POLL : Hybrid/Electric Alternative to 340i?

[GipsyD]

Looking at replacing my 340i with a EV, either plug-in hybrid or full-electric. I don't plan on selling my 340i, just intent on replacing it as my Daily Driver. If the fuel price wasn't going through the roof, I would have kept my 340i as my daily no doubt.

My commute to work is about 30 miles give or take when I take the freeway, or about 45 miles when the freeway is blocked, and I have to take alternative routes. The roads I take are pretty hilly all things considered, so that adds another layer of fun to the topic at hand. I carpool with 2 others on my way to work.

I've got about $55000 to play with, but I don't know which vehicle best suits my needs above, hence me creating this poll. If I can, I would stick with BMW, but I am more than open to other brands and their offerings.

Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for viewing.

EDIT : Should have added the Volvo XC90 Twin Engine to the poll. My bad...

[tracer bullet]

So, I'm not trying to give you grief. Maybe a little "Devil's advocate" though. You have $55k to play with, but are also at the same time concerned about the cost of gas?

Also pretty sure an i8 is well north of $100k.

[Killramos]

There is no way you ever pay enough incremental in gas to justify the cost of a second car just to “save money”.

That said… Buy a model 3 or something? Or take the bus?

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

how is tesla not an option

[SteveinArizona]

Lucid Air

[DanG]

My daughter went with Polestar.

https://www.polestar.com/us/polestar...SAAEgJCBfD_BwE

[Bimmer Pleaser]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

So, I'm not trying to give you grief. Maybe a little "Devil's advocate" though. You have $55k to play with, but are also at the same time concerned about the cost of gas?

Also pretty sure an i8 is well north of $100k.

lol nothing about the original post makes any sense.

[GipsyD]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

So, I'm not trying to give you grief. Maybe a little "Devil's advocate" though. You have $55k to play with, but are also at the same time concerned about the cost of gas?

Also pretty sure an i8 is well north of $100k.

Locally, i8s are about $55k with about 12k miles on them. That's why the i8 is a poll option, otherwise I wouldn't have added it

[GipsyD]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Pleaser

lol nothing about the original post makes any sense.

To me the fuel cost alone for the 340i doesn't make sense. My 340i gets about 28mpg, which isn't too grand in my books, hence me looking for a replacement EV. I would have been fine with 32mpg.

[Shiza]

Picked up an X5 40e earlier this year to be the girlfriends daily driver. I was surprised by how quiet, comfortable, and smooth it is. Best part is the ~20 miles you get from the battery. Her commute is about 10 miles so the engine never even turns on which is a huge savings on gas. When the engine is running its averaging about 29mpg.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by GipsyD

Locally

I'm seing South Africa? That changes things. Most of us (not all, but most) can only speak to how things are in the US.

What are your fuel and electricity costs there?

And have you ever thought about exporting i8's? LOL. Seems they are about half price for you.

[GipsyD]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

how is tesla not an option

Tesla has only started introducing themselves locally. If Tesla was an option then I wouldn't have created this thread.

[GipsyD]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

I'm seing South Africa? That changes things. Most of us (not all, but most) can only speak to how things are in the US.

What are your fuel and electricity costs there?

And have you ever thought about exporting i8's? LOL. Seems they are about half price for you.

Yup. South African born and raised. I thought everyone saw that on my profile card when I respond or create a thread. LOL. I know most things on this forum are US related, but I wanted everyone's input on this as most of you have experience when it comes to things like this.

Apologies for that. Should've mentioned that in the OP.

As for the fuel costs, at the moment, R18.81 or $1.18 a litre for 95, and electricity prices varies. My electricity is R1.28 per kWh or 0.08 USD.

Thought has crossed my mind, but problem is we are RHD and you guys are LHD.

[GipsyD]

Originally Posted by Shiza

Picked up an X5 40e earlier this year to be the girlfriends daily driver. I was surprised by how quiet, comfortable, and smooth it is. Best part is the ~20 miles you get from the battery. Her commute is about 10 miles so the engine never even turns on which is a huge savings on gas. When the engine is running its averaging about 29mpg.

Wow. That's exactly what I am looking for. 29MPG in a X5 from a 4-pot ain't bad at all. Does your normal route have hills, or is mostly flat? Is your 40e an M Sport?

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by GipsyD

Tesla has only started introducing themselves locally. If Tesla was an option then I wouldn't have created this thread.

sorry didnt see your location

[grocerylist]

Originally Posted by GipsyD

To me the fuel cost alone for the 340i doesn't make sense. My 340i gets about 28mpg, which isn't too grand in my books, hence me looking for a replacement EV. I would have been fine with 32mpg.

How many miles per year do you drive that a 4mpg difference makes you want to justify the purchase of a commuter only car?

[Germanauto]

The i8 is the only choice here that isn't lame as f**k.

[MaC-N54-E82]

Picked up a Volvo XC40 Recharge recently as an addition to the fleet. The wife wanted an EV and it ticked all the boxes. Also surprisingly quick and fun to drive. Highly recommend at least a test drive.

[GipsyD]

Originally Posted by grocerylist

How many miles per year do you drive that a 4mpg difference makes you want to justify the purchase of a commuter only car?

Whoops. My math is really bad. Not 29mpg. Its 25mpg. Right now, I'm travelling about 20000 miles per year. Would have been higher if it was for the virus.

[Quadruple VANOS]

Originally Posted by GipsyD

Looking at replacing my 340i with a EV, either plug-in hybrid or full-electric. I don't plan on selling my 340i, just intent on replacing it as my Daily Driver. If the fuel price wasn't going through the roof, I would have kept my 340i as my daily no doubt.

My commute to work is about 30 miles give or take when I take the freeway, or about 45 miles when the freeway is blocked, and I have to take alternative routes.

30 miles a day x 5 days is 150 miles a week; or 7500 miles over 50 weeks.

45 miles a day x 5 days is 225 miles a week; or 11,250 miles over 50 weeks.

I'll use the combined fuel economy rating of 25 mpg.

Using average Premium gasoline prices in NJ ($3.40/gal) for my calculations means:

7500 miles / 25 mpg = 300 gallons x $3.40 = $1020 in total annual fuel cost.

11,250 miles / 25 mpg = 450 gallons x $3.40 = $1530 in total annual fuel cost.

Does $1020-1530 annually really upset you so much to warrant buying and maintaining an additional vehicle? Am I missing something?

[Humdizzle]

^ im guessing his commute is 30 miles to work and 30 miles back? so double your cost estimates.

it doesn't make sense to keep the 340i around if its not your daily, its not that special of a car where low miles are gonna keep its value up or make it sought after. if you're not romping on it you can put 89 octane in their most of the week and 91 once a week or something to trim costs. the ecu will adjust.

have you considered a diesel BMW ? not sure what offering are there in south africa. UK gets the 330d option with 480 lb-ft of torque. The old e90 335d we used to get here in the US could get like 36mpg+ on the highway. diesel is more expensive though. but it should save you money overall if you're mostly on the highway.

[GipsyD]

Originally Posted by Quadruple VANOS

30 miles a day x 5 days is 150 miles a week; or 7500 miles over 50 weeks.

45 miles a day x 5 days is 225 miles a week; or 11,250 miles over 50 weeks.

I'll use the combined fuel economy rating of 25 mpg.

Using average Premium gasoline prices in NJ ($3.40/gal) for my calculations means:

7500 miles / 25 mpg = 300 gallons x $3.40 = $1020 in total annual fuel cost.

11,250 miles / 25 mpg = 450 gallons x $3.40 = $1530 in total annual fuel cost.

Does $1020-1530 annually really upset you so much to warrant buying and maintaining an additional vehicle? Am I missing something?

I'm trying to stay away from the pumps as much as I can. Besides, according to my math, taking into account local factors, on average I'm spending about $3000 a year on fuel.