BMW 330e

father-ted · 14 Feb 2021 at 12:05

Other cars on my work list:
X2 x-drive 25e m-sport
i3
Merc GLA 250e exclusive edition premium
Merc CLA 250e AMG line premium plus
Seat Leon 2.0tdi
Volkswagen Id3 pro performance
Volvo Xc40 Inscription Pro

father-ted · 14 Feb 2021 at 12:05

[TW]Fox said:
It's just mostly awful styling upgrades which either make the car look like you'd expect it to do in 12 years time with 8 previous owners (black trim everywhere) or ruin the ride quality (huge black wheels).

The non pro car is really nice looking. Tech pack is absolutely worth it, pro pack is not.

I dont get a choice, as work set the spec unfortunately

Jonnycoupe · 14 Feb 2021 at 12:50

father-ted said:
How do I get a grant for installing a charging point?
I could fit one to the side of my garage, for ease of use / futureproofing.

Check with your workplace and ask about the OLEV grant, note it’s recently changed to OZEV office. You’ll need an Annex I form and also confirmation you have a car on order for delivery within 4 months from the OZEV application date. Employer fleet manager again should be able to help give an expected date of the car delivery

https://www.gov.uk/government/colle...n-vehicles#electric-vehicle-homecharge-scheme

some installers will fill all the detail in on your behalf, it’s easier for them to process if you can show land registry details that the parking space is dedicated to the property and they will invoice based the grant being successful so the £350 will come off the price. Budget around £400-£600 for a simple install - after the grant. I’d push your employer to see if they are prepared to cover/contribute to the cost or even merge into monthly lease or SS deduction. A lot of guys I know with EV through Arval on salary sacrifice have opted to add £15 a month to the price to include chargers install.

Truth is with a PHEV a normal 3 pin plug could be sufficient to charge at 10A so will charge at 2.3kW.

father-ted · 14 Feb 2021 at 13:41

Ok helpul advice, thanks

[TW]Fox · 14 Feb 2021 at 13:48

father-ted said:
I dont get a choice, as work set the spec unfortunately

It would seem odd if the company mandates 20 inch wheels and styling that makes it look like you lent the car to an 18 year old, especially as they presumably are paying for the running costs.

Usually the non Pro editions are just listed separately on the car list.

Kenai · 14 Feb 2021 at 13:50

father-ted said:
Other cars on my work list:
X2 x-drive 25e m-sport
i3
Merc GLA 250e exclusive edition premium
Merc CLA 250e AMG line premium plus
Seat Leon 2.0tdi
Volkswagen Id3 pro performance
Volvo Xc40 Inscription Pro

For me, if that list is the entire selection, I wouldn't be considering anything other than the 330e.

Whilst the ID3 might be very cheap due to being a full EV, as a car I don't think it comes close to the quality you'll get from the BMW.

[TW]Fox · 14 Feb 2021 at 13:52

Kenai said:
For me, if that list is the entire selection, I wouldn't be considering anything other than the 330e.

The CLA is pretty good to be fair.

Journey · 14 Feb 2021 at 13:53

father-ted said:
Other cars on my work list:
X2 x-drive 25e m-sport
i3
Merc GLA 250e exclusive edition premium
Merc CLA 250e AMG line premium plus
Seat Leon 2.0tdi
Volkswagen Id3 pro performance
Volvo Xc40 Inscription Pro

From the list including the 330e, I'd be looking at the ID.3 as long as you don't mind a slight interior downgrade/style change from BMW, best go and look at one in a showroom car park if you can. The XC40 is supposed to be nice but I have no first hand experience of one so can't really comment further.

I see someone already answered the charge point questions, if you mainly do 70 miles per day, and will be able to charge at the office, you could be doing between 50-70 of those miles on full electric, which would work well with the PHEV MPG figures, but give you the range of the petrol as well. The ID.3 will easily cover you commutes on a single charge and you may even get away with not having to charge at home at all if you get a work place charge point installed.

Kenai · 14 Feb 2021 at 13:58

[TW]Fox said:
The CLA is pretty good to be fair.

It would also be cheaper as it achieves better BIK figures but still, don't think it'd pip the 330e for me

Clarkey · 14 Feb 2021 at 13:58

muon said:
I'm not saying there is zero advantage, but there is the hassle. Also you seen the power the car has in all electric mode? It's like 70hp, how much does a 330e weigh? Instant torque isn't that useful if there is hardly any of it.

It's more like 110bhp, and from memory the edrive motor delivers about 240nm torque from nothing. So in actual fact it feels a LOT more muscular pulling away than a turbocharged engine below it's boost threshold.

Seems like you are just backwards and looking for reasons not to like them though.

father-ted · 14 Feb 2021 at 14:11

Kenai said:
For me, if that list is the entire selection, I wouldn't be considering anything other than the 330e.

Whilst the ID3 might be very cheap due to being a full EV, as a car I don't think it comes close to the quality you'll get from the BMW.

I have looked at them all and the BMW, to me, seems the best option - both for looks and pratcicality

muon · 14 Feb 2021 at 14:13

Clarkey said:
It's more like 110bhp, and from memory the edrive motor delivers about 240nm torque from nothing. So in actual fact it feels a LOT more muscular pulling away than a turbocharged engine below it's boost threshold.

Seems like you are just backwards and looking for reasons not to like them though.

I'm not going backwards. Its something like 180hp + 70hp from the motors from memory as long as you ignore the brief boost it can do.

I dont know the torque but I'd be surprised if it was 240nm torque.

I reckon hardly anyone uses the electric only mode. A lot of people in this thread are giving unrealistic scenarios which I bet very few people actually use the car in. All to justify the the electric only range as meaningful.

I have no issue with the car, its a good hybrid used by many people, company cars (low BIK), private hire drivers (good economy with no congestion charge) etc.

Jonnycoupe · 14 Feb 2021 at 14:24

This muon guy is a classic case of guess work to fit the narrative aren’t you? Why on Earth do we need to rely on your recollection of paper facts... everyone has Google.

Clarkey, you have described your experience which he’s still got a different view on.

most bizzare.

muon · 14 Feb 2021 at 14:28

Jonnycoupe said:
This muon guy is a classic case of guess work to fit the narrative aren’t you? Why on Earth do we need to rely on your recollection of paper facts... everyone has Google.

Clarkey, you have described your experience which he’s still got a different view on.

most bizzare.

Clarkey drives a 330e in electric only mode regularly does he?

He hasn't at any stage claimed that. If he had I wouldn't be disputing what he does.

Right now we are still talking generally. I also don't need Google, I've looked at the 330e for several years and see it regularly in London as its a car that avoids the congestion charge and is quite popular.

[TW]Fox · 14 Feb 2021 at 14:31

muon said:
Clarkey drives a 330e in electric only mode regularly does he?

Clarkey owns a 530e, which is basically the same package...

muon · 14 Feb 2021 at 14:33

[TW]Fox said:
Clarkey owns a 530e, which is basically the same package...

If he says that he drives a 530e in electric only mode more often than not and finds that mode genuinely useful it isn't something I would dispute. If he however doesnt it corroborates what I've been saying.

Also it's useful if people give the context to their posts if it is relevant.

[TW]Fox · 14 Feb 2021 at 14:34

muon said:
If he says that he drives a 530e in electric only mode and finds that mode genuinely useful it isn't something I would dispute. If he however doesnt it corroborates what I've been saying.

What else do you think he's saying?! His car is a 530e - if he's talking about how good the electric motor is then it's presumably because he finds it good from the experience of having one parked on his drive :confused:

muon · 14 Feb 2021 at 14:37

[TW]Fox said:
What else do you think he's saying?! His car is a 530e - if he's talking about how good the electric motor is then it's presumably because he finds it good from the experience of having one parked on his drive

I never said the electric only mode has zero use. I said almost no one uses it, making it more of a gimmick. Now if he says he uses that mode regularly to save fuel, then that would be a fair statement to make which would contradict me. But how am I supposed to guess that.

Only you have told me he has a 530e.

Jonnycoupe · 14 Feb 2021 at 14:39

Indeed, stop guessing....

Journey · 14 Feb 2021 at 14:43

Can you just sod off and leave the thread, the OP has already stated they will be using the car as intended. You are just trashing the thread talking utter nonsense, or trolling at worst.