BMW g60 520i v 530e

Theboinkmaster

Hi

At a high level I'm trying to calculate the cost savings of petrol on these 2 models. Say average annual mileage of 12,000 kms my rough math is saying (with average mixed driving) annual fuel difference is approx €1,000.

But then need to add in cost of charging the 530e every night - not sure what rates are or high level calculation for that?

So would rough cost of charging 530e by say €200 so nett saving between 2 models is €800?

Thank you in advance.

kirving

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058332794/bmw-g60-520i-v-530e

It totally depends on journey profile.

12,000km from 24 x 500km round trips on 100% petrol would be 120[100km] * 6.5[L/100km] * 1.65[€/L] = €1,287

12,000km from 300 x 40km round trips on 100% battery would be 120[100km] * 18[kWh/100km] * 0.40[€/kWh] = €864 (24Hr Rate)

12,000km from 300 x 40km round trips on 100% battery would be 120[100km] * 18[kWh/100km] * 0.25[€/kWh] = €540 (Night Rate) + Approx €80 extra night rate standing charge

Drop in you own prices to the above calculation to suit. They're only ballpark.

To be honest, at low milage, the benefit of a PHEV like at 530e is the power and driving experience around town, the saving is a nice bonus.

Buddy Bubs

I honestly think you're wasting your time doing maths on fuel consumption between the 2 on a 70k car with so many unknowns about your journey distances, future depreciation, maintenance etc....

I'd base it on 530e being the more desirable car but also slightly less practical and either slightly more of a pain in the hole plugging in every night or slightly less of a pain in the hole not having to go to petrol stations as often, whichever way you see those things.

Petrol and electricity prices next year are an unknown too.

Forget the maths and just think how many of your journeys away from your charger are 65kms or so or less in distance, if most are then go for the 530e. Plus think environmentally.

I had a small battery 530e and plugging in every single time I got out of the car at work became a pain in the hoop, the new one would still be every day for me I feel. I was about 50% between battery and petrol, the newer one has more range obviously.

I also foresee some big drops in the i5 price this year bringing it closer to the 530e maybe a consideration

GPoint

Buy something expensive to start saving on fuel:)

Think most people buy BMW for different reasons and fuel economy tend to be on the bottom of that list.

530e is nice to drive and very quiet in town, but it comes with having to plug it in every day and then risk expensive battery repair.

OP, if you love how 530e drives, buy it and enjoy while its under warranty!

Dont let these savings calculations spoil the moment.

MakersMark

Buy the nicest one!

bazz26

A 530e will be more sellable than a 520i so will retain better residues. Fuel differences will be miniscule in the grand scheme of things when the purchase price of either is taken into account. However if your driving can make the electric range work then obviously you will spend less time filling the smaller fuel tank but you will need to charge daily.

Theboinkmaster

ok thanks for responses everyone.

i was just curious about fuel saving - €1,000 per year is immaterial to me.

I'm considering a g60 in Jan25 but really don't want the hassle of plugging it in every night, the fuel efficiency isn't relevant to me - i dont care.

So maybe it comes down to power but at 205bhp or whatever the 520i is that's probably plenty for me - dont need extra power of 530e but ill test drive both.

I'd be keeping the car 10 years so residuals aren't a concern for me. I like the idea of 520i that i can bring to my indy garage. Nice simple engine to repair and maintain,

At 10 years and maybe 200,000kms I've my doubts around the 530e reliability and possible repair costs.

Price difference is less than €2k which is frustrating - wish 520i was maybe €5k cheaper but that's fine i can live with that.

I do think over next 12 months BMW are doing to have to do something with finance options, packages etc as I've yet to see a g60 on the road and even when you search carzone there's just one! I don't think it's going to sell well in this country at all - 530e will be the main seller, but in small numbers compared to the g30 IMO.

bazz26

If your keeping the car for 10 years then I'd tend to go with the less complicated 520i. No hybrid drivetrain or battery reliability to be fretting about when their warranty expire.

carsfan2

I would agree with Bazz here. If you’re keeping it that length I would go 520i to avoid potential big bills down the line.

If you intended to change in 3/4 years I’d have the 530e I think.

The g60 can do up to 100km on battery and would be a more powerful car.

frank730

I agree with suggestions to go for 520i too, as the car is getting older, hybrid version is more likely to go wrong and more expensive to fix

djan

As much as I understand the potential for battery and drivetrain issues from the more complicated set up on 30e, given the small price difference I'd go for the 30e all day. The engine will be much less stressed especially if can drive EV only often so could make up for any battery issues in long term reliability. The 30e is a much more powerful package and will be a premium drive due to quicker response and potential for relaxed EV mode only day to day driving.

I think running costs and residual values are mostly irrelevant when spending 80k+ and keeping long-term. A lot of your ownership will be covered by warranty so I wouldn't worry too much and repairs and replacement of battery etc. will get cheaper as tech progresses and becomes the standard combination across BMW range. I know in the past, the higher powered models had more spec as standard but not sure now. All in all go for the more enjoyable car, especially when the difference is so miniscule.

Theboinkmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121664814#Comment_121664814

thanks for input but i think im gearing more towards the 520i unless i drive both and can't live with the drive compared to 530e.

i am concerned about maintenance costs in year 6-10.

i dont go to a bmw dealer so prefer to bring to indy for maintenance

i dont care really about fuel economy

i am lazy and dont really want to be plugging in the car

but if i drive the 520i and it's a dog i might change my mind - i have f10 520d currently (wife has current model 3 series 320i) so once broadly similar to those ill be happy.

bazz26

Both use the same ICE engine afaik.

Theboinkmaster

I'll book a test drive soon but this review is encouraging for 520i engine, seems plenty enough power for Dublin city driving:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejoooEc5IDY&t=832s

carsfan2

I saw that review previously. He is scathing about the interior(quite rightly in my view) but the engine seems to be adequate.

Theboinkmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121666237#Comment_121666237

The interior is nice however there’s serious cost cutting going on by bmw and anyone coming from an older 5 series will notice immediately.

and the HK audio rebrand is disgraceful - bmw actively trying to deceive their customers

Theboinkmaster

Thought the 520i had a "mild" hybrid system to bring power from 190bhp to 208bhp - i wonder how that would fair in 6-10 years in terms of reliability and repairs?

djan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121669948#Comment_121669948

Sure does, a surprisingly pokey 18hp 200Nm 48V motor mated to the transmission but don't think it has much of a battery. Another argument for the 30e as reliability won't be much different as long as cost is not too different.

User1998

It seems like you can get these 30e’s fixed by EV specialists now for not too much money if anything goes wrong. And there will be more and more EV repairers appearing over the next few years too which will bring repair prices down.

kanuseeme

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121669948#Comment_121669948

Are you buying new? the new 530e has a 22 kwh battery, close to 100 km range, I honestly would not arse around with the plain hybrid, get the charging cable set up, takes about 10 seconds or less then to plug in, I don't know your commutes but unless your doing 300km round trip once a week and never drive it till the next week you wont see the petrol station for 6 months.

I was going to do a snarky reply but in fairness you don't care about a 1000 euro in fuel saving per year yet your worried in 6 years time that something might break and it will cost you 6000 euro instead of 3000.

Theboinkmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121671965#Comment_121671965

€1k annual fuel saving isn’t enough for me to be plugging it in every night correct. In terms of repair bills in years 6-10 yrs cost is a factor but mainly it’s the hassle and stress of going to the garage and getting it sorted - and being able to avoid main dealers.

and yes I am buying new. The 520i appears to have plenty of power and I’m happy with its fuel economy. So question now is how complicated/risky is the small battery giving it the extra 18bhp…

goochy

No one likes big repair bills regardless of your budget . There is also the stress involved

Deco911

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121672553#Comment_121672553

What did you decide in finish?

Theboinkmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121817388#Comment_121817388

I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with 520i. Pro sport pack, sun protesction glass in saphire black and upgrade to B&W sound system. Think it comes to just under €80k but will be interesting to see what happens over the course of the year as g60 is not selling well at all.

Gumbo

Avoid the BMWs hybrid system is my advice. Either stay with ICE or go full EV. BMW don’t do the hybrid system that good and I say that as a many times bmw owner, including i3 and G30 530e.

Deco911

Interesting. I’m currently eyeing up option for 520i but not pro pack (I don’t think the price difference warrants the options, but could be wrong)

530e not practical at moment for me and the change to 520i will be big enough coming from 520d’s

MarkN

520i is perfectly fine. Not quick, not diesel levels of torque but it’s not bad either.

Theboinkmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121819047#Comment_121819047

Yeah I largely drive within Dublin and spend most of my time in traffic so i think it'll be fine. I'm coming from a f10 520d and have never wanted any more power. My wife has current 3 series 320i and that's perfectly powered also for our needs.

Theboinkmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121818808#Comment_121818808

Yes it is expensive for what you get - upgraded alloys (which you can spec separately), boot lip spoiler and kidney grill glow. You can buy aftermarket boot lip spoiler anyway so really it's just for the black grill (which im sure you can replace at some point anyway).

Deco911

went ahead and bought 520i

Klavs

How did you figure that and is it a particular model you are referring to?

Theboinkmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121837359#Comment_121837359

not sure what you're replying to?