feel like you are wafting along and the world is a nice place!
So in answer to your question, no it doesnt feel painfully slow, far from it.
The Tesla 3 is the one to have for performance, but when you sit in the new 5 series you do feel rather special in it, its a proper luxury car.
Every bit of interior fitting you touch reeks of class and great build quality.
Edited by craste on Saturday 17th August 11:49
craste said:
Becasue of the instant torque it pulls away really nice and if you do want to save money by driving purely on electric you automatically reduce your driving style - a bit like when you are in the end of the red trying to get to the garage before you run out of fuel!!
Plus its so quiet, and in those luxury arm chair like seats you feel like you are wafting along and the world is a nice place!
So in answer to your question, no it doesnt feel painfully slow, far from it.
The Tesla 3 is the one to have for performance, but when you sit in the new 5 series you do feel rather special in it, its a proper luxury car.
Every bit of interior fitting you touch reeks of class and great build quality.
OK well that's encouraging!Plus its so quiet, and in those luxury arm chair like seats you feel like you are wafting along and the world is a nice place!
So in answer to your question, no it doesnt feel painfully slow, far from it.
The Tesla 3 is the one to have for performance, but when you sit in the new 5 series you do feel rather special in it, its a proper luxury car.
Every bit of interior fitting you touch reeks of class and great build quality.
Edited by craste on Saturday 17th August 11:49
So few of the reviews I've read of any of the PHEVs really describe what the all-electric part of the driving experience is like. Given that my commute is about 3.5 miles if and when I get one I'd expect virtually all of my mileage to be done on electric only. The petrol engine would only be needed for harder driving and of course, my occasional 350 mile motorway run.
Haven't been in the new 5 yet, but it sounds like it could well be a strong contender. Especially if any of the newer 12kWh battery packs have dropped into my price bracket by the time I'm ready to buy!
GreenMushroom said:
I think the 5 series is step up even in my poverty spec. You get used to the extra space inside quite quickly and it's more comfortable on longer journeys. It's the largest car I've owned.
But at the end of the day it's a BIK car, and for me maybe not the model I would have as a private buyer. In this regard the difference in tax per month is where the savings are greatest. I don't feel I've saved that much on fuel. At the time my company was offering this or the 330e and the usual diesel engines. I knew the 330e was going to be replaced soonish, so opted for the 530e.
If I recall correctly there wasn't much difference in price between the 330e M Sport or the 530e SE
I get most comments about the leather interior, I chose cognac. It's a real like / dislike colour for people!!!
Mine is also a BIK car, and I also chose cognac. But at the end of the day it's a BIK car, and for me maybe not the model I would have as a private buyer. In this regard the difference in tax per month is where the savings are greatest. I don't feel I've saved that much on fuel. At the time my company was offering this or the 330e and the usual diesel engines. I knew the 330e was going to be replaced soonish, so opted for the 530e.
If I recall correctly there wasn't much difference in price between the 330e M Sport or the 530e SE
I get most comments about the leather interior, I chose cognac. It's a real like / dislike colour for people!!!
The 330e had just been taken off our list as I was about to order, otherwise I'd likely have chosen it. A colleague has one of the new models on order. it will be interesting to compare.craste said:
I have a 530e on order in Sophistico Grey, with the following options:
So think i ticked the comfort and premium package.
Apparently its goingto be one of the very first in the country (on a 69 plate) with the new denser battery pack and the updated dials, so looking forward to it.
I’ve just ordered and they confirmed greater range and the new ‘Cockpit’. As I got £ 11k off I was fearful I was going to have a run out but I have the new spec in writing. They are saying Oct but could go into Nov (I have 2 px values !). What are they saying for your delivery ?
I hope mine comes before end of Oct as I’m not sure what would happen if tariff’s apply from 1 Nov. I haven’t asked and they didn’t provide the conditions on the reverse of the order, so if they point to them and say I have to pay 20% tariff I’ll walk.
I have ordered
Bluestone M Sport (so I could get the Night Blue seats) Cove
Technology, Visibility, Comfort, Premium, Driving Assistance Plus, Parking Plus, Variable Dampers, Rear tints, through loading and Advanced speakers
So think i ticked the comfort and premium package.
Apparently its goingto be one of the very first in the country (on a 69 plate) with the new denser battery pack and the updated dials, so looking forward to it.
I’ve just ordered and they confirmed greater range and the new ‘Cockpit’. As I got £ 11k off I was fearful I was going to have a run out but I have the new spec in writing. They are saying Oct but could go into Nov (I have 2 px values !). What are they saying for your delivery ?
I hope mine comes before end of Oct as I’m not sure what would happen if tariff’s apply from 1 Nov. I haven’t asked and they didn’t provide the conditions on the reverse of the order, so if they point to them and say I have to pay 20% tariff I’ll walk.
I have ordered
Bluestone M Sport (so I could get the Night Blue seats) Cove
Technology, Visibility, Comfort, Premium, Driving Assistance Plus, Parking Plus, Variable Dampers, Rear tints, through loading and Advanced speakers
Edited by craste on Saturday 17th August 10:31
Nice one Craste.
Are you charging it up overnight? It's all a bit pointless if you don't (apart from the BIK savings obviously!).
Let us know if you have any questions, as this forum was a real help to me when I got mine and I'm sure the users will be just as happy to help now.
The only thing that still bugs me is the Spotify app which hardly ever works, but that's a minor thing really/
Enjoy yourself!
Are you charging it up overnight? It's all a bit pointless if you don't (apart from the BIK savings obviously!).
Let us know if you have any questions, as this forum was a real help to me when I got mine and I'm sure the users will be just as happy to help now.
The only thing that still bugs me is the Spotify app which hardly ever works, but that's a minor thing really/
Enjoy yourself!
Bill4San said:
Nice one Craste.
Are you charging it up overnight? It's all a bit pointless if you don't (apart from the BIK savings obviously!).
Let us know if you have any questions, as this forum was a real help to me when I got mine and I'm sure the users will be just as happy to help now.
The only thing that still bugs me is the Spotify app which hardly ever works, but that's a minor thing really/
Enjoy yourself!
Yes I'm charging it up every night - just on the 3 pin plug at the moment - want to see how much fuel the company deduct for the month - I'm hoping that if the spend is lower on fuel (cost per mile is down) then my private mileage deduction will be lower. If not, then I'll charge the car when I can get on a socket at work or just charge it using the cars engine - if I'm not going to get a reduced rate on my private fuel.Are you charging it up overnight? It's all a bit pointless if you don't (apart from the BIK savings obviously!).
Let us know if you have any questions, as this forum was a real help to me when I got mine and I'm sure the users will be just as happy to help now.
The only thing that still bugs me is the Spotify app which hardly ever works, but that's a minor thing really/
Enjoy yourself!
I had the Apple Car play and sometimes the Spotify app keeps on cutting in and out - not sure if its becuase I'm getting notifications, but its a pain nonetheless.
I use the 'standard' spotify app (via the BMW didsplay and not Apple Carplay) and it seems ok.
Good points so far:
Interior quality and dashboard is spot on - its really impressive and you feel really special driving it.
Harmon Kardon sound system is really nice and crystal clear, doesn't feel it has as much sub bass as the last gen 5 series but its still early days and I could fiddle with the EQ a bit more to improve the low end response.
Handling is a bit softer compared to the last 5 series msport I had (as the 530e Msport doesn't have the stiffened suspension?) and it takes that little bit longer to compose itself over underlating roads, but you get used to it and the trade off is a nice comfy ride. It has got bags of grip though, so once settled into a long radius curve you can really shift before the tyres start letting you know you're taking the Michael!
Mine has the new live cockpit and the colision detection system is a bit of a nervous passenger when you are diving in and out of traffic.
Had a play in Sport mode and it does really shift plenty fast enough!
Paintwork is quality.
Massage seats are really nice and comfy and I like the way you only have to touch each control and it appears on the display what button you are pressing and what its for! Also its nice having a sunroof so the cabin seems nice and bright and airy.
Negatives:
When you do boot it and you lift off it feels like there is a bit of a delay until the battery/engine stop, so you feel like you are still surging forward for a split second which can be a bit worrying!
20 wheels are a bit of a pain to clean so the novalty might wear off and I'll take it to the Eastern euro crew to wash - but it pains me when they use wipes which could of been dropped on the floor and contains tiny pieces of grit.
Obviosly it all depends on the style of driving but when I fully charge the battery is says I can do 30 miles - what does yours say?
Overall really happy and pleased with the car.
Edited by craste on Saturday 14th September 12:07
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