30k budget - Advice on Second Hand Electric Or Hybrid

jessief · 23-03-2026 04:04PM #1

I've had a look at some threads on here re Electric cars.

Thinking of changing from my 2020 BMW 5 series as is costing a fortune to run. I do about 500km a week,mostly less than 100km a day the odd time would drive from cork to Dublin.

Can anyone provide recommendations or advise on an electric or hybrid car - main reason is for efficiency to be honest. Would love a BYD Seal or Seal U but outside of my budget unfortunately. Warranty and peace of mind will be important factors for me. Any advise would be great, any sugestions on good cars and what to look out for second hand.

Thanks in advance.

AndyBoBandy · 23-03-2026 04:08PM

Tesla Model 3 all day long….

Coming from a 5 series, definitely a Tesla, and at €30k, you could even get a Long Range version (AWD), that'll do 0-100 in 4.4s or 3.9s with the acceleration boost (over the air software update).

Charging process (using Tesla's own Supercharger network) is flawless and zero hassle… park, plug in, that's it… road trips are also a pleasure (thanks to the supercharger network). I'm doing Ireland - Lithuania again this summer and there is zero charging planning required for such a trip as the car does everything for you..

Here's a 2024 RWD that's in your budget.. around 350-400km real world range, and faster than most cars on the roads (except faster EV's)

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2024-241-tesla-model-3-rwd/41165648

This dealer (Graham Walker) is well known amongst the Tesla owners of Ireland as he regularly buys cars off the owners tp stock/sell himself, and anyone that's ever bought a Tesla from him has nothing but good things to say about dealing with him.

ferg01 · 23-03-2026 04:30PM

Andy beat me to it! Defo recommend the M3…I had one for two years (the 60kW LFP battery). I did the Cork - Dublin trip weekly and it was effortless. Euro for euro I still think it’s the best EV out there.

jessief · 23-03-2026 04:46PM

Thanks a mil guys, I hadn'tactually considered a Tesla, to be honest I'm not that keen on the look of them esp the windscreen coming down so far at the front if that makes sense. I had been looking at VW, Skoda and Hyundai but will go back and look at the Tesla.

AndyBoBandy · 23-03-2026 04:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124335062#Comment_124335062

all I’d say is take one for a test drive…

They have loads of pop up showrooms now so a test drive shouldn’t be too hard to arrange…

I came from an e90 3 Series M-Sport (which I still have), and when I got the Tesla back in 2020, we ordered it based off just sitting in one in the showroom.. Then the 1st time I ever drove an EV was a test drive we did 2 weeks before collecting ours, which was ordered about 5 weeks previously…

Still don’t regret it.

The tech onboard, infotainment, battery, efficiency when you’re sitting inside it negates how it looks on the outside…

Buddy Bubs · 23-03-2026 05:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058436229/30k-budget-advice-on-second-hand-electric-or-hybrid

You wont get any hybrid for 30k that will do the majority of your 100km trips, so I would suggest full electric

I came from 530e and audi a6 into the world of full electric and started off with Cupra Born and to be honest didnt miss the big saloons at all

You wont find a like for like replacement and will prob head towards SUV land but since you mentioned Hyundai then the Ioniq 5 and EV6 from Kia would be 2 I would look at, a bit less SUV than others really.

slave1 · 23-03-2026 05:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124335062#Comment_124335062

I know your budget is €30k but at around €33k you can get a brand spanking new Tesla M3 as they are giving a €3.5k trade in boost at the minute. Offer is open to 31/March but as long as you get your order in they will honour it if the delay in getting a car to you is down to them….

slave1 · 23-03-2026 05:13PM

and its free to get a trade in valuation on your BMW

jessief · 23-03-2026 05:54PM

Anyone experience of a Skoda Enyaq?

User1998 · 23-03-2026 06:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124335243#Comment_124335243

I bought an ID4 recently which is essentially the same car. It's nice but I still prefer Tesla.

Buddy Bubs · 23-03-2026 06:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124335243#Comment_124335243

Have an 85 sportline in work. Lovely car. Similar to my own car Tavascan in many ways but a bit more reserved.

Theres always an enyaq coupe if you like that kind of thing too.

Exiled Rebel · 23-03-2026 07:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058436229/30k-budget-advice-on-second-hand-electric-or-hybrid

I purchased a 221 Ioniq 5 in Newry last week for €22.5k. Appointment with the NCT centre on Friday to get it registered.

It's a lovely car to drive with 400km+ range (73kWh). A 2023 version has slightly larger battery (77kWh) and spec and could be got for similar money with higher mileage (35k km on the clock of my car).

Buying in Newry saved me 4k or so which if bought in the Dublin area would still be under your €30k budget.

I do 45k kilometres a year and intend to keep it 3 to 4 years.

I had an Ateca before this but after 6 days of driving the Hyundai I can safely say I'll not be going back to an ICE vehicle ever again.

joe1303l · 23-03-2026 08:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058436229/30k-budget-advice-on-second-hand-electric-or-hybrid

You’ll struggle to match the comfort of your 5 series but an Enyaq 80 or an EV6 would both be decent €30K EV options. If you don’t need space, a BMW i4 would also scrape in on price but they are quite cramped in the rear.

...Ghost... · 23-03-2026 11:27PM

I do around 400km/wk. Had a Tesla Model 3 for 3 years. You won't find a better overall package or efficiency for the money. Moved to a Model Y last year. Needed an SUV. Also great, but you won't get the newer model in your budget, which is streets ahead of the old one.

frank730 · 25-03-2026 06:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124335028#Comment_124335028

is it possible to do the return trip without charging in between?

eagerv · 25-03-2026 06:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124340353#Comment_124340353

In the 60kWh RWD no, unless you go so slowly you are barely legal or a danger to others. Possibly in the new Model 3 LR RWD in the milder weather, but probably not at 120km/h.

MojoMaker · 25-03-2026 06:57PM

540kms return at mostly 100 km/h+ ?

Definitely not.

Not even the new IX3.

Buddy Bubs · 25-03-2026 07:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124340470#Comment_124340470

I did 440kms almost all motorway in a 77kwh MEB platform car, it was a splendid hot day so id imagine something with a 100kwh+ battery would do another 100kms

I can do about 380kms in colder weather

I can do Limerick Dublin return no bother just a bit short of doing Cork Dublin return trip while driving at 120+

MojoMaker · 26-03-2026 10:00AM

Dub-Limerick is a lot less than Dub-Cork City. Nearly 130kms less return.

Interesting the VAG group figures, as no Tesla is getting near them, yet Tesla is held up as the model of efficiency.

30k budget - Advice on Second Hand Electric Or Hybrid

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