BMW Active Hybrid 3 - One of The Rarest BMW's Ever Made (Info & POV Drive in 🇫🇮)
86The BMW Active Hybrid 3 is one of the rarest BMW's today with a global production of only 5,105 manufactured cars. The "AH3" is built on 335i with the N55 engine and F30 chassis, adding a High-Voltage battery on top for extra 55 horsepower. This video gives enough information about the vehicle so you can make an educated purchase decision. Common quirks, features and aspects are covered, as well as a lengthy POV-drive.
As of 2022, if your high-voltage battery would die, you would be quoted around $10,000 for a replacement in the U.S, whereas in Finland the replacement is 2,600€. Other EU countries hover around 6,000€. The Active Hybrid 3 might not be worth it for Americans unless the battery has already been changed. The 8-year warranty period has just run out.
AH3's are typically well equipped, nearly maxed, and tax is cheap due to it being a hybrid. However, the vehicle doesn't arguably save you on any gas. It is simply not an economic car; The hybrid battery is there to provide additional 55 horsepower and more torque over the 335i. In some cases, it uses even more fuel than a regular 335i. AH3 can be driven in electric mode, but only for 2.5 miles at a time. It recharges itself, so it's not a plug-in. Driving like this is however not the point of the car. You could argue the AH3 was nothing more but a test-run of the hybrid system. Owners aren't disappointed.
If you are considering a 335i, but run into AH3's, consider yourself lucky. These are incredibly fun cars to drive, and usually loaded with extras and well kept. Most of your typical mods and bolt-ons that would work on a 335i, work on the Active Hybrid 3. Your only concern should be the cost of a new high-voltage battery if and when it dies. Nobody really knows how long they will last, but a lot of high mileage AH3's are around with the original battery. Your country makes all the difference here. Ask your local dealer for a price before purchasing the car for ease of mind. In Finland's case, 2,600€ is definitely more than worth it to keep the car running.
There are also two other variations of the car. Active Hybrid 5 & Active Hybrid 7 which are even more rare.
335i & Active Hybrid 3 differences:
- AH3 has a High-Voltage, AGM & AUX batteries. HV battery eats trunk space ⅓ worth.
- A/C works with the engine off. A/C pre-cool with fob.
- AH3’s all-electric driving range of up to 2.5 miles (4 km’s)
- No Start & Stop button. S&S and electric driving can be disabled with the shifter pushed left in Sport mode.
- Lower Pressure Fuel Pump is different.
- Main Radiator is different.
- Cooling Connection to Electric Motor interferes with larger turbos.
- Subwoofer fitment is limited in trunk due to space.
- No Launch Control
- iDrive’s Hybrid menu (Power delivery, ECO settings & consumption)
- Minor visual exterior / interior differences such as badging.
- Gearbox Input torque increased to max. 700 Nm
- Bootmod3 burbles cause harsh engine-braking. Safe to use, but can be considered uncomfortable as the car no longer slows down smoothly. Problem goes away when burbles are disabled.
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Vehicle featured: BMW 335i ActiveHybrid 3 (N55 F30 2013 RWD) at 99K miles. USA Import.
Current Horsepower 425 hp (Stock 340 hp)
Current Torque 523 nm (Stock 450 nm)
0-60 mp/h | 0-100 km/h: 4.5s - 5.0s (Stock 5.3s)
Current setup:
Resonator Delete
VRSF 3.5” N55 Downpipe
VRSF 3” N55 Charge Pipe
Engine Tune: Bootmod3 Stage 1
Transmission Tune: xHP Stage 3
Burble Aggressiveness 11 for 1.6 seconds.
Do not run burbles with the stock catalytic converter, it will break. Install a catless downpipe.
XHP Shiftpoints:
1 to 2: +30%. Downshift +65%
2 to 3: +20%. Downshift +20%
3 to 4: +7%. Downshift +16%
4 to 5: -1%. Downshift +10%
5 to 6: -9%. Downshift +0%
6 to 7: -12%. Downshift -12%
7 to 8: -12%. Downshift -12%
Tsw 19” Mallory 5 Matte Black Wheels
Goingfast Glossy Black Kidneys
Topteng White Grill Bar V Brace Wrap
Vland Smoked V2 Tail Lights
tuning-art SF002 Sportline Design Floor Mats
AeroBon Carbon Fiber Rear Spoiler
BANIKOP Stainless Steel pedal inserts
Emtronika Speed Limit Emulator
Bruce & Shark Black Engine Start Stop Switch
Shining wheat suede steering wheel cover
Garmin Mini 2 Dash Camera
FLOVEME Mobile Phone Vent Holder
Footage: GoPro 9 @ 2.7K 60fps
Exhaust Microphone: Rode VideoMicro.
Cabin Microphone: Rode NT-USB
00:00 Intro
00:12 Exterior & Interior
01:34 Revving
02:22 POV Starts
03:00 Sport M/S Mode
07:00 Comfort M/S Mode
08:00 Town of AKAA
11:40 Electric Driving
14:20 Comfort Mode
16:08 Sport+ Mode (slow speeds)
19:21 Sport Mode (slow speeds)
20:24 Highway
23:41 Cruising
25:51 Hybrid Menu in iDrive
27:41 Eco Pro Mode
29:42 Sport+ M/S Mode
30:01 Cruise Control negates Sport+ Mode
30:54 Cruising
34:56 City of VALKEAKOSKI
45:11 Sport Mode
49:21 0-60 MPH in 4.58s
50:21 Manual Mode
53:41 Finland at its best
1:00:02 Other differences to 335i
1:00:40 Top VIN Details
1:01:17 Current Setup & Parts