Going from a BMW to a Prius: thoughts?

To some extent, it depends on which BMW series you're coming from. I've driven 7 series and 5 series BMWs (most recent car before Prius was a 545i). If you're used to a 3 series, the difference won't be as pronounced.

I decided to get a Prius for environmental reasons. I've been fortunate enough to drive many luxury and sports cars, and realized the driving experience and quality level would be dramatically different with a Prius, but this was a trade off I was consciously making. I'll have to say that, overall, I've been pleasantly surprised (could be the great job I did of expectation setting ).

The interior quality and noise level is very much a step down. It's by far the noisiest interior of any car I've owned (both interior squeaks/rattles, and transmission of road and exterior noise). This was the biggest adjustment for me.

Driving experience isn't as bad as I expected. While it's no BMW or Porsche, my Prius V (w/ the 17" wheels and more direct steering than non-17" models) really doesn't drive that bad. Again, my expectation setting is clearly as work here, plus I'm not driving it in nearly as "spirited" a way as previous cars.

Acceleration? Something like 10 secs. 0 - 60. Double+ vs. previous cars. But I knew that going in.

It's really about priorities and expectations. If you told me 10 - 15 years ago I'd be driving a Prius, I'd have told you you're nuts.

 

Yes, only you will know. Rent one or borrow one for at least 2 days more than once. I will tell you this, it is hard to go from 7 series seats to the junk seats of a Prius!

 

i too switched from a nice car (mercedes c280) to my current prius. i absolutely agree that driving experience is not even close. but... they are completely different animals and superb in their own ways. i cant expect my prius to be like my benz but on the other hand, i cant expect my benz to be like my prius. so, that aside, i love the fact that i am driving (not for the first time) a car that is scientifically off the scale of modern engineering in its own right ( i know i know its just my opinion)no belts, twice the mileage with regular gas. ive had several prii and each one has been better ( with the possible exception of my c, which i had for a short while). my latest is a continuation. the smoothest, quietest, most sophisticated of all the prii ive had. no its not a beammer but then again the beammer is no prius

 

Level 4 and 5 bring more tech than luxury to the car but those would be your closest comparison. Is the Prius liftback the only hybrid on your search radar? There are more luxurious and powerful hybrids on the market.

 

Exactly!

Try an EV with a range extender.

 

I'm with John on this one. If you are interested in a more luxury feel then something like the Volt or Ford C-Max Energi may be a better option than the Prius. There is always the Tesla Model S if you're feeling nostalgic for 7 series quality and style. However, many BMW converts love their Prius. It's all about managing your expectations. We do this in dating so I'm sure we can do it with cars.

 

I had a new 6-speed 325i, then had a new automatic 535i with supercharged (or twinT?) 300hp.

Then went to a used 08 Prius! It was awesome. I am on a new 2012 now and wouldn't even had considered going back to a 2012 BMW.

You use so much less gas. And sure BMW may over-engineer, but they also over sell, and consequently, under-deliver. The Prius on the other hand is under-sold and over-delivers. So while the BMW is better and more luxurious in a multitude of ways, the way it is sold to you, changes your perception of those features based on how they perform compared to expectation. (Honestly, I don't think you will believe this last part until you make the switch. I wouldn't have believed it).

BMW told me I was gonna get great mpg, 30+ hwy, 25+ city. My on-board computer found an average of 16-19 mpg's. Toyota told me I would get 40 mpgs, I got 42 (in the '08). Different things like this, the BMW would always leave me a little disappointed compared to what the salesman (and the sticker) sold me on, while in the Toyota I got even better than I expected.

There is a reason the Prius is now the best selling car in America.

 

I have had a similar experience with the Volt. Chevy advertises 38 miles of EV range and I regularly get 45-50 miles per charge. I don't use the gas engine very much but other Volt owners are experiencing 45 mpg on the highway rather than the 40 mpg. A well designed hybrid system seems to mute many common gas guzzling driving mistakes.

 

I went from a BMW 318I that I owned for 190,ooo+ miles to a Prius GenI, then to a Level IV GEn II, and now to a Prius Advanced PiP. The GenI was a basic econobox and the MW 318I had been in comparison a much better car, except for the #$%^& gas mileage. The GenII Was IMHO just about equal to the 318I other than in handling, which I improved with the old BT Tech tower strut brace and the BT Tech underbody plate brace (note I had the Level IV trim, out of six levels available).

My 2012 Advanced PiP is simply a great all-around car, with an idiotically good MPG average on top. Its handling was better than the previous two Prii I had, and now with the addition of a TRD rear anti-sway bar and Mike500s underbody mid-brace and front brace, I think the Advanced PiP is equal to any reasonably equipped, reasonably driven current BMW in fitment, in accessories and in handling... oh, except it still gets that crazy-high MPG. Now my issues revolve around keeping my son's hands away from the keys when he's in town and wants to go out with buds...

 

All luxury cars do this. Lexus also designs their doors to shut, but quietly. As only fools are fooled by a "thump" meaning quality, which is what they do.

If you want a hybrid, that gets excellent mileage: get a Prius
If you want a hybrid, that gets OK mileage, but is a bit sportier and a bit more luxurious than the Prius: get a CT200h
If you want a hybrid, that gets average mileage, but is sporty, luxurious, and has the benefits of being smooth and start/stop engine: get a GS450h
If you want a luxury hybrid SUV: get an RX450h

There are many choices out there.

 

I'm no BMW fan but I've driven plenty of BMWs and came from a car that was more luxurious than my Prius (an 02 Nissan Maxima). Not all BMWs are particularly fast (e.g. 318i or the E46 325i).

I'd also add in the '12+ Camry Hybrid and the Lexus ES hybrid as cars to consider for something w/more luxury. Although the Lexus CT has a much higher quality interior than any Prius but I simply don't like its exterior styling. It's smaller inside, gets worse FE and slower than the Prius. If anything, I would've wanted it to be a bit quicker in acceleration.

One could also consider a used (now discontinued) Lexus HS. I won a week test drive and liked it a lot. Only thing is, I agree w/the criticisms about its exterior styling. Also, its FE inferior to that of the vehicles I mentioned.

 

You're going to save a lot of money.

 

Your assessment is spot on. I traded a 2011 5 Series, and my reasons for getting a Prius are similar to yours. After 5,000 miles, I'm averaging about 54 MPG and have experienced ZERO problems. I miss the BMW refinement, power and especially the great factory stereo with a sub-woofer under each front seat. Driving a Prius makes a different type of statement, and I feel it's more positive. I have owned three BMWs and always traded before the factory warranty expired. You can buy four new tires for a Prius for the cost of one BMW run-flat tire.

 

I wouldn't bother. The Prius is built to a far lower standard than your BMW. The ES Hybrid is likely a much better choice.

Besides, unless you really need a new car, it is almost always cheaper to keep your current car and do the necessary repairs.


iPhone ?

 

Problem is, BMW reliability is hit or miss, sometimes very poor, depending on the year or model. And, maintenance becomes very pricey once the "free" maintenance is up. Toyota Prius is best selling car in California (so far for 2012) | PriusChat was a guy who switched and referred to his 3-series as a money pit.

I will agree that there's huge difference in luxury, handling and acceleration between a Prius and and say a current 3-series. The difference in luxury becomes even wider once you go to higher end BMWs.

Yeah, if OP wants luxury, ES hybrid is a better choice.

 

I just traded my 2005 BMW X3 for a Prius c Two a few days ago. No regrets. The BMW was expensive to fuel and fix. The Prius c is a gas-sipper avg 53MPG vs. 17 MPG or so with the BMW X3. As long as you know you are giving up some of the rapid acceleration, you will likely get used to any Prius. The Prius is more of a relaxed ride than the BMW in my opinion. The BMW felt like a racing car that did not like low speeds in the city, but the Prius c seems better at lower neighborhood speeds, and worse ramping up to faster highway speeds. I like the Prius c, especially the lower maintenance costs. My BMW dealer also has a 3-4 week wait just to get an appointment in the summer months, so having a Toyota should alleviate the wait for oil changes and other maintenance that may be needed.

 

I used to have a Lexus GS430 and now drive a Prius. Yes, sometimes I miss the acceleration and the quiet interior but the Prius actually has more options and toys and you just can't beat the gas mileage. My GS averaged 24-26 which is great but the Prius is 51.

Take the Prius on an extended test drive. From my experience with BMW, the Prius will save you a ton of money in maintenance.

 

Don't forget the new ES300h. I drove one a few weeks ago, and it's an awesome car...new from the ground up. My wife is considering upgrading from a Camry Hybrid.

 

The Prius delivers its own unique kind of driving pleasure that you won't enjoy in any other car, whether it's hybrid or standard. There is a zen-like enjoyment as you feel the engine switch off and you glide on electric power. The Prius dashboard displays nurture you into developing the driving habits of a hypermiler. Over time, you develop a feel for when the gas pedal pressure will start the engine, and how to lightly feather the brake pedal to charge the battery without using friction braking. Of course, you can "just drive" a Prius, but you can "just drive" any car.

For the best Prius experience, I think Plug-in is the best way to go. With the incentives Toyota's offering right now, the Plug-in barely costs more than a standard Prius.

The Nissan Leaf may also deliver this kind of feeling, but it's obviously something you'll only experience with a test drive.

At any rate -- these things are personal. Prius isn't for everybody, but I switched from my BMW 328 without regret. Test drive as much as you want. I chose Prius after trying Mercedes, BMW, Accura, Camry, and a bunch of other cars, I bought a 2010 Prius, and I liked it so much that I traded it in for a 2012 Plug-in, partly for my interest in the great technology, but mostly because the commuter lane sticker is a big time saver in my 40 mile commute.