BMW is one of South Africa’s most popular luxury brands. What are the cheapest BMW cars you can buy in South Africa right now?
Are you shopping for the cheapest BMW cars in South Africa? Luxury car brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi are sought after in South Africa because they are regarded as status symbols.
BMW cars, in particular, are well-known for offering excellent performance and commendable handling ability, especially when considering a BMW M car.
Many people, however, can’t afford range-topping BMW M models but still want to be associated with the prestige of the BMW brand. So what are the 5 cheapest BMW cars on sale in the South African market?
Also see:
5 Cheapest Audi Cars in South Africa
5 Cheapest Mercedes-Benz Cars in SA
Let’s take a look!
Note that pricing is accurate as of April 2025.
5 Cheapest BMW Cars in South Africa
BMW 1 Series – From R713 395
The 1 Series is the entry point into the BMW brand and the new BMW 1 Series arrived in South Africa in 2024.
The range starts with a 115 kW / 230 Nm 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine in the 1 Series 118 which can be had in either base or M Sport trim. Pricing for the 1 Series 118 starts from R713 395.
For those seeking more performance, the BMW 1 Series M135 is available with 233 kW and 400 Nm of torque developed by its 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine and mated with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Also see: F20 BMW 1 Series (2011-2019) Buyer’s Guide
See pricing and specification details for the BMW 1 Series
Buy a BMW 1 Series on Cars.co.za
BMW 2 Series – From R733 559
The BMW 2 Series is available in either Coupe or Gran Coupe guise. The latest generation BMW 2 Series Coupe arrived in South Africa back in 2022 while the all-new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe landed in Mzansi in March 2025.
The BMW 2 Series 220i Coupe M Sport is powered by a 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine producing 135 kW and 300 Nm of torque and comes paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
A 2.0-litre turbodiesel 2 Series 220d Coupe M Sport is also available with 140 kW and 400 Nm. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard.
The 2 Series M240i xDrive Coupe is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder petrol engine that develops 285 kW and 500 Nm and comes paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The BMW 2 Series 218 Gran Coupe employs the same 115 kW / 230 Nm 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine from the 1 Series. It can be had in base or M Sport trim.
The 2 Series Gran Coupe range is topped off with the M235 with a 233 kW / 400 Nm 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet, paired with a 7-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission.
But that’s not all, the ultimate 2 Series is the M2 Coupe which is offered in either automatic or manual guise and powered by a 3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbopetrol engine with 338 kW and 550 Nm of torque.
See pricing and specification details for the BMW 2 Series
Buy a used BMW 2 Series on Cars.co.za
BMW X1 – From R808 899
The compact X1 is the entry point into BMW’s SUV range and can be had in either xLine or M Sport trim lines.
As far as engines go, a 115 kW / 230 Nm 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine is available or you can opt for a 110 kW / 360 Nm turbodiesel engine.
The X1 can also be with a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrain which combines the familiar 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and 16.3 kWh battery pack to deliver total outputs of 240 kW and 477 Nm.
BMW also recently introduced the X1 M35i with a 2.0-lityre turbopetrol engine proding 233 kW and 400 Nm of torque paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission.
See pricing and specification details for the BMW X1
Buy a used BMW X1 on Cars.co.za
BMW X2 – From R879 738
The new BMW X2 luxury crossover has arrived in South Africa with 2 derivatives to choose from.
The base X2 sDrive18i M Sport is powered by a 1.5-litre, 3-cyllinder turbopetrol engine with 115 kW and 230 Nm of torque while the range-topping X2 M35i is equipped with a 233 kW / 400 Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine.
See pricing and specification details for the BMW X2
Buy a used BMW X2 on Cars.co.za
BMW 3 Series – From R913 731
An updated BMW 3 Series arrived in 2024 and pricing for the latest 3 Series now starts from R913 731.
The popular BMW 3 Series is offered with either petrol or diesel powertrains. The range starts with the 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine in the 220i (note that the previous 318i has fallen away) with 135 kW and 300 Nm of torque and paried with an 8-speed automatic transmission. A more powerful 330i delivers 190 kW and 400 Nm from its 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine.
A single diesel engine is offered in the form of a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine with 140 kW and 400 Nm of torque. Buyers can choose between base and M Sport trim lines.
The 3 Series range is headlined by the M340i xDrive with a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder turbopetrol engine offering 285 kW and 500 Nm of torque.
For the M performance enthusiasts, the BMW M3 Competition M xDrive is the ultimate performance weapon with outputs of 375 kW and 650 Nm.
More so, BMW also recently launched the new M3 Competition Touring in South Africa with 390 kW and 650 Nm of torque produced by its 6-cylinder, 3.0-litre turbopetrol engine.
