[Noble-]

Hello all,

Interested in purchasing either a 330e or a 330i.

The used cars I'm interested in both pretty much have the same features and m performance parts. Apart from parts that are unique to each car (adaptive suspension). 330i comes with M- Performance exhust. And they both cost the same at around $79,000 AUD.

In my decision, I am factoring in resell value. And I'm just thinking that since batteries degrade, a car with batteries would degrade in value much faster than a 100% petrol driven car and Australia's slow adoption to electric vehicles. What do you guys think? I understand you guys predict the future.

Driving to work in a electric mode would be great, but for the reason above I'm a bit wary, of buying one.

What would you guys choose?


330I
https://www.carsales.com.au/demo/det...3733985/?Cr=37

330e
https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/d...14148331/?Cr=7

[SteveinArizona]

Both cars show the exact same mileage which seems highly improbable. I would be concerned about both cars in terms of why they are back on the market so quickly. Did the previous owner have problems? Are they lemons or near lemons?

[RoundelM3]

Don't buy a hybrid...waste of money. Battery technology isn't where it needs to be yet, adds weight, and doesn't really give you any advantage.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by roundel335

Don't buy a hybrid...waste of money. Battery technology isn't where it needs to be yet, adds weight, and doesn't really give you any advantage.

While I agree that there is much to be achieved in the future...I disagree about the comment. There can be many reasons to buy a hybrid -- better fuel economy, less pollution, more torque.

Not accounting for the electricity I put into my car most evenings from the plug, I have been getting a low of 34 mpg when I did a trip to a far city and only plugged in once for 260 miles and I have been getting 45-55 mpg driving around the city.

There can also be other reasons in various jurisdictions such as access to the high occupancy vehicle lanes (e.g., me), lower taxes, preferred parking, etc.

Yes...it does add weight but it also adds torque.

You could make the same comment about a pure ICE BMW. Further advancements are yet to be made.

[Noble-]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

Both cars show the exact same mileage which seems highly improbable. I would be concerned about both cars in terms of why they are back on the market so quickly. Did the previous owner have problems? Are they lemons or near lemons?

Sorry, I linked to the same car twice (330e).


The 330i is a demonstrator and the 330e is a "premium selection". So I should inquire about that.

[uncleruckus]

I was just reading the other thread (this thread as well) reviewing 330e and the owners seem to really enjoy like them.

Unfortunately, I haven't driven either so I cannot comment. My suggestion is to test drive both and base your decision off of that..... not the greatest advice, but that's what I would do!

[Noble-]

Originally Posted by uncleruckus

I was just reading the other thread (this thread as well) reviewing 330e and the owners seem to really enjoy like them.

Unfortunately, I haven't driven either so I cannot comment. My suggestion is to test drive both and base your decision off of that..... not the greatest advice, but that's what I would do!

Yes, that's true. Planning to test drive both on the weekend.

I guess in the end it's what I enjoy the most between the two.

[Octavius]

I have the 330e, and here are my thoughts: The 330e, has tax and price incentives by being a PHEV. This alone should make the vehicle near the same price as the 330i, but it depends on your market. If you don't plug in the 330e every day, then you really aren't getting much more in the way of fuel savings vs the 330i. I do like how the 330e is very quiet though when it uses the electric motor in hybrid mode. The downside of the 330e is that it's not available in xDrive, and you lose a bit of Trunk storage space due to the battery.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by Octavius

I have the 330e, and here are my thoughts: The 330e, has tax and price incentives by being a PHEV. This alone should make the vehicle near the same price as the 330i, but it depends on your market. If you don't plug in the 330e every day, then you really aren't getting much more in the way of fuel savings vs the 330i. I do like how the 330e is very quiet though when it uses the electric motor in hybrid mode. The downside of the 330e is that it's not available in xDrive, and you lose a bit of Trunk storage space due to the battery.

Correct. But you lose height in the trunk, not width or depth. And you don't have stop/start on the 330e.

[hybris]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

Correct. But you lose height in the trunk, not width or depth. And you don't have stop/start on the 330e.

Just to correct this statement since it's the final post of this thread: 330e does indeed have start/stop.

[MrMarvin]

Originally Posted by hybris

Just to correct this statement since it's the final post of this thread: 330e does indeed have start/stop.

And not to mention it's pretty sweet to have the car start rolling before the petrol engine starts, no start stop delay here!

[SteveinArizona]

And very cool to have torque at 25% greater number than hp (310 vs. 250 whereas most cars have a torque number significantly below the hp number). The only time I have been left behind at a light or stop sign is when I choose to meander.

[SteveinArizona]

Depending on your weather, the ability of the 330e to turn on the heat or AC remotely via the phone app can be very important. I live in Phoenix where the temperature most summer days is greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit and I would not want to give up this feature. My car was in for service for almost two weeks and I had a 320i as a loaner and I really missed this feature of the 330e.

Some cars have remote start which would also start the AC if the AC was left on but BMW doesn't offer remote start.

So if your temperatures are very hot or very cold, that alone could be a decisive factor.

[Amit Gupta]

Originally Posted by MrMarvin

And not to mention it's pretty sweet to have the car start rolling before the petrol engine starts, no start stop delay here!

Hi..does 330e m sport hybrid got auto start and stop feature too. I tried to search but could not fintd any button.

[MrMarvin]

Originally Posted by Amit Gupta

Hi..does 330e m sport hybrid got auto start and stop feature too. I tried to search but could not fintd any button.

The 330e does start and stop, but the only option to turn it off is to flip the gearlever into S.

[spuntyb]

Can you throw a tune on the 330e? I'm biased towards performance, so that would be my deciding factor.

[MrMarvin]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Can you throw a tune on the 330e? I'm biased towards performance, so that would be my deciding factor.

I shall say no more...

http://www.venturatuning.nl/chiptuni...2-pk-phev.html

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by MrMarvin

I shall say no more...

http://www.venturatuning.nl/chiptuni...2-pk-phev.html

Awesome, thanks!

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by Amit Gupta

Hi..does 330e m sport hybrid got auto start and stop feature too. I tried to search but could not fintd any button.

It does stop and start but I don't notice it. The car continues to move slowly forward if you don't hold your foot on the brake but that is the electric motor. When you leave a stop sign or a red light, the electric motor usually starts you off and I never notice the gas motor starting.

So technically you have stop/start if by that you mean does the gas engine stop and start. But if you mean that the car motors stop until you step on the gas, then the 330e doesn't have stop/start. And with the instant torque, I never am left behind at a red light.

[ibimmer954]

The big difference on the 330e is that there isn't a starter motor on the engine. The electric motor becomes the "starter". Starting and shutting down the engine is silent unlike the gas powered BMWs.

[Calvin36]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

And very cool to have torque at 25% greater number than hp (310 vs. 250 whereas most cars have a torque number significantly below the hp number). The only time I have been left behind at a light or stop sign is when I choose to meander.

My 335i has a nice balance at around 300 and 300.

[MrMarvin]

Originally Posted by ibimmer346

The big difference on the 330e is that there isn't a starter motor on the engine. The electric motor becomes the "starter". Starting and shutting down the engine is silent unlike the gas powered BMWs.

There is actually a starter, you can hear it crank the engine but it's really quiet and really fast. You can hear it if you are standing still in D and drop the gearbox to S.