BMW 330e

bazz26 · 21-09-2016 11:07PM

I have an F10 M Sport on 19" rims with run flats and comfort is fine on it, not sure if the first owner went with the M Sport suspension or not though. My last F10 before this one was a SE on 18" rims and it just floated over the road, real arm chair comfort. Had an E90 M Sport before too on 18" rims and it was fairly firm, replacing the RFTs with standard tyres helped alot but RFTs these days are much better and more comfortable.

vintagevrs · 22-09-2016 10:43AM

http://www.bmwvin.com

Stick your vin in there and it may show if you have sports suspension or sports suspension delete. That's if you care

vintagevrs · 18-10-2016 11:46AM

I could probably google this but may ask in here. What's the story with the cold morning and the car warming up? How does it heat the cabin, is it an electric heater of some sort? Does it work well?
Thanks

MaceFace · 18-10-2016 02:08PM

vintagevrs wrote: »

I could probably google this but may ask in here. What's the story with the cold morning and the car warming up? How does it heat the cabin, is it an electric heater of some sort? Does it work well?
Thanks

You can set a departure time for the morning and ask for the car to be preconditioned. It will use electric power to heat the car. So, good idea to leave it plugged in over night so it can replenish as it is used.

This morning when I used it, it was nice and warm. Clear front window. Back window still wet. It works fine. Interesting when the frosty weather comes in to see how it works.

vintagevrs · 18-10-2016 02:58PM

In theory then, even forgetting about the timer aspect of it where your car is warm before you get it, it should work better as it doesn't need to wait for the car to warm up.

carsfan2 · 18-10-2016 03:07PM

This feature is great actually in the morning.
I don't pre programme it as depending on the cooperation we receive from kids in the morning my departure time changes. I use the button in the key fob to do it or the BMW connected app.
The app is great also for sat nav destinations.

mickdw · 18-10-2016 03:12PM

That is a feature worth its weight in gold. Life changing for some id say. Nothing worse than being in a hurry and having to deal with a frozen car every morning. No more cold cabin either. Fantastic.
A feature in nissan leaf too I believe.

carsfan2 · 18-10-2016 04:52PM

Life changing? Not really but nice to have but if it was on the options list I wouldn't pay for it. Bit like heated steering wheel or seats I suppose.
Actually there is rarely a need for these when the cabin is already warm.

digiman · 18-10-2016 06:06PM

carsfan2 wrote: »

This feature is great actually in the morning.
I don't pre programme it as depending on the cooperation we receive from kids in the morning my departure time changes. I use the button in the key fob to do it or the BMW connected app.
The app is great also for sat nav destinations.

What is this button on the key fob? I can have the aircon come on in my car but I don't know of a way to set the temperature or clear the windscreen. Is this only a feature on the e models or is it available on all once you have connected drive?

I also make good use out of the remote app, nice to know your car is where it is meant to be at times and also sending the directions from your phone before you depart is fantastic.

carsfan2 · 18-10-2016 06:51PM

It's a feature of the e models only.
Pre heats the cabin.
Button under the boot release one on the key fob.

mickdw · 18-10-2016 07:03PM

carsfan2 wrote: »

Life changing? Not really but nice to have but if it was on the options list I wouldn't pay for it. Bit like heated steering wheel or seats I suppose.
Actually there is rarely a need for these when the cabin is already warm.

I'm talking about having a car with de iced windscreen and heated cabin when you appear out to it on a frosty morning.
That is the spec to beat all spec in my opinion if you are someone who leaves home each morning well before daylight in the winter time.

cros13 · 18-10-2016 07:19PM

digiman wrote: »

Is this only a feature on the e models or is it available on all once you have connected drive?.

An internal combustion 3-series uses waste heat from the inefficient engine to heat the cabin. A PHEV or BEV has to have a way of heating the cabin that is independent of such a source of waste heat, so they have a electric resistance heater or (generally on a BEV) a heat pump (which is up twice as efficient). You need a battery able to supply 3-5kW of power so that pretty much makes it an exclusive feature of plug-in vehicles only.

Another side effect is instant heat whenever you want it without needing to wait for anything to warm up.

mickdw wrote: »

That is a feature worth its weight in gold. Life changing for some id say. Nothing worse than being in a hurry and having to deal with a frozen car every morning. No more cold cabin either. Fantastic.
A feature in nissan leaf too I believe.

Preconditioning is a feature of every EV and PHEV on the market. Though in the case of the Mitsubishi outlander remote activation is an option.

vintagevrs wrote: »

In theory then, even forgetting about the timer aspect of it where your car is warm before you get it, it should work better as it doesn't need to wait for the car to warm up.

It won't work like an engine block heater. The combustion engine would still be cold.

carsfan2 · 18-10-2016 07:21PM

mickdw wrote: »

I'm talking about having a car with de iced windscreen and heated cabin when you appear out to it on a frosty morning.
That is the spec to beat all spec in my opinion if you are someone who leaves home each morning well before daylight in the winter time.

That's pretty much what you get but I find it is best to use when the car is still plugged in as I reckon it depletes the batteries otherwise as I reckon it must draw a fair bit of power to generate the heat.

cros13 · 18-10-2016 07:31PM

carsfan2 wrote: »

That's pretty much what you get but I find it is best to use when the car is still plugged in as I reckon it depletes the batteries otherwise as I reckon it must draw a fair bit of power to generate the heat.

The i3 battery contains a heating pad which will warm the battery to optimum operating temperature during preconditioning, and also runs cell balancing. This only run when the preconditioning timer is set and requires that the set departure time be more than four hours away. If the set departure time is less than 4 hours away it skips the battery precondition and just heats the cabin.

I'm not sure if the 330e battery has a similar heater system. I've yet to get my hands on the service manuals.

Keggers74 · 25-10-2016 09:30AM

Pre heated mine this morning and got 148 mpg on my 27km commute to work and still have 35% battery left for the trip home tonight. Trip is about half M50 (which was quite slow today) and half regular streets with much of it stop start. Been averaging about 70 to 80 mpg typically so something went right this morning, but shows what these cars can do on a good day.

Voodoomelon · 25-10-2016 10:40AM

That's excellent. What do you reckon got you up in the 140s this morning, the traffic? I got about 18mpg myself, something went very wrong.

Keggers74 · 25-10-2016 10:46AM

Voodoomelon wrote: »

That's excellent. What do you reckon got you up in the 140s this morning, the traffic? I got about 18mpg myself, something went very wrong.

I had it pre heated and the air con was off, but I think the key thing was the M50 was moving a lot slower than normal so it didn't suck the battery as much trying to keep me at 100-120km/h.

Even on a normal day going full speed I think my normal 70-80mpg is fantastic though (I came from a 911 doing 22mpg on the same route!).

mackerski · 25-10-2016 11:02AM

Can any owner confirm whether the preheating option can be activated without the car plugged in? I know it would cause more petrol consumption, but it could be practical for the occasional snowy morning.

Voodoomelon · 25-10-2016 11:05AM

I don't own one, but the car does not have to be plugged in. Nor does it use fuel to heat or cool the cabin, they are electric systems.

bazz26 · 25-10-2016 11:42AM

Has anyone got any sort of real world mpg figures for running this car at a constant 60 or 70 mph? I presume at that speed that it would be mainly the petrol engine that would be doing the work.

I do about 70 km on average a day to/from work and out & about and most of that would be on good roads including motorways doing a steady 60 or 70 mph. I also do a bit of suburban driving but not a whole lot. I'm averaging about 45 mpg from my current F10 520d auto with the same driving. My workplace has free charging points for EVs so one of these cars may well be an option for next time. I guess when the time comes I'd really need one of these cars for a few days to see how it work for me.

Keggers74 · 25-10-2016 11:53AM

bazz26 wrote: »

Has anyone got any sort of real world mpg figures for running this car at a constant 60 or 70 mph? I presume at that speed that it would be mainly the petrol engine that would be doing the work.

I do about 70 km on average a day to/from work and out & about and most of that would be on good roads including motorways doing a steady 60 or 70 mph. I also do a bit of suburban driving but not a whole lot. I'm averaging about 45 mpg from my current F10 520d auto with the same driving. My workplace has free charging points for EVs so one of these cars may well be an option for next time. I guess when the time comes I'd really need one of these cars for a few days to see how it work for me.

Tends to get about 45 mpg sitting at 60-70mph without any real use of the battery, so similar to your current car. You make up the benefit then when you come off the motorway and can run around without using any petrol at all.

bazz26 · 25-10-2016 12:07PM

That sounds pretty decent for a 2.0 litre petrol engine and definitely worth my while investigating further when the time comes. Have you done any long trips in it yet? While I wouldn't be doing long distance driving regularly but I'd be interested in seeing how this car fairs over an occasional long trip, say like Limerick to Dublin or Limerick to Cork. I'd say even running on pure ICE it might return mid to high 30s but obviously drop if you have a constant heavy right foot.

mackerski · 25-10-2016 12:55PM

Voodoomelon wrote: »

I don't own one, but the car does not have to be plugged in. Nor does it use fuel to heat or cool the cabin, they are electric systems.

I get that - but if I use battery power to preheat the car and if it's not charging, I will do my driving with a depleted battery, so I'll burn more petrol for traction than otherwise. The energy has to come from somewhere.

stesaurus · 25-10-2016 01:07PM

Keggers74 wrote: »

Pre heated mine this morning and got 148 mpg on my 27km commute to work and still have 35% battery left for the trip home tonight. Trip is about half M50 (which was quite slow today) and half regular streets with much of it stop start. Been averaging about 70 to 80 mpg typically so something went right this morning, but shows what these cars can do on a good day.

Sounds like you preconditioned the battery and cabin. It's definitely the best way to setup the car for these cold mornings.
Just using the app 15-20 mins before departure will only get the cabin heated, it doesn't help the battery. If you set a timer the night before then the battery will fully precondition using the power from being plugged in. You'll get much better mpg as a result as the battery is all setup to go and gives itsbest efficiency.

Also you've realised the basic things with EVs/PHEVs. They love traffic unlike a petrol/diesel. You use very little power at lower speeds or stop/start traffic.

carsfan2 · 25-10-2016 01:24PM

Hi Bazz
I drove limerick to Dublin and back on Friday last as it happens.
Left with a full battery and cruised130kph mainly. 44 mpg.
Left sandyford empty enough battery and after m50 car park motorway was slow until Waterford exit then put the foot down. 39 mpg.
Car is so quick and refined it's hard for me to keep it reined in.
Day to day commuting starting with full battery is still in the 60's mpg however.
Not a car for motorway pounding day in day out.

bazz26 · 25-10-2016 02:31PM

Thanks, I think an extended test drive is definitely on the cards when the time comes.

grogi · 25-10-2016 02:33PM

carsfan2 wrote: »

Hi Bazz
I drove limerick to Dublin and back on Friday last as it happens.
Left with a full battery and cruised130kph mainly. 44 mpg.
Left sandyford empty enough battery and after m50 car park motorway was slow until Waterford exit then put the foot down. 39 mpg.
Car is so quick and refined it's hard for me to keep it reined in.
Day to day commuting starting with full battery is still in the 60's mpg however.
Not a car for motorway pounding day in day out.

So we have reached a point where real-world efficiency of 40 mpg (7.0l/100km) in motorway driving in an executive saloon capable of 0-100 in 6.1 seconds is considered bad?!

Interesting times indeed...

carsfan2 · 25-10-2016 03:22PM

I never said it was bad!
I'm delighted with the economy I get considering the performance but if you spend your life predominantly up and down motorways,diesel is still better with regard to fuel costs.
0 to 100km/h doesn't always give a full picture of a cars useable performance either. Mid range acceleration can be just as important where a torquey diesel can shine.

Jentle Grenade · 31-10-2016 03:43PM

Someone drove into my OH's 330e in the work car park last week and the repair quote by BMW is €6,000! Impact was to front driver side, almost at a 45 degree angle to the headlight. Buckled wheel/suspension apparently. The whole thing was captured on CCTV and the bloke who drove into the car wants to sort it privately...! No thanks bud.

grogi · 31-10-2016 06:19PM

Jentle Grenade wrote: »

Someone drove into my OH's 330e in the work car park last week and the repair quote by BMW is €6,000! Impact was to front driver side, almost at a 45 degree angle to the headlight. Buckled wheel/suspension apparently. The whole thing was captured on CCTV and the bloke who drove into the car wants to sort it privately...! No thanks bud.

Give him a figure and record the face expression

BMW 330e

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