Golf GTE vs Merc C350e vs BMW 330e
Discussion
I have about £16K to spend on a used PHEV. I currently have a Merc diesel but Bristol's clean air zone have prompted me to change.
I'm not keen on Beemers and both they and the Merc seem to have reliability issues? So the Golf is the preferred choice at the moment.
Most of my trips are local, but occasionally have to go 200+ miles for work.
Are there any others to consider? Maybe Kia e-Niro or Hyundai Ionic have better batteries but performance isn't great.
I'm not keen on Beemers and both they and the Merc seem to have reliability issues? So the Golf is the preferred choice at the moment.
Most of my trips are local, but occasionally have to go 200+ miles for work.
Are there any others to consider? Maybe Kia e-Niro or Hyundai Ionic have better batteries but performance isn't great.
I currently have a 17 plate 330e from new (company car), which has never put a foot wrong and will be missed when it leaves in a few months. Conversely my boss had a Mercedes c clas phev which suffered total high voltage battery failure about a year into ownership.
Mercedes is more wafty but the 330e feels legitimately like quick car, and looks great with the m sport plus trim.
Mercedes is more wafty but the 330e feels legitimately like quick car, and looks great with the m sport plus trim.
Leemcd said:
I currently have a 17 plate 330e from new (company car), which has never put a foot wrong and will be missed when it leaves in a few months. Conversely my boss had a Mercedes c clas phev which suffered total high voltage battery failure about a year into ownership.
Mercedes is more wafty but the 330e feels legitimately like quick car, and looks great with the m sport plus trim.
I've had 2015 C350e for last 3 years. No issues, and neither did the first owner have any issues either. Just regular servicing. Mercedes is more wafty but the 330e feels legitimately like quick car, and looks great with the m sport plus trim.
Yes, 330e more fun to drive (for a PHEV that is) and is more efficient (both on EV and petrol) than the C350e, but I found it a bit more cramped inside than the C350e and all the used models seemed to be really basic ex-lease spec. I found a C350e with virtually every option ticked including adaptive cruise control and heads up display.
Before you buy a used PHEV, find a way to check the health of the battery and make sure you're aware of how long the manufacturer's warranty is on the battery and hybrid system so you can make an informed choice.
raspy said:
Leemcd said:
I currently have a 17 plate 330e from new (company car), which has never put a foot wrong and will be missed when it leaves in a few months. Conversely my boss had a Mercedes c clas phev which suffered total high voltage battery failure about a year into ownership.
Mercedes is more wafty but the 330e feels legitimately like quick car, and looks great with the m sport plus trim.
I've had 2015 C350e for last 3 years. No issues, and neither did the first owner have any issues either. Just regular servicing. Mercedes is more wafty but the 330e feels legitimately like quick car, and looks great with the m sport plus trim.
Yes, 330e more fun to drive (for a PHEV that is) and is more efficient (both on EV and petrol) than the C350e, but I found it a bit more cramped inside than the C350e and all the used models seemed to be really basic ex-lease spec. I found a C350e with virtually every option ticked including adaptive cruise control and heads up display.
Before you buy a used PHEV, find a way to check the health of the battery and make sure you're aware of how long the manufacturer's warranty is on the battery and hybrid system so you can make an informed choice.
If you’re thinking of a Golf GTE, have a look at A3 e-trons also. They’ve got the same basic power train, but in my not biased opinion (bought one last year) the fit and finish is so much nicer and most of the facelifts come with a higher level of standard kit than the golf (e.g. Audi connect, keyless entry)
I've had 2 C350e estates as company cars, done circa 70K over 4 years in them and never had an issue what so ever other than chewing through tyres reasonably quickly. Interior felt more premium than the 330e saloon that a colleague had, but agree it did not feel quite as punchy.....not slow mind.
Conversely a guy working for me had a Golf GTE and I was always impressed how refined and premium it felt, and his elec range and MPG were considerably better than the C350e. I charged mine overnight every day and could get to work (20 miles) averaging 99mpg, but home was 35. Overall it was only doing 36mpg where as that golf did 48.
Conversely a guy working for me had a Golf GTE and I was always impressed how refined and premium it felt, and his elec range and MPG were considerably better than the C350e. I charged mine overnight every day and could get to work (20 miles) averaging 99mpg, but home was 35. Overall it was only doing 36mpg where as that golf did 48.
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