BMW 330e - any advice?
Discussion
I'm intrigued by the 330e F30 but wanted to hear from owners on what they're like for running costs, reliability, performance and practicality.
The main thing I'm struggling to find an answer on is whether they charge the batteries from the engine, or must the be plugged in to charge up?
I don't have a driveway, but these are appealing as we do lots of small journeys, but still do plenty of longer drives too. If they do charge off the engine, I would anticipate the longer journeys we would be enough to keep the batteries topped up for the short journeys we do.
I really like the performance stats, zero rfl and think they represent good value at around £13k for a 3 year old model.
The main thing I'm struggling to find an answer on is whether they charge the batteries from the engine, or must the be plugged in to charge up?
I don't have a driveway, but these are appealing as we do lots of small journeys, but still do plenty of longer drives too. If they do charge off the engine, I would anticipate the longer journeys we would be enough to keep the batteries topped up for the short journeys we do.
I really like the performance stats, zero rfl and think they represent good value at around £13k for a 3 year old model.
It's a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) so to refill the battery to use the car in the way it was designed you will need to charge it via household socket or charging point.
They can however be driven solely on petrol power (which a lot of people do and defeats the point of the whole exercise but a lot of people have them as company cars so don't really care).
If you want something like that but don't want to have to plug it in, I'd suggest a Lexus.
They can however be driven solely on petrol power (which a lot of people do and defeats the point of the whole exercise but a lot of people have them as company cars so don't really care).
If you want something like that but don't want to have to plug it in, I'd suggest a Lexus.
croissant said:
I'm intrigued by the 330e F30 but wanted to hear from owners on what they're like for running costs, reliability, performance and practicality.
The main thing I'm struggling to find an answer on is whether they charge the batteries from the engine, or must the be plugged in to charge up?
I don't have a driveway, but these are appealing as we do lots of small journeys, but still do plenty of longer drives too. If they do charge off the engine, I would anticipate the longer journeys we would be enough to keep the batteries topped up for the short journeys we do.
I really like the performance stats, zero rfl and think they represent good value at around £13k for a 3 year old model.
They do charge themselves but are not as efficient if you don't have a fully charged battery, I'd say you should go for an actual hybrid rather than the plug in type & there are some good hybrids for your budget of around 13k.The main thing I'm struggling to find an answer on is whether they charge the batteries from the engine, or must the be plugged in to charge up?
I don't have a driveway, but these are appealing as we do lots of small journeys, but still do plenty of longer drives too. If they do charge off the engine, I would anticipate the longer journeys we would be enough to keep the batteries topped up for the short journeys we do.
I really like the performance stats, zero rfl and think they represent good value at around £13k for a 3 year old model.
Hybrid Options:
535i Active Hybrid
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
335i Active Hybrid
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Infiniti Q50 3.5H Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Q70 3.5H GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
FX GT Premium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Mondeo Titanium 2.0h
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
IS300 F Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Premier
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Lexus GS450h
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
RX450h SE-L
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
I had one a couple of years ago, they are ideal for short commutes but realistically will only manage around 18 miles on battery alone before it needs charging again.
I used one for a 14 mile each way commute, mixed driving, half motorway, half a-roads. Battery power would be down to around 35-40% for my return journey. By the time I got home the battery would need a full charge. They do charge when braking and coasting but it’s very minimal.
I use to charge overnight everyday to get the full use of it and averaged around 50mpg over the 16k miles I had the car.
I used one for a 14 mile each way commute, mixed driving, half motorway, half a-roads. Battery power would be down to around 35-40% for my return journey. By the time I got home the battery would need a full charge. They do charge when braking and coasting but it’s very minimal.
I use to charge overnight everyday to get the full use of it and averaged around 50mpg over the 16k miles I had the car.
It will charge itself but depends how you use it. This is from experience of having one for c.3years.
They have selectable modes.
Auto - the car will decide when’s use the battery, the ICE or both. With a flat battery in mixed driving it won’t really charge itself. On the motorway it won’t either as it is mostly charged using braking.
ICE - you can force the car to use the ICE. This will charge the battery but will take a few hours of mixed use to fully charge it.
Battery - you can force the car to use the battery. This will fully deplete it in <20 miles. It will too it up as you brake etc but will be far outweighed by the use.
Personally, I’d avoid it if you don’t plug it in. You’ll get none of the real benefits and all of the downsides (heavier, worse mpg, more expensive, smaller fuel tank (40litre) smaller boot, more complicated.)
Depends on mileage but you’d be much better off in a 320/330i or equivalent diesel.
They have selectable modes.
Auto - the car will decide when’s use the battery, the ICE or both. With a flat battery in mixed driving it won’t really charge itself. On the motorway it won’t either as it is mostly charged using braking.
ICE - you can force the car to use the ICE. This will charge the battery but will take a few hours of mixed use to fully charge it.
Battery - you can force the car to use the battery. This will fully deplete it in <20 miles. It will too it up as you brake etc but will be far outweighed by the use.
Personally, I’d avoid it if you don’t plug it in. You’ll get none of the real benefits and all of the downsides (heavier, worse mpg, more expensive, smaller fuel tank (40litre) smaller boot, more complicated.)
Depends on mileage but you’d be much better off in a 320/330i or equivalent diesel.
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