Passat GTE vs BMW 330e 2018-2020 Value & Performance

JorgeL

Hi All,

Apologies if this is a boring thread. I have looked back over several pages. I have found some very useful info but I’m looking for something a bit more specific as in the year and importing from NI.

So after some research, I am looking to buy either a Passat GTE or a BMW 300e 2018-2020. Budget is about EUR 25k. Are the 330e’s better value? Seems to be a lot more availability of these for some reason. I've done the Youtube reviews and both come out great.

Also curious about battery life as I read after 6 years, they're not great at all.

Also, I am getting a VRT figure of about 2k for both give or take. And No VAT or customs as they were registered before 2021.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Buddy Bubs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058296069/passat-gte-vs-bmw-330e-2018-2020-value-performance

330e would have far outsold Passat GTE thats why there are so many more available, diesel 3 series likewise would outsell diesel Passat, just a far more popular car in ireland.

As for your 2018-2020 hopes, there was a new model launched in 2019 that in my opinion is a far nicer car, especially interior and infotainment, depending on how important that is for you. You won't get a 2019 new model or 2020 in budget, not even close.

There are a few 2019 registered old model available but remember this is a car design launched in 2011 and will seem quite dated now in this age of flashy interiors and tech. Its still a nice enough car but pricey for such an old design nowadays in my opinion.

I would also look at 2017 and 2018 530e, you'd be surprised that you might get better value there. 2017 was the 1st model year of that car.

This one for example, far nicer interior than a 3 series of 2018 as its a fresh design.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-530e-hybrid-m-sport-292-bhp-/33814000

Cant comment on the battery but there are big threads with lots of owners on here for both cars. I would be wary myself to be honest, you are right to be.

Get a warranty for sure!

Stevie2001

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120584009#Comment_120584009

BMW do a very reasonable extended warranty on them, 400-500e a year or something like that, just get a quote first before you buy as sometimes they can refuse extended warranty on cars that haven't been well kept eg full service history main dealer etc

Yeah i'd go for a 5 series too

https://www.bmw-warranty.ie/Start

joe1303l

530e is far more car for the money

JorgeL

Ive seen some very nice 530's for a little over 30k which I was surprised about. Definitely something to consider for that extra money

joe1303l

If you can get a 530e from the UK direct, you should do better. Most of them for sale here are UK imports from non franchise traders, it must be worth their while.

JorgeL

I did notice that, but I wonder why they're going for relatively cheap in comparison to the 330e.. Beautiful cars though

Buddy Bubs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120586497#Comment_120586497

Loads of them for sale, 530e sold in big numbers 2017, 2018, 2019 in UK and Ireland. 3 series model was almost at the end of its production run in 2016 when the 330e came out and would have sold less. The new 330e model 2019 sales was affected big time by covid so less around and its an even more modern design than the 2017 5 series.

kanuseeme

Small boot on the 330e, If going for the 530e or 330e try to get the bigger 12 kwh battery version, the upgraded battery from 7.6 kwh happened around 2019, I know next to nothing about the passat.

Another reason for the numbers of BMW's is leased company cars very popular make in the UK.