BMW 330e

Elessar

Hi folks,

Any BMW 330e owners here? What are your thoughts on the car. I test drove one recently and was really impressed. The performance and handling were outstanding. Once I can sell my current car I am heading to the UK to bring in a 2016/2017 M-Sport. I just have a few particular questions:

I know this changes per user but what is the range you're getting with the electric only (max e-drive mode)? I found with my daily commute in the loan can I was getting about 20-22km in total, that included motorway driving for a bit at 120kph. I have a daily commute of 28km there and back so I could make it to work at least with a bit to spare, depending on conditions.

I am going to speak to my landlord to see if he will allow me place an external power socket on the house to charge the car. If that doesn't work out, can you use a weather proof extension lead into the house to charge? BMW told me they don't sell a longer charging cable.

Is the public charging cable worth buying? I don't see myself using on street charging all that often but it might be easier to get a parking spot I guess.

Overall what mileage do you get from the car for a full tank? It's only a 40L tank and during my (albeit sporty) test drive, I could really notice the needle moving. From the trip computer I reckon the petrol only range is about 350-370km odd, sound right? If you include daily charging how would that differ, roughly?

Any other thoughts on the car?

Thanks for any responses!

tedpan

Already a big thread https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057551941

Elessar

tedpan wrote: »

Already a big thread https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057551941

Yes I'm aware but wanted a dedicated thread to get EV owners opinions

tedpan

Elessar wrote:

Yes I'm aware but wanted a dedicated thread to get EV owners opinions

Ah, I thought it was a dedicated 330e thread. There's lots of user opinions and experiences there, but takes a lot of reading I suppose...

carsfan2

tedpan wrote: »

Already a big thread https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057551941

I started that thread and subsequently bought one new.
Great car to drive in my opinion.
The electric only range settled on about 30k for me. It depends hugely on the type of driving you do and how heavy you are with acceleration.
I typically got a full tank of petrol to last 800km and that was charging a flat battery every night.
A great car if your driving is suited to it.
Not a car for a rep up and down motorways etc but for a private driver doing a mix of suburban/ distance a good choice.
There’s a lot of info in the thread and a very good on the EV forum on piston heads.

goz83

Elessar wrote: »

Hi folks,

Is the public charging cable worth buying? I don't see myself using on street charging all that often but it might be easier to get a parking spot I guess.

Not worth it for such a small range PHEV.

1jcdub

carsfan2 wrote: »

I started that thread and subsequently bought one new.
Great car to drive in my opinion.
The electric only range settled on about 30k for me. It depends hugely on the type of driving you do and how heavy you are with acceleration.
I typically got a full tank of petrol to last 800km and that was charging a flat battery every night.
A great car if your driving is suited to it.
Not a car for a rep up and down motorways etc but for a private driver doing a mix of suburban/ distance a good choice.
There’s a lot of info in the thread and a very good on the EV forum on piston heads.

I have me 2017 330e about a week now. Also getting ev range of 30km sometimes more.. Like carfan said. It not suited to long motorway driving. I over the last we'll I've averaged 46mpg with 50/50 motorway urban driving.
My car came with the type 1 public charging cable.
I'm loving the BMW connected app too. Great having the remote locking and unlocking and AC controls from the app giving stats on your driving range etc.

Askthe EA

Bump..

Im looking at changing my car. I do about 28k a year but majority is city/suburban with the odd long run.

I'm looking at 2016 cars so planning to keep it 3 years am concerned at resale of diesel in 2021.

I thought the 330e might be a good option. Started looking and any in my budget / spec (bad back so need heated seats) are relatively high mileage.

I had a look on uk websites and found a beaut. Unusual colour, Luxury spec. With VRT it comes in at €24,000. Obviously flight & ferry is extra.

What re peoples thoughts on the car in general? Any common issues people are having? What should I look out for? etc?

Thanks in advance!

carsfan2

I had a 330e for about 18 months and loved it but changed because the seat contributed to ongoing back/hip pain issues I was having.
Great car if your driving suits but take an extended test drive to check if seat works for you.

catharsis

Askthe EA wrote: »

Bump..

Im looking at changing my car. I do about 28k a year but majority is city/suburban with the odd long run.

I'm looking at 2016 cars so planning to keep it 3 years am concerned at resale of diesel in 2021.

I thought the 330e might be a good option. Started looking and any in my budget / spec (bad back so need heated seats) are relatively high mileage.

I had a look on uk websites and found a beaut. Unusual colour, Luxury spec. With VRT it comes in at €24,000. Obviously flight & ferry is extra.

What re peoples thoughts on the car in general? Any common issues people are having? What should I look out for? etc?

Thanks in advance!

the good news is that ( I think) it was not possible to buy one without a 3 year warranty and service plan, meaning anything you buy from 2016 is still covered.


Also BMW do honor these internationally. A friend imported one recently based upon my recommendation having driven one since launch.

H then had a main dealer perform the few recalls (one related to the starter motor I believe) which are published - one of which is quite recent. This is an excellent opportunity to have the imported car looked over by a main dealer on the manufacturers dime.

Led ('active' LED) headlights are superb, and the auto-cruise is better (apart from steering obviously) than the 'ProPilot in our 2018 leaf despite all of the fuss about that.

try to make sure you have the split folding rear seats as that is optional.

look for the 'safety' or 'driver assistance' packs, which include a lot of very clever but hidden driver assist/safety features such as AEB.

use https://www.mdecoder.com and the last 7 digits of the VIN you are thinking of buying to get a FULL breakdown of every option installed on the car as it left the factory - very very usefil.

Good luck - they are great cars if you are not willing to go full EV and are miles ahead of all of the PHEV competition.

ELM327

If you're concerned about diesel resale in 3 years, I'd be more worried about the resale of a PHEV capable of only 20-30 km on EV.

KCross

ELM327 wrote: »

If you're concerned about diesel resale in 3 years, I'd be more worried about the resale of a PHEV capable of only 20-30 km on EV.

Why?

I'm considering a PHEV.
It truly has the best of both worlds....
- No range anxiety
- Very cheap running costs particularly if your commute is within the EV range.
- Smooth EV drive

Downsides
- It still has an ICE that has to be serviced
- Not cheap but not particularly bad either as they seem to be very well equipped.


I think PHEV is ideally suited to someone who has a relatively short commute and has only one car. If you have only one car then a BEV is a tough decision as it limits your ability to do long distance as you are dependent on public infrastructure. I dont need to explain the frustration of that to you!

So, if you do, say, less than 50km a day but you do regular long trips at the weekend, foreign holidays etc a PHEV makes good sense.... unless you have €40k to splash on a long range EV (Tesla, Kona, Niro).

I dont think, based on the speed of EV adoption, and crucially availability for the next 3 years, that hybrid or PHEV will suffer any major depreciation for quite some time.

I dont think we can say the same for diesel but who knows.


Why do you think PHEV is going to suffer disproportionally?

ELM327

KCross wrote: »

Why?

I'm considering a PHEV.
It truly has the best of both worlds....
- No range anxiety
- Very cheap running costs particularly if your commute is within the EV range.
- Smooth EV drive

Downsides
- It still has an ICE that has to be serviced
- Not cheap but not particularly bad either as they seem to be very well equipped.


I think PHEV is ideally suited to someone who has a relatively short commute and has only one car. If you have only one car then a BEV is a tough decision as it limits your ability to do long distance as you are dependent on public infrastructure. I dont need to explain the frustration of that to you!

So, if you do, say, less than 50km a day but you do regular long trips at the weekend, foreign holidays etc a PHEV makes good sense.... unless you have €40k to splash on a long range EV (Tesla, Kona, Niro).

I dont think, based on the speed of EV adoption, and crucially availability for the next 3 years, that hybrid or PHEV will suffer any major depreciation for quite some time.

I dont think we can say the same for diesel but who knows.


Why do you think PHEV is going to suffer disproportionally?

For the "right now" and the next 1-2 years yes a PHEV may be the best of both worlds. EG an outlander/330e PHEV will suit those who do 30km or less in a day, and can top up at home. But in 3 years time I believe they will depreciate further as the PHEV then may be able to do 100km before needing to use the petrol engine. That would be the best of both worlds IMO. 100km on EV then petrol backup. Hell I'd buy one of them.

KCross

ELM327 wrote: »

For the "right now" and the next 1-2 years yes a PHEV may be the best of both worlds. EG an outlander/330e PHEV will suit those who do 30km or less in a day, and can top up at home. But in 3 years time I believe they will depreciate further as the PHEV then may be able to do 100km before needing to use the petrol engine. That would be the best of both worlds IMO. 100km on EV then petrol backup. Hell I'd buy one of them.

Everything will depreciate but why will PHEV suffer disproportionally? You haven't explained that?


What you have put forward is that PHEV's in a few years might have more range..... you can say that about todays BEV's so using the same logic we shouldn't buy BEV either because they will depreciate as soon as the next gen EV's come out.... that argument is used over and over again on this forum but isn't proving true due to supply constraints in a rising market.

I'm also skeptical that you'll get a PHEV with twice the range in the next 3 years (at least not at the affordable end of the market). It requires a battery breakthrough as the ~9-12kWh batteries that are required right now in the PHEV's would need to be very big to support 100km AND have a full ICE drivetrain in there as well..... You would need battery density to double... I cant see that happening in 3years and of course there would be the cost.... its not just a case of throwing more batteries at it, it has to make financial sense.

Orebro

ELM327 wrote: »

For the "right now" and the next 1-2 years yes a PHEV may be the best of both worlds. EG an outlander/330e PHEV will suit those who do 30km or less in a day, and can top up at home. But in 3 years time I believe they will depreciate further as the PHEV then may be able to do 100km before needing to use the petrol engine. That would be the best of both worlds IMO. 100km on EV then petrol backup. Hell I'd buy one of them.

Would they not get hugely expensive then though, having a full fat petrol & needing a L30 sized battery to get that 100km? Considering the L24 is around the 100Km range, it would take something a good bit more substantial to push an Outlander sized car to 100Km range.

ELM327

KCross wrote: »

Everything will depreciate but why will PHEV suffer disproportionally? You haven't explained that?


What you have put forward is that PHEV's in a few years might have more range..... you can say that about todays BEV's so using the same logic we shouldn't buy BEV either because they will depreciate as soon as the next gen EV's come out.... that argument is used over and over again on this forum but isn't proving true due to supply constraints in a rising market.

I'm also skeptical that you'll get a PHEV with twice the range in the next 3 years (at least not at the affordable end of the market). It requires a battery breakthrough as the ~9-12kWh batteries that are required right now in the PHEV's would need to be very big to support 100km AND have a full ICE drivetrain in there as well..... You would need battery density to double... I cant see that happening in 3years and of course there would be the cost.... its not just a case of throwing more batteries at it, it has to make financial sense.

Orebro wrote: »

Would they not get hugely expensive then though, having a full fat petrol & needing a L30 sized battery to get that 100km? Considering the L24 is around the 100Km range, it would take something a good bit more substantial to push an Outlander sized car to 100Km range.

I mean lads we're all in varying levels of crystal ball here, no one knows what will happen with battery development, power density, efficiency, cost etc
If solid state come out in 2 years time all current EV will suffer extreme depreciation. Or if there's a breakthrough that gives 10X power density.
I'm just guessing like the rest of ye. If anyone knows for sure what will or will not depreciate faster, can I have the lotto numbers for next week :D:D:D

Soarer

ELM327 wrote: »

I mean lads we're all in varying levels of crystal ball here, no one knows what will happen with battery development, power density, efficiency, cost etc
If solid state come out in 2 years time all current EV will suffer extreme depreciation. Or if there's a breakthrough that gives 10X power density.
I'm just guessing like the rest of ye. If anyone knows for sure what will or will not depreciate faster, can I have the lotto numbers for next week :D:D:D

I don't think there will be "extreme depreciation".

There will always be someone in my sort of position (10-20kms per day, 2nd family car). Why would I/they want to spend more on a solid state battery?

As long as there's a market, the cars will depreciate like a "normal" car.

KCross

Soarer wrote: »

I don't think there will be "extreme depreciation".

There will always be someone in my sort of position (10-20kms per day, 2nd family car). Why would I/they want to spend more on a solid state battery?

As long as there's a market, the cars will depreciate like a "normal" car.

I agree.
Even if (looks more like when than if) solid state batteries become a reality I don't think it will have that big an effect on depreciation. It will take several years (5+), imo, for that battery breakthrough to filter down to every manufacturer. Li-ion will be around for a long while yet.

Getting back to the point.... I'd say the opposite to you ELM in that depreciation on a 3yr old diesel is much more of a risk than a 3yr old PHEV.... only time will tell who is right, of course.

KCross

ELM327 wrote: »

If anyone knows for sure what will or will not depreciate faster, can I have the lotto numbers for next week :D:D:D

And have to split the jackpot!.... do you take me for a fool or what!

BigMoose

I bought one back in December and love it. I don't have anything like an ideal commute for one at 50k each way but charging it at home and at work means I do half that on electric including all the stop/start stuff. All my local driving too. The app claims this mornings commute was 74.3mpg as an example. I get about 25k out of mine pure electric but probably dont drive as "optimal" as I could.

I had a 10 year old 520d and took the punt that a PHEV would depreciate less than another diesel - might well be wrong, but it's a much more fun car to drive!

80sDiesel

ELM327 wrote: »

For the "right now" and the next 1-2 years yes a PHEV may be the best of both worlds. EG an outlander/330e PHEV will suit those who do 30km or less in a day, and can top up at home. But in 3 years time I believe they will depreciate further as the PHEV then may be able to do 100km before needing to use the petrol engine. That would be the best of both worlds IMO. 100km on EV then petrol backup. Hell I'd buy one of them.

The I3.

zilog_jones

KCross wrote: »

I agree.
Even if (looks more like when than if) solid state batteries become a reality I don't think it will have that big an effect on depreciation. It will take several years (5+), imo, for that battery breakthrough to filter down to every manufacturer. Li-ion will be around for a long while yet.

Yeah, that solid state stuff hasn't even left the lab yet - it's many years away from mass production in cars.

KCross

zilog_jones wrote: »

Yeah, that solid state stuff hasn't even left the lab yet - it's many years away from mass production in cars.

Yea, Dyson initially said he was going to use solid state in his car for 2020 and he has rolled back now I believe and said his initial car will be Li-ion so that shows the barriers that are there in trying to get a battery breakthrough.

catharsis

Offering my 162 330e to any boardsie who wants to take it at the BMW GMFV rather than me handing it back next month.

I am not seeking to make a cent profit, simply offering it as an option for others to gain Karma for me.

VERY highly specced car including BMW Individual wheel, Adaptive LED lights, adaptive cruise, memory seats, lots of optional safety systems etc.

None of these were worth a penny towards the GMFV so a buyer would effectively get them all free.

I'm basically offering this out of spite to BMW because of the poor valuation I was offered by BMW for the car.

Price is 22720 (paid to BMW, not to me) , spec is set out below.

Type 	330E IPERFORMANC330E IPEE (EUR) 
	
	Dev. series 	F30 (MUE) 
	
	Line 	3 
	
	Body type 	LIM 
	
	Steering 	RL 
	
	Door count 	4 
	
	Engine 	XB1H 
	
	Cubical capacity 	0.00 
	
	Power 	185 
	
	Transmision 	HECK 
	
	Gearbox 	AUT 
	
	Colour 	IMPERIALBLAU BRILLANTEFFEKT METALLI (A89) 
	
	Upholstery 	LED. DAKOTA/OYSTER/ AKZENT OYSTER D (LCOM) 
	
	Prod. date 	2016-05-09 
	
 


	Order options
	No. 	Description 
	XL3 	BMW INDIVIDUAL LEATHER STEERING WHE 
	
	1CA 	SELECTION COP RELEVANT VEHICLES 
	
	2A6 	17"LT/ALY WHEELS DOUBLE SPOKE 392 
	
	2PA 	LOCKING WHEEL BOLTS 
	
	2TE 	AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION W.GEARSHIFT 
	
	2VB 	TYRE PRESSURE INDICATOR 
	
	2XE 	SPORTS LEATHER STEERING WHEEL BLACK 
	
	230 	EU SPECIFIC ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT 
	
	248 	STEERING WHEEL HEATING 
	
	258 	RUNFLAT TYRES 
	
	3AG 	BACKUP CAMERA 
	
	3L8 	EXTERIOR PARTS IN ALUMINIUM SATINED 
	
	302 	ALARM SYSTEM 
	
	4AE 	ARMREST FRONT RETRACTABLE 
	
	4LU 	INT.T.F.BL.HI.GLOSS W.HIGH T.FIN.CH 
	
	4NE 	BLOW-BY-HEATER 
	
	423 	FLOOR MATS, VELOUR 
	
	428 	WARNING TRIANGLE 
	
	431 	INTERIOR RR VW MIRROR W AUT ANTI-D 
	
	459 	SEAT ADJUSTM., ELECTR. W. MEMORY 
	
	465 	THROUGH-LOAD SYSTEM 
	
	481 	SPORT SEATS F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER 
	
	493 	STORAGE COMPARTMENT PACKAGE 
	
	494 	SEAT HEATING F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER 
	
	5AC 	AUTOM. HIGH-BEAM HEADLIGHTS CONTROL 
	
	5AS 	DRIVING ASSISTANT 
	
	5A1 	LED-FOG LIGHTS 
	
	5DA 	PASSENGER AIRBAG DEACTIVATE 
	
	5DF 	ACTIVE CRUISE CTRL+STOP&GO FUNCT. 
	
	5DP 	PARK ASSISTANT 
	
	508 	PARK DISTANCE CONTROL (PDC) 
	
	521 	RAIN SENSOR 
	
	548 	SPEEDOMETER WITH KILOMETER READING 
	
	552 	ADAPTIVE LED HEADLIGHT 
	
	563 	LIGHTS PACKAGE 
	
	575 	ADDITIONAL 12V POWER SOCKET 
	
	6AC 	INTELLIGENT EMERGENCY CALL 
	
	6AE 	TELESERVICES 
	
	6AG 	E DRIVE SERVICES 
	
	6AK 	CONNECTEDDRIVE SERVICES 
	
	6NH 	HANDS-FREE FACILITY W. USB INTERFAC 
	
	606 	NAVIGATION SYSTEM BUSINESS 
	
	654 	DAB TUNER 
	
	698 	AREA-CODE 2 
	
	7AC 	SPORT LINE 
	
	8KA 	OELSERVICE INT. 30.000 KM/24 MONTHS 
	
	8SM 	VIN, VISIBLE FROM OUTSIDE 
	
	8S2 	CODING OF ALARM SIGNAL 
	
	8S3 	AUTOMATIC LOCK WHEN DRIVING AWAY 
	
	8TG 	ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM 
	
	812 	ENGLAND VERSION 
	
	850 	ADD FUEL TANK FILLING FOR EXPORT 
	
	880 	ENGLISH / ON-BOARD DOCUMENTATION 
	
	9AA 	EXTERNAL SKIN PROTECTION 

carsfan2

If you have the car on pcp can you not just hand it back to BMW?
Surely they cannot offer you a trade in if they believe the real value is under gmfv?
I had a new 330e 162 on pcp too and it was a residual disaster.

catharsis

carsfan2 wrote: »

If you have the car on pcp can you not just hand it back to BMW?
Surely they cannot offer you a trade in if they believe the real value is under gmfv?
I had a new 330e 162 on pcp too and it was a residual disaster.

yep, I can of course, I'm just looking to see does a boardsie want it, as after BMW take it back they will certainly sell it for a lot more than the GMFV.

I am giving it back either way..... and taking the same residual disaster hit you mention.

AidenL

catharsis wrote: »

yep, I can of course, I'm just looking to see does a boardsie want it, as after BMW take it back they will certainly sell it for a lot more than the GMFV.

I am giving it back either way..... and taking the same residual disaster hit you mention.

I have a 171 diesel A4 S line DSG, also a residual disaster, everything is these days due to imports.

carsfan2

catharsis wrote: »

yep, I can of course, I'm just looking to see does a boardsie want it, as after BMW take it back they will certainly sell it for a lot more than the GMFV.

I am giving it back either way..... and taking the same residual disaster hit you mention.

Why not sell privately for more if you think it is worth more and pay off the gmfv and pocket the difference?
I guess BMW are telling you car only worth 18Kish to them butt they will retail for not far off 30k I bet?