Used Golf GTE?
Discussion
I'm tentatively thinking about replacing our 1 series (2013 114i F20) with a hybrid when the time comes. It's my wife's daily, and she does a round trip of 24 miles/day to/from work. We have the ability to charge it up overnight. I know 2 people with 2016 GTE's - one charges it at every opportunity & the thing has a ridiculous average MPG from new (140mpg equivalent at last count); the other drives it because BIK is so good & doesn't have the ability to charge it often. But both cars have been reliable, and generally nice places to be.
So, for the minimum 24 miles our car would do, would the Golf GTE be a good fit? I've suggested a BMW 330e, mostly as I think they're phenomenal value, but it seems a saloon is a no-no. Is there any obvious car I'm overlooking? Thinking 4 years old max, and definitely looking at plug-in hybrids (as opposed to anything else with a hybrid badge on it). Friends had a BMW i3 with Range Extender for 4 years, but it grated on them in the end - the range was vastly over-exaggerated and the rear door thing proved to be a pain (in their opinion).
Or should I possibly look at a BMW 225xe?
Thanks for your input.
So, for the minimum 24 miles our car would do, would the Golf GTE be a good fit? I've suggested a BMW 330e, mostly as I think they're phenomenal value, but it seems a saloon is a no-no. Is there any obvious car I'm overlooking? Thinking 4 years old max, and definitely looking at plug-in hybrids (as opposed to anything else with a hybrid badge on it). Friends had a BMW i3 with Range Extender for 4 years, but it grated on them in the end - the range was vastly over-exaggerated and the rear door thing proved to be a pain (in their opinion).
Or should I possibly look at a BMW 225xe?
Thanks for your input.
Edited by BFleming on Monday 20th January 23:13
I've owned an i3 REx and a GTE. For driving fun the i3 wins easily (the burst away from standstill, much better traction, lighter, etc). For comfort/long distance journeys I preferred the Golf (active cruise control works better, android auto, can do over 300 miles of high speed motorway driving, etc).
The electric range of the GTE was disappointing. Officially 31 miles, don't think mine ever showed more than 26 when fully charged and expect under 20 in the winter. Ultra reliable though, especially compared to my i3 which had several issues (thousands of pounds spent on repairs, definitely wouldn't want to run one out of warranty).
If going for the Golf, try aim for the mk7.5 as that has significant upgrades in terms of active display etc. The GTE Advance is the one to go for if within your budget.
The electric range of the GTE was disappointing. Officially 31 miles, don't think mine ever showed more than 26 when fully charged and expect under 20 in the winter. Ultra reliable though, especially compared to my i3 which had several issues (thousands of pounds spent on repairs, definitely wouldn't want to run one out of warranty).
If going for the Golf, try aim for the mk7.5 as that has significant upgrades in terms of active display etc. The GTE Advance is the one to go for if within your budget.
Just finished a 2 year lease of one.
You probably won't make it 24 miles on electric, even in summer, but even with a bit of petrol use the running costs should be very low. It's very convenient through the winter to have it preheat at home so it's warm and deiced before you leave. Felt quick enough on electric only, although compared to pure EVs you do notice the slightly odd sensation of an electric motor running through a DSG gearbox. Not as smooth as a pure EV's direct drive.
Boot is small (high floor with the petrol tank underneath) so nowhere to keep cables, tyre kit, etc - they just have to live in the boot, or in our case the footwell where the youngest's car seat went.
Ours was reliable and I haven't heard of many issues but it is a *lot* of stuff packed into that car - quite a complicated petrol engine, plus a DSG gearbox, plus all the electric side. Not sure I'd want to run one long term out of warranty.
It's a good "gateway drug" into electrified motoring, although I have to say after a few months I was getting annoyed with needing to burn petrol whenever we went further afield. We replaced it with an eGolf which I'm delighted with, and I'd say unless you need the PHEV ability to do long trips on petrol, it's well worth looking at the proper battery options.
You probably won't make it 24 miles on electric, even in summer, but even with a bit of petrol use the running costs should be very low. It's very convenient through the winter to have it preheat at home so it's warm and deiced before you leave. Felt quick enough on electric only, although compared to pure EVs you do notice the slightly odd sensation of an electric motor running through a DSG gearbox. Not as smooth as a pure EV's direct drive.
Boot is small (high floor with the petrol tank underneath) so nowhere to keep cables, tyre kit, etc - they just have to live in the boot, or in our case the footwell where the youngest's car seat went.
Ours was reliable and I haven't heard of many issues but it is a *lot* of stuff packed into that car - quite a complicated petrol engine, plus a DSG gearbox, plus all the electric side. Not sure I'd want to run one long term out of warranty.
It's a good "gateway drug" into electrified motoring, although I have to say after a few months I was getting annoyed with needing to burn petrol whenever we went further afield. We replaced it with an eGolf which I'm delighted with, and I'd say unless you need the PHEV ability to do long trips on petrol, it's well worth looking at the proper battery options.
If you've got another long-range car on your domestic fleet, I'd go full EV and get a Nissan Leaf. Even a 24kwh one would manage these requirements easily.
In fact, I did.
Cheap to buy second hand, hilariously cheap to run. No range anxiety. No regrets. Estimated fuel cost for 22k miles so far: £300 (part free charging at work, part overnight charging at home).
In fact, I did.
Cheap to buy second hand, hilariously cheap to run. No range anxiety. No regrets. Estimated fuel cost for 22k miles so far: £300 (part free charging at work, part overnight charging at home).
sjg said:
We replaced it with an eGolf which I'm delighted with, and I'd say unless you need the PHEV ability to do long trips on petrol, it's well worth looking at the proper battery options.
What range are you getting from the eGolf, and I assume that it's direct drive & you no longer have the DSG gearbox (probably the most stupid question ever)?144 miles WLTP which should be around right in the summer, at the moment in the cold it shows about 120 when you start it after a full charge. I'm expecting a reliable 100 miles in any weather.
Not really had a chance to test from full, it was half charged when I picked it up and did 3 rapid charges to get 228 miles home (and had plenty left in the end). All easy enough.
eGolf is a nice simple direct drive. Golf GTE uses this DQ400e setup with the motor integrated in the gearbox - https://www.greencarcongress.com/2014/04/20140403-... It uses clutches to get going from rest and it changes gear because it always wants to be ready to start the petrol engine if needed. It all feels very smooth if you're used to ICE cars but a bit odd if you've driven EVs.
Forgot to say if you're looking at other PHEVs - the Golf GTE is one of the best ones for allowing use of it like an electric car for short range use. It heats and preheats on electric, you can use full throttle (but if you "kickdown" with the switch it will start the engine), you can get up to motorway speeds on electric. That's not true of all so do your research - eg I was interested in a Kia Optima PHEV as a family wagon but it can't produce heat at all without the engine running.
Not really had a chance to test from full, it was half charged when I picked it up and did 3 rapid charges to get 228 miles home (and had plenty left in the end). All easy enough.
eGolf is a nice simple direct drive. Golf GTE uses this DQ400e setup with the motor integrated in the gearbox - https://www.greencarcongress.com/2014/04/20140403-... It uses clutches to get going from rest and it changes gear because it always wants to be ready to start the petrol engine if needed. It all feels very smooth if you're used to ICE cars but a bit odd if you've driven EVs.
Forgot to say if you're looking at other PHEVs - the Golf GTE is one of the best ones for allowing use of it like an electric car for short range use. It heats and preheats on electric, you can use full throttle (but if you "kickdown" with the switch it will start the engine), you can get up to motorway speeds on electric. That's not true of all so do your research - eg I was interested in a Kia Optima PHEV as a family wagon but it can't produce heat at all without the engine running.
There have been a few Golf GTE related threads on here which the search will throw up.
Have just handeda Mk7 GTE back in the last few weeks at 4yrs old and 100k largely trouble free miles.
Good car overall, my view on life with it is on pg 3 of the attached, comments are a couple of years old but still relevant.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
We've had our GTE advanced 2 years. In that time I've also ran a 330e and a 530e.
The GTE is a great car, no issues. When I had the choice I always chose it to drive over the 330e and 530e.
We don't get much more than 15 miles on battery in winter. The max I squeezed out in summer with HVAC off and feathering it was 27 miles.
Yes the boot is smaller but we managed a weeks family holiday in one including body boards, it was tight especially as our previous family car was a disco! If you can afford it go for the GTE advanced.
However, the ride in the 330 / 530 is much better
The GTE is a great car, no issues. When I had the choice I always chose it to drive over the 330e and 530e.
We don't get much more than 15 miles on battery in winter. The max I squeezed out in summer with HVAC off and feathering it was 27 miles.
Yes the boot is smaller but we managed a weeks family holiday in one including body boards, it was tight especially as our previous family car was a disco! If you can afford it go for the GTE advanced.
However, the ride in the 330 / 530 is much better
Mouse Rat said:
We've had our GTE advanced 2 years. In that time I've also ran a 330e and a 530e.
The GTE is a great car, no issues. When I had the choice I always chose it to drive over the 330e and 530e.
We don't get much more than 15 miles on battery in winter. The max I squeezed out in summer with HVAC off and feathering it was 27 miles.
Yes the boot is smaller but we managed a weeks family holiday in one including body boards, it was tight especially as our previous family car was a disco! If you can afford it go for the GTE advanced.
However, the ride in the 330 / 530 is much better
Good insights there. I'm keeping my 5 series, so that'll be used for family trips. Although my brother brings his GTE on family holidays (in preference to his 996), complete with a roofbox. Works ok for them.The GTE is a great car, no issues. When I had the choice I always chose it to drive over the 330e and 530e.
We don't get much more than 15 miles on battery in winter. The max I squeezed out in summer with HVAC off and feathering it was 27 miles.
Yes the boot is smaller but we managed a weeks family holiday in one including body boards, it was tight especially as our previous family car was a disco! If you can afford it go for the GTE advanced.
However, the ride in the 330 / 530 is much better
Difficult question
Extra weight is about 250kgs
The hybrid system is very good at using the EV to assist motion, it coasts well and will shut down the ICE motor seamlessly at every opportunity and you get the regen from slowing down.
It will do mid 50's mpg on a long run at speed limits
HTH
Extra weight is about 250kgs
The hybrid system is very good at using the EV to assist motion, it coasts well and will shut down the ICE motor seamlessly at every opportunity and you get the regen from slowing down.
It will do mid 50's mpg on a long run at speed limits
HTH
dmsims said:
Difficult question
Extra weight is about 250kgs
The hybrid system is very good at using the EV to assist motion, it coasts well and will shut down the ICE motor seamlessly at every opportunity and you get the regen from slowing down.
It will do mid 50's mpg on a long run at speed limits
HTH
Mirrors my experience exactly.Extra weight is about 250kgs
The hybrid system is very good at using the EV to assist motion, it coasts well and will shut down the ICE motor seamlessly at every opportunity and you get the regen from slowing down.
It will do mid 50's mpg on a long run at speed limits
HTH
If you start will a full battery economy increases dramatically, mid 90's MPG possible.
If you can use EV only, it's comically cheap.
I looked at the Golf GTE and heard mixed reports about how far it would go in EV mode.
I eventually bought a Ioniq PHEV. It's slower and probably less exciting than the Golf, but it's loaded with toys, and has no problem doing my 25 mile round trip commute in EV mode in winter temps with 8-10 miles range left when I get home.
60+mpg when on petrol. have yet to use it warm temps, only got it 6 weeks ago.
I eventually bought a Ioniq PHEV. It's slower and probably less exciting than the Golf, but it's loaded with toys, and has no problem doing my 25 mile round trip commute in EV mode in winter temps with 8-10 miles range left when I get home.
60+mpg when on petrol. have yet to use it warm temps, only got it 6 weeks ago.
If boot space is an issue, then the 225xe has a bigger and better shaped boot that the GTE, plus a underfloor trough for the cables. 4x4 works surprising well. Three battery versions have been released giving real world range of roughly 15,20 or 25 miles range.
Mine has been basically reliable over 75k miles. Main down sides, are hard ride, thick pillars, and small petrol tank.
But to echo other posters, looks like you are in a good position to go full electric.
Mine has been basically reliable over 75k miles. Main down sides, are hard ride, thick pillars, and small petrol tank.
But to echo other posters, looks like you are in a good position to go full electric.
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