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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) General G20 Sedan / G22 Coupe / G26 Gran Coupe Discussions 330e "battery control" mode?

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      03-16-2020, 09:06 AM   #1
jonitfcfan
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Question 330e "battery control" mode?

Didn't know where else to post this, but I have a quick question about the battery control mode in the hybrid version of the 3 series (which I guess could equally apply to all plug-in hybrids) for anyone that knows or has tested it.

When battery control is engaged does the battery get charged at a constant rate while active, or does the charging speed vary depending on driving style (e.g. current speed, engine revs etc)?
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      03-16-2020, 10:05 AM   #2
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I think it simply preserves whatever percentage you set it at for later use.
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      03-16-2020, 11:43 AM   #3
jonitfcfan
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I understand that but I'm asking more about the speed of the charging itself when the system is actively charging the battery to your set level, e.g. how long would it take to recharge from (nearly) flat to 70% if you set the battery control to 100%, and would it take the same length of time regardless of how you drive?
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      03-17-2020, 01:56 AM   #4
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Logic says that to protect the battery there would be a max charge rate but I guess it might vary at lower speeds.
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      03-17-2020, 09:33 AM   #5
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Here is one report but it doesn't say whether the battery charges at a single rate no matter the speed or conditions:

Finally, there's Battery Control, which allows you to specify a state of charge percentage that you want the battery to maintain—anywhere from 30 to 100 percent. In this mode, the 530e will run on internal combustion alone if the battery is below the specified level, and it will use the electric motor as a generator to charge the battery. This is useful if you're going to be cruising at freeway speeds; I found the 530e was able to fully recharge the battery in the time it took to drive from downtown Washington, DC, to Dulles airport and back again (a roughly 60 mile round-trip at 55-60mph).
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      03-17-2020, 05:14 PM   #6
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If you tilt the gear stick to M/S it will charge faster vs keeping it on auto (when in battery control mode)
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      03-12-2021, 01:38 AM   #7
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With a daily round trip journey of 22 miles, how should I set my 330e op so I don't have to use any petrol?

My driving style for the daily commute is fairly laid back so no heavy use of the accelerator
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      03-12-2021, 03:41 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CMat330e View Post
With a daily round trip journey of 22 miles, how should I set my 330e op so I don't have to use any petrol?

My driving style for the daily commute is fairly laid back so no heavy use of the accelerator
I would say set to Electric mode then?

Hybrid mode will use petrol even if you are 'using' electric only since ICE would charge battery up to xx % that you set
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      03-12-2021, 08:45 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jedpause View Post
I would say set to Electric mode then?

Hybrid mode will use petrol even if you are 'using' electric only since ICE would charge battery up to xx % that you set
Exactly. And once you reach the end of the permitted battery usage, the ICE will start and the car will go into auto mode, So if you can do your trip in both directions using pure electric, then just put the car in that mode.

Using the car as a generator is less efficient than using the ICE and plugging in later. I only use mine that way in the summer when the temperature goes over 100 F and I am going to a golf course and want to preserve electrons for remotely starting the AC so the car will be comfortable when I get back to it.
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      03-13-2021, 06:20 AM   #10
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It may be my imagination, but in Battery Control mode, the fuel consumption increases. So much so i think Sports mode uses less fuel.

(I’d like to be corrected by somebody with facts instead of feelings)
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      03-13-2021, 06:27 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by :Jon: View Post
It may be my imagination, but in Battery Control mode, the fuel consumption increases. So much so i think Sports mode uses less fuel.

(I’d like to be corrected by somebody with facts instead of feelings)
Because it runs the engine to charge the battery
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      05-27-2021, 06:36 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jedpause View Post
Because it runs the engine to charge the battery
Is G20 330e's battery control mode worse than, say, Prius Prime's?

Prius Prime's gas tank is slightly bigger than 330e(11.3 vs. 10.6 gallons), but Prius Prime can go 640 miles vs. G20 330e's 350-ish miles(both full charge + full tank).

What does Prime do differently versus 330e?

Prime is 600-ish lbs lighter than 330e, is that the primary reason of reduced 330e range?
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      05-27-2021, 07:11 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bavarianride View Post
Is G20 330e's battery control mode worse than, say, Prius Prime's?

Prius Prime's gas tank is slightly bigger than 330e(11.3 vs. 10.6 gallons), but Prius Prime can go 640 miles vs. G20 330e's 350-ish miles(both full charge + full tank).

What does Prime do differently versus 330e?

Prime is 600-ish lbs lighter than 330e, is that the primary reason of reduced 330e range?
Yes and the transmission settings for the Prius which maximize efficiency and the much smaller electric motor.
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      05-27-2021, 07:30 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bavarianride View Post
Is G20 330e's battery control mode worse than, say, Prius Prime's?

Prius Prime's gas tank is slightly bigger than 330e(11.3 vs. 10.6 gallons), but Prius Prime can go 640 miles vs. G20 330e's 350-ish miles(both full charge + full tank).

What does Prime do differently versus 330e?

Prime is 600-ish lbs lighter than 330e, is that the primary reason of reduced 330e range?
Luxury car vs Economy car

The 330e has significantly more power, sound deadening, creature comforts, stiffer chassis, etc. Prius Prime was designed with efficiency as the top priority. The 330e was designed to be a luxury car first, with efficiency being a secondary objective.
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      05-27-2021, 08:03 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by madpistol View Post
Luxury car vs Economy car

The 330e has significantly more power, sound deadening, creature comforts, stiffer chassis, etc. Prius Prime was designed with efficiency as the top priority. The 330e was designed to be a luxury car first, with efficiency being a secondary objective.
330i driven in comfort mode can be quite efficient@40+mpg(eco mode can be more), yet has less power, same sound deadening + creature comfort + stiff chassis + performance + better handling, as 330e. A full tank can easily go 600+ miles.

Comparing Prius Prime, 330e, and 330i, it looks like 330i is a reasonable choice for a blend of comfort and competence(at the expense of gas-only).
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      05-27-2021, 08:08 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveinArizona View Post
Yes and the transmission settings for the Prius which maximize efficiency and the much smaller electric motor.
330e is electric motor(113HP?) is part of the ZF transmission(replacing TC),

I haven't seen any tech talk about Prime's electric motor@91HP(not too small), but its 0-60 in 11 seconds is not in the same class as 330e.
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      05-27-2021, 08:17 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bavarianride View Post
330i driven in comfort mode can be quite efficient@40+mpg(eco mode can be more), yet has less power, same sound deadening + creature comfort + stiff chassis + performance + better handling, as 330e. A full tank can easily go 600+ miles.

Comparing Prius Prime, 330e, and 330i, it looks like 330i is a reasonable choice for a blend of comfort and competence(at the expense of gas-only).
If you're only driving the car 20-30 miles per day and can recharge it each night, the 330e is easily the better car because it will hardly ever use any gas. Unfortunately, what make the 330e great is also its Achilles Heel; it has an extremely small gas tank, and once the batteries are depleted, you're stuck with the motor out of the 320i driving a car that is significantly heavier than a 320i.

The 330i, on the other hand, is already a very efficient gas car, has plenty of power, and tons of range.

The 330e only makes sense in a very specific set of circumstances. The 330i is a much more well rounded vehicle.
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      05-28-2021, 01:21 AM   #18
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Well, I think the 330e makes sense in many ways unless all your driving is made on longer distances. At least where I live.
You pay a lot less in tax, fuel consumption is great even with the occasional longer trip thrown into the mix and it feels a little like a classic inline 6 to drive since the electric assistance masks turbo lag and gives a lot of torque already from the start.

If you are able to charge at home then the economy is great, and no, it's not like a 320 when battery is depleted. You have a lot more torque and you should be able to cram out the 252hp even then, just no extraboost with 292hp.
I can at least not feel any difference even at the end of a long trip compared to the beginning. Then again, I don't live near an Autobahn so the battery will have a chance to recover somewhat during normal driving.

The only problem, and this is not an unsignificant issue, is the very limited trunk space. I really don't regret getting a 330e but a touring (G21) is of course much more practical.
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      05-28-2021, 10:20 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ovesund View Post
The only problem, and this is not an unsignificant issue, is the very limited trunk space. I really don't regret getting a 330e but a touring (G21) is of course much more practical.
A G21 touring with same engine + battery but extra 200lb(?) will further hurt efficiency(battery range/mpg) and 50/50, right?
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      05-30-2021, 11:57 PM   #20
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Well, sure, but it is still a much more usable car. And the extra weight is not that noticeable in the energy consumption.
It's still a lot better than anything that starts with an X in that regard
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      07-26-2021, 09:33 AM   #21
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In my experience, charging from zero to 100% takes about 50 minutes during highway driving. This is MUCH faster than using a charger. The engine is working harder too, and fuel consumption increases significantly. I tried doing the math once, and ended up with approx. 5 USD worth of petrol for a full charge. Especially during winter I like arriving with a full battery so that I can pre-heat the cabin before using the car, and this battery control feature is very handy.
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