BMW

BMW 3 SERIES SALOON 330e xDrive M Sport 4dr Step Auto [Tech/Pro Pack]

Fuel

FuelPetrol/PlugIn Elec Hybrid

Transmission

TransmissionAutomatic

Acceleration

0 - 62 mph5.8s

EC Combined (mpg)

EC Combined-

With BMW's plug-in hybrid petrol/electric 330e model, the conventional 320i variant's 184hp 2.0-litre petrol engine has been matched with an electric motor and a larger battery to create quite a package. There's the choice of either a saloon or a Touring estate and both can be specified with an xDrive powertrain. And this updated model range gains smarter looks and gets a much more sophisticated cabin.

CLEAN MACHINE

The 330e Plug-in hybrid is the technological flagship of BMW's improved 3 Series line-up. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

With BMW's plug-in hybrid petrol/electric 330e model, the conventional 320i variant's 184hp 2.0-litre petrol engine has been matched with an electric motor and a larger battery to create quite a package. There's the choice of either a saloon or a Touring estate and both can be specified with an xDrive powertrain. And this updated model range gains smarter looks and gets a much more sophisticated cabin.

Background

Not everyone wanting futuristic engine technology wants their car to also look futuristic. To look like BMW's iX for instance. If you're buying from this Bavarian brand and want a petrol/electric powerplant, the 330e Plug-in hybrid offers a more subtle way to go. You get 37.3 miles of all-electric driving range when the car's charged up, which enables the creation of some impressive overall stats - up to 217.3mpg on the WLTP combined cycle and as little as 30g/km of WLTP-rated CO2. Those figures fall only fractionally with the Touring estate body style. Take some time to understand BMW's thinking here and it's hard not to be impressed.

Driving Experience

With this mid-term update, nothing about the engineering of this 330e has changed; but nothing really needed to. At its original launch, this 'G20'-era 330e Plug-in hybrid model took a big step forward over its previous generation predecessor, the main difference being the measurement of all-electric driving range. This was rated at only 21 miles in the previous generation 3 Series plug-in but in this current 330e design, the addition of a larger 12.0kWh battery increased the range up to around 39 miles of zero emissions motoring when fully-charged. In other words, if you've a pretty typical daily commute, you might never have to fuel up this car to complete it. As you might expect, this kind of cleverness comes courtesy of a very advanced powerplant indeed, in this case a combination of the 184bhp 2.0-litre petrol unit from the 320i mated to an electric motor incorporating an 'XtraBoost' function. This can increase power to as much as 292hp, reducing the 62mph sprint time to just 5.8s. The hybrid system's extra weight drops maximum speed slightly over that of the ordinary 320i, but it's still rated at 143mph. The brand's xDrive 4WD system is available on this variant.

Design and Build

This isn't the kind of Plug-in hybrid model you'll buy if you want to make an eco-statement. Unless you really know your BMWs, there's almost nothing to visually differentiate a 330e from any other 3 Series saloon unless you happen to spot the side panel charging flap. This enhanced model has had a useful visual update here for both Saloon and Touring estate body styles. If you know this 'G20'-series seventh generation design, you'll notice the updated front end, which offers slimmer LED headlights, a resculpted grille and gloss black brake cooling vents. M Sport variants get a distinctive hexagonal lower air intake too. There are reshaped bumpers at the rear and colour-coded trim elements, plus M Sport models feature a chunky diffuser. The major changes though, have taken place inside, where this improved 330e gets the new-look curved instrument panel that we first saw on the iX luxury EV. this incorporates a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen with the brand's latest eighth generation iDrive interface. This all allows for a big step forward in media functionality, with things like real-time mapping, a parking space locator and wireless smartphone-mirroring. Other cabin updates include slimmer air vents, a redesigned gear shifter, standardised gear shift paddles and new touch-sensitive buttons for the centre console. Otherwise, things are much as before. There's reasonably comfortable space for a couple of adults on the rear bench - it'd be a bit of a squash for three. And out back? Well the 330e saloon's luggage bay measures 375-litres - that's 105-litres down on a conventional four-door 3 Series model. The Touring estate 330e derivative has a 410-litre boot, extendable to 1,420-litres - which is 90-litres down on a conventionally-engined 3 Series Touring model.

Market and Model

The 330e comes in both saloon and Touring estate guises, plus there's a choice of either rear-driven or 4x4 xDrive formats. Prices start from around £47,500 and there are now just two trim levels, 'Sport' and 'M Sport'. The xDrive set-up commands an extra premium of around £1,550. There's a premium of £1,500 for the Touring estate body style. All models now include the 'BMW Live Cockpit Plus' screen set-up, which includes cloud-based BMW Maps, over-the-air updates and an improved version of the brand's 'Intelligent Personal Assistant' voice control system. The company's 'Parking assistant' is now standard, steering you automatically into spaces. And you can upgrade it with Park View, Panorama View and 3D View functions. M Sport customers are being offered a choice of exterior upgrades, including a carbonfibre rear diffuser, a large rear spoiler for the saloon and individual wheel designs of up to 20-inches in size. As for safety, well as before, an optional across the range is the brand's 'Driving Assistant Professional' pack, which includes Active Cruise Control with a Stop&Go function. There's also a 'Steering and Lane Control Assistant', which helps the driver maintain their position on motorways where the lane narrows. The 'Active Navigation' function detects when a lane change for a motorway exit is required and prepares to steer the car into that lane. The system also comprises a 'Lane Keeping Assistant' with active side collision protection and an 'Evasion Assistant'.

Cost of Ownership

Despite the fact that these days there's no longer the government contribution towards the purchase price that helped to boost sales of earlier versions of the old 'F30'-series 330e, BMW still reckons this plug-in derivative will be a strong seller. The installation of a more capable 12.0kWh lithium-ion high-voltage battery in recent times has nearly doubled its potential electric driving range - to as much as 37.3 miles. And increased the all-electric top speed potential to 68mph. Charging time for the 12.0kWh battery is around two and a half hours from a conventional 7kW garage wallbox or plug-in public charge point. Hook up to a domestic 3-pin socket and the charging time will be just under five and a half hours. As usual with Plug-in hybrids, the official WLTP combined cycle fuel figures - up to 217.3mpg for the saloon and up to 201.8g/km for the Touring version - need to be taken with a pinch of salt, but the important thing is that the government believes the quoted CO2 return - which can be as little as 30g/km in the saloon or up to 32g/km in the Touring. Either way, this means a super-low Benefit-in-Kind taxation rating of as little as 12%. Of course it's unlikely that you'd ever achieve the quoted mpg and CO2 figures in the real world, but the important thing is that the government believes them, hence the attractive tax breaks that'll come as part and parcel of 330e model ownership.

Summary

In this enhanced 330e, BMW has brought us a hybrid 3 Series model that makes real world sense. There's excellent real world EV driving range, now matched to a much smarter cabin with extra technology that customers will really like. The pricing though, inevitably reflects the improvement. If you were thinking of a high-spec diesel-engined version of this Bavarian contender, we think you really have to look at a 330e as a realistic alternative. The waiting lists for this variant suggest that many potential customers already are.

  • Heated washer jets
  • Sun protection glass
  • Acoustic glazing
  • Rain sensor with automatic headlight activation
  • Electric windows - front and rear, with open/close fingertip control, anti-trap facility and comfort closing

  • Electromechanical parking brake including automatic hold function and automatic release of the parking brake when pulling away
  • Dynamic stability control + (DSC+) - Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with brake assist and cornering brake control + Automatic Stability Control (ASC)
  • Electronic differential lock control (EDLC)
  • Dynamic brake control
  • Dynamic Traction Control - DTC
  • Ventilated front and rear disc brakes

  • Front and rear velour floor mats

  • Adaptive M suspension
  • Double joint spring strut front axle

  • Preparation for driver assistance
  • Cruise control with brake function + speed limiter
  • Attentiveness assist
  • Variable sport steering
  • Active guard plus

  • Driving experience switch
  • Automatic Start/stop button

  • Live cockpit professional Nav with 14.9" instrument display, 12.3" display, 2USB, 4G LTE connect
  • BMW iDrive
  • Shifting point display
  • Oil sensor for level and grade
  • Smartphone integration
  • Condition based service
  • ConnectedDrive Services
  • Head up Display
  • BMW Teleservices

  • Automatic dimming rear view mirror
  • Interior rear view electrochromatic mirror with automatic anti dazzle function

  • Fuel tank breather system

  • DAB tuner
  • Harman/Kardon surround sound system
  • Wireless charging tray

  • Fuel filler flap - right rear in body colour
  • "Electrified by i" exterior badging on charging flap
  • Body colour roof fin
  • M Sport spoiler
  • Illuminated bow type door handles in body colour drivers side with door lock
  • Side frame decorative moulding black matt
  • Front apron plastic in body colour
  • One piece front bumper cover including towing eye cover in body colour
  • Licence plate panel integrated into front bumper and tailgate
  • BMW individual lights shadow line
  • BMW emblem, engine compartment lid and tailgate
  • Rear side wing doors
  • Rear boot
  • BMW M Individual high gloss shadow line with extended contents
  • Visible exhaust tailpipe finisher
  • Matt black window recess cover
  • Matt black B-pillar finsher
  • Model designation on right side of tailgate
  • Front and rear bumper system with replaceable deformation elements
  • Door sill strips

  • Welcome lights in interior and door handle area
  • Follow me home headlight function
  • Automatic headlight beam throw control with load dependent regulating reaction, dynamic compensation of braking dive and acceleration squat
  • LED daytime running lights
  • LED rear lights
  • Reversing lights
  • LED turn indicator
  • 3rd brake light

  • 3 zone automatic air conditioning

  • Battery in luggage compartment
  • Lashing eyelets in luggage compartment
  • 12V power socket in front storage compartment
  • Armrest integrated in front and rear door trim + front centre console armrest
  • Height adjustable mechanically and infinitely variable steering column
  • 2 front cupholder in centre console with clamping elements and matt black inlay
  • Anthracite headlining
  • Folding rear centre armrest with 2 cupholders
  • Toolkit located in luggage compartment
  • M Sport multifunction leather steering wheel
  • BMW ID
  • Illuminated glove compartment

  • LED ambient lighting with welcome carpet light
  • Make-up mirror lights
  • Illuminated armrest storage compartment
  • Front and rear door exit lighting (left / right)
  • Front and rear footwell lighting
  • Front and rear reading lights
  • Illuminated luggage compartment

  • Connected pack professional - 3 Series Saloon/Touring
  • Parking assistant pack - 3 Series
  • M sport exterior styling pack - 3 Series Saloon/Touring
  • Interior and exterior mirror pack - 3 Series Touring/Saloon
  • M Aerodynamics package - 3 Series Saloon/Touring
  • Visibility pack with High beam assistant - 3 Series Saloon/Touring
  • Storage compartment pack - 3 Series Saloon/Touring

  • Head airbags in 1st and 2nd row, head protection at side, curtain airbags open from headliner above 1st and 2nd row
  • Driver and passenger side airbags, body protection at side and airbags deploy from seat backrests
  • Driver and front passenger with seat occupancy detection for driver's and passenger side
  • Tyre pressure monitoring with three level warning strategy
  • Crash sensor activating of airbags,Unlocking doors,hazard warning lights,fuel cut off,interior lighting+activation of safety battery terminal clamp
  • M sport seatbelt
  • 3x3 point rear seatbelts
  • Child locks on rear doors
  • Warning triangle and first aid kit
  • Side impact protection
  • BMW emergency call

  • 40:20:40 split folding rear seat with loading system
  • 3 seat bench in 2nd row
  • Heated front seats
  • Front and rear headrests
  • Front sports seats
  • Standard seat for driver and passenger with manual adjustment
  • Single front passenger seat
  • Driver backrest width adjustment

  • Closing system with central locking
  • Electronic vehicle immobiliser
  • Centre lock switch
  • Alarm system

  • Sport automatic transmission with steering-wheel mounted gearshift paddles and launch control

  • Sunvisors with vanity mirrors and ticket pocket

  • Charging cable - Mode 2

  • Battery Charge Slow Time (Minutes): 360
  • Battery Charge Slow kW: 2.3
  • Battery Charge Slow Percentage: 0-100
  • Battery Charge Fast Time (Minutes): 258
  • Battery Charge Fast kW: 2.3
  • Battery Charge Fast Percentage: 0-80
  • Battery Charge Rapid Time (Minutes): 216
  • Battery Charge Rapid kW: 3.7
  • Battery Charge Rapid Percentage: 0-100
  • Battery Charge Super Charge Time (Minutes): 156
  • Battery Charge Super Charge kW: 3.7
  • Battery Charge Super Charge Percentage: 0-80
  • Coupler/Connector Type: Type 2
  • Battery Capacity in kWh: 12
  • Battery Leased: False
  • Battery Type: Lithium-ion
  • WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb - TEL: 59
  • WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb - TEH: 55
  • WLTP - EC AC Weighted (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL: 16.8
  • WLTP - EC AC Weighted (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH: 17.8
  • WLTP - EC AC Weighted (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH: 3.5
  • WLTP - EC AC Weighted (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL: 3.7
  • WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb - TEH: 34.2
  • WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb - TEL: 36.7
  • Charging Port Location: Right Side Rear
  • Usable Battery Capacity: 11.15

  • Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
  • HC+NOx: N
  • Particles: N

  • WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 166
  • WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 176
  • WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 34
  • WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 40

  • Engine Code: B48B20M1
  • Cylinders: 4
  • Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE
  • Number of Valves: 16
  • Camshaft: DOHC
  • Fuel Delivery: TURBO INJECTION
  • Catalytic Convertor: True
  • Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH
  • Compression Ratio: 11.0:1
  • Transmission: SEMI-AUTO
  • Gears: 8 SPEED
  • Cylinders - Bore (mm): 82
  • Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 94.6
  • CC: 1998

  • EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: False

  • WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Comb - TEL: 38.2
  • WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Comb - TEH: 36.2
  • WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 7.4
  • WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 7.8
  • WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 1.5
  • WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 1.8
  • WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEL: 188.3
  • WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEH: 156.9

  • Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N
  • Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N
  • NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N
  • NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N
  • NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N
  • NCAP Safety Assist %: N
  • NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N
  • Badge Power: 292
  • Badge Engine CC: 2.0
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: M1
  • Generation Mark: 7
  • Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: False
  • Special Edition: False
  • Special Order: False
  • Based On ID: N
  • Coin Series: M Sport [Tech/Pro]
  • Coin Description: e xDrive

  • Engine Power - BHP: 292
  • Engine Power - PS: True
  • 0 to 60 mph (secs): False
  • 0 to 62 mph (secs): 5.8
  • Top Speed: 143
  • Engine Power - KW: 215
  • Engine Power - RPM: 5000
  • Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 310
  • Engine Torque - NM: 420
  • Engine Torque - RPM: 1350
  • Engine Torque - MKG: 42.8

  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP
  • RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

  • Alloys?: True
  • Space Saver?: False
  • Wheel Style: DOUBLE SPOKE STYLE 791M
  • Tyre Size Rear: 255/35 R19
  • Tyre Size Spare: RUN FLAT TYRES
  • Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY
  • Tyre Size Front: 225/40 R19

  • Width (including mirrors): 2068
  • Height: 1444
  • Height (including roof rails): N
  • Length: 4713
  • Width: 1827
  • Wheelbase: 2851

  • Minimum Kerbweight: 1825
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 2345
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 40
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 375
  • No. of Seats: 5
  • Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1500
  • Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750
  • Max. Loading Weight: 520
  • Max. Roof Load: 75
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): N
  • Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12

  • M Sport brakes with blue calipers: £0
  • M Sport brake in red calipers: Included

  • Sensatec instrument panel: £500
  • Aluminium mesheffect interior trim: £0
  • Individual piano black interior trim: £500
  • Aluminium rhombicle anthracite interior trim: Included

  • Aluminium exterior trim: £0
  • Metallic paint: £695
  • Electric glass sunroof: £1,050
  • Solid paint: Included
  • High gloss shadow line exterior trim: Included
  • BMW special paintwork: £1,100

  • Heating steering wheel: £270
  • Vernasca leather upholstery: £1,300
  • Sensatec alcantara upholstery: Included

  • Comfort pack with Heated steering wheel - 3 Series Saloon: £980
  • Comfort plus pack with Heated steering wheel - 3 Series Saloon: £2,030

  • Metallic - Skyscraper grey: £695
  • Metallic - Portimao blue: £695
  • Metallic - Black sapphire: £695
  • Metallic - Melbourne red: £695
  • Metallic - Mineral white: £695
  • Metallic - Brooklyn grey: £695

  • Solid - Alpine white: £0

  • BMW special paint - Dravit grey: £1,100
  • BMW special paint - Tanzanite blue: £1,100

  • Driver seat lumbar adjustment: £195

  • Fully electric towbar: £1,000

  • Vernasca leather - Black with grey stitching: £1,300
  • Vernasca leather - Mocha with night blue stitching: £1,300
  • Vernasca leather - Cognac with mokka stitching: £1,300
  • Vernasca leather - Tacora red with black stitching: £1,300
  • Vernasca leather - Black with blue contrast stitching: £1,300
  • Sensatec alcantara - Black with blue stitching: £0
  • Vernasca leather - Oyster with black stitching: £1,300

  • 19" M double spoke bicolour jet black light alloy wheels - Style 791M with mixed tyres and run flat tyres: Included
  • 19" M double spoke jet black light alloy wheels - Style 791M with mixed tyres and run flat tyres: £300

Whilst every effort is made to verify and ensure the accuracy of the data, the information should only be used as a guide and no purchasing decision should be made without verification of the data from either the manufacturer or franchised dealer. Our offers may be on a different model year to that represented by this data and so specification may differ accordingly.

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