[pharding]

In 2 weeks, I'll be able to order a 330e here in the US. For those that purchased or leased the G20 330e in Europe or elsewhere, are you pleased with your 330e and would you do it again? Or would you go full-on electrification for a Tesla Model 3, perhaps?

My commute is 11 miles each way, I can charge my electrified vehicle for free all day long when it is parked for work. My new garage under construction will have 220 volts for rapid charging. I am idealistic enough that unlike Trumpenfuhrer I care about the environment and I would like to see humanity avoid extinction. I want to avoid having the descendants of my two wondeful grandchildren flying off to Mars to avoid mass extinction here on our small planet. I recognize that to do so they will have to pay Mars residency rights to Trump's descendants.

[SteveinArizona]

Are you a one car family? I am and that is why I am driving a 530e...range anxiety. Will you be able to charge a Tesla at your work site?

It sounds like a BEV would be a good idea for you. I would opt for a Tesla Model 3 except that I have a real problem with the display screen. Having to look to the side to see the speed, etc. bothers me. I would gladly pay an extra grand or two for a good HUD to compliment the big screen.

I drove for a bit behind a Jaguar IPace the other day. It looked sweet.

I see you currently have a 5 series. Before downsizing to a three series, or a Tesla Model 3, make sure that it fits you.

[ArchJR]

Originally Posted by pharding

In 2 weeks, I'll be able to order a 330e here in the US. For those that purchased or leased the G20 330e in Europe or elsewhere, are you pleased with your 330e and would you do it again? Or would you go full-on electrification for a Tesla Model 3, perhaps?

My commute is 11 miles each way, I can charge my electrified vehicle for free all day long when it is parked for work. My new garage under construction will have 220 volts for rapid charging. I am idealistic enough that unlike Trumpenfuhrer I care about the environment and I would like to see humanity avoid extinction. I want to avoid having the descendants of my two wondeful grandchildren flying off to Mars to avoid mass extinction here on our small planet. I recognize that to do so they will have to pay Mars residency rights to Trump's descendants.

I am considering the same choices to replace my 540i next year. I rented a 330i for a week and quite like it, especially how nimble and light it feels, and would consider "downgrading" to a 330e since the interior is close enough to luxury for me. This week I drove a Model 3 for a few days and am torn. I love the tech and can embrace the spare interior, but the ride quality is awful. It feels nothing like the Model S (with it's air suspension).

[pharding]

I am an architect. I value design and elegant craftsmanship. While I admire the innovation of the Tesla 3, its design and craftsmanship from my point of view is on the primitive side. That said I will test drive it today to just be fair and open minded.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by pharding

I am an architect. I value design and elegant craftsmanship. While I admire the innovation of the Tesla 3, its design and craftsmanship from my point of view is on the primitive side. That said I will test drive it today to just be fair and open minded.

Not to thread steal but I envy you. I would have loved to be an architect but I have no spatial relationships.

[pharding]

I test drove the Tesla 3 yesterday. It impressed me. It drove and handled well. With the sport steering setting the steering was actually better than my 540. The ride and handling were both very good. The cabin is spartan. Based upon my calculations the savings on energy would be $110 per month. The lease rates were poor compared to BMW and there were not any incentives or negotiations. Right now I am leaning toward the Tesla 3 but Ill wait for the 330e pricing before deciding.

[ArchJR]

Originally Posted by pharding

I test drove the Tesla 3 yesterday. It impressed me. It drove and handled well. With the sport steering setting the steering was actually better than my 540. The ride and handling were both very good. The cabin is spartan. Based upon my calculations the savings on energy would be $110 per month. The lease rates were poor compared to BMW and there were not any incentives or negotiations. Right now I am leaning toward the Tesla 3 but Ill wait for the 330e pricing before deciding.

Interesting. We're both architects with the same current car and replacement car contemplations. I will be curious to know what you decide.

I am surprised by your observations on the ride. My 540i with the passive MSport suspension on 20" wheels is rather firm, but to me the ride feels supple compared to that of the Model 3.

[pharding]

My first choice from an energy point of view is the Tesla Model 3. Black exterior with 19" BBS aftermarket wheels and tires, and de-chromed with 3M vinyl wrap. RWD Drive. $5,000 down. $492 per month lease. Minus energy cost savings of $110 per month. Plus $2500 for aftermarket wheels and tires plus de-chrome for $1,000. Equals $5,000 down and $480 per month. The wheels and dechrome skew the cost per month once that is included along with energy savings. Guestimate summary My first choice from an aesthetic point of view is 530e M Sport Black Sapphire Metallic Paint with Cognac Leather. Projected costs based upon 330ix financials and projected 330e cost. $6000 down, $565 per month minus projected $90 per month energy savings. $475 per month projected net. Lease terms for both 30,000 per year.

The other option is the Accord Touring 2.0T internal combustion engine. $4,000 down $470 per month including BBS aftermarket wheels.

I am leaning toward the BMW 330e xDrive. The aftermarket wheels and de-chroming of the Tesla skews things to the BMW. I will finalize the decision after the 330e lease pricing comes out in early March.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by pharding

My first choice from an energy point of view is the Tesla Model 3. Black exterior with 19" BBS aftermarket wheels and tires, and de-chromed with 3M vinyl wrap. RWD Drive. $5,000 down. $492 per month lease. Minus energy cost savings of $110 per month. Plus $2500 for aftermarket wheels and tires plus de-chrome for $1,000. Equals $5,000 down and $480 per month. The wheels and dechrome skew the cost per month once that is included along with energy savings. Guestimate summary My first choice from an aesthetic point of view is 530e M Sport Black Sapphire Metallic Paint with Cognac Leather. Projected costs based upon 330ix financials and projected 330e cost. $6000 down, $565 per month minus projected $90 per month energy savings. $475 per month projected net. Lease terms for both 30,000 per year.

The other option is the Accord Touring 2.0T internal combustion engine. $4,000 down $470 per month including BBS aftermarket wheels.

I am leaning toward the BMW 330e xDrive. The aftermarket wheels and de-chroming of the Tesla skews things to the BMW. I will finalize the decision after the 330e lease pricing comes out in early March.

My biggest problem with the 330e, and what drove me to the 530e, was the Dakota leather. Opinions vary and everyone has one but I don't like the Dakota leather and when I was making my purchase I didn't have time for an individual leather order.

I can tell you that while I would never object to more power, I have had adequate power on my old 330e and my current 530e including passing on a steep hill on a road with a 65 mph speed limit.

I had the msport suspension on my old 330e and my wife hated it, with a vengeance. That is part of the reason that I went for the dynamic suspension on my 530e. Make sure that you test drive the cars with anyone you care about who will be in the car often with the suspension and seats you are contemplating (yes...the forum is filled with folks who hated the seats they got while others loved the same seats).

[PHEVLady]

Pharding: Did you make a decision? I extended the lease on my F30 (MY2017) 330e while waiting for a G20 330e (MY2021) to become available in the US. I looked at the Tesla Model 3, but not a good fit for me. Tesla's financing is through 3rd-party vendors, so interest rate on lease or purchase through Tesla is likely to be higher than through BMW FS.

[joselrl]

I don't have a reliable way of charging everyday, so I went for the 330e over the model 3 (also it was a lot cheaper with company discount).

Tesla QA, post-sale service, and anti-consumer policies are all things that will keep me away from a Tesla buy for a long time.
That and an all touch screen interface. It can be the best touch screen ever, I want physical, easy to use buttons to change radios and climate while driving. Also one of the main reasons the Volvo S60 was not an option for me

[Vogal]

I tested the Tesla Model 3 too, but IMHO it lacks refinement and quality control. I choosen the 330e and in my daily commute, I'm very pleased with it.

On last 4000kms, I'm averaging 0.5l/100kms.

[sd_dracula]

Had the F30 330e and then got the G20 330e day one. Never had any problems with either.
I did look at the Model 3 as I wouldn't mind full electric but the interior build quality is not minimalist but plain laughable for the ridiculous starting price of the equivalent of over 50,000 USD here in Europe and that's with no options and government grant.
No instrument cluster fair enough, but no HUD in today's world? No thank you, I rather not move my head every time to check my speed and navigation.
The model S however was another story
If you spec everything on the G20 you'll be surprised of the autonomous driving capability

[tturedraider]

https://www.bmwblog.com/2020/06/24/t...iDvKbRqaoVwSQE

[ovesund]

I've had mine for a little more than 6 months now and I'm mostly happy with it. The infotainment is a little buggy at times but the latest update made things a lot better.

That said, if the G21 330e had been available when I got this I would have picked that instead due to the extremely limited trunk space.

But my range anxiety has dimished somewhat after driving this so my next car might very well be be a BEV. It will be interesting to see what BMW has to offer when it's time to get a new one 2,5 years from now.

[ams3141]

I have an F30 330e, and love the car overall. I have an extremely short commute (3 miles one-way, that's before COVID stopped me from going into the office), and my office has a couple Level II chargers that I would use to charge. I rarely use gas unless taking a longer road trip of course or running multiple errands in colder weather.

The best aspect of the car is that flexibility- to use fuel or not for driving around town. The car does really well in stop/go traffic as it runs on the battery, then uses the ICE for longer trips. I prefer that combination while the electric charging network is still limited in some areas in the US (particularly areas where I would be visiting relatives for example), and the charging times are still longer than what it takes to refuel. I also don't have a plug at home (apartment complex), so I don't have to worry about charging with the ICE. That has so far prevented me from seriously considering a model 3 or other BEV.

I was seriously considering the G20 330e, but have found with COVID that the production allocations are almost non-existent, not to mention lease deals are not great. The extra range over the F30 would be nice (that's the biggest negative with the F30 I've found), but I'm probably going to wait a few years, and buyout my car in the meantime.