BMW 330e

carsfan2

As someone whe went m sport on mine have to disagree re the sport v m sport debate!
Love the look of the car and think it is much more appealing plus the steering wheel is lovely to look at and hold. M sport has led head lights as standard now which are over a grand on sport so that narrows the gap slightly re price.

Great car really enjoying mine as I hope are others.

bazz26

carsfan2 wrote: »

As someone whe went m sport on mine have to disagree re the sport v m sport debate!
Love the look of the car and think it is much more appealing plus the steering wheel is lovely to look at and hold. M sport has led head lights as standard now which are over a grand on sport so that narrows the gap slightly re price.

Great car really enjoying mine as I hope are others.

How are you finding it so far? How is the plug in range versus filling up with fuel working out for you?

carsfan2

I find the car great so far Bazz. Very smooth and fast when required.
I didn't buy it for economy reasons primarily and don't drive to maximise this. I leave it in comfort mode and auto e drive where the car decides what mode you're in. With that I return 75 to 80 mpg on a daily basis covering 80 to 120 Km daily of mixed driving and starting with full battery every day. If I drive in Eco mode and actively changed settings I could improve this.
Car is very rapid when you put your foot down. Would not be a car for pounding the motorways as diesel would be better for longer trips. Boot is a bit smaller than regular 3 series but that's not an issue for me.
I reckon it's a performance car bargain at the moment with very little downside.

bazz26

Thanks.

Do you find you have to fill up on petrol much? I heard the fuel tank is very small and range on petrol is quite short on them too.

MaceFace

bazz26 wrote: »

Thanks.

Do you find you have to fill up on petrol much? I heard the fuel tank is very small and range on petrol is quite short on them too.

It all depends on how much you drive on electric. If I remember, when I fill up, the computer reports a range just over 600km (full charge). If I also remember, the tank capacity is 41 litres.

Very subjective as depends on how often you charge and the type of driving you do (dual carriageway or city driving).
What I can say is that I am not filling up any more than I would have in my Mondeo which had a much bigger tank.

carsfan2

Fuel tank is 41 litres where as my golf that I traded in had a 50 litre if I recall and I think I had to ferrule that more often.
Because you're charging the car too the range is going up and not dropping much. If you never charge I reckon you would get low to mid forties mpg and then you would be refuelling more no doubt.

They seem to be selling well as I believe there is no more allocation available to order for this year according to where I bought.

bazz26

Thanks, won't be buying in the short term anyway as I only changed to my F10 last March and very unlikely to be buying brand new either when I do change. Hopefully there will be a few on the used market by then and also see how they fair in that time for real world reliability.

Will probably be looking to downsize to a smaller car either way so a 3 Series is on my wish list and the power on offer in the 330e appeals if it suits my driving. My annual mileage is down to about 22k km these days which consists of mostly daily motorway/n roads 40k km commutes to and from work along with a few similar length daily trips pottering about. My workplace also having free charging points during the day so it's certainly something I will be looking into closely when the time comes.

Foreign Sports

carsfan2 wrote: »

I find the car great so far Bazz. Very smooth and fast when required.
I didn't buy it for economy reasons primarily and don't drive to maximise this. I leave it in comfort mode and auto e drive where the car decides what mode you're in. With that I return 75 to 80 mpg on a daily basis covering 80 to 120 Km daily of mixed driving and starting with full battery every day. If I drive in Eco mode and actively changed settings I could improve this.
Car is very rapid when you put your foot down. Would not be a car for pounding the motorways as diesel would be better for longer trips. Boot is a bit smaller than regular 3 series but that's not an issue for me.
I reckon it's a performance car bargain at the moment with very little downside.

I presume you're not missing the GTI?

How does the 330e handle compared to the GTI as the GTI ride / handling is one of my favourite aspects of the car.

Ron Burgundy II

Any photos?

carsfan2

Not hugely missing the golf as great car as it is I never loved it. Really prefer the low seating position in the 3 as opposed to the golf where I always felt too high up.The ride is very good. I have 19" alloys on run flats with m sport suspension and was a bit worried it might be rock hard but it's grand and easily as supple as the golf gti generally. BMW have improved things considerably over earlier efforts. Car is not as chuck able as golf gti which is exceptionally good fun in the twisties.
Being rear wheel drive it is different in that with the golf and the front differential you could put your foot down in a bend and it pulled you around. The BMW gives a different push round the bend but is fun too.

I am having the car detailed soon and will put up pics then if I can.

catharsis

For those that way inclined - the '320i' motor in the 330e is the same 2l motor as in the 330i , with a different factory tune.

for EUR695 one can get a tuning 'piggyback' from venturatuning(DOT)nl which puts the power and torque both at/above stock 340i territory :-)

The new BMW 330e 252 hp is equipped with the latest B48 engine from BMW. The 2.0-liter turbo is equipped with the latest technology and intercooler in the intake manifold so that the motor response is a lot better compared to the previous N20 engine. ....... Chiptuning BMW 330e 252 hp BMW 330e is much sportier, actually we make the engine a 330i and you have the electrical power as a bonus.

Measured results 343 HP and 527 NM torque , However this must be corrected Because during the test the gas is released at 225 KM / hour at That Time starts charging batteries with excess energy deployment .that extra energy resistance is seen by the dynamometer as an additional increasement or Horsepower and a slight increasement or torgue. After correction we have left 312 HP and 518 NM torque , and That Means a lot of Fun.

The slight Undulation in the top of the Horsepower occurred Because the car is Measured in fifth gear, Instead of the normally used 4 gear. In fourth gear we get here wheelspin at 180 KM-H.

Sounds absolutely bonkers , not my cup of tea but in case others are interested

(BTW carsfan2 yes, LED lights do come with the M-Sport as standard - and these (or the adaptive versions) are an absolute MUST IMO.)

digiman

What are people's thoughts on LED lights vs Xenons?

I personally think the DRL on the Xenons are stunning and I'm not a huge fan of the DRL on the LEDs, they are just 2 dots on each side. I always think seeing the Xenons in the rear view mirror always look really impressive.

I just want them to bring out a 4GC electric model, that I would probably change for.

carsfan2

The facelift 3 series has those two dots of led as the day running lights for the regular halogen headlights whereas the led headlights which replaced the Xenons have running lights similar to the previous Xenons with the addition of a horizontal line of light towards the grille and look equally as good as before.
I agree those two dots on the regular lights look rubbish.

You don't get headlight washers with the led lights now where you did with the Xenons. I think Xenons need them under eu law where LEDs don't.

digiman

carsfan2 wrote: »

The facelift 3 series has those two dots of led as the day running lights for the regular halogen headlights whereas the led headlights which replaced the Xenons have running lights similar to the previous Xenons with the addition of a horizontal line of light towards the grille and look equally as good as before.
I agree those two dots on the regular lights look rubbish.

You don't get headlight washers with the led lights now where you did with the Xenons. I think Xenons need them under eu law where LEDs don't.

Ah, that's good. I had assumed that those 2 dots were on the new LEDs, that's great to hear as would really have put me off them.

it's amazing how much I hate normal yellow looking lights on cars these days, they just look so horrible but would never have noticed until the whiter lights came out. They make such a difference to cars

carsfan2

I've done just on 2000km in my 330e and so would say I'm well used to it at this stage.
Plus points are many.
Very refined: super quiet on electric and petrol engine is very smooth.
Quick: rapid in comfort mode and very fast in sport where you have combined electric and petrol power all the time. In comfort the electric gives a boost of torque when you put the foot down while running under petrol power and gives a shove in the back. I only put the car in Eco mode if I'm in town and want to poodle around on electric only to stretch the battery power.
Comfort: I find the ride very good on 19" run flats. Way better than previous BMW cars with similar rubber. Seats and driving position excellent.
Handling: excellent, it's a 3 series and maybe I'm a crap driver but I can't feel the batteries impacting at all. If anything it handles better than my 2013 330d did which always felt very nose heavy on account of the 3 litre lump up front.
Economy: my long term average is 62mpg. I plug the car in at night and drive between 70 and 80 km on work days and less on weekends. Main commute is on primary roads with some town driving too. I don't drive slowly or trying to eek out higher fuel returns but I'm not a hooligan either.
Not spectacular figures in my view but in view of the performance and refinement of the car I'm happy. There is great satisfaction on drives when I'm just going around town and can do it all on electric. Range is about 20 miles all electric in my use in urban driving. Car is working out a lot cheaper to run than my previous golf gti.
I guess a 3/520d would be no more expensive to run for me but not as nice to drive or as fast but if I was taking more long journeys would be cheaper again.
Media system/HK surround sound all excellent.

Negatives
Manual handbrake: I know some love a lever handbrake but I find it a backwards step in a car as advanced and modern feeling as this. I bet the next generation 3 series ditches this.
Seat controls: the manual seats are adjustable with awkward levers that are a pain. The height especially. If you want to raise the seat you almost have to jump yourself up while at the same time tugging the lever. I was too cheap to pay for electric seats but other manufacturers manage to make good manual seat controls.
Fuel tank size: 41 litres is not big and if you don't charge the car regularly you could be refilling a lot. Not an issue for me thankfully. The tank is pressurised so you have to press a release button and wait for it to depressurise before opening and if you try to open while not depressurised it locks up and has to be released with an emergency cord through the boot. I've seen this on you tube and looks a potential pita.
Boot size: the batteries reduce the size of the boot which could be an issue but it's still bigger than the boot in my golf so fine for me. BMW charge extra for folding seats which is mean however but par for the course.
Struggling to think of any other negatives really.

All in all a really good car and I'm more than happy but definitely plug in hybrids really only suit specific users.
Any other users care to share any feedback?

MaceFace

I've done about 3500 kms in mine with a mix of short and some very long runs.
I echo everything you said and would add...

I love the msport steering wheel. Coupled with the performance and handling it is great fun.

I still get excited when I approach the car knowing it will be enjoyable. Today, I overlook two mercs on the Dundrum northbound m50 entrance. If you don't know it, it's a good incline and even in comfort mode it just pulled away without any effort.

I don't get bothered by the seats I never have to change so I'm happy with manual controls for now.

Charging: I only charge at home and takes some getting used to, plugging it in when I get home. Not as simple as running in the house particularly when it's raining.

Boot is small, but coming from a Mondeo, all boots are small.

One thing that is bugging me is left for position. The front footwell curves in from the centre towards the pedals. I don't know if this is a 3 series thing or just 330e specific, but I find the foot position uncomfortable.

I also find it lacking in places to put sun glasses and coins, but again, it's probably the same on similar models.

I'm getting about 68mpg on 70km round trips motorway and national roads.

Finally, I've concluded that while you will get equally or more performance cars than the 330e, the value this thing offers is very hard to beat. Also, the beautiful silence compared to diesels, it really is an all round fantastic package.

stesaurus

Have you done any public charging at all? How did you find that aspect.

Voodoomelon

Great reviews. 20 miles on electric is pretty poor, did they not advertise something like 48km on electric alone?

carsfan2

BMW claim a range of 35 km on pure electric.
My car usually shows 31/32 km range when fully charged however.
I've never used a public charge point. I only have the BMW supplied 3 pin plug charger.

Moe1013

Very interested in this car. Getting it for the night this week. I'm presuming you guys are going to get the free esb charger at home? Or does the normal plug and outdoor socket suffice?

One of the benefits I foresee is the public charge points almost inevitably are in a good place in the car parks... Saving a walk and possibly scratches, dents etc.

Anyone have views on the mineral white colour? Worth the extra over the normal white? Having that sport/ msport dilemma too. Questions, questions..!

Voodoomelon

carsfan2 wrote: »

BMW claim a range of 35 km on pure electric.
My car usually shows 31/32 km range when fully charged however.
I've never used a public charge point. I only have the BMW supplied 3 pin plug charger.

Interesting. They changed their tune, i'm 99% I had official BMW documentation with 48km+ on it on electric alone. That's a shame, I knew it wouldn't get close to official figures, but I thought 40km+ easy.

mickdw

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Interesting. They changed their tune, i'm 99% I had official BMW documentation with 48km+ on it on electric alone. That's a shame, I knew it wouldn't get close to official figures, but I thought 40km+ easy.

I don't remember anything saying 48 km.
22 miles I've had in my head from start.

Voodoomelon

Seems we're both wrong, this is from their 330e bulletin from March:

"MAX eDrive mode is a unique feature to the 330e PHEV Saloon model and allows up to 41 kilometres of driving at speeds of up to 121km/h. "

CO2 for the M-Sport is 49g, maybe that's the figure I saw.

MaceFace

s.welstead wrote: »

Have you done any public charging at all? How did you find that aspect.

I used it a few times in the local supermarket. The charging station appeared to be not working once. I am not a fan of leaving the charging flap open, just out of fear of local scallies. The charging spaces are often in demand, and last time, there was a non-electric vehicle parked in one of the spots.
I've charged it in work as well with the 3-pin plug. Nothing exciting to add - it charges...

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Great reviews. 20 miles on electric is pretty poor, did they not advertise something like 48km on electric alone?

On a full charge, mine reports a range of 28km but very quickly goes down to 25km (not 3kms later). However, the regenerative process can be quite beneficial. On yesterdays commute, I had something like 19km to go, and a range of 18km, so I stuck it in Eco Pro and Max eDrive to see how much I could squeeze out. I got home with 3km range to spare.

Moe1013 wrote: »

Very interested in this car. Getting it for the night this week. I'm presuming you guys are going to get the free esb charger at home? Or does the normal plug and outdoor socket suffice?

One of the benefits I foresee is the public charge points almost inevitably are in a good place in the car parks... Saving a walk and possibly scratches, dents etc.

Anyone have views on the mineral white colour? Worth the extra over the normal white? Having that sport/ msport dilemma too. Questions, questions..!

I have the free charger and it's great. I have it on the front of my house and it doesn't look out of place. A neighbor thought there was a new broadband provider in the area??? You do need the fast charging cable as an extra but hey ho...

carsfan2

I test drove a sport model in mineral white. You can't get m sport in that colour I don't think only regular white.
The mineral has metallic flecks in it but still wouldn't be for me.
I would put my money towards an m sport in white as its no cost option and I think m sport is better looking car.

Steve2016

Just a question on the 330e. From what i read from this and other threads, you can basically get a 330e M-sport for about 45k brand new after government rebate/grants etc. This is really excellent value for its performance which has pricked my interest as a regular beemer..maybe not new but certainly down the line for 2nd hand...my question is, how will second hand prices fare in 2 or 3 years time. What i mean is, will the government grant of 4k or whatever it is, be passed down to the 2nd hand buyer in full or in part do people think. For example, will its 2nd hand price after 3 years of say 60% or so be based on the price before or after the grants?

grogi

Steve2016 wrote: »

Just a question on the 330e. From what i read from this and other threads, you can basically get a 330e M-sport for about 45k brand new after government rebate/grants etc. This is really excellent value for its performance which has pricked my interest as a regular beemer..maybe not new but certainly down the line for 2nd hand...my question is, how will second hand prices fare in 2 or 3 years time. What i mean is, will the government grant of 4k or whatever it is, be passed down to the 2nd hand buyer in full or in part do people think. For example, will its 2nd hand price after 3 years of say 60% or so be based on the price before or after the grants?

Market forces, that's all. In other words - part of the grand will be passed down by the seller.

MaceFace

Steve2016 wrote: »

Just a question on the 330e. From what i read from this and other threads, you can basically get a 330e M-sport for about 45k brand new after government rebate/grants etc. This is really excellent value for its performance which has pricked my interest as a regular beemer..maybe not new but certainly down the line for 2nd hand...my question is, how will second hand prices fare in 2 or 3 years time. What i mean is, will the government grant of 4k or whatever it is, be passed down to the 2nd hand buyer in full or in part do people think. For example, will its 2nd hand price after 3 years of say 60% or so be based on the price before or after the grants?

I think it is very very difficult to say as you are talking about an emerging market that is developing fast. Key to this will be advances in battery technology. If BMW announce a 330e in 2 years with a 50 mile range, that may hold a lot of people off from the current version.

When it comes to the €7500 grant though, I don't see that impacting resale values - it will be passed on because the price of any second hard car is always relative to the new OTR price. Joe Duffy has ad's in the national papers for 330e's at €39k, a discount of 12k. Small print - that includes the grant.

I don't think anyone buying today has the resale value at the top of their minds, but maybe I'm wrong. Personally, I can see me holding on to mine for many years.

vintagevrs

The 2nd hand price will be relative to the new price at the time. If the new price at the time includes a grant this will lower the 2nd hand price accordingly. If the grant is scrapped it will make a newer one more expensive so residuals will be stronger.

cros13

BMW's plans so far seem to be a 540e early next year (same powertrain as the 740e). 430e and 530e are up in the air, I think maybe the 330e and 540e will fill the order books until at least late-2017.

BMW's stated goal is to hit an average range of 100km (NEDC?) on the battery for all the PHEVs in the range by 2020. Based on Samsung SDI's roadmap for BEV cells at least we have a capacity bump from 94Ah cells to 120-125Ah in a new smaller form factor. I'd imagine the PHEV variants of those cells will see a similar bump. So keeping pack size and weight the same, that looks achievable.

The new 3-series will hit next year and the rumor is that the board of management is soon to give the thumbs up or thumbs down on a 90kWh battery-electric 3-series based on next years platform that could take on the Tesla Model 3. The rumors are that it could hit volume production 2 model years after the new 3-series platform hits the road.

The big problem with all of these plans is where the f... BMW is going to get the batteries from. Every manufacturer (bar Tesla/Panasonic) is looking severely production constrained by either manufacturing or raw material availability. And whatever BMW gets their hands on will prompt some hard choices about which market they can serve and with what products. Obviously with more cells required for a BEV, outside of select markets that might be BMW's only medium term play.

carsfan2

Yeah it appears these type of cars are coming to the market from all the manufacturers thick and fast. I'd say diesel sales will slowly go down.
Where the batteries will come from is another story alright. BMW are apparently considering an all electric 3 for the next series to take on the tesla model 3 too.

I like this car so much I could see it being a keeper alright. Resale was a small concern when I bought but at the end of the day it's a frugal, fast , cheap to tax sporty BMW so should be not too shabby on the secondhand market.
The dealer was very bullish on secondhand values but he wants me to trade back in at 2.5 years when he says it will be sought after but that's in his interest,

Btw mace face I love the m sport steering wheel too.

grogi

carsfan2 wrote: »

Yeah it appears these type of cars are coming to the market from all the manufacturers thick and fast. I'd say diesel sales will slowly go down.

Renault sees the diesel disappearing from its cars by 2020.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-renault-diesel-exclusive-idUSKCN11C1MF

sligo_dave

After a lot of research and reading here about the 330e I finally placed my order for Jan 17 delivery this week. Now the wait begins. Hopefully all will be as good as it seems!

mickdw

I think the drive train is an excellent one and would suit me perfectly.
I'm looking towards a product other than 3 series though.
It is stonking value though.
I think mercedes are pitching their c350e at a higher price point altogether.

bazz26

sligo_dave wrote: »

After a lot of research and reading here about the 330e I finally placed my order for Jan 17 delivery this week. Now the wait begins. Hopefully all will be as good as it seems!

Which trim did you go for in the end? Put any options on it?

carsfan2

What spec did you go with Sligo Dave?
What you thinking mick dw?

sligo_dave

bazz26 wrote: »

Which trim did you go for in the end? Put any options on it?

I went for m sport in Estoril blue. Black leather, m sport plus pack with sun protection glass. Karmon/hardon sound system, upgraded alloys and brakes.

mickdw

carsfan2 wrote: »

What you thinking mick dw?

Don't know. Very slow to get any info on 530e or 4 series phev.
Would have gone for a passat gte as I'm very impressed with a new passat that we have here apart from the 1.6 diesel engine which is a disgrace. The gte has the wrong engine though in the 1.4 petrol.

bazz26

sligo_dave wrote: »

I went for m sport in Estoril blue. Black leather, m sport plus pack with sun protection glass. Karmon/hardon sound system, upgraded alloys and brakes.

Sounds nice, love the Estoril Blue.

sligo_dave

bazz26 wrote: »

Sounds nice, love the Estoril Blue.

Thanks. Yeah, i always think any BMW looks great in Estoril.

mickdw

sligo_dave wrote: »

I went for m sport in Estoril blue. Black leather, m sport plus pack with sun protection glass. Karmon/hardon sound system, upgraded alloys and brakes.

Sounds good.
I wasn't aware of a brake upgrade.

sligo_dave

mickdw wrote: »

Sounds good.
I wasn't aware of a brake upgrade.

It's part of the the m sport plus pack. Bigger discs and Estoril blue calipers.

digiman

Does someone on here have a Tanzanite Blue version? You were behind me on the M50 one morning this week and exited at Dundrum, car looked beautiful I must admit. It's my favourite BMW colour, EB2 is second!!

bazz26

Tanzanite Blue is quite rare and expensive. It's part of the Individual colours and costs about €2,500 extra afaik.

MaceFace

digiman wrote: »

Does someone on here have a Tanzanite Blue version? You were behind me on the M50 one morning this week and exited at Dundrum, car looked beautiful I must admit. It's my favourite BMW colour, EB2 is second!!

If that was about 7 am or so, it was probably me.

bmwguy

digiman wrote: »

Does someone on here have a Tanzanite Blue version? You were behind me on the M50 one morning this week and exited at Dundrum, car looked beautiful I must admit. It's my favourite BMW colour, EB2 is second!!

Just out of interest, if someone was behind you how would you spot a 330e? Is there any telltale markings over a petrol/diesel at the front?

I know there is a badge at the back and an extra fuel cap but is there anything else?

I was in looking at them earlier in the year and I was mad to get one but in the end I decided to leave my job and go out working on my own so I'll stick with the 525 for the moment as I don't think I'd get the finance now.

carsfan2

Tanzanite is about 1900 euro on 330e I think.

Lovely spec Sligo Dave. Hoe you got a good deal. Presume waiting period is still 12 to 16 weeks?

New builds now have blue highlights in the grille slats to identify from the front. Not sure if I would like that but can delete as no cost option. Think it's part of something called i performance exterior pack that can be deleted.

sligo_dave

carsfan2 wrote: »

Tanzanite is about 1900 euro on 330e I think.

Lovely spec Sligo Dave. Hoe you got a good deal. Presume waiting period is still 12 to 16 weeks?

New builds now have blue highlights in the grille slats to identify from the front. Not sure if I would like that but can delete as no cost option. Think it's part of something called i performance exterior pack that can be deleted.

I didn't see the blue highlighted grille but I'm changing the grille to full Matt black to get rid of the chrome trim anyway as well as full debadging to remove the edrive logos on front wings and c pillars.

Ordered for January and was promised it would be in by end of December, not sure but I think I heard mention that they have orders on the system already and just amend to spec.

mickdw

So do you guys who are owners charge every night at home?
What does the cost per month on the esb bill work out at in total?
I was looking into this and it seems there is additional standing charge also to get a night meter in.

VictorRomeo

Very close to pulling the trigger on one.... M-Sport Pro/Blue/Black Leather. I've established that cars gone into production from sometime in August will have the latest iDrive Nav System Pro v5 (assuming you order it!) - as in the interface from the new 7 Series (tho' not touch). Of note, Apple CarPlay is now an option(e300) too - had this confirmed by BMW Ireland. I'm getting conflicting info tho'.... I was told you also need the Enhanced Bluetooth/WLAN option - another e600 making it an expensive proposition. Anyone got anything more solid on this?