BMW ActiveHybrid 5

I CU2 · 05-06-2016, 06:56 AM

Hi Guys,

Just wondering if anyone owns a BMW ActiveHybrid 5 in here? If so, what do you think of it?

I was just wondering what long term reliability would be like? I tried looking up replacement battery costs and it doesn't even look like there's any used ones for sale (unlike the mass of Toyota/Lexus ones).

If the battery does fail, can this car run on its petrol engine alone?

Hasser · 05-06-2016, 10:14 AM

i got an active hybrid 5.

had it 2 years - first registered December 2013.

no problems so far.

dont see too many on for sale.

seems the residuals are not so good, due to uncertainty on the hybrid battery warrenty / reliability.

for me, i have only seen max 25mpg - no real benefit of the battery imo.

khai Dow · 05-06-2016, 10:55 PM

Agree with the comments and would only add that you lose some space in the trunk too which can be a pain at times. The battery sits behind the rear seats so you lose out. There is a 47hp boost over the standard 535 which can apply on top of the engine output when accelerating - not sure I've really felt it although the car is undoubtedly quick.

Where I am, the Hybrid benefitted quite significantly from tax reductions and so it made sense for me. Plus the only other options for new 5's new here would be 520d/i 525d. This was therefore the only way for me to get a six cylinder engine in an official dealer purchased 5. It is a fantastic engine...

If you can get a standard 535i (which this is based on) then that's what I'd go for unless there are other factors such as those that pushed me in the AH5 direction.

p.s. Yes it can run on the petrol engine alone - as is does most of the time anyway...

I CU2 · 05-07-2016, 04:06 AM

Thanks guys,

Yes, I can get the 535i as well but this ActiveHybrid is very competitively priced but there's only 3 in the whole country here - my only hesitation is that not many people would know how to work on it.

Does anyone know if there's a replacement high-voltage battery that you can purchase? I can see plenty of used ones for the Toyota/Lexus systems on eBay but none for the BMW.

Hasser · 05-07-2016, 09:23 AM

The lack of boot space is a real killer actually, and no load through option.

More boot space in a 3 series saloon.

I've driven the car quite hard and floored it a number of times.

I really do see the battery giving added HP and torque, you can feel it kick in.

You know it's doing this on the idrive screen when you have the hybrid selected.

It shows eboost.

I also have the BMS. JB stage 1 piggy back tune installed with BMS intake.

Now is blast to drive, really notice a good difference accelerating from say 50 mph through to 100 mph.

Also the car feels so stable and strong all the way to the limit at 155 mph. Managed to push it 155 mph on 4 separate occasions over the last week on a good long drive.

Needless to say once at the limit I didn't hold there for too long and backed off to 80 mph.

I CU2 · 05-09-2016, 08:11 AM

Do you guys think I would be silly if I purchased a 2012 model and planned to keep it for say 10 years?

khai Dow · 05-09-2016, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I CU2

Do you guys think I would be silly if I purchased a 2012 model and planned to keep it for say 10 years?

Silly? Probably not - but I don't think anyone can give you a conclusive answer. There is no real data I'm aware of on how the combo of the N55 and the battery will turn out in 10 years time - but I do know that the battery warranty runs out after 5 years. I'm not sure that BMW really knows either. As for there being no replacements second hand - probably because they sold in small numbers and few, if any, have reached the end of their lifespan.

If the price looks good, go for it. They are normally specced higher than the equivalent 535 too which makes them great to own and use as daily drivers but like Hasser said, don't bet on them holding as much value.

I CU2 · 07-13-2016, 09:33 AM

Bump: still looking for more owners experiences, can anyone else chime in?

Do you guys think it's dumb to own one of these outsides of warranty?

If the Hybrid system fails, can it run solely on petrol like a normal 535i?

SleevedCoyote · 07-13-2016, 03:48 PM

I dont think there are many people on these forums who actually own the AH5, so im not sure you will get any more answers than what these two gentlemen already have said.

As for me personally I wouldn't buy it, since trunkspace is important for me, and also the fact that not many people own this version of the car.

Lastly it looks like the AH5 actually doesnt really return that much better mpg over a standard 535i, even though that's the purpose of the car, you could say.

These are just my thoughts though, but I will say what many people echo again and again on these forums, BUY what YOU want, and what suits you best.

Hasser · 07-15-2016, 07:13 AM

i bought it cos it was available at the time, the better option would be a 535i with a M Performance power kit added or get a used M5.

if you want mpg - go for the 535d though

crazyfool · 09-30-2016, 10:09 PM

I got an 2013 water blue ActiveHybrid 5.

Nice engine, but not so fuel efficient.

A friend got an Brabus S400 Hybrid, the battery broke down, then the engine cannot start -- cannot work alone. Not sure if BMW use the same tech as Mercedes.

Anyway, this car has some exclusive exterior configurations, the color, the wheel... I think I'll keep this car for a long time.

krautmeister · 10-01-2016, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfool

I got an 2013 water blue ActiveHybrid 5.

Nice engine, but not so fuel efficient.

A friend got an Brabus S400 Hybrid, the battery broke down, then the engine cannot start -- cannot work alone. Not sure if BMW use the same tech as Mercedes.

Anyway, this car has some exclusive exterior configurations, the color, the wheel... I think I'll keep this car for a long time.

I did consider active hybrid... even a 7 series when I was searching a year ago. Your friends story on the Merc Hybrid was why I didn't get hybrid. I also have a business acquaintance in Shanghai and he lost his S Class for 6 months while MB shipped his replacement battery from Germany!!!

Fox530 · 10-03-2016, 06:56 AM

I almost bought one of these about three times but bottled it on every occasion. Each time they'd get ever more cheaper and I'd go through the thought process again.

The trouble is that nobody seems to know what they will be like in the future. How long do the batteries last? What happens to the car when they need replacement? Is there a cost effective replacement option? The fact that the BMW extended warranty excludes batteries and I couldn't get anyone there to tell me if that meant the AH5 powertrain batteries was the final nail in the coffin and I ended up just getting another 530d.

BMW BRAD · 10-03-2016, 07:13 AM

If fuel economy is what you're after, go for the 535d. The torque AND fuel economy are awesome! I hunted for a 535d M Sport and am SO glad I did!

05-06-2016, 06:56 AM	#1
I CU2 Enlisted Member 16 Rep 42 Posts Drives: IS250 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	BMW ActiveHybrid 5 - any owners Hi Guys, Just wondering if anyone owns a BMW ActiveHybrid 5 in here? If so, what do you think of it? I was just wondering what long term reliability would be like? I tried looking up replacement battery costs and it doesn't even look like there's any used ones for sale (unlike the mass of Toyota/Lexus ones). If the battery does fail, can this car run on its petrol engine alone?
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05-06-2016, 10:14 AM	#2
Hasser Major 447 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: 2014 F10 M5 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Isle of Man iTrader: (0)	i got an active hybrid 5. had it 2 years - first registered December 2013. no problems so far. dont see too many on for sale. seems the residuals are not so good, due to uncertainty on the hybrid battery warrenty / reliability. for me, i have only seen max 25mpg - no real benefit of the battery imo. __________________ 2014 M5 1990 E30 318i Touring 1999 E38 728i -sold M235i - sold Activehybrid 5 - sold
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05-06-2016, 10:55 PM	#3
khai Dow First Lieutenant 336 Rep 340 Posts Drives: "Grey Goose" X7 40D, IOMG M4C Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: All around Asia iTrader: (0)	Agree with the comments and would only add that you lose some space in the trunk too which can be a pain at times. The battery sits behind the rear seats so you lose out. There is a 47hp boost over the standard 535 which can apply on top of the engine output when accelerating - not sure I've really felt it although the car is undoubtedly quick. Where I am, the Hybrid benefitted quite significantly from tax reductions and so it made sense for me. Plus the only other options for new 5's new here would be 520d/i 525d. This was therefore the only way for me to get a six cylinder engine in an official dealer purchased 5. It is a fantastic engine... If you can get a standard 535i (which this is based on) then that's what I'd go for unless there are other factors such as those that pushed me in the AH5 direction. p.s. Yes it can run on the petrol engine alone - as is does most of the time anyway...
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05-07-2016, 04:06 AM	#4
I CU2 Enlisted Member 16 Rep 42 Posts Drives: IS250 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys, Yes, I can get the 535i as well but this ActiveHybrid is very competitively priced but there's only 3 in the whole country here - my only hesitation is that not many people would know how to work on it. Does anyone know if there's a replacement high-voltage battery that you can purchase? I can see plenty of used ones for the Toyota/Lexus systems on eBay but none for the BMW.
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05-07-2016, 09:23 AM	#5
Hasser Major 447 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: 2014 F10 M5 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Isle of Man iTrader: (0)	The lack of boot space is a real killer actually, and no load through option. More boot space in a 3 series saloon. I've driven the car quite hard and floored it a number of times. I really do see the battery giving added HP and torque, you can feel it kick in. You know it's doing this on the idrive screen when you have the hybrid selected. It shows eboost. I also have the BMS. JB stage 1 piggy back tune installed with BMS intake. Now is blast to drive, really notice a good difference accelerating from say 50 mph through to 100 mph. Also the car feels so stable and strong all the way to the limit at 155 mph. Managed to push it 155 mph on 4 separate occasions over the last week on a good long drive. Needless to say once at the limit I didn't hold there for too long and backed off to 80 mph. __________________ 2014 M5 1990 E30 318i Touring 1999 E38 728i -sold M235i - sold Activehybrid 5 - sold
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05-09-2016, 08:11 AM	#6
I CU2 Enlisted Member 16 Rep 42 Posts Drives: IS250 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Do you guys think I would be silly if I purchased a 2012 model and planned to keep it for say 10 years?
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07-13-2016, 09:33 AM	#8
I CU2 Enlisted Member 16 Rep 42 Posts Drives: IS250 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Bump: still looking for more owners experiences, can anyone else chime in? Do you guys think it's dumb to own one of these outsides of warranty? If the Hybrid system fails, can it run solely on petrol like a normal 535i?
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07-13-2016, 03:48 PM	#9
SleevedCoyote Private First Class 70 Rep 140 Posts Drives: 2017 Mustang GT Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: BMW Workshop iTrader: (0)	I dont think there are many people on these forums who actually own the AH5, so im not sure you will get any more answers than what these two gentlemen already have said. As for me personally I wouldn't buy it, since trunkspace is important for me, and also the fact that not many people own this version of the car. Lastly it looks like the AH5 actually doesnt really return that much better mpg over a standard 535i, even though that's the purpose of the car, you could say. These are just my thoughts though, but I will say what many people echo again and again on these forums, BUY what YOU want, and what suits you best.
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07-15-2016, 07:13 AM	#10
Hasser Major 447 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: 2014 F10 M5 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Isle of Man iTrader: (0)	i bought it cos it was available at the time, the better option would be a 535i with a M Performance power kit added or get a used M5. if you want mpg - go for the 535d though __________________ 2014 M5 1990 E30 318i Touring 1999 E38 728i -sold M235i - sold Activehybrid 5 - sold
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09-30-2016, 10:09 PM	#11
crazyfool Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2013 ActiveHybrid 5 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: China iTrader: (0)	I got an 2013 water blue ActiveHybrid 5. Nice engine, but not so fuel efficient. A friend got an Brabus S400 Hybrid, the battery broke down, then the engine cannot start -- cannot work alone. Not sure if BMW use the same tech as Mercedes. Anyway, this car has some exclusive exterior configurations, the color, the wheel... I think I'll keep this car for a long time. Last edited by crazyfool; 09-30-2016 at 11:08 PM..
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10-03-2016, 06:56 AM	#13
Fox530 Lieutenant 38 Rep 581 Posts Drives: M340i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	I almost bought one of these about three times but bottled it on every occasion. Each time they'd get ever more cheaper and I'd go through the thought process again. The trouble is that nobody seems to know what they will be like in the future. How long do the batteries last? What happens to the car when they need replacement? Is there a cost effective replacement option? The fact that the BMW extended warranty excludes batteries and I couldn't get anyone there to tell me if that meant the AH5 powertrain batteries was the final nail in the coffin and I ended up just getting another 530d. __________________ Current: 2021 M340i xDrive, 2001 530i Sport Previous: 2015 530d M Sport, 2010 530d SE, 2008 335i M Sport
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10-03-2016, 07:13 AM	#14
BMW BRAD Lieutenant Colonel 203 Rep 1,889 Posts Drives: F10 535d M, F31 328d M Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chino Hills Ca. iTrader: (13)	If fuel economy is what you're after, go for the 535d. The torque AND fuel economy are awesome! I hunted for a 535d M Sport and am SO glad I did! __________________ [SIGPIC]
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