330e vs a normal petrol car

deleted_user · 03-17-2018, 05:53 AM

What are your thoughts? It sounds like a nice way to get 100+mpg but that’s on paper.. so far it seems most people here have a petrol or a diesel and not one of these.

I currently have a diesel but as my annual mileage goes down I might not need the diesel anymore! Obviously there is the option to go all in for a M model, but that is not part of my discussion as no non-m can compete with that!

I mainly wonder if a 330e still gives the “petrol-driving-pleasure” or if you end up driving a fancy looking prius?? Might see if i can get one for a day to see how it feels but maybe someone has experience with them 😊

teaston · 03-17-2018, 06:09 AM

It can save you a bit of money if you do less than 40 miles per day & can be arsed to plug your car in every night! Personally I definitely wouldn't.

NotGotABimmer23 · 03-17-2018, 06:14 AM

Its a marketing exercise only currently imo, not a viable alternative. Id only consider one as a company car due to low bik, its petrol or diesel all day long otherwise.

HighlandPete · 03-17-2018, 06:19 AM

Putting costs, tax advantages, etc., aside, I can see a 330e/530e fitting much of my current driving profile. One car user, around 8k miles a year, many trips under 26 miles. Charge from home and hopefully get back home without using the ICE. Longer trips backed up with the engine.

Don't see the point, if you are not fully charging before each day's use and are simply driving mostly on the ICE, and only harvesting a small amount of wasted energy.

mikeoz · 03-17-2018, 06:39 AM

No chance of getting any place near 100mpg

NISFAN · 03-17-2018, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Putting costs, tax advantages, etc., aside, I can see a 330e/530e fitting much of my current driving profile. One car user, around 8k miles a year, many trips under 26 miles. Charge from home and hopefully get back home without using the ICE. Longer trips backed up with the engine.

Don't see the point, if you are not fully charging before each day's use and are simply driving mostly on the ICE, and only harvesting a small amount of wasted energy.

Wouldn't a full EV be better for that profile?

The 330e is a good car, but merely a stepping stone in car evolution, which means not particularly brilliant at anything. The battery is too small to make 'plugging in' worth the hassle, and for some usage profiles, doesn't make a big enough difference in overall fuel economy.

Great for BIK

dangerous_al · 03-17-2018, 06:58 AM

I have a 330i and find the performance perfectly acceptable, not quite a 340i but not that far away in real world driving. The 330i is very similar in performance to the 330e so it should also be quite a nice drive. The 330i is great on fuel on longer journeys achieving mid to high 40's even low 50's mpg on a good run, but suffers badly around town getting high 20's/low 30's especially on short runs in stop/start traffic Being able to use electric only for those situations could be very useful. Depending on your driving profile, the 330e may be a suitable choice.

HighlandPete · 03-17-2018, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Wouldn't a full EV be better for that profile?

The 330e is a good car, but merely a stepping stone in car evolution, which means not particularly brilliant at anything. The battery is too small to make 'plugging in' not really worth the hassle, and for some usage profiles, doesn't make a big enough difference in overall fuel economy.

Great for BIK

Agree with your comments. Certainly not enough advantage at present development, to make it worth while for the private user.

Guy just outside the village has been trying an EV for similar local runs. He can do it successfully, as he has a second vehicle for his other use.

Rathian · 03-17-2018, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephan_F30

What are your thoughts? It sounds like a nice way to get 100+mpg but thatÂ’s on paper.. so far it seems most people here have a petrol or a diesel and not one of these.

I currently have a diesel but as my annual mileage goes down I might not need the diesel anymore! Obviously there is the option to go all in for a M model, but that is not part of my discussion as no non-m can compete with that!

I mainly wonder if a 330e still gives the Â“petrol-driving-pleasureÂ” or if you end up driving a fancy looking prius?? Might see if i can get one for a day to see how it feels but maybe someone has experience with them 😊

I know you asked about 330e compared with petrol but the below is based on my experience 330e to 320d ED. The below contains actual calculated data so may be useful for your calculations.

I had the opportunity to run one for two weeks. For me it cost more to run than my 320d ED.

I commute 80 miles every day mainly fast A roads and motorway cruises. The opportunity to use the battery was minimal so was effectively just a petrol car for me.

I average 58mpg at a cost of circa £9 per day in the 330e compared to 63.5mpg and £5 per day in my 320d ED (actual proper calculations not on board computer readings).

My parents have a 330e which they have just purchased and as they do a lot of short trips on slow roads the car is much more beneficial. Several times the on board computer rates close to 100mpg for them.

With the extra cost of the car it really does come down to personal usage scenario. For me the current hybrids will cost me more. For my parents it presents a saving.

Rathian · 03-17-2018, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Putting costs, tax advantages, etc., aside, I can see a 330e/530e fitting much of my current driving profile. One car user, around 8k miles a year, many trips under 26 miles. Charge from home and hopefully get back home without using the ICE. Longer trips backed up with the engine.

Don't see the point, if you are not fully charging before each day's use and are simply driving mostly on the ICE, and only harvesting a small amount of wasted energy.

My personal experience was 16 to 20 miles maximum for the battery. You would need to be able to charge both ends of your trip.

HighlandPete · 03-17-2018, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rathian

My personal experience was 16 to 20 miles maximum for the battery. You would need to be able to charge both ends of your trip.

Range is too low at present, I'd want to see a minimum range of 50 miles as an average, particularly to cope with cold weather. Don't want the ICE to need working for just a couple of miles to finish a trip.

Goes completely against my engineering thinking on running engines for short distances. i have enough issue now, running the petrol, doesn't really heat enough on the 12 mile legs of my trips during winter time.

Manivxr · 03-17-2018, 11:19 AM

I don't know from personal experience but I have heard the extra battery weight may have an effect on handling.

My experience of driving lexus hybrid. The theoretical mileage is way off what can be achieved in the real world. But the instant torque of the electric motor means a quick very away to 30.

Mancster · 03-17-2018, 11:51 AM

I'm tempted by one of these. My commute to work and back has significantly decreased, I'm only doing around 12 miles a a day now so to have a 330d is ridiculous! I'm seriously tempted by one of these as, on paper atleast, I should be able to commute to and from work solely on the electric motor.

Tengocity · 03-17-2018, 11:58 AM

I have done almost 40k miles in my 330e and I love it. I wish the damping was better, but otherwise the drivetrain and dynamics are superb.

I am currently averaging 50.4mpg over the last year, but I do it charge it every night. I also have a tdi tuning box and it puts out 290bhp as a total and probs close to 250 on engine alone, so it's more than quick enough.

Handling wise it's great, steering is lovely and front end is much sharper than the 335d. The gearbox is ok but it's not as sharp in manual mode as in the 335d. It's plenty fun to hustle on a decent road, and certainly no worse than any other standard MSport.

Lots of local journeys are done engine free, and even longer trips to Scotland average high 30s or low 40s.

Driving on electric power is very enjoyable, and the low end torque adding in to the petrol engine gives a good kick too.

Financially it's a no brainer for me as a high mileage company car, but we would still like to have one as a private car.

JLR1969 · 03-17-2018, 02:01 PM

I think the BIK tax bands are changing soon on hybrids so the benefits will be a lot less.

DougMcL · 03-17-2018, 02:27 PM

BMW make one of the best electric cars period. The i3 is way ahead of its time.... I think in one of the buying guides (Top Gear, maybe) it gets called one of the best cars in the world. I'd probably agree with that - I have one. (Battery only version)

I also have a 430d convertible. The i3 would, I'm pretty sure, thrash the 430d in local road Grand Prix stylee driving. It is incredibly quick and torquey, probably better built and finished than a 3 series. Handling is great although ultimate grip is constrained by the skinny eco tyres. The i3 is a fantastic car let down only by its range. It's about 100 miles in this very cold weather.

I'm lucky as it costs me nothing to fuel as all chargers in NI are still free including my work fast charger!

MR_G · 03-20-2018, 11:21 AM

Sorry, first post but long time lurker.

I have a 330e M Sport as well and love it. I commute 55 miles a day and can charge the car both at work and at home. I average 81 mpg and that's driving with a heavy right foot when I get the chance on a mix of town and windy A roads. My 3rd BMW in 3 years and definitely keeping this one!
If you're using it for short-ish commutes it's a no brainer for me, especially if you have a charge point at work.

03-17-2018, 05:53 AM	#1
deleted_user Private First Class 27 Rep 136 Posts Drives: F30 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Uk iTrader: (1)	330e vs a normal petrol car What are your thoughts? It sounds like a nice way to get 100+mpg but that’s on paper.. so far it seems most people here have a petrol or a diesel and not one of these. I currently have a diesel but as my annual mileage goes down I might not need the diesel anymore! Obviously there is the option to go all in for a M model, but that is not part of my discussion as no non-m can compete with that! I mainly wonder if a 330e still gives the “petrol-driving-pleasure” or if you end up driving a fancy looking prius?? Might see if i can get one for a day to see how it feels but maybe someone has experience with them 😊
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03-17-2018, 06:09 AM	#2
teaston Banned 10995 Rep 32,881 Posts Drives: X3 M40d Join Date: May 2012 Location: The High Seas iTrader: (1)	It can save you a bit of money if you do less than 40 miles per day & can be arsed to plug your car in every night! Personally I definitely wouldn't.
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03-17-2018, 06:14 AM	#3
NotGotABimmer23 Colonel 832 Rep 2,113 Posts Drives: 340i touring - incoming Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Leicestershire UK iTrader: (0)	Its a marketing exercise only currently imo, not a viable alternative. Id only consider one as a company car due to low bik, its petrol or diesel all day long otherwise.
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03-17-2018, 06:19 AM	#4
HighlandPete Lieutenant General 6659 Rep 15,858 Posts Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotland, Highland Region iTrader: (0)	Putting costs, tax advantages, etc., aside, I can see a 330e/530e fitting much of my current driving profile. One car user, around 8k miles a year, many trips under 26 miles. Charge from home and hopefully get back home without using the ICE. Longer trips backed up with the engine. Don't see the point, if you are not fully charging before each day's use and are simply driving mostly on the ICE, and only harvesting a small amount of wasted energy.
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03-17-2018, 06:39 AM	#5
mikeoz Major General 2856 Rep 5,607 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M40d LCI Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: cambs iTrader: (1)	No chance of getting any place near 100mpg
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03-17-2018, 06:58 AM	#7
dangerous_al Major 405 Rep 1,034 Posts Drives: X3 M40i G01 2020 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bristol England iTrader: (0)	I have a 330i and find the performance perfectly acceptable, not quite a 340i but not that far away in real world driving. The 330i is very similar in performance to the 330e so it should also be quite a nice drive. The 330i is great on fuel on longer journeys achieving mid to high 40's even low 50's mpg on a good run, but suffers badly around town getting high 20's/low 30's especially on short runs in stop/start traffic Being able to use electric only for those situations could be very useful. Depending on your driving profile, the 330e may be a suitable choice.
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03-17-2018, 11:19 AM	#12
Manivxr Captain 203 Rep 637 Posts Drives: 435d EB Join Date: May 2017 Location: Staffordshire iTrader: (0)	I don't know from personal experience but I have heard the extra battery weight may have an effect on handling. My experience of driving lexus hybrid. The theoretical mileage is way off what can be achieved in the real world. But the instant torque of the electric motor means a quick very away to 30.
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03-17-2018, 11:51 AM	#13
Mancster Private First Class 60 Rep 171 Posts Drives: 2016 340i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Manchester iTrader: (0)	I'm tempted by one of these. My commute to work and back has significantly decreased, I'm only doing around 12 miles a a day now so to have a 330d is ridiculous! I'm seriously tempted by one of these as, on paper atleast, I should be able to commute to and from work solely on the electric motor.
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03-17-2018, 11:58 AM	#14
Tengocity General 8566 Rep 19,982 Posts Drives: 911, Cayenne Turbo, Disco 4 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland iTrader: (0)	I have done almost 40k miles in my 330e and I love it. I wish the damping was better, but otherwise the drivetrain and dynamics are superb. I am currently averaging 50.4mpg over the last year, but I do it charge it every night. I also have a tdi tuning box and it puts out 290bhp as a total and probs close to 250 on engine alone, so it's more than quick enough. Handling wise it's great, steering is lovely and front end is much sharper than the 335d. The gearbox is ok but it's not as sharp in manual mode as in the 335d. It's plenty fun to hustle on a decent road, and certainly no worse than any other standard MSport. Lots of local journeys are done engine free, and even longer trips to Scotland average high 30s or low 40s. Driving on electric power is very enjoyable, and the low end torque adding in to the petrol engine gives a good kick too. Financially it's a no brainer for me as a high mileage company car, but we would still like to have one as a private car. __________________ Current: Porsche 911 991 C4S, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Land Rover Discovery 4. Gone...G01 X3 M40i, Cayman S 987, F31 340i, Cayman GT4, F82 M4 CP, Lotus Exige V6, G20 330e, F30 330e, Boxster S 987, F31 335d, Mini Cooper SD, E89 Z4, E90 330d 320d, E60 520d, E46 330d 320d, MX5s, E30 325i
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03-17-2018, 02:01 PM	#15
JLR1969 Major General 1882 Rep 7,000 Posts Drives: Kubota GR1600 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: England iTrader: (1)	I think the BIK tax bands are changing soon on hybrids so the benefits will be a lot less.
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03-17-2018, 02:27 PM	#16
DougMcL Major 787 Rep 1,101 Posts Drives: BMW i4 40e, Honda Jazz Hybrid Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Porto iTrader: (0)	BMW make one of the best electric cars period. The i3 is way ahead of its time.... I think in one of the buying guides (Top Gear, maybe) it gets called one of the best cars in the world. I'd probably agree with that - I have one. (Battery only version) I also have a 430d convertible. The i3 would, I'm pretty sure, thrash the 430d in local road Grand Prix stylee driving. It is incredibly quick and torquey, probably better built and finished than a 3 series. Handling is great although ultimate grip is constrained by the skinny eco tyres. The i3 is a fantastic car let down only by its range. It's about 100 miles in this very cold weather. I'm lucky as it costs me nothing to fuel as all chargers in NI are still free including my work fast charger!
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03-20-2018, 11:21 AM	#17
MR_G New Member 5 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2017 330e iPerformance Sport+ Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Central Scotland iTrader: (0)	Sorry, first post but long time lurker. I have a 330e M Sport as well and love it. I commute 55 miles a day and can charge the car both at work and at home. I average 81 mpg and that's driving with a heavy right foot when I get the chance on a mix of town and windy A roads. My 3rd BMW in 3 years and definitely keeping this one! If you're using it for short-ish commutes it's a no brainer for me, especially if you have a charge point at work.
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