[x838nwy]

Hi,

If all goes according to plan, next Tuesday will me the day when I put a deposit down for an Active Hybrid 5. (I will have to wait till Spet. till it gets here.)

And as usual, I am getting cold feet and have arrived at a question which I haven't thought to ask before

Does anyone actually OWN one of these? If so, how are you enjoying yours? And problems/issues?

To my understanding, it is basically a 535i with a 54hp motor in the gearbox and I am getting a 5 year warranty on the car which includes the hybrid gubbins. As a result, it _shouldn't_ be too much of a headache (since most 535's seem to be quite solid). But then again, I might be looking at things too simply??

Anyhow, I'd love to hear from owners and/or people who may have considered this car and hear some pointers before I put my cash down.

FYI, the reasons that makes a lot of sense for me is that my country's tax systems means that I can get an active hybrid 5 for about 10% more than a 528i and 40% cheaper than a 'normal' 535i.

Thank you

C

[darrko]

Have you test-driven one?

[x838nwy]

Originally Posted by darrko

Have you test-driven one?

I should have, but I haven't. Basically it won't be available for a test drive till October. I am banking on the fact that it won't be all that different from a normal-engined 5 series....?

It's a big assumption, which is again why I am having second thoughts. It's a snap decision from a Lexus GS450h (which is, for reasons of taxes, waaaay more expensive - a fact which I only found out recently which caused the decision).

[darrko]

Yeah it does sound like a huge leap of faith. I took one too, by ordering a 520d without test driving it. I still haven't taken delivery so can't say if the gamble paid off but I did ask around a LOT here on the forum and got a lot of positive feedback about the new diesel engine.

With the hybrid being extremely new technology, I'm not sure if you would want to take that risk. I hope you get some kind of first-hand feedback but I doubt there will be a lot of takers. With new tech you can't even be sure if its not going to have frequent issues, in fact there is more chances of issues occurring frequently than otherwise.

If your sole purpose of going with the hybrid engine is saving money, I'd advise you to go for something within your budget....or as far as you can stretch it......but selecting a variant that is tried and tested. 530i or 528i may be in your range, perhaps? A lot of this would depend on how cooperative your local dealer is, I guess. If they are someone you can depend on to support you if and when an issue arises in the vehicle with the new technology, you may then feel confident enough to take the plunge.

Good luck, either way!

[x838nwy]

The really strange thing is, it's actually well within my budget - but it's down to saving a whole bunch of cash vs. taking a leap of faith. All in all, I see it as BMW paying me to take a leap... my problem is whether or not it's a leap too far...

But yes, you are totally right - it could very well be a frequent issue which would be an a$$.

[JNoSol]

Automobile Magazine did a long test on the ActiveHybrid5. You're pretty much getting 535i's peformance (accelleration) for 528i's mpg. The biggest flaw about this is BMW uses the N55 engine instead of the more efficient N20. I'm guessing the extra extra power is needed to accommodate the heavier battery, which is an oxymoron.

The ActiveHybrid5 weighs 551lbs (250kgs) heavier than the 528i, so the ActiveHybrid5 handles like a boat (4,365lbs). I would save the 10% cash and get the 528i. Soon, there will tunes for the 528i that will get you better than 535i performance w/o sacrificing mpg.

If you really care about the planet or frugal on fuel, get a freaking Prius! At the end of the day, you buy a 5 series because you want a high performance luxury sedan and not because you can't afford to fill up a tank of gas.

[reaper1]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

If you really care about the planet or frugal on fuel, get a freaking Prius! At the end of the day, you buy a 5 series because you want a high performance luxury sedan and not because you can't afford to fill up a tank of gas.

Get a honda civic, then they won't dig up half the freaking earth trying to get enough rare earth metals for the battery

[x838nwy]

To clarify:
I'm not really doing all this to save the planet - but here a 535i is about 40% MORE expensive than the Active Hybrid 5. Which is a LOT of money.

[kave]

The 528i is a 4 cylinder pot, while excellent in a 3series, I would definately take a 535i for 10% more. It's not all about performance figures.
I am sure you will be extremely happy with the car.

[copello]

Remember the trunk in Active Hybrid is WAY smaller than normal. Keep that in mind if you are planning to travel with family !

[Matt01]

There is a number of them at the Olympics this summer, I'm going to be a fleet driver (volunteer) using one (hopefully if not a f30 320d ed) so I might be able to tell you then... The press release pic makes then look v good....