BMW Active Hybrid 3

[ATM]

I just found out on there is an update for my nav system. Borrowed some guy's usb stick at work and tried it. The update didn't work but an mpeg video on there started playing - with video.

I didn't know I could do that today.

[ATM]

I was discussing the F30 335d with a colleague. We started comparing the weights which BMW claim for their cars:

Active Hybrid 3 1730kg
335d xDrive 1700kg
330d xDrive 1685kg
330d rwd 1615kg

[ATM]

I bought a tank of Tesco 99. I got 51.08 litres for £67.37 @ 131.9 per litre.

I filled up last night after 449 miles.

I bought some Shell V-Power. I got 49.19 litres for £67.34 @ 136.9 per litre.

I let the pump run till the first click.

I make this 41.5 mpg for the Tesco 99. Lets see how the V-Power does. I've heard some horror stories about Tesco 99 and everyone seems to rave about V-Power. The science behind all of this escapes me. What I do know is the Tesco stuff was 5p cheaper.

[ATM]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

ATM said:

I bought a tank of Tesco 99. I got 51.08 litres for £67.37 @ 131.9 per litre.

I filled up last night after 449 miles.

I bought some Shell V-Power. I got 49.19 litres for £67.34 @ 136.9 per litre.

I let the pump run till the first click.

I make this 41.5 mpg for the Tesco 99. Lets see how the V-Power does. I've heard some horror stories about Tesco 99 and everyone seems to rave about V-Power. The science behind all of this escapes me. What I do know is the Tesco stuff was 5p cheaper.

I think you'll need to do a few tanks to see any difference.

It definitely felt angrier and more eager with the 99. But its all subjective. When 99 is the same price as diesel how can you say No? Maybe I need a phone app timer widget thing and then I can do some timed power runs...

[RicksAlfas]

ATM, thanks for keeping this thread updated.

I have a question if you don't mind. My journey home is 3 miles of clear motorway followed by a depressing stop/start urban crawl for 7 miles. After the motorway, how much of my crawl could I do only on electric propulsion?

[ATM]

RicksAlfas said:

ATM, thanks for keeping this thread updated.

I have a question if you don't mind. My journey home is 3 miles of clear motorway followed by a depressing stop/start urban crawl for 7 miles. After the motorway, how much of my crawl could I do only on electric propulsion?

I think the car can drive between 2 to 4 miles on electric only. You need to be gentle on the throttle when pulling away or the engine will kick in.

If it is a genuine crawl then this could all be done on electric only battery power permitting. Once the battery gets down to around 7% charge the engine fires up and it stays on for about 30 - 60 seconds even if you stop. This will charge the battery to about 28% and then electric drive continues.

It is difficult to stay on battery power only when going up an incline unless you stay at say 20mph or less - incline angle depending. Going downhill you can travel over 50mph with the engine off.

On level ground in comfort mode the engine kicks in at 30mph but in eco mode I've done almost 40mph with the engine off. I think I read 39mph is the limit but cant remember for definite.

The problem will be generating a full charge during your 3 mile drive. You will obviously charge both ways on the motorway.

Your journey in the morning from home and after work if starting cold will always fire up the engine for around 1 - 2 minutes before it shuts off. If you put your heater on then the engine stays on for longer. I leave the blower off for this reason.

Eco mode can be a bit dull but if you're in traffic what's the point of comfort or the full fat sport modes.

It can occupy your attention watching the battery meter and power outputs when crawling in traffic using electric power.

[RicksAlfas]

Thanks for the reply. Very interesting. I can imagine the only thing which could brighten my commute is seeing how far I can get home on electric only!! I'm certainly going for an automatic next time that's for sure.

[ATM]

RicksAlfas said:

Thanks for the reply. Very interesting. I can imagine the only thing which could brighten my commute is seeing how far I can get home on electric only!! I'm certainly going for an automatic next time that's for sure.

Yeah I'm not sure there is a real market for the car as a Hybrid if you market it as a Hybrid. I like to think of it is an optional extra added to the 335i. Then it makes more sense to me. I see Porsche and Mclaren are getting involved now too. So yeah my 4 door saloon is a mini version of those - maybe.

If you think of the added 40bhp boost from energy collected from the braking energy it seems like all cars should have this. Why wouldn't you?

It's quicker than a 335i

And a 335i cant impress kids with it's night rider whisper mode.

I just need a flashing red light under my grill.

[ATM]

Swapped over from my Winters to the original wheels with run flats. God the car feels awful now. I used to feel no bumps or bangs and the car rode on a cushion of air. Now it is the opposite and the steering feels numb too.. No way I am leaving them on for long. I need to decide what to do now. Either I use go flat tyres on the 19 wheels or switch to 18 with go flats.

[lestiq]

Hey Op thanks for posting.

Did this have the adaptive dampers as standard? All of the active hybrid 3s i've looked at seem to be really well specced up but couldn't find any info as to whether they had this? From what I've read the adaptive setup is the only setup to go for - shame I always enjoyed the passive setup on my e92.. I'm considering one in black, the wife even agrees it will be a sensible purchase.
Wait till I floor it for the first time with her in it haha.

[TheDoggingFather]

Interesting thread. With regards to your brake problems, are the 17" Wheels restricting airflow to the discs/calipers and thus your brakes fade?

[ATM]

I've sold this now.

TheDoggingFather said:

Interesting thread. With regards to your brake problems, are the 17" Wheels restricting airflow to the discs/calipers and thus your brakes fade?

It's possible I suppose. Or the car is just too big and heavy and the brakes can't cope if you're working the accelerator hard. Before I bought the Winters I did some research and when the car was launched it was supplied as standard with 17 inch wheels in the USA in basic trim level.

lestiq said:

Hey Op thanks for posting.

Did this have the adaptive dampers as standard? All of the active hybrid 3s i've looked at seem to be really well specced up but couldn't find any info as to whether they had this? From what I've read the adaptive setup is the only setup to go for - shame I always enjoyed the passive setup on my e92.. I'm considering one in black, the wife even agrees it will be a sensible purchase.
Wait till I floor it for the first time with her in it haha.

I'm not sure but I think they were because on the motorway if I selected sport I could definitely feel the car become a bit more jiggly.

[peteA]

Had mine two years now - don't get anywhere near the sort of mpg mentioned here, averages about 35 mpg which is what I was expecting I guess?

From memory and my experience there's no adaptive dampers on the hybrid model - everything else changes between the settings...steering, throttle map, gear changes, etc but not the dampers. I might be wrong but I dont 'feel' them change?

Good car - got another year to go before it goes back and I'm struggling with a replacement? Hoping the jag xe will be an option, might go back to a c class or might just get another 3....335d x drive...alpina d3...or hybrid depending on the deals available.

[lestiq]

As you gents are both at the tail end of these cars now, Op you've obviously moved on - was that due to shortcoming with the car? I was thinking about the brake fade once the capacitor is full, I guess the assumption when driving hard is that you'll be about to use the charge shortly after the hard stop. that was the original benefit to the Audi's at Le Mans with their hybrid, they got to pull away from the slowest corners with the most power.

My main question to you both, would you recommend this car as a day to day commute/ bit of fun to anyone?

[peteA]

I most definitely would recommend one - it's a great car! The only caveat would be that I wouldn't have one without a full BMW warranty? Don't get me wrong - nothing has failed in the 25k and two years I've had mine it's just the potential for it to do so with there being so much going on!...and presumably it wouldn't be cheap either?

Mines a co car so due to the low emissions it was a justifiable way out of a diesel and into a petrol...a 3 litre turbo straight six petrol! Just don't expect the sort of overall mpg BMW mention - I'm at about 35mpg which for what the car is I think is good but others seem to do better?

I find it a great Jekyll and Hyde car - comfortable, luxurious cruiser one minute, snarling, fast, 'semi' M3 the next.

[RicksAlfas]

There's an article in The Sunday Times today about a new plug in version based around the current 328 (2.0 petrol turbo). Sounds very impressive. £27,000 after government grant, 8 speed auto, 242bhp, 295lb ft, 0-62 6 sec, 150mph, 140mpg, 50g/km. Available end of 2015.

[ATM]

lestiq said:

As you gents are both at the tail end of these cars now, Op you've obviously moved on - was that due to shortcoming with the car? I was thinking about the brake fade once the capacitor is full, I guess the assumption when driving hard is that you'll be about to use the charge shortly after the hard stop. that was the original benefit to the Audi's at Le Mans with their hybrid, they got to pull away from the slowest corners with the most power.

My main question to you both, would you recommend this car as a day to day commute/ bit of fun to anyone?

I liked the car but I didn't love it. I bought a fun car for excitement. My situation changed and then I decided I didn't need 2 cars so now I'm just driving my fun car. The Hybrid is quick - plenty quick enough - and it even makes a great noise - although that could be fake piped in noise. It is still a big car though as all cars now seem to be getting bigger and bigger. If you want a car this big which can do the sensible boring stuff and still excite then it is worth considering. It's always going to be a choice between the 330d / 335xd / 335i and this. I had only driven the 320d before I bought the Hybrid and you really can't compare them.

[aaruck]

I know this is an old thread but i'd be interested to know what people think of the active hybrids as 2nd hand purchases? Whats the life on the batteries? Are they are potential money pit compared to sticking with a standard 335i/535i?

[DuffersE30]

aaruck said:

I know this is an old thread but i'd be interested to know what people think of the active hybrids as 2nd hand purchases? Whats the life on the batteries? Are they are potential money pit compared to sticking with a standard 335i/535i?

I bought one in feb. BMW AUC for £20k 2013 with 26k miles. Every option I wanted apart from DAB. I love it and no problems so far.