[Mamasgotkids]

I'm in a sort of dream position at the moment. I currently live in London, but am moving back to the US in June, and can, essentially, buy any car I want. (Within a few limits, the husband did look askance at my (joking) mention of a Tesla.)

We've had 4 BMW's in the past (most recently before we moved overseas, a 328i). I definitely want something that gets good mpg. I had really good mileage on the 328, usually 28-32 depending where I was going. All my driving will be city, with highway travel being no more than 5-6 miles on a average day.

Knowing exactly how a 3 drives (I've had 3 of them), and I love it, is the 330e going to match up to my expectations on driving and mpg? And is it worth the price once you add on all the extras? Just to get what I had in previous 328, the 330e price has already flipped over $55,000.

The other cars I'm considering are the new Mini Countryman Electric/Hybrid, Acura RDX, Volvo XC60 or the Lexus ES hybrid. I'm all over the map as I haven't owned car in two years and really cannot decide.

[SteveinArizona]

I have had a 330e since late July. While it is my first BMW, I can tell you that it has plenty of pep (other than in pure electric mode). In pure electric mode, it has lots of initial torque but has trouble around 25-40 mph. But if you hit the accelerator, the gas engine comes in seamlessly.

I use the pure electric mode (EV) in local driving and it works fine. I have no trouble cruising at 55 mph on speedy local streets. I have a loaded 330e (about the only option I didn't get was automatic parking). I drive in sport mode almost exclusively and that mode also maximizes recharge.

I try to, when possible, use up the electric battery before parking in my home garage at the end of the day. I am less concerned about mpg than about pollution so that is why I try to do that.

When traveling long distance so I only got to fill the battery before leaving, I got around 35 mpg on a full tank of gas (10.8 gallons). When driving locally, including highway driving (when I go to the office I have to drive 20 miles each way and most are on the highway) I have been getting more than 50 mpg BUT that does not account for the cost of the electricity that I put in each night. I haven't figured out how to do that. I use the cable that came with the car and fill it with 120 electricity. Takes about 5 hours for a full charge.

The distance I can go on full EV varies depending on the weather. In extremely hot weather (110F) I have been getting around 60% of the estimated range; in cool fall weather, I have been getting up to and sometimes even more than the estimated range.

A few features that I love for your consideration: ACC (works great in my opinion even in local driving); driver assistance including plus version; lighting package (although I wish we had the full Euro version); msport package (great steering wheel, sport suspension, maybe better brakes); HUD (I have come to love the HUD).

I also suggest a couple of other things. There is a thread here about discovering features. Use it. I suggest using one of your 8 buttons for "home" on navigation and another for "stop navigation". Great uses of the 8 buttons.

Also, I had my car coded and added easy access (especially important if you have the sport seats and keep the bolsters tight), and changed the default following distance on my ACC to closest. I did a few other changes but these were the two that have given me the most benefit.

There are a number of us on this forum with 330e so post any further questions.

[Mamasgotkids]

Thank you for the feedback. I'm having trouble deciding if the mpg is worth the price versus other hybrids that get better mpg. It's just such a fun car to drive, I don't want to buy something else and then regret it.

I would completely go for the i3, but I need to be able to go 300 miles without charging several times a year when I drive to visit family. (you pass through the middle of nowhere to get there, so no charge stations.)

I love HUD. It was the best feature I never knew I was missing before I got my last BMW, which had the sport package. I'll look for the other thread.

Thanks!

[sc68z28]

Originally Posted by Mamasgotkids

...buy any car I want.

Have you considered a lease? The 330e lease is a good deal IMO.
The one the wife and I ordered was $51445. msrp. less discounts and incentives.
With $1k down plus some fees and acquisition, my 24mo/12k lease is $371 mo. inc. tax and would be $30 less for 36/10k lease.
It would take 11 years+ with $0 repair cost to buy the car for that money.

90% of our driving is within 15 miles from home, plus a couple 70 mile trips a month, so most miles are electric only. We are currently averaging just over 100 MPG. While getting 3.7 miles per kWh.
75 miles of electric driving at 3.7 , 75/3.7=20 kWh used.
My electric rate is .15 cent per kWh x 20= $3.00 That's about the same as a gallon of 91 octane here in SoCal to drive 75 miles.
In 2 years I'll get another one or the next new thing or better deal.

We charge at home with a level 2 charger, usually charges in an hour or so, but can take 2 hours if all the electricity got used up. We can usually get 17 miles out of a full charge. 14 to 18 miles is real world in my climate, but will very with weather.

We had the i3 as a lease before the 330e and for the same reason as you needed more range 2 to 3 times a year.
The 330e is perfect for us, I understand it doesn't work for everyone, but it sounds like it could work well for you.

If you need more info on lease option, ask away.

---Bill.

[zamboni]

The only down side is carry the extra 400 lbs weight on battery other than that it's a great car.

[sc68z28]

Originally Posted by Mamasgotkids

... is the 330e going to match up to my expectations on driving

It should, mine is the best driving car we have ever had, but it's our first "real" BMW.
I don't count the i3 as a "real BMW" it was squirrely at speed with those skinny tires.

---Bill.

[Tengocity]

The 330e drives very well. Lots of immediate acceleration makes it great around urban areas, and no need for the engine for lots of local journeys.

For overall mpg gains over a standard 320/330 I'd say we get 15-20% more miles per gallon, but that's going to depend on your mix of journeys- we do quite a lot of longer ones, so you could easily better that if it's more short journeys. As a saving, in the Uk I think it will make more difference than in the US where gas prices are much less.

We have a 335d tourer too, which is much quicker, but my wife still prefers the 330e because of how quiet and smooth it is. She loves how 'futuristic' it feels.

[RoundelM3]

If you're going to be living in the US, you'd be better off saving the extra cost and getting a 330i or 340i. My 2013 335i gets 34+ mpg on the road, and 25-28 around town/short trips. Wife's 228i convertible gets 27-28 commuting back and forth to work and 30+ on the highway (it has less than 10K miles, so it'll get better afterwards). Gasoline is less expensive in the US these days, and the extra cost and weight (affects tire wear) don't seem to make economic sense. If 4 doors aren't mandatory, you might consider a 230i - lighter than the 3, handles well, and plenty of power from the turbo-4 engine.

I'm not a fan of hybrids or pure electrics - the battery technology, as good as BMW makes it these days, is just not what it needs to be in terms of range and fast charging. Then there's the whole issue of the toxic materials that go into the batteries and their manufacturing process and the expense of replacing them, plus the issues associated with recycling/disposing of completely depleted battery packs. If I were forced to have to get a hybrid or pure electric, I'd lease it rather than purchasing due to the aforementioned reasons.

[Billfitz]

I considered hybrids. I ruled them out when I calculated that even at $4 a gallon for gas (it's only $2.20 right now) it would take me 12 years to save enough on the fuel costs to break even on the price differential. I don't drive that much, so my results aren't typical. But even if it took four years to break even that's not a wise investment if you keep your car only that long or less.

[dh330e]

I've had my 330e for 3 weeks now and I would definitely recommend it. Its a great daily - fun to drive, comfortable, and gets excellent gas mileage.

I usually keep it in auto Edrive mode and so far I'm averaging about 110mpg. It costs me about $0.70 to charge it using the 110v charger that is included with the car.

You can also activate the heat or AC through the connected app, which is great in the winter.

If I were to order it again I would opt for the m-sport package. The standard suspension soaks up bumps really well, but can be kind of disappointing around corners.

If you buy it (or lease it) in the US its eligible for a $3,000 tax credit, so it helps to offset the price difference between itself and the 330i.

[Mamasgotkids]

Thanks everyone, I was planning to purchase simply because I've always leased in the past, but I feel like I'm not getting anything out of it (nothing to show at the end, and having to put out more money every couple of years). I'm also planning to put a significant amount down which doesn't make sense for a lease. I want to keep it beyond 5+ years.

Environmental reasons are my main concerns for looking at hybrids ( I love the low impact/mpg of the Toyota Prius but it's just hideous and I can't force myself to drive it). Less gas, less pollution.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Mamasgotkids

Thanks everyone, I was planning to purchase simply because I've always leased in the past, but I feel like I'm not getting anything out of it (nothing to show at the end, and having to put out more money every couple of years). I'm also planning to put a significant amount down which doesn't make sense for a lease. I want to keep it beyond 5+ years.

Environmental reasons are my main concerns for looking at hybrids ( I love the low impact/mpg of the Toyota Prius but it's just hideous and I can't force myself to drive it). Less gas, less pollution.

You should really look into a Tesla. What state are you moving to? Some states have a state rebate that goes along with the federal rebate for electric plug-in cars. Go drive a Tesla, because if you really want that combination of performance and mileage, it's going to be tough to beat. Also, you would be surprised what you could lease an i8 for. Yes I know you don't want to lease, but honestly, if you have the money, why not?

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by Mamasgotkids

Thanks everyone, I was planning to purchase simply because I've always leased in the past, but I feel like I'm not getting anything out of it (nothing to show at the end, and having to put out more money every couple of years). I'm also planning to put a significant amount down which doesn't make sense for a lease. I want to keep it beyond 5+ years.

Environmental reasons are my main concerns for looking at hybrids ( I love the low impact/mpg of the Toyota Prius but it's just hideous and I can't force myself to drive it). Less gas, less pollution.

That is where I was. I owned two Prius vehicles previously (2007 version 5 and 2011 version 5) and loved everything about them except for the lack of pick up and go and the awful back window. I also buy primarily for the environmental issues but also I like a performance vehicle and that is what the 330e gives me.

Of course, it costs almost twice what the Prius costs but I love the car.

[sc68z28]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

...it would take me 12 years to save enough on the fuel costs to break even on the price differential.

As I said before... "I understand it doesn't work for everyone" BUT the 330e has a lower lease than a 330i. So there is no "differential", you are money ahead on day one.
If you buy the car at MSRP (after fed tax credit) the 330e is only $1350 more than the 330i and I bet that difference could be negotiated to $0. Plus whatever % you can get as a discount on either car.

I guess I just don't understand your 12 year math?

BTW to the OP, I just filled the tank for the first time, 790 miles, 7.2 gallons = 108.6 MPG! Used 211 kWh ($30.) during that time.
That's about $50. total to drive almost 800 miles. About 38% less expense than an ICE car getting 30 MPG.

---Bill.

[NewM3driver]

Get a gas engine. It's not worth the small savings to be saddled with one of those hybrids.
BMWs get good milage regardless.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

Get a gas engine. It's not worth the small savings to be saddled with one of those hybrids.
BMWs get good milage regardless.

The point is that maybe your plan works for you but not everyone. Some of us care about mpg and drive mostly short, local hops. Others care about mpg but have long commutes. Some of us care more about the environment than mpg. Some care about both.

Some of us also get benefits from a phev. For example, I am allowed to drive in the High Occupancy Lane (carpool lane) at any time without a passenger. To me the biggest reasons I bought the 330e was I wanted to be a responsible owner re pollution, I wanted to remain in the HOV lane (grandfathered from my prior Prius) and I wanted a performance vehicle.

Your solution addresses mpg but nothing else. And car buyers are not all the same.

[Glideslope]

yes.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Mamasgotkids

I'm in a sort of dream position at the moment. I currently live in London, but am moving back to the US in June, and can, essentially, buy any car I want. (Within a few limits, the husband did look askance at my (joking) mention of a Tesla.)

We've had 4 BMW's in the past (most recently before we moved overseas, a 328i). I definitely want something that gets good mpg. I had really good mileage on the 328, usually 28-32 depending where I was going. All my driving will be city, with highway travel being no more than 5-6 miles on a average day.

Knowing exactly how a 3 drives (I've had 3 of them), and I love it, is the 330e going to match up to my expectations on driving and mpg? And is it worth the price once you add on all the extras? Just to get what I had in previous 328, the 330e price has already flipped over $55,000.

The other cars I'm considering are the new Mini Countryman Electric/Hybrid, Acura RDX, Volvo XC60 or the Lexus ES hybrid. I'm all over the map as I haven't owned car in two years and really cannot decide.

Your first 3 paragraphs I could swear a guy was writing your post. You fixed it with the last paragraph

If you liked the 328, find out the price differential between the 330 and 330e and see if the difference will be justified in gas savings for how much you drive.

My neighbor had a Countryman after driving BMW's and did not care for it. On the other hand, I've driven a Mini and loved it. If you considering the Acura or the Volvo, test drive them extensively to see if you like the difference in ride to BMWs. They are fine cars, but the ride is different than what you've been used to.

Good luck to you and your family on your move back to the US.

[sc68z28]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

The point is that maybe your plan works for you but not everyone. Some of us care about mpg and drive mostly short, local hops. Others care about mpg but have long commutes. Some of us care more about the environment than mpg. Some care about both.

Well said Steve.

BTW, I am surprised by the MPG, M/kW after our first road trip.
Drove down to our beach property south of San Diego yesterday, 222 miles round trip from Riverside. 70% highway at 75+ mph, some heavy stop/go traffic in Temecula and some in town driving in Imperial Bch. I charged up while in IB.
Outside temps were 53° to 55° both ways so only used the heat/defrost for a little bit when it rained on the way home.
Got 47 mpg (@$3.00=$14.16) and 21 mile/kWh (cost $1.58), =$15.74.

47 mpg ... Isn't that Prius, Honda Hybrid territory for MPG?

---Bill.

[Mamasgotkids]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

Your first 3 paragraphs I could swear a guy was writing your post. You fixed it with the last paragraph

Thanks, most salesmen at dealerships are shocked when I'm the one with the car knowledge and love. Because the worst thing that happened this year was that I didn't manage to get to a single car show.

I'm looking more to the environmental factor, than the gas cost savings. After living in London, anything will be cheaper, even premium gas. I'm not convinced this is the right match for me. And as much as I'd love the Tesla {never going to happen}, at least not this year. Maybe once they finally bring out the new one around $35k, that's something I don't mind paying for.

I have started leaning towards the i3 now, so I will go poke around in that forum. Thanks everyone for the info!

[mgarvey]

What sort of range do you get out of a 330e on a longer run?

My company car list has just gone into a plugin hybrid frenzy, so the short version is that I can get a 330e Sport or 225xe at my grade (alongside the Golf or Passat GTE), or pay a bit extra and get a 330e MSport or Merc c350e Sport; all of which work out cheaper than the standard 2.0 diesel fare I used to be able to get when it comes to UK company car tax.

My sense from reviews and owner write-ups suggests the Merc is faster and way better equipped, but has a very compromised boot and a pretty small fuel tank. Is the 330e similarly compromised.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by mgarvey

What sort of range do you get out of a 330e on a longer run?

My company car list has just gone into a plugin hybrid frenzy, so the short version is that I can get a 330e Sport or 225xe at my grade (alongside the Golf or Passat GTE), or pay a bit extra and get a 330e MSport or Merc c350e Sport; all of which work out cheaper than the standard 2.0 diesel fare I used to be able to get when it comes to UK company car tax.

My sense from reviews and owner write-ups suggests the Merc is faster and way better equipped, but has a very compromised boot and a pretty small fuel tank. Is the 330e similarly compromised.

I can't directly compare because when I bought my 330e the MB C350e wasn't being sold in the USA. Most reviews I have read suggest that the MB is a little faster (more HP) but has less electric range, is more luxurious but doesn't handle nearly as well. If you google for reviews there are many out there for each car and when doing that I found a MB board similar to this one with may pages of owner comments. My biggest complaint about the 330e is the quality of the leather -- not the type of quality leather I would expect from BMW. But the interior finishes on the MB series are way better.

We have different terminology in the US but I find that the MSport package provides the great steering wheel, the MSport front and somewhat better handling at the expense of a harsher ride. The adaptive dampers aren't (or at least weren't) available for the 330e so you have to pick your poison. If I had to do it again I would again pick the MSport although my wife finds the ride too harsh.