Pricing for the new BMW 1 Series – including the flagship M135 derivative – has been revealed. Here’s how much you’ll pay for this premium hatchback in South Africa…
Despite the new BMW 1 Series having been unveiled as recently as June 2024, we already have local pricing for this latest version of the premium 5-door hatchback, which is scheduled to launch in South Africa in the final quarter of 2024.
As we reported earlier, the local F70-generation BMW 1 Series line-up will comprise just a pair of derivatives at launch: the front-wheel-drive 118 and the all-paw M135 xDrive (with the front-driven 120 expected to follow in 2025).
Note the Bavarian firm’s latest naming convention drops the “i” suffix for petrol derivatives, seemingly reserving this for future fully electric variants. Both the 118 and M135 employ a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission as standard.
The new BMW 118 starts at R713 395, which makes it R21 679 more expensive than the outgoing F40-gen equivalent (specifying the M Sport package pushes the price to R753 395). However, while a turbocharged 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine again provides the urge, it offers more generous outputs in F70 guise. Here, the 3-pot makes 115 kW and 230 Nm, respective increases of 12 kW and 10 Nm.
For the record, BMW says the SA-spec 118 will complete the 0-100 kph sprint in 8.5 seconds (matching the previous version’s time), before topping out at 226 kph (13 units higher than before). Claimed combined fuel economy for this variant increases from 5.9 L/100 km to 6.4 L/100 km.
Available options for the new 118 include 18-inch alloy wheels (a inch larger than standard, for an extra R17 000) and various exterior paint colours, with the bulk of extras grouped in either the Equipment Package (R24 500) or the Deluxe Package (R32 000).
What about the M Performance model? Well, the new M135 kicks off at R982 768, an increase of R30 175 compared with the outgoing M135i. Thankfully, while the European-spec version’s turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine has been detuned, South Africa will receive the full-fat configuration.
That means peak power of 233 kW (8 units more than the F40-gen version) and maximum torque of 400 Nm (interestingly down 50 Nm). The claimed 0-100 kph time is listed as 4.9 seconds, a tenth of a second slower than before, while top speed is unchanged at 250 kph.
The M135 can furthermore be ordered with 19-inch alloys (up an inch, for an additional R14 000), the aforementioned Equipment Package (R24 500) and the M Sport Package Pro (R25 000). The latter includes M Sport seats, M seatbelts, M Sport brakes (with red callipers), BMW Individual Lights Shadow Line and high-gloss Shadow Line exterior trim.
As a reminder, the latest-gen 1 Series measures 4 361 mm from snout to rump, making this Leipzig-built model 42 mm longer than the outgoing version, though its wheelbase is unchanged at 2 670 mm. In addition, the hatchback stands 25 mm taller than its predecessor at 1 459 mm. Luggage capacity is listed as 380 litres, a figure expandable to 1 200 litres by dropping the rear bench.
Inside, the new 1 Series is “completely leather-free as standard”, with options including “leather-like” material as well as upholstery fashioned from recycled polyester. There’s also a redesigned gear selector as well as the latest BMW Curved Display, which comprises a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.7-inch infotainment screen. Air conditioning controls are now fully digital.
How much does the new BMW 1 Series cost in South Africa?
BMW 118 – R713 395
BMW M135 xDrive – R982 768
The prices above include BMW’s 2-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
