BMW 330e iPerformance hybrid (2016-2018) - MPG, running costs & CO2

On paper, there are two sides to the BMW 330e iPerformance plug-in hybrid’s appeal. The headline figure that’ll catch the eye of any driver is its extremely impressive fuel economy, but it’s the benefit of the BMW’s low CO2 emissions that company-car drivers will really notice.

BMW 330e MPG, CO2 & running costs

The 330e iPerformance’s quoted 134.5mpg fuel economy is a very attractive prospect. For comparison, the Mercedes C-Class C350e plug-in hybrid claims an identical figure, while the smaller Volkswagen Golf GTE is said to hit 166mpg.

This figure assumes journeys making the most efficient possible use of the electric motor. That means ensuring the battery is kept charged, which is said to take approximately 3.5 hours using the supplied charging cable. A separately available wall box reduces the time to two hours.

34

It’s also worth remembering that plug-in hybrid cars are also far more likely to show their full potential where stop-start driving conditions are regularly encountered. If your journeys mostly involve quiet motorways, it’s unlikely that you’ll see the full benefit of the plug-in hybrid system and your real-world fuel economy figure may be substantially lower.

The chief attraction, though, lies in the 330e iPerformance’s CO2 emissions figure of 49g/km, which determines Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) company-car tax liability. The 330e occupies the lowest 9% BiK band, even though the actual CO2 emissions of the car could vary as much as your fuel economy.

Servicing

In other respects, the 330e iPerformance should be in line with other 3 Series models when it comes to running costs. BMW servicing isn’t the cheapest, but maintenance intervals are variable based on the condition of mechanical components, which are monitored by sensors. BMW also offers inclusive servicing packages, which can cover routine servicing for up to the first five years of ownership.

Insurance

The 330e iPerformance is rated in group 31 for insurance, which is no higher than the 320i petrol M Sport model. In comparison, the Mercedes C-Class C350e sport occupies group 38, which is likely to mean higher insurance costs than the BMW for most drivers.

Warranty

Every BMW sold in the UK is backed by a three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty. iPerformance plug-in hybrid models have an additional warranty that covers their high-voltage battery for six years/60,000 miles. BMW states that a lithium-ion battery found to be working below 70% of its original net capacity during the warranty period will be replaced free of charge.