[marksandygill]

Originally Posted by DavidXJ

They will be most attractive. What a fantastic variant of the G80 that is—or was. But having owned one, I began to notice I was alone in the world: I hardly see any 330is around; the roads are predictably dominated instead by the 330e, and I guess it was only a matter of time before BMW pulled the plug on its properly propelled sibling... What a shame. One cannot help supposing that the company-car-compliant halfway house of hybrid drivetrains guaranteed the fate this seriously dynamic model.

When I first had a 330e I felt it was a compromise, I quickly realised it actually had the best features of the 330i, 330d and 320d!

I went from filling my 320d twice a month to once a month with the 330e, bearing in mind petrol and electricity are still both cheaper than diesel.

Even on a long 300 mile trip, without charging the battery I managed 45mpg in total.

It had more than enough power and in a straight line with xtraboost should have the 330i for acceleration

Not only that but it will preheat or cool itself like any other EV in the summer/winter!

Only downside was the boot size, but other than that of all the BMWs I or my wife have owned, it's the only one I missed!

[paulockenden]

Originally Posted by marksandygill

Only downside was the boot size, but other than that of all the BMWs I or my wife have owned, it's the only one I missed!

G21 fixes the boot problem!

[thescouselander]

Originally Posted by marksandygill

When I first had a 330e I felt it was a compromise, I quickly realised it actually had the best features of the 330i, 330d and 320d!

I went from filling my 320d twice a month to once a month with the 330e, bearing in mind petrol and electricity are still both cheaper than diesel.

Even on a long 300 mile trip, without charging the battery I managed 45mpg in total.

It had more than enough power and in a straight line with xtraboost should have the 330i for acceleration

Not only that but it will preheat or cool itself like any other EV in the summer/winter!

Only downside was the boot size, but other than that of all the BMWs I or my wife have owned, it's the only one I missed!

That's not great MPG. I could easily get that in my 330i and often get even better plus no boot space lost.

[willougs]

Originally Posted by thescouselander

That's not great MPG. I could easily get that in my 330i and often get even better plus no boot space lost.

I don't think it was claimed to be great MPG.
I think the point was that even when having to use on long trips the MPG is reasonable

Lots on here think the 330e makes no sense but it really all depends on your use.
For me the 330e makes sense (for now) as I tend to do loads of small trips and have access to free/cheap charging. So my average MPG is really really good, as I hardly use any petrol. Plus it's plenty quick enough for me and right now is heating itself up ready for when I leave for work.
Boot space is tiny though... but 99% of the time it's empty apart from a charging cable.

It probably wouldn't be a great choice if you travelled the country every day with golf clubs and pushchairs in the boot. Then I'd get a 320d.

[Isow]

I’ve been very happy with the engine in my 330i.
Relatively quiet and economical on a run.
Maybe BMW have developed an even more efficient engine
and will launch it shortly.
My 330i will be 4 years old in March. It has been the best car
I have ever owned.
I ordered a high spec car through an internet broker with a
good discount . BMW were throwing in a free technology pack
for the MSport model at the time.
Small discounts if any nowadays and a much more expensive
car than 4 years ago.
It doesn’t enter my head to look for a replacement at the present
time.

[Matrixsenior]

Originally Posted by Rhino at Work

Hope you're right (not that I'm planning to sell anytime soon).

I agree!

[thescouselander]

Originally Posted by Isow

I’ve been very happy with the engine in my 330i.
Relatively quiet and economical on a run.
Maybe BMW have developed an even more efficient engine
and will launch it shortly.
My 330i will be 4 years old in March. It has been the best car
I have ever owned.
I ordered a high spec car through an internet broker with a
good discount . BMW were throwing in a free technology pack
for the MSport model at the time.
Small discounts if any nowadays and a much more expensive
car than 4 years ago.
It doesn’t enter my head to look for a replacement at the present
time.

I think this is probably about the 50% reduction in drive train variants that was announced a while back. BMW probably decided to keep the 20i variant because that sells the most.

I'm also happy with my 330i which I also got at a good spec and price. Looking at what BMW are offering now there's nothing available that I'd consider as a replacement because of the costs and specifications available. I highly suspect my next car won't be a BMW.

[marksandygill]

Problem I guess BMW (and most car makers have) is that an electric car with a few different power levels can replace a multitude of petrol and diesel engines, all of which cost money to research!

If the demand isn't there then why would they research and produce ICE cars aimed at what is becoming a niche market?!

To put it another way, if there was a proper electric 3 series available in the UK, it would probably account for what 80-90% of sales?!

[B6WAF]

Originally Posted by marksandygill

if there was a proper electric 3 series available in the UK, it would probably account for what 80-90% of sales?!

I'll be one of the remaining 10-20% with an ICE until they drag me out of it kicking and screaming !!

[RichardM]

Originally Posted by marksandygill

Problem I guess BMW (and most car makers have) is that an electric car with a few different power levels can replace a multitude of petrol and diesel engines, all of which cost money to research!

If the demand isn't there then why would they research and produce ICE cars aimed at what is becoming a niche market?!

To put it another way, if there was a proper electric 3 series available in the UK, it would probably account for what 80-90% of sales?!

But BMW already do similar by using the B48 engine in multiple configuration/power outputs, 320i, 330e, 330i etc

[marksandygill]

Originally Posted by RichardM

But BMW already do similar by using the B48 engine in multiple configuration/power outputs, 320i, 330e, 330i etc

They do, and they share engines between models which helps

But the point is that they have to research/improve the B38, B38, B47, B48, B57, B58, not to mention the M models etc, all for different cars in different states of tune!

I don't want an electric car right now, but I can see how they make sense financially over ICE cars for manufacturers!

[Jabba1980]

Successfully collected the new 330i touring in March. I was told that i got the last ever 330i build slot allocated to a UK dealer. Not sure how true that is…but loving the car.

[DavidXJ]

Originally Posted by Jabba1980

Successfully collected the new 330i touring in March. I was told that i got the last ever 330i build slot allocated to a UK dealer. Not sure how true that is…but loving the car.

Belated congratulations. Enjoy it. What a desirable and distinguished model that'll continue to be in a few years!

[Jabba1980]

Originally Posted by DavidXJ

Belated congratulations. Enjoy it. What a desirable and distinguished model that'll continue to be in a few years!

I hope so!