Are you sure it uses an N20 variant, and not a B48/B46 variant? Either way, I don't think I would want to be the first to test tuning a complicated hybrid setup.

 

Who buys a Hybrid and then wants to tune it.:rofl:
By a Diesel it will eat that thing and be more economical to boot.:angel:

 

I had successfully used a BMS tune on my AH3 and it worked fine, but as others have said: you should probably check with BMS to see if there is a compatible tune for the engine in the 330e.

 

The 330e gasoline power comes from the B48 2.0 turbo. Read more about the F30 330e here -

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=883133
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=898889

 

Thanks for the advice and the links guys. Ah I see it's the B48 not the N20. That's really useful. I'll keep researching it.

 

Tuning a 330e defeats the purpose that it was intended for, it would be more logical to get a 330d which is faster, much lighter and handles better cause it doesn't have all the battery weight in the boot. And adding a simple plug in tune to the 330d will result in massively bigger gains than anything added to the 'e'.

The 330e has a sort of two stage uncommon effect/feel in the breaking due to the energy regeneration process and I suspect this would compromise the confidence when driving fast and on the limit, so again the feeling would be inferior to a fast diesel.

 

So you have driven both back to back as the basis for your post? I see no reason why having more mass over the drive wheels is necessarily is bad. About braking (not breaking), driving hard using the brakes will bypass the regeneration; it does on the PHEV's I have driven; confidence has not been an issue.

 

My basis is over twenty years of driving and owning more than half a dozen types of Bavarias finest including M's and fast diesels. Half of my family also have Bmw's as well.The owner of the world's oldest Bmw dealership and several of Mr Kordos Pilakoutas staff members are friends/close acquaintances of mine and the input I get from their PHEV experience is substantial. I also have plenty of access for PHEV testdrives as a result.... The X5 40e is my personal favourite. Here in Europe Bmw diesels have taken over petrol sales a while ago, just the other day I was driving a friends 640d and it's the main contender as a fourth addition to my current stable....
As far as weight in relation to a cars' handling and performance, it's a undisputed fact that weight is the worst enemy to the overall setup.

 

Tuning the 330e does not defeat it's purpose any more than any other BMW. BMW's PHEV concept allows for fossil fuel-free urban driving, along with the option in the same vehicle for excellent long-distance high speed travel. A good tune could help the latter. Diesels are a disaster in an urban setting, especially in a 10-20 mile daily travel scenario, where a Diesel can hardly warm up. Here is the US, we can compare the 330e to the 328d; the EPA tested highway fuel economy is 36 MPG for the e and 42 MPG for the d, which uses more expensive Diesel fuel here. If one's driving pattern is not primarily long highway trips, the 328d makes no sense.

We switched from a Diesel to a PHEV 3 years ago (not BMW's, but I have owned several) and we now have zero need to refuel for normal urban use for months at a time between long trips. It is a great convenience not to have to visit fuel stations frequently. Over 3 years the PHEV has given 70% better fuel economy than the Diesel with the same usage pattern, but taking less expensive fuel. Electricity costs are negligible as we generate excess solar PV electricity. I am really looking forward to BMW's more sporting interpretation of the PHEV concept.

The 330e's handling compared to other F30's remains to be seen. I doubt it will be much different from driving a normal 3 with passengers in the back and luggage in the boot. I expect it will still be a fun drive, if one is not competing for best lap times on a circuit (been there - done that).

 

Here is the US, we can compare the 330e to the 328d; the EPA tested highway fuel economy is 36 MPG for the e and 42 MPG for the d, which uses more expensive Diesel fuel here. If one's driving pattern is not primarily long highway trips, the 328d makes no sense.

We switched from a Diesel to a PHEV 3 years ago (not BMW's, but I have owned several) and we now have zero need to refuel for normal urban use for months at a time between long trips. It is a great convenience not to have to visit fuel stations frequently. Over 3 years the PHEV has given 70% better fuel economy than the Diesel with the same usage pattern, but taking less expensive fuel. Electricity costs are negligible as we generate excess solar PV electricity. I am really looking forward to BMW's more sporting interpretation of the PHEV concept.

The 330e's handling compared to other F30's remains to be seen. I doubt it will be much different from driving a normal 3 with passengers in the back and luggage in the boot. I expect it will still be a fun drive, if one is not competing for best lap times on a circuit (been there - done that).

Depending on where you live Diesel fuel is less then Premium unleaded, currently here in phoenix Diesel is $2.09/gal and PUL is $2.57/g. Many people have reported that their 328d's are getting more then 42 on the highway.

I'm very much looking into the 330e I like the technology that is brings and the fact that you can drive up to 65 (i think in pure elec mode) just wish my employer would have elect plug in to help charge the car while I'm at work.

 

Thanks for the info and opinions everyone. From the discussions over on another forum by people who've received their 330e cars, the transition of drive between electric and petrol engine is very smooth when the combustion engine kicks in. I'm wondering whether adding more power will mess up the settings of this. I guess we can only wait and see if the tuning companies will figure it out for the 330e owners!

 

I expect having external engine tuning installed within the next 2 weeks on my BMW 330e. I should get 314HP/505NM after this upgrade. The stock car does not really need it but I do it for the fun. I used the same company for my previous BMW 320iA (F30) and that car became really fast. So, I am curious what this will bring .

 

Has a company made a piggyback tune for the 330e version of the B48 yet? Who made it?

 

Yes, they have a piggyback solution for the 330e. See Ventura Tuning in the Netherlands. They have a standard solution but I will have it fine-tuned to my car. I did the same with my previous car. Search for 'ventura BMW F30 320IA' on youtube for the result.

My experience the 320i with tuning: I drove 80.000km without any issues. Average fuel consumption was 7.6 l/100km. I really used the engine to the max a few times every day and I drive normally rather fast. I always removed the piggyback before going for service. This takes about 5-10 minutes. For these reasons I expect a lot for the tuning for the 330e.

Current experience with my 330e: Great car, nice sound in 'sport', already very fast, silent, very convenient when driving electric. LCI version is really better than the initial F30 models. Electric range 25-27 km when not driving too fast. Driving above 90 km/h drains the battery fast. Let's see what the tuning will do....

 

Wait, I could be mistaken but don't they have the same petrol engine?

 

I looked at the motor and checked the VIN. The X5 40e I drove has the N20. The X5 40e has been out for a while. I imagine that's why it got the N20. I would expect it to get the B48 sometime soon.

 

Here is the page for the Ventura Tuning chip. It's 695 euros. Plug and play. An extra 62 hp, and an extra 85nm torque.

http://www.venturatuning.nl/chiptuning-bmw-330-e-252-pk-phev.html

They sound like experts to me, from what I can understand via Google translate!

 

Hi Pkonijn, any update on your car's tuning progress?

 

Hi Reuski.

I tried to set a 0-100kmh benchmark before tuning which caused the engine to run in the emergency motormanagement programs, disabled stability program and collision warning system. I had to return the car to the dealer. After 5 days I learned that the issue was apparently caused by myself since I installed a throttle response tuning kit (sprintbooster). I had used the same kit already for 3 years on my BMW 320i, 5 weeks on the 330e and it was confirmed that using this kit was risk-free for the 330e. According to the dealer the repair was no warranty due to this non-standard equipment. So, I had to pay for reprogramming the car and rental car which cost me about 600 euro. Anyway, it was stupid that I forgot to remove the tuning before bringing it to the dealer :-(

Currently I am doubting to continue with this 'project'. I blew my budget on this issue and I am not sure yet if I want to spend again a lot of money on the car. I also want to be sure that the engine is fine before changing anything.

But...a friend already had the tuning done on his 330e. I did not drive yet with his car but he says that the car is really very very fast. The engine has much reserve which is unleashed now. I will let you know what my final decision is and I will share my experience as soon as I have driven any tuned 330e.

 

Hi Reuski.

I tried to set a 0-100kmh benchmark before tuning which caused the engine to run in the emergency motormanagement programs, disabled stability program and collision warning system. I had to return the car to the dealer. After 5 days I learned that the issue was apparently caused by myself since I installed a throttle response tuning kit (sprintbooster).

So in other words, the fault you had with your car had nothing to do with the Ventura boxtuning ? Did you ever install the box?

I'm interested in the Ventura Boxtuning for my 2016 320ix f31. (new B48 engine)
Wonder if the box for my car is the same as the 330e as they have the same engine.

 

Wow, I'm so sorry to hear that happened. I can imagine if it was my car. Wishing you all the best luck with the car. Hopefully your friends is trouble free. If you have a ride in his please video the acceleration for us!

 

His friends car is running on borrowed time...corrupting this high tech setup is only good for others to learn what not to do.

 

I think Venturas mechanics will have tested this properly before putting their company's good reputation on the line, surely? I remain optimistic that we'll see 330e owners giving the petrol engine more power.

 

I drive currently between 5.5 l/100km (42MPG) and 3.5 l/100km (67MPG) when commuting. Most of the time it is around 58 MPG (4 l/100km). The car is charged at home and at work which means that the electricity consumption is currently about 11 KWH/100km. I drive between 25 km and 35km on a full charge and a single trip is about 70 km. The last days it was warm which seems to have a noticable positive effect on the range.

I force the car to drive in electric mode to ensure that the battery is empty when reaching my destination. Normally there is a lot of heavy traffic when commuting in which the electric mode works out quite well. I always drive often in eco-pro and I use the adaptive cruise control also quite often. Normally there are a few places where the speed goes up to 140-150 km/h and normally I accelerate very fast at least 1 time every trip. So, in general I am quite positive about the energy consumption of the car. As comparison, my 320iA was using 7.6 l/100km (30MPG) with the same driving style.

In NL the BMW 330e has a tax advantage for company cars which make the car attractive. But, I agree that the car is not very economical if you would add the cost of the charging stations into the overall cost. In that case a diesel is performing better. My colleague drives a BMW 320 ede which uses 4.2 l/100km (56MPG). His driving style is very 'relaxed' . However, I like the quiet and powerful engine a lot so for me the BMW 330e is the perfect car.

 

I drive currently between 5.5 l/100km (42MPG) and 3.5 l/100km (67MPG) when commuting. Most of the time it is around 58 MPG (4 l/100km). The car is charged at home and at work which means that the electricity consumption is currently about 11 KWH/100km. I drive between 25 km and 35km on a full charge and a single trip is about 70 km. The last days it was warm which seems to have a noticable positive effect on the range.

I force the car to drive in electric mode to ensure that the battery is empty when reaching my destination. Normally there is a lot of heavy traffic when commuting in which the electric mode works out quite well. I always drive often in eco-pro and I use the adaptive cruise control also quite often. Normally there are a few places where the speed goes up to 140-150 km/h and normally I accelerate very fast at least 1 time every trip. So, in general I am quite positive about the energy consumption of the car. As comparison, my 320iA was using 7.6 l/100km (30MPG) with the same driving style.

In NL the BMW 330e has a tax advantage for company cars which make the car attractive. But, I agree that the car is not very economical if you would add the cost of the charging stations into the overall cost. In that case a diesel is performing better. My colleague drives a BMW 320 ede which uses 4.2 l/100km (56MPG). His driving style is very 'relaxed' . However, I like the quiet and powerful engine a lot so for me the BMW 330e is the perfect car.

Thank you for this post, how long have you had your 330e?

 

How long I have the car doesn't matter too much. Probably it is more interesting knowing that I have driven the car for about 3000 km until now.

 

I have bought the Ventura tuning everything works good. The service Ventura gave me is also very good, they answer mail good and quick.

 

Thanks Rayman, that's really good feedback. Is the performance improvement making the car very fun to drive?

 

With the Ventura tuning box i transformed my 320i to a 330i in 10 minutes.

(320i,330i and 330e have the same 2.0 liter B48 engine)

 

Ah I see, the 330e has a hybrid power train. The electric motor's integration with the combustion engine is more complicated, so we really want test this kit on a 330e. It's good to know you had a positive experience of Ventura.

 

I decided to go for the tuning after all [emoji3]. So, next week I can give you the update how it works on my BMW 330e.

 

The tuning has been installed now. I have to say "impressive!". The car was already fast but now the car is a beast. The 0-100 time improved from 6.3s to 5.8s. I cannot get it faster yet due to too much wheel spin until about 40km/h. Before the tuning there was only a little spinning but now the tires were fighting for traction. I think that when the circumstances are better the measurement will improve but 0.5 seconds faster is already good.

The acceleration while driving on the highway and when overtaking cars is noticeable better. What a power.. The car keeps on accelerating powerful far beyond 170km.

So, the coming days I will try to do some more measurements from 0-100, from 80-120 and also keep track on the fuel economy. For now: very happy with the results!