BMW 530e off to strong start, might give BMW #3 spot for PHEV makers next year

[Jay Cole]

Probably the surprise hit of 2017, the BMW 530e (despite very thin inventory) has been putting up some impressive sales gains over its first 5 full months on the US market

147-239-343-345...now 511 in September

It won't near approach the levels of the Prius Prime, Chevy Volt...or likely even the Ford Fusion Energi, but adding in the other 6 PHEV from BMW, it cumulatively can make a run at the #3 automaker for plug-in hybrids in the US next year

 

[Tom]

Just inaugurating my first post.

 

[GreenMachine]

Jay, I'm getting a BMW 530e this week to review for Motor1. Looking forward to trying it out. I agree that while BMW sales figures for individuals PHEVs isn't large, they're putting out so many that cumulatively they're selling a lot. All stepping stones to more full EVs in their lineup, I'm sure.

 

[Rob Lay]

Jay, I'm getting a BMW 530e this week to review for Motor1. Looking forward to trying it out. I agree that while BMW sales figures for individuals PHEVs isn't large, they're putting out so many that cumulatively they're selling a lot. All stepping stones to more full EVs in their lineup, I'm sure.

I can't wait to read. Is is 100% electric, range, 0-60?

 

[Jimmy Truong]

Jay, I'm getting a BMW 530e this week to review for Motor1. Looking forward to trying it out. I agree that while BMW sales figures for individuals PHEVs isn't large, they're putting out so many that cumulatively they're selling a lot. All stepping stones to more full EVs in their lineup, I'm sure.

530e is a lame car. Test drove it and got bored immediately. I’ll stick with Tesla Model 3!


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[Stephen Shiffrin]

Different strokes for different folks. I like my 530e and consider the Tesla Model 3 a seriously flawed car. With police traffic officers and photo radar all over the place, I want to know the speed limit and how fast I am driving. My 530e shows me that in the dash but more importantly, it shows me the speed limit and my speed in the HUD. It also provides quick acceleration and a very comfortable drive.

I consider any vehicle that makes me look away from the windshield and away from in front of me to be a flawed vehicle. The lack of a dash and HUD to me make the Model 3 unusable.

 

[Jimmy Truong]

Different strokes for different folks. I like my 530e and consider the Tesla Model 3 a seriously flawed car. With police traffic officers and photo radar all over the place, I want to know the speed limit and how fast I am driving. My 530e shows me that in the dash but more importantly, it shows me the speed limit and my speed in the HUD. It also provides quick acceleration and a very comfortable drive.

I consider any vehicle that makes me look away from the windshield and away from in front of me to be a flawed vehicle. The lack of a dash and HUD to me make the Model 3 unusable.

So wrong for that assessment. You must not have driven a Tesla 3 before. The odometer is right at your 2 o’clock on steering wheel. The number is like in your face. It’s no more distraction than look at the HUD of BMW and yes, I have 2017 X5 with HUD. All speed limit can be configured onscreen with sound alert. After 2 days of driving Model 3, I don’t even need to look at the screen more than iDrive when driving. Everything is notified by sound and steering wheel vibration in Tesla!
Btw, if you need to look away to the screen when driving, you need to check your driving ability again!


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[Stephen Shiffrin]

And having to use the touchscreen display to your right doesn't interfere with your ability to drive safely? Don't get me wrong. I am fond of Tesla and like the S and seriously considered it before getting my 530e (range anxiety in any BEV was my concern since we are a single car family). But whatever you think, I think that putting all the controls on the touchscreen display and not having a HUD to show the speed is a reason that I would not buy the 3.

 

[Jimmy Truong]

And having to use the touchscreen display to your right doesn't interfere with your ability to drive safely? Don't get me wrong. I am fond of Tesla and like the S and seriously considered it before getting my 530e (range anxiety in any BEV was my concern since we are a single car family). But whatever you think, I think that putting all the controls on the touchscreen display and not having a HUD to show the speed is a reason that I would not buy the 3.

I owned 5 BMWs in the last 14 years and I memorized everything in iDrive. Saying iDrive is not distracting is ignorant because you still have look at the little BMW screen on the right when you navigate the menu anyway.
BTW, most car navigation systems are touchscreen base. They just moved to Central knob control like BMW in the last few years!


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[Stephen Shiffrin]

Yes, I drive can be distracting. But I don't need to use Idrive to adjust my seats, readjust my side mirrors, turn down the volume, check my speed, check the speed limit of the road I am driving on, see how many electrons I am using. Most of what I would use Idrive for can be done once and left alone or done before driving off.

I think the Tesla 3 series is a good start but it went too far. Perhaps it did so to differentiate itself from the more expensive s and x classes. Providing a HUD with the basic driving information would make the car way, way more usable.

 

[Jimmy Truong]

Yes, I drive can be distracting. But I don't need to use Idrive to adjust my seats, readjust my side mirrors, turn down the volume, check my speed, check the speed limit of the road I am driving on, see how many electrons I am using. Most of what I would use Idrive for can be done once and left alone or done before driving off.

I think the Tesla 3 series is a good start but it went too far. Perhaps it did so to differentiate itself from the more expensive s and x classes. Providing a HUD with the basic driving information would make the car way, way more usable.

I suggest you to sit in the Model 3 before posting ridiculous comments. These buttons on the sides of the seats and click-wheels on steering wheel are there for: adjusting seat positions, mirrors, volume, next/previous tracks, station navigation. I’m done with you here.



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