Help me justify buying a 2017 330e on 25k, to replace a 330i

[MikeInWimbledon]

Man Maths assistance needed

I want to spend an extra £10k on buying a 2017 330e (with split fold seats) on 25k miles with one year's warranty....

to replace my 2009 LCI 330i SE Touring on 25k (yes 25k) miles, which also has 11 months BMW warranty outstanding.


I fancy the newer car, the plug-in hybrid tech, and the fresher look.

But Her Indoors is asking why I should give up the flexibility of the Estate body shell, and lay out £10k for the privilege.

Fuel saving is "probably" £700 pa on 12,000 miles a year ( no more than 15mpg (currently 35mpg, expecting 50mpg on the 330e.)

I have no estimate of electricity cost for the 330e, but I guess four nights worth of charge at home - call it just £150 a year.

(I used to do much lower mileage, but I'm expecting it to be closer to £12k going forward)

Road tax saving appears to be £105 pa (£145 instead of £250)

Maintenance: probably lower on the newer car - but can't really create a number.

Depreciation: I "guess" the 2017 330e will depreciate by £2.5 k a year, while the 330i Touring probably isn't depreciating at all.



Help me justify - or tell me why I shouldn't,....

[Pica-Pica]

I can’t answer on the electric side of things, but I have a 335dx saloon with split fold seats. I cannot see where I would need an estate. Anything large that I bought would probably not go in an estate either. So that would either be delivered, or I would hire a van (none of that has been needed in four years). When our boys were at home we did have a large Volvo estate, but that was square and huge.

[WonkeyDonkey]

I can't really help but I was always under the impression these cars were just a company car tax dodge. From what I've read the MPG is nothing special at all, it can't really do many miles at all on electric and is a bit more expensive to run because of the additional weight of 2 drive trains.

[_Mja_]

So fuel is the biggest saving on the 330e. Ignoring the other small changes in costs - it will take about 14 years for that fuel saving to justify the £10k price difference on the 330e. Factoring in the 330e will depreciate £2.5k per year for say half of those 14 years that's another £17.5k lost on on top of the £10k spent up front if using the same timescales. Which probably isn't relevant as I guess you'll only keep it for a few years.

I don't think man maths is going to swing it - your current car has loads of life in it and is more practical.

However life is short so if you want to spend your money on the 330e go for it. It's just never going to be a cheap as keeping the estate. Plenty of people switch their cars reguarlaly as a cost of motoring.

[Pixelpeep Z4]

What about the socially responsible thing to do angle ?

Not exclusively, but add it to the fuel savings, newer items that won't need replacing as soon, EVs (even mild ones) are much kinder on things like brakes due to regen so less maintenance costs, road tax savings, nicer place to be, better frame of mind when picking up inlaws etc

Safer, due to advances in safety systems and tougher regulations.

Lastly, What's the point in lugging around an estate all year for the 2 days when it might actually be useful ?

[smn159]

You'd need to go all electric to swing it from a 'social responsibility' angle IMO. Any decent diesel will give you 50mpg.

I'd stick personally and spend the £10k on a toy.

[Dave Hedgehog]

i wouldn't bother personnaly, go EV or dont IMO, the 330e is still a planet polluting fuel burner

i agree with the keep it and spend the 10k on a toy

[Jakg]

What about the ActiveHybrid 3?

It's not 25k, but it's newer than what you have, hybrid and quicker.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154480285171?hash=item2...

[RicksAlfas]

Jakg said:

What about the ActiveHybrid 3?

It's not 25k, but it's newer than what you have, hybrid and quicker.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154480285171?hash=item2...

I wouldn't it. It was a technical cul-de-sac. Very few about and the potential for future problems and massive depreciation is huge.

OP, if you fancy a new car go for it. But don't try and justify it financially!

[Pixelpeep Z4]

Go the whole hog and do a manmath spreadsheet for a Tesla model 3 LR

You can lease um for £400 ish a month

[MikeInWimbledon]

Pixelpeep Z4 said:

Go the whole hog and do a manmath spreadsheet for a Tesla model 3 LR
You can lease um for £400 ish a month

I'd love to try a Tesla but I'd need a "Mammoth" spreadsheet to justify £5k a year to replace a 330i which is worth thruppence and isn't depreciating, even if it does save £2k in petrol. Brand new cars are for the Company car boys really. (And we thank you very much, Company car boys, we really do)

[MrBen1]

I'd keep the E91 until it stops being reliable, which based on current mileage is likely to be ages. An F30 330e isn't a particularly attractive buy or fun to drive, the depreciation will easily outweigh the savings in running costs, and keeping an old car on the road has to be greener than buying a new one. Plus those old 330i's are a lovely drive, I did many many miles in a similar 325i until it started to get expensive to run when mileage was pretty high.

[wassap]

The G20 has a better PHEV experience than the older car, but even then it’s not all that. F30 isn’t worth spending all that much extra on. The tech isn’t anything special, the quality isn’t all ‘that’ either.

[Drezza]

No way I'd pay an extra £10k for that

[robsa]

WonkeyDonkey said:

I can't really help but I was always under the impression these cars were just a company car tax dodge. From what I've read the MPG is nothing special at all, it can't really do many miles at all on electric and is a bit more expensive to run because of the additional weight of 2 drive trains.

I have a G20 330e and have so far done about 14k miles in it since December 2020. My average MPG so far over the whole time is just under 70mpg. I would not want to go back to a non-PHEV now - its much quieter, and the electric boost when pulling away and around town, the no start-stop nonsense, and the boost when overtaking all make it well worth it for me. And the BIK is the cherry on the cake.

This morning my max range was showing as 39 miles. That may sound tiny, but it's the way it uses it. I honestly love it.

[WonkeyDonkey]

robsa said:

I have a G20 330e and have so far done about 14k miles in it since December 2020. My average MPG so far over the whole time is just under 70mpg. I would not want to go back to a non-PHEV now - its much quieter, and the electric boost when pulling away and around town, the no start-stop nonsense, and the boost when overtaking all make it well worth it for me. And the BIK is the cherry on the cake.

This morning my max range was showing as 39 miles. That may sound tiny, but it's the way it uses it. I honestly love it.

Sounds like it fits your usage perfectly. I did look at one ages ago but as a private buyer doing mainly motorway miles I was advised by a friend to just look at the diesels instead. My next vehicle now will probably just be pure electric as the range of long range electrics is growing by the month.

[robsa]

WonkeyDonkey said:

Sounds like it fits your usage perfectly. I did look at one ages ago but as a private buyer doing mainly motorway miles I was advised by a friend to just look at the diesels instead. My next vehicle now will probably just be pure electric as the range of long range electrics is growing by the month.

Lots of motorway miles = avoid electrics and PHEVs as far as I'm aware. I do a fair bit of motorway, but lots of countryside lanes and stuff too. I looked at pure electrics but they just aren't quite there yet for me regarding range. 300 miles in winter and that would be great.

[wassap]

My G20 is giving me excellent MPG on a run. Starting journeys with a charge on a typical 120 mile drive, gets me 60mpg. Same return journey starting without any charge still gives me 53mpg. That’s very respectable in my book, it’s nice not having to drink from the black hose. Just running round locally I’m pretty much only using the batteries and with this weather I’m getting 35-40 miles. The range is terrible in winter though.

The only annoyance is the small tank and boot. Will be interesting to see if BmW follow Merc and start putting bigger batteries in. The new C Class will have a 60 mile range and 7KW charging

[MikeInWimbledon]

The G Series is beyond my budget. I don't "do" new car depreciation - that's for the company car boys and girls.

I understand the that G series is viewed as being a better PHEV and a better car that the F series generally, but I won't touch it for another three years.

So it's F class or stay where I am with the E91 300i SE touring.

After the criticisms of the 330e, I'm beginning to wonder whether I should "modernise" by going for the 330d (SE or on adaptive suspension).

A 320d doesn't float my boat because of power and smoothness, and 330i's and 335i's just seem to be made of unobtainium.

Is it worth £10k to switch from my "worthless" 2009 330i touring to a 2017 330d saloon on similar mileage & BMW warranty ?

Edited by MikeInWimbledon on Saturday 12th June 08:41

[HelldogBE]

MikeInWimbledon said:

After the criticisms of the 330e, I'm beginning to wonder whether I should "modernise" by going for the 330d (SE or on adaptive suspension).

A 320d doesn't float my boat because of power and smoothness, and 330i's and 335i's just seem to be made of unobtainium.

Is it worth £10k to switch from my "worthless" 2009 330i touring to a 2017 330d saloon on similar mileage & BMW warranty ?

You seem really intent to part with your money!

I think the E9x LCI is drying up really well and while I've had 2 F-series, I think the x30i drivetrain in your 3series with the last atmospheric 6-cylinder should be cherished. Changing to a 330d the torque low down will feel pretty rapid, but from a financial perspective "investing" in a diesel nowadays is throwing money down the bin. Especially with your relatively low mileage...

If I were in your shoes I'd keep what u have or try to upgrade to a 335i (keeping a 6 cylinder but adding the turbo for torque). Perhaps a hatchback like the 135/140 is even more convenient and fun to drive?

Another suggestion is to take a test drive in a BMW I3. They cost peanuts, can be very cheap to run and they will blow your mind around town!