BMW 330e

carsfan · 06-02-2016 4:52pm

Proof of the pudding will be in the driving
If this car could average 50 plus mpg overall and has every day performance/flexibility that the headline figure of 0 to 100kmh indicates it may have in a nice m sport spec for less than 50k then I will be very interested.

carsfan · 08-02-2016 7:15pm

Spoke to dealer about this today.
One of those conversations where you know more about the product than the sales man does....
Why would I not consider a nice 318d?
When I explained my reasoning in fairness he took it on board.
Told me a bmw " genius" will contact about one and when demo etc available
Said he might have reservations about resale however.
Kinda out me off if I'm honest.
He asked me if the golf gti I would trade in was petrol or diesel!? Seemed surprised it was petrol. Doesn't give me much inspiration he will value it too highly.

vintagevrs · 08-02-2016 7:43pm

FFS, I know to a lot of salesmen it's just a job and they have little interest in cars. But firstly, he should know his product and what new products and tech his company will be selling as that's his job. To default to selling a 318d when a customer is inquiring about a specific product just shows what they normally do.

And not knowing that a GTI is petrol is just cringe worthy, no excuse. If you work in the motor industry you should know that.

I called my closest VW dealer last year before ordering my current car, which also is a petrol Golf. I said I want a 5 door, black etc etc. gave him the exact spec and asked for a price as I was ordering that week. It was clear there would be no "selling" needed, all I needed was a price. He tried to sell me a diesel Golf instead and didn't even price the car I wanted.

unkel · 08-02-2016 7:46pm

carsfan wrote: »

If this car could average 50 plus mpg overall

I'd say that depends completely on your driving pattern

This car will excel if you do a lot of small trips and a lot of city driving (compared to a 318d of similar value) and obviously plug it in every time you get the chance

It won't be good on long commutes / a lot of motorway travel

unkel · 08-02-2016 7:50pm

vintagevrs wrote: »

he should know his product and what new products and tech his company will be selling as that's his job.

In fairness that is getting harder and harder as technology progresses and the customers are far more knowledgeable than they used to be

That's why BMW dealers now have a "BMW genius" who is supposed to know all this stuff. Sounds preposterous but if you think about it, it does make sense

Casati · 08-02-2016 9:38pm

unkel wrote: »

In fairness that is getting harder and harder as technology progresses and the customers are far more knowledgeable than they used to be

That's why BMW dealers now have a "BMW genius" who is supposed to know all this stuff. Sounds preposterous but if you think about it, it does make sense

Are you serious?? Surely all BMW sales folk should be expert on all models and receive training etc for each one and not expect to be educated by their customers

carsfan · 08-02-2016 9:51pm

I would be very surprised if it turns out the BMW " genius" knows a lot more than me about this car.
I got the impression I was the first to enquire about it at all. It won't matter if I like the car anyway if he can't value my trade in competitively then there will be no point.
In the past I've been given poor trade in prices against bmw cars for non bmw cars so won't hold my breath. I would want to be getting the same as I was offered against the new model A4 a few weeks back.

mickdw · 08-02-2016 10:29pm

carsfan wrote: »

I would be very surprised if it turns out the BMW " genius" knows a lot more than me about this car.
I got the impression I was the first to enquire about it at all. It won't matter if I like the car anyway if he can't value my trade in competitively then there will be no point.
In the past I've been given poor trade in prices against bmw cars for non bmw cars so won't hold my breath. I would want to be getting the same as I was offered against the new model A4 a few weeks back.

Its a joke tbh. Not a peep back from the bmw gut who gave me the quote without the grant included.
I've seen a few of these bmw genius jobs advertised. Sounds like it should be a lovely job for the right person but I get the impression that it's just marketing crap and the genius is really a low level sales guy and general dogs body who may be required to educate himself on new models.

Voodoomelon · 08-02-2016 11:13pm

Genius? I thought you's were having a laugh.

Take a look at this sh1te:

http://www.bmwretailjobs.co.uk/roles/bmw-genius/

carsfan · 08-02-2016 11:41pm

Ok, I managed to watch half that video before I had to turn it off. That actually has put me off the BMW brand. Absolute rubbish.
The sales people should know their product. I bet those happy smiley geniuses are paid buttons too.
BMW have come a long way from the ultimate driving machine to that.

vintagevrs · 08-02-2016 11:56pm

It's obvious what goes on here though.

Brainstorming, out of the box, blue sky thinking around a table. BMW asking themselves what are other big corporate companies doing well and what do they do? Oh I heard Apple have geniuses (http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/geniusbar/), that's something we could do. We should run a genius program, train up some apprentices on our latest tech so when the salesmen that should know our product don't, they can grab a genius to come in and wow our customers....

High fives all round

stesaurus · 09-02-2016 12:07am

Talk to Conor in Joe Duffy. He knew his stuff when it came to the fully electric i3 and is actually interested in the newer technology. With only Joe Duffy and Kearys in Cork being able to sell the 'i' brand I would imagine only they have an interest and knowledge with the PHEV's and EV's. The rest will stick to what they know, i.e. diesels

Leonard Hofstadter · 09-02-2016 1:21am

carsfan wrote: »

Ok, I managed to watch half that video before I had to turn it off. That actually has put me off the BMW brand. Absolute rubbish.
The sales people should know their product. I bet those happy smiley geniuses are paid buttons too.
BMW have come a long way from the ultimate driving machine to that.

Truth is BMW will sell any old s**** if they think they can get away with it.

God be with the days when BMW meant: rear wheel drive, 50:50 weight distribution, naturally aspirated petrol, manual gearbox, straight six, and to use one of their other marketing slogans, sheer driving pleasure.

The 'M' in BMW most certainly does not stand for 'motor' (engine) as it once did, the M is very much 'marketing' these days. They are a triumph of marketing over sheer brilliance. I mean seriously, what does a 1 series (M135i aside naturally) do that a Focus or even a Toyota Auris doesn't? And don't say rear wheel drive, very soon it won't even have that. I'm intrigued by the 330e and I very much like the idea of the 330d, but there is way too much rubbish in the model range these days. I don't like the fact that practically all the petrols are four cylinders (or worse, three) and I don't like the fact that you have to get a '30d' model to get the right number of cylinders on the diesels. And I certainly don't see the attraction of that MPV thing or that crossover thing with front wheel drive either, they just make me go zzzzz. If you want an MPV or crossover, save a pile of cash and buy whatever Ford or Hyundai or Toyota offer, unless you really do have 10 grand plus burning an enormous hole in your pocket (and if you do have the 10k+ extra to spend to get the BMW badge on the bonnet, get some common sense, you could have a lovely holiday to Australia or somewhere exotic for that kind of money and still have money left over).

Even not too long ago, BMW still were getting the basics right, they even went to the trouble of creating an ad that very eloquently explains why rear wheel drive is better than front wheel drive:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHejSP27wis&ab_channel=motoroidsmag

maddness · 09-02-2016 7:31am

BMW still build some fantastic cars the problem is we don't buy them in Ireland.
When I was a kid if you had a BMW it was special and something for petrol heads to aspire to, 6 cylinders etc. Now 99% of BMW's on the road are 316D/520D's or even those bloody 2 series things. I've been looking at changing my car recently and enquired about a 330i in two separate dealers and they looked at me like I was insane. Why do you want a petrol??
It's very difficult to be a car enthusiast in Ireland as costs of ownership and running any kind of interesting car here are just so prohibitive.

MetzgerMeister · 09-02-2016 4:56pm

Before I settled on my 330d I was looking into importing an F30 335i from the UK. I can't remember the exact figures but the main things that put me off were the cost of it all and the fact that by the time I would come to sell it, no one would want it.

I also looked into M3s etc. but at the time I did honestly think that a 330d was the best option for me despite the fact that I don't do anywhere near enough mileage to properly warrant a diesel but I wanted a newer BMW with power and 6 cylinders and I was never going to buying new.

Looking back on it I regret nothing and I love my car despite the fact that I never owned a diesel or an auto before.

carsfan · 09-02-2016 5:37pm

Unfortunately 330d m sport is 12 k approx more new than this 330e model.
Beautiful engine alright no doubt there.
Effortless performance all day long.

No word from the "genius" yet..

Idbatterim · 10-02-2016 11:50am

I've been looking at changing my car recently and enquired about a 330i in two separate dealers and they looked at me like I was insane. Why do you want a petrol??

the main reason a lot went diesel, was due to lower motor tax, even the large cc recent bm's have relatively cheap tax now. When you are landing out the kind of money on a car, who cares about the irrelevance that is e100-200 a year in tax! Maybe the next time you are in with them, you should ask them do they know what bmw were renowned for, tell them it wasnt 4 pot tractor engined cars!

Most people looking for the 6 pot petrol engines, will be coming or used to the outrageous motor tax on the old system, the new rates will be a joke for most petrol models in comparison!

carsfan · 10-02-2016 10:35pm

Has anybody heard any further info back from the dealers on this car?
Nothing from mine despite his promises re. the genius.
Good review in the Irish Times today.

mickdw · 10-02-2016 10:36pm

carsfan wrote: »

Has anybody heard any further info back from the dealers on this car?
Nothing from mine despite his promises re. the genius.
Good review in the Irish Times today.

Nope.
Emailed another yesterday and nothing.
I'm wondering if the grant is a done deal at all yet.

Voodoomelon · 11-02-2016 12:48am

Heard nothing. I've lost a little interest I have to say, passed a few 3 series over the last few days and they just aren't doing it for me. Would probably suit my needs perfectly, but they're a little to ordinary I think.

mickdw · 11-02-2016 1:14am

Yep. I couldnt see you going from a 7 to a 3. The next 5 series, 530e is where its at imo.

bazz26 · 11-02-2016 1:30am

Even going from a 5 Series down to a 3 Series is a fair drop, not to mind from a 7 Series.

Voodoomelon · 11-02-2016 1:40am

mickdw wrote: »

Yep. I couldnt see you going from a 7 to a 3. The next 5 series, 530e is where its at imo.

I agree. But in the spec i'd want, I couldn't afford a new one. A few years of waiting ahead me thinks, i'll survive.

Still interested to see how this 330e pans out.

carsfan · 11-02-2016 9:40am

Yeah
I couldn't see you being happy in a 3 series after the 7 really. No matter what extras are in it they're just not the same quality or feel.
The only good looking one is the m sport for me anyway.
Will wait and see if they come back to me and if demo is available will take it but in truth after talking to the sales people my enthusiasm has reduced.

vintagevrs · 12-02-2016 12:22pm

The salesman I enquired with sent me this yesterday:

http://www.businesscar.co.uk/tests/2016/bmw-330e-test-drive-review

carsfan · 12-02-2016 1:39pm

That's another positive review.
UK company car tax rules seem to make it a winner there.
Here for me as a private buyer, some of those things are irrelevant.
The sales guy not the genius came back to me to say bmw Ireland have said there will be demos sometime in March but not sure when for certain.
He says he will contact me then re driving it.
I'm still reasonably interested and it can't hurt to test drive.
If anybody can suggest a reasonably quick automatic well equipped alternative for under 50 k new I would be all ears.

useless · 12-02-2016 10:25pm

carsfan wrote: »

If anybody can suggest a reasonably quick automatic well equipped alternative for under 50 k new I would be all ears.

Golf R DSG?

MetzgerMeister · 12-02-2016 11:44pm

Another +1 for the Golf R. Fantastic car from what owners have said.

carsfan · 13-02-2016 12:14am

Actually drove the R, loved it and was offered a very good deal for a 161 coming from my gti but and I know people will say its stupid when you're contemplating a car of this price I was put off by 570euro road tax, sub 30 mpg, 50 grand for a golf!, plus the fact that VW have brought out cheap "R line" body kits for every golf model that make them look the same as the proper golf R.
It is a savage car and I can't take anything away from the driving experience but in day to day driving probably not much better than my golf gti.

Leonard Hofstadter · 13-02-2016 12:19am

I thought Golf Rs were going for around €40k, or has that low price ceased? If they're still going for €40k it's an absolute bargain for the amount of performance on offer!

carsfan · 13-02-2016 12:34am

captainspeed wrote: »

I thought Golf Rs were going for around €40k, or has that low price ceased? If they're still going for €40k it's an absolute bargain for the amount of performance on offer!

By the time you add delivery,metallic,dsg,leather you are over 49k to get an R.

Leonard Hofstadter · 13-02-2016 12:47am

carsfan wrote: »

By the time you add delivery,metallic,dsg,leather you are over 49k to get an R.

Leather isn't standard:eek:? Presumably there's alcantara at least? Alcantara is nicer than leather, very rare but it's well worth having it if you can. Metallic is of course essential. I wouldn't bother with the DSG, though, don't get me wrong I've driven cars with it and I do like it (if this was a diesel I'd say DSG all the way) but I think a performance car like a Golf R should have a manual gearbox, petrol engines are far more fun to drive than diesels and part of that is a decent manual gearbox in my opinion.

vintagevrs · 13-02-2016 1:10am

Alacantara is standard yes. Leather is 2k, pricey option imo. A 5 door dsg with metallic should be around 45k I'd say if buying straight.

Golf R and 330e are two very different cars aimed at doing different things obviously. I'd like to test drive the 330e when it lands.

mickdw · 13-02-2016 1:49am

I just realised bmw also do a hybrid (not a plug in) 5 series - 3.0 straight six turbo petrol plus electric, competitor to gs 450h
Its an performance car so fuel consumption is low 20s mpg but would make a nice alternative for someone not doing a whole lot of miles.
Is there a used one for sale in the country? No
Did any actually sell here? I doubt it

Bigcheeze · 13-02-2016 8:07am

vintagevrs wrote: »

The salesman I enquired with sent me this yesterday:

http://www.businesscar.co.uk/tests/2016/bmw-330e-test-drive-review

That recharge port is just asking for some scumbag to kick it.

testicle · 13-02-2016 8:44am

carsfan wrote: »

Actually drove the R, loved it and was offered a very good deal for a 161 coming from my gti but and I know people will say its stupid when you're contemplating a car of this price I was put off by 570euro road tax, sub 30 mpg, 50 grand for a golf!, plus the fact that VW have brought out cheap "R line" body kits for every golf model that make them look the same as the proper golf R.
It is a savage car and I can't take anything away from the driving experience but in day to day driving probably not much better than my golf gti.

The R-lines look nothing like a real R to be fair...

carsfan · 13-02-2016 9:28am

I don't want to veer off topic but to me anyway at first glance the R lines do resemble the R especially from the front(quad exhausts at back or not make it easier here).Obviously somebody who knows their cars can tell the difference easily enough.

Leonard Hofstadter · 13-02-2016 10:10am

vintagevrs wrote: »

Alacantara is standard yes. Leather is 2k, pricey option imo. A 5 door dsg with metallic should be around 45k I'd say if buying straight.

Golf R and 330e are two very different cars aimed at doing different things obviously. I'd like to test drive the 330e when it lands.

Thanks for that. Alcantara is lovely. So really the only thing it needs IMHO is metallic, I'd certainly be sticking with the manual 'box if I was ordering one and now that I know there's alcantara as standard, I certainly wouldn't be bothering with the leather option either. To anyone thinking of ordering a Golf R, try alcantara first before simply ticking the box for leather - it's not money well spent if you ask me!

Ron Burgundy II · 13-02-2016 10:13am

carsfan wrote: »

I don't want to veer off topic but to me anyway at first glance the R lines do resemble the R especially from the front(quad exhausts at back or not make it easier here).Obviously somebody who knows their cars can tell the difference easily enough.

The r line doesn't add quad exhausts. It simply just adds small side skirts a different front and rear bumpers. The R stands out in comparison to cars with r line kit. Much lower stance than the normal golfs with an r line kit.

Just on plug in hybrid the GTE seems like a decent performer. Was looking at one when changing but only one VW garage in Ireland has the equipment to service the hybrid side of the car.

Do you think this will happen with BMW initially??

carsfan · 13-02-2016 10:29am

The alcantara on the R is in combination with normal cloth so doesn't look great in my view but each to their own. DSG makes the car smoother and faster in the real world but again whatever you prefer.
R line makes regular golf look good.I know it doesn't have quad exhausts! I meant that it is an obvious way to differentiate a real R from a regular golf at the back.

Re. servicing, I never thought of that potential prob. but can't imagine the batteries need any much attention. Will ask the question if I ever get to drive one.

BMW just announced the new 740e which has same set up as X5 40e

mickdw · 13-02-2016 12:23pm

Got some pricing finally on the 330e.
What they are doing and it makes perfect sense is knocking the 2.5k vrt rebate of the actual quoted price.
They are then taking the 5k grant off any deposit payable so in my case the figures were for 30 percent deposit But the deposit payable by me is down by 5k.
The result is an m sport with original price of 53550 is now 51050 with a gfv of 24243. A monthly of 414 with deposit of 10,300 from me and 5k from seai making the deposit of 30 percent.

The se is around 9k deposit and 395 monthly.

Hard to see any serious equity left in the car at end of deal though.

carsfan · 13-02-2016 1:03pm

Those figures look ok to me?
That is not expensive motoring for a brand new premium car which if your use is right for a hybrid should have cheap fuel costs and good performance.
Mick could you let me know what dealer you're talking to. PM if you prefer.
The lad I'm dealing with still didn't know the prices are up on bmw's own website!

bmwguy · 13-02-2016 3:11pm

mickdw wrote: »

Got some pricing finally on the 330e.
What they are doing and it makes perfect sense is knocking the 2.5k vrt rebate of the actual quoted price.
They are then taking the 5k grant off any deposit payable so in my case the figures were for 30 percent deposit But the deposit payable by me is down by 5k.
The result is an m sport with original price of 53550 is now 51050 with a gfv of 24243. A monthly of 414 with deposit of 10,300 from me and 5k from seai making the deposit of 30 percent.

The se is around 9k deposit and 395 monthly.

Hard to see any serious equity left in the car at end of deal though.

Does anyone have any solid figures for the equity left in a 320d after 3 years? The equity in this is key. I'd really like one of these.

Edit: the cheapest 131 m sport in Joe Duffy is asking 30k and that's a 316d. This is a much better machine I can see 10k being left in it if they prove good to live with. My interest in these is high but will keep an eye on this thread and elsewhere on the internet I don't have an urgent need to change, also let the salesmen learn a bit about them first!

mickdw · 13-02-2016 3:21pm

bmwguy wrote: »

Does anyone have any solid figures for the equity left in a 320d after 3 years? The equity in this is key. I'd really like one of these.

It sure is the main issue.
If there was 5k equity I'd be very happy as I was looking at putting 14k in now as deposit. With this deal, put in 10 k, hold the 4k and throw it at the next car.
still I don't believe they will offer 29k when going back in 3 years. After all its just over 50k new - 60 percent retained value - I doubt it.

carsfan · 13-02-2016 3:43pm

Did the dealer say anything about any further discount on a straight deal ?
If the grant goes in the meantime that will push the residual up I suppose but an all new 3 series will be around in 3 years.
If the car is very cheap to run over the time keeps that would be a saving in itself.

mickdw · 13-02-2016 3:47pm

carsfan wrote: »

Did the dealer say anything about any further discount on a straight deal ?
If the grant goes in the meantime that will push the residual up I suppose but an all new 3 series will be around in 3 years.
If the car is very cheap to run over the time keeps that would be a saving in itself.

If the grant goes, the car will be worth more but still be harder to move into a new one.
Mercedes pricing on the c350e will be interesting. I've a feeling it will be significantly higher?

carsfan · 13-02-2016 4:12pm

I reckon the merc will be a more expensive less well equipped car at a higher interest rate.
Based on the figures you have Mick I can't see much equity but the 5k saved on the initial deposit has to be factored in as a bonus, to have for the next deal.

mickdw · 13-02-2016 4:33pm

carsfan wrote: »

I reckon the merc will be a more expensive less well equipped car at a higher interest rate.
Based on the figures you have Mick I can't see much equity but the 5k saved on the initial deposit has to be factored in as a bonus, to have for the next deal.

The mercedes will be more or less current model in 3 years time . This 3 series will be finished. That's a major issue for me.

carsfan · 14-02-2016 2:07pm

There is a very positive review of the 330e in the Sunday business post today. Says it's the best buy of all 3 series models now.

mickdw · 14-02-2016 2:38pm

carsfan wrote: »

There is a very positive review of the 330e in the Sunday business post today. Says it's the best buy of all 3 series models now.

Its a bit simplistic to say it's best buy. If you are doing 1000 miles per week, it's the wrong car.
It is certainly a great option for Someone wanting petrol

BMW 330e

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