Any 530e owners out there?

fifth · 20-02-2020 01:59PM

Have a question about these that I can't find a straight answer on anywhere. Switching on the car switches on the ICE, but is it possible to switch on straight into electric only? What happens when the ICE kicks in after using up 30kms, is the engine coming in cold basically?

Wondering how this is managed.

Also how are your batteries holding up? I'm going to buy later in the year and wondering if I could get away with a 2017 or should I get an 18/19 if battery degradation is an issue.

Most of my driving will be under 30km range daily with the odd 2-3hour trip maybe once a month.

KCross · 20-02-2020 04:21PM

EVenthusiast wrote: »

Folks, any advice please on a charger unit? Does anyone have the BMW iWallbox? Is it ok to install this unit outside or are there any other recommendations?

Outside is fine. All the charge points are rated for outdoor use.

EVenthusiast wrote: »

I assume the combination of purchase and install is allowable for grant?

Yes, you can buy the charge point privately and add on the electricians costs to take you above the €600 grant amount and they will give you the €600 then.

fifth wrote: »

Have a question about these that I can't find a straight answer on anywhere. Switching on the car switches on the ICE, but is it possible to switch on straight into electric only? What happens when the ICE kicks in after using up 30kms, is the engine coming in cold basically?

Any PHEV I sat into had an EV only mode so it doesnt start the engine unless you use the kickdown on the accelerator or the battery is dead.

I'd imagine the 530e is much the same, so yes, it would be coming in cold once the battery is dead. You can flick it to hybrid mode which will bring the engine on immediately if you want it to warm up prior to a motorway run or something.

Generally, you just let the car decide itself whats best based on speed, battery charge etc.

EVenthusiast · 20-02-2020 04:42PM

Update from earlier post - charge point pricing I'm looking at ranges from:

1) ESB supplied and installed Circontrol 7kWh for €749 incl VAT up to 2) BMW iWallbox 12kWh purchased from BMW and installation by 3rd party coming to approx €1,150 in total. Both prices before grant.

I'm personally leaning towards the more expensive option for 530e.

fifth · 20-02-2020 04:46PM

EVenthusiast wrote: »

Update from earlier post - charge point pricing I'm looking at ranges from:

1) ESB supplied and installed Circontrol 7kWh for €749 incl VAT up to 2) BMW iWallbox 12kWh purchased from BMW and installation by 3rd party coming to approx €1,150 in total. Both prices before grant.

I'm personally leaning towards the more expensive option for 530e.

The iWallbox looks smarter too, imo.

KCross · 20-02-2020 04:50PM

EVenthusiast wrote: »

Update from earlier post - charge point pricing I'm looking at ranges from:

1) ESB supplied and installed Circontrol 7kWh for €749 incl VAT up to 2) BMW iWallbox 12kWh purchased from BMW and installation by 3rd party coming to approx €1,150 in total. Both prices before grant.

I'm personally leaning towards the more expensive option for 530e.

I presume you mean 7kW and 12kW?

The 530e wont be able to charge at either of those speeds but you should at least install a 7kW charge point to future proof if/when you buy a BEV.

Also, double check the 12kW one as that sounds like it is a 3 phase charge point which would require you to have 3ph in your house. Sounds a bit suss to me.

EVenthusiast · 20-02-2020 05:07PM

KCross wrote: »

I presume you mean 7kW and 12kW?

Yes sorry I meant 7/12kW options but yes reading the BMW booklet for i Wallbox (bmw.ie/content/dam/bmw/marketIE/bmw_ie/pdf/BMW%20i%20Wallbox%20%20Charging%20Brochure.pdf) your are right it does look as if 12kW might just be available for single phase. I'm waiting on the parts guys in BMW to come back to me on what they have available.

Do you figure I'd be mad then outlaying the extra for the look of the BMW? Essentially both chargers will do the same thing?

KCross · 20-02-2020 05:22PM

EVenthusiast wrote: »

Yes sorry I meant 7/12kW options but yes reading the BMW booklet for i Wallbox (bmw.ie/content/dam/bmw/marketIE/bmw_ie/pdf/BMW%20i%20Wallbox%20%20Charging%20Brochure.pdf) your are right it does look as if 12kW might just be available for single phase. I'm waiting on the parts guys in BMW to come back to me on what they have available.

Do you figure I'd be mad then outlaying the extra for the look of the BMW? Essentially both chargers will do the same thing?

No, go for the Wallbox if it floats your boat aestethically. It also has the ability to be upgraded for active load management(very useful feature) so its a somewhat advanced unit in that regard. Im sure its a decent unit but I doubt very much that its 12kW single phase based on the spec sheet you've posted above.

I presume this is for your house and your house is single phase... if thats the case you need to ensure its a single phase unit they are providing and I'd be willing to bet it will be a 32A unit so 7.4kW max... which is fine.

The 12kW unit I bet is a 3 phase unit which will be no use to you on a single phase supply.

Kramer · 20-02-2020 11:33PM

EVenthusiast wrote: »

Update from earlier post - charge point pricing BMW.................. iWallbox 12kWh purchased from BMW and installation by 3rd party coming to approx €1,150 in total.

Don't forget to avail of the BMW First subscription if going for the BMW wallbox option.
It offers a 20% saving off parts & accessories. The wallbox should be classed as an accessory............could save you a few hundred €uros

.

Use my link & you won't even have to pay for a month or two IIRC.

Personally, as a 530e owner, I'd go for the BMW wallbox if there's so little in the price difference.

Link: BMW First.

Paulmee · 21-02-2020 01:02PM

Kramer wrote: »

Don't forget to avail of the BMW First subscription if going for the BMW wallbox option.
It offers a 20% saving off parts & accessories. The wallbox should be classed as an accessory............could save you a few hundred €uros .

Use my link & you won't even have to pay for a month or two IIRC.

Personally, as a 530e owner, I'd go for the BMW wallbox if there's so little in the price difference.

Link: BMW First.

I'm planning to use your referral code once I get the car on Irish plates

Revenue taking an age on the vrt

I have a zappi v2, waiting on it to be installed next week, am hopeful it will work well with the pv panels on the house.

I have had the car for a week(191, comfort, msport and plus packs) Im very impressed with the car so far, lot of fun to drive, so far my commute is all electric, but I am charging it more than I expected(cold weather and cold engine doesn't help)

Kramer · 21-02-2020 05:36PM

Potato Man wrote: »

Revenue taking an age on the vrt

Don't be afraid to appeal too if they take the mick. Fingers crossed they won't.

Potato Man wrote: »

I have a zappi v2, waiting on it to be installed next week, am hopeful it will work well with the pv panels on the house.

Zappi sounds ideal with the PV panels.

Potato Man wrote: »

I have had the car for a week(191, comfort, msport and plus packs) Im very impressed with the car so far, lot of fun to drive, so far my commute is all electric, but I am charging it more than I expected(cold weather and cold engine doesn't help)

With a (hopefully) tethered Zappi, it takes a few seconds. It's really not worth seeking out public charging unless say, overnighting in a hotel or such. Charge at home as often as possible & you'll get great commuting, electric only range when some fine weather appears...........hopefully........soon.
Great car - great spec you got too!

Well wear

.

Kramer · 21-02-2020 05:40PM

bmwfan wrote: »

Mines going in tomorrow..........ill let you know if it comes back with a new sticker

Mine was in today for its monthly mini valet.............no sticker that I can see but they gave me an info sheet & got me to sign a disclaimer to confirm I'd received it

.
Guess I can't sue now if my house catches fire

(joking, of course!)

.

Kramer · 21-02-2020 05:42PM

fifth wrote: »

The iWallbox looks smarter too, imo.

Took a quick picture today at the dealers............substantial looking unit.

Kramer · 21-02-2020 05:44PM

It'll be clean like this for...........................

Still, can't be seen to be driving a filthy BMW around the shop now can I :cool:.

EVenthusiast · 22-02-2020 05:06PM

Kramer wrote: »

Don't forget to avail of the BMW First subscription if going for the BMW wallbox option.
It offers a 20% saving off parts & accessories. The wallbox should be classed as an accessory............could save you a few hundred €uros .

Use my link & you won't even have to pay for a month or two IIRC.

Personally, as a 530e owner, I'd go for the BMW wallbox if there's so little in the price difference.

Link: BMW First.

Great advice on the subscription it makes total sense. Still waiting on the dealer parts guys to come back to me on availability and price - you’d swear I asked them to price a bottle or washer fluid!

Going to move on something in March just watching the prices and specs etc.

yop · 04-03-2020 11:41AM

Hi
Contemplating getting one of these.
Have a Superb 2.0 TDI, 172 so Ill be going for a '19.
I drive twice most weeks to work, on N roads. Its 75km each way. We have 2 charge points at work.
Currently on the way to work I'm getting anything between 35-38mpg and on the way home its around 40-42mpg.
Long term its telling me the car is doing 41mpg.

I'm averaging 25k kms a year.

Any thoughts on my possible choice? I see the range of the 2020 model will be a tad longer.
But aside from a Tesla I don't like any of the other electric cars, so this is the closest I'd go to electric.

ELM327 · 04-03-2020 11:45AM

No point getting one of these, for a 75 km trip a diesel or a full BEV would be better options.
A base model 3 would be cheaper too

Kramer · 04-03-2020 03:08PM

yop wrote: »

Any thoughts on my possible choice?

15000km & 10000km (work:leisure) mileage

Rough calculations:
For commute:
Charging at home @ €0.08kWh (night rate)
€115 elec at home (free work charging)
That will account for half of your 150km twice weekly, commute
Petrol for the other half - €550 petrol (410l)

Leisure mileage 10,000km:
Electricity €55
Petrol €540 (400l - assuming 1/3 on electric & 2/3s at 6l/100km)

Overall consumption would be approx 3.3l/100km or 86mpg (plus €170 in electricity approx).

I'd rather sit in a new 5 series than a Leaf to be honest & you'd save no more than €20 per week in a Leaf too with your usage.

Figures are approx & could be slightly better or worse, obviously being considerably worse if you never plug the thing in

.

Just to add, if converting the electricity content into the sums (€285 electricity = 211l petrol @ €1.35/l), consumption would be 4l/100km or 70mpg).

Casati · 04-03-2020 03:43PM

Kramer wrote: »

15000km & 10000km (work:leisure) mileage

Rough calculations:
For commute:
Charging at home @ €0.08kWh (night rate)
€115 elec at home (free work charging)
That will account for half of your 150km twice weekly, commute
Petrol for the other half - €550 petrol (410l)

Leisure mileage 10,000km:
Electricity €55
Petrol €540 (400l - assuming 1/3 on electric & 2/3s at 6l/100km)

Overall consumption would be approx 3.3l/100km or 86mpg (plus €170 in electricity approx).

I'd rather sit in a new 5 series than a Leaf to be honest & you'd save no more than €20 per week in a Leaf too with your usage.

Figures are approx & could be slightly better or worse, obviously being considerably worse if you never plug the thing in .

Just to add, if converting the electricity content into the sums (€285 electricity = 211l petrol @ €1.35/l), consumption would be 4l/100km or 70mpg).

I really think these PHEV’s are really attractive from a running cost perspective, unless you have specific use case the fuel savings with a BEV are going to tiny vs a PHEV yet you have zero range anxiety issues. BMW also are not charging the premium that some other marques want to step up to the PHEV

kanuseeme · 04-03-2020 06:32PM

Kramer wrote: »

15000km & 10000km (work:leisure) mileage

Rough calculations:
For commute:
Charging at home @ €0.08kWh (night rate)
€115 elec at home (free work charging)
That will account for half of your 150km twice weekly, commute
Petrol for the other half - €550 petrol (410l)

Leisure mileage 10,000km:
Electricity €55
Petrol €540 (400l - assuming 1/3 on electric & 2/3s at 6l/100km)

Overall consumption would be approx 3.3l/100km or 86mpg (plus €170 in electricity approx).

I'd rather sit in a new 5 series than a Leaf to be honest & you'd save no more than €20 per week in a Leaf too with your usage.

Figures are approx & could be slightly better or worse, obviously being considerably worse if you never plug the thing in .

Just to add, if converting the electricity content into the sums (€285 electricity = 211l petrol @ €1.35/l), consumption would be 4l/100km or 70mpg).

You could possible add another 20 km to be on a par with a diesel @ 60 mpg in that scenario ?

Heres Johnny · 04-03-2020 06:43PM

The whole which fuel is for me is vastly over thought by lots of people. Unless the mileage is massive the savings between petrol, diesel and PHEV are small. You'd swear diesel was free and petrol wasn't the way people go on.
A 530e is what it is, a nice, comfy quiet 5 series which you can tip around short journeys without using fossil fuels. Trying to get your costs down to the cent when comparing petrol and diesel is silly, buy the car you like the best. I very much like the idea of a 530e to replace my a6 diesel when the time comes, I'm not an ideal candidate for one as I drive long spins 2 to 4 times a month well outside its electric range.

But come on, you're talking about a 5 series here which isn't exactly budget motoring. You're going to lose 20k in 3 years on a 2019 5 series at least, that's about 130 to 140 euro a week for 3 years in depreciation alone. Buy the one you like, not the one that will save you a fiver or a tenner in fuel because with small mileage that's all it will be.

I think I use 15 euro less diesel now a week in my 2.0 tdi a6 than I used in my 2.5 petrol e60 5 series, not exactly groundbreaking stuff.

kanuseeme · 04-03-2020 06:46PM

Casati wrote: »

I really think these PHEV’s are really attractive from a running cost perspective, unless you have specific use case the fuel savings with a BEV are going to tiny vs a PHEV yet you have zero range anxiety issues. BMW also are not charging the premium that some other marques want to step up to the PHEV

Zero range anxiety is correct, but it requires some work, more you charge less petrol you use, I would like to see range increase and faster charging.

The 530se diesel is €63,360 and the 530 se phev is €60,010. Charging a premium for driving a tractor engine.

Heres Johnny · 04-03-2020 07:29PM

kanuseeme wrote: »

Zero range anxiety is correct, but it requires some work, more you charge less petrol you use, I would like to see range increase and faster charging.

The 530se diesel is €63,360 and the 530 se phev is €60,010. Charging a premium for driving a tractor engine.

In fairness the diesel is a 3 litre, the PHEV is a 2 litre. I'd probably still have the PHEV personally though

kanuseeme · 04-03-2020 07:36PM

I was just following the 530 se part.

Valhallapt · 04-03-2020 11:54PM

When the lights go green, I put the foot down and leave all the other cars in my dust. I do it in style, comfort and silence. The fact that I get 78mpg is a nice bonus.

78mpg is what the clock is saying, but I think it’s actually much higher.

EVenthusiast · 05-03-2020 11:46AM

EVenthusiast wrote: »

Great advice on the subscription it makes total sense. Still waiting on the dealer parts guys to come back to me on availability and price - you’d swear I asked them to price a bottle or washer fluid!

Going to move on something in March just watching the prices and specs etc.

UPDATE...

So now I have my Wallbox charger on order - note you can't avail of the BMW First discount on over the counter items. Plus the whole order process is a bit of a mess as Irish dealers have to place on order through BMW Ireland and not direct. I personally think they're missing a trick here but they honestly must sell that many +€700 parts to be bothered. I had to try 3 dealers before the one I ordered the unit off showed any interest in taking my money.

On the 530e, I've one found and expect to collect next week. Going myself to make sure all is in order. Dealing through a BMW main dealer.

Kramer · 05-03-2020 02:54PM

EVenthusiast wrote: »

So now I have my Wallbox charger on order - note you can't avail of the BMW First discount on over the counter items.

That seems quite wrong as they state it includes "accessories". Last I heard, accessories included mats & many other over the counter items.
Might be worth checking the T&Cs & dropping BMW Ireland an email.

Don't forget to get the SEAI approval before commencing any installation work.

EVenthusiast wrote: »

I had to try 3 dealers before the one I ordered the unit off showed any interest in taking my money.

Shows how much of a financial boom we're in - they'd be chasing you if they weren't selling plenty of cars & there was any profit in the wallbox.

EVenthusiast wrote: »

On the 530e, I've one found and expect to collect next week. Going myself to make sure all is in order. Dealing through a BMW main dealer.

Best of luck with it - take plenty of hand sanitiser :P.

EVenthusiast · 06-03-2020 12:53PM

Kramer wrote: »

That seems quite wrong as they state it includes "accessories". Last I heard, accessories included mats & many other over the counter items.
Might be worth checking the T&Cs & dropping BMW Ireland an email.

I'm pretty sure by now - both dealer and BMW Ireland were fairly emphatic. From what I gather reading the BMW First small print you could argue either way. I left it at that as to be fair to the parts dealer in question they have been really helpful. It is a pity though as the subscription would have been justified for some time thereafter!

Kramer wrote: »

Don't forget to get the SEAI approval before commencing any installation work.

I already have the SEAI approval thanks, my next battle is with the various opportunistic installation companies out there who've been saying to me "sure you get a €600 grant" and I keep saying "yes but that shouldn't mean the consumer gets overcharged for a 3 hour installation job at €5/600". With a bit of shopping around I've found a genuine installer interested in a fair job at a fair price and he's not getting stuck in.

Kramer wrote: »

Best of luck with it - take plenty of hand sanitiser :P.

I will update on how it goes fingers crossed.

yop · 06-03-2020 04:20PM

Thanks for all the information guys! Fup it I agree, I love the car first off, the rest is well just the tight ar9se in me!

Now to shift the Superb first

Might try and get a spin in one to see what I think about them before going to the UK!!!!

Enjoy the new motor Ev

Cona · 16-03-2020 02:10PM

With regards to importing a 530e from Uk,

- how long is the warranty period on a new 530e. I’m thinking of a 2017 or 2018.
- does BMW Ireland honour the UK warranty?
- reading about a few reliability issues, any noticed anything so far?
- servicing going forward? Presume only with BMW dealers due to complexity of the electric?

Kramer · 17-03-2020 01:33AM

Cona wrote: »

With regards to importing a 530e from Uk,

- how long is the warranty period on a new 530e. I’m thinking of a 2017 or 2018.

3 years from new in the UK which becomes 2 years once imported here. So a March '18 UK car will just be in warranty now (March '20), out next month.

does BMW Ireland honour the UK warranty?

Yes.

reading about a few reliability issues, any noticed anything so far?

Nothing here so far.

servicing going forward? Presume only with BMW dealers due to complexity of the electric?

I'd service as usual when out of warranty. Nothing to service regarding the electric parts - usual engine oil, filters, brakes etc.

Any 530e owners out there?

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