Hatchback Petrol 7-Speed Automatic FWD 5-seat

BMW 1 Series

Price in South Africa, real specs & fuel economy — 2026

Model year 2026 Generation Fourth-generation F70 BMW 1 Series, configured for South Africa as a five-door hatchback. Current version Original current-generation version Body style Hatchback
The fourth-generation BMW 1 Series offers four petrol choices, from a sensible 118 to the all-wheel-drive M135 xDrive performance hatch.
ZAR 705,000
On-road in
ZAR 721,950
What makes up this price?
Vehicle price (ex-showroom)
ZAR 705,000
Registration allowance
ZAR 4,200
Licensing allowance
ZAR 1,600
Inspection / roadworthy allowance
ZAR 1,100
Dealer handling / delivery
ZAR 3,000
Insurance
ZAR 7,050
Other fees
ZAR 0
Ex-showroom ZAR 705,000
Finance estimate from ZAR 12,426/month Based on 118 Standard Model Ex-showroom basis · approx. 20% deposit · 11.5% p.a. · 60 months · no balloon
Engine:1499cc (1.5L) Torque:230Nm (170 lb-ft) Ground Clearance:140mm (5.5″) Power:115kW (154 bhp) Boot380L (13.4 cu ft)

Hover or tap any pill for a plain-English explanation. Bracketed values show common equivalents (bhp, lb-ft, inches, cu ft).

Fuel Economy km/l · US mpg equivalent
Combined 12.5 km/l (29 mpg)
City 10.5 km/l (25 mpg)
Highway 15.0 km/l (35 mpg)

On-road pricing varies by dealer. Fuel figures are manufacturer claims or source-backed estimates where a separate city/highway cycle is not published; your real numbers depend on traffic, terrain and driving style.

Model Range PDF See comparisons with similar cars
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Estimate monthly vehicle finance for the BMW 1 Series in South Africa. The default illustration uses the ex-showroom price, approximately 20% deposit, 11.5% nominal annual interest over 60 months and no balloon payment.

Estimated monthly instalment
ZAR 12,426
Total Interest
ZAR 180,549
Total Payable
ZAR 745,549
Principal Interest

* Illustrative estimate based on the ex-showroom price, approximately 20% deposit, 11.5% nominal annual interest, 60 months and no balloon payment, using the 118 Standard Model. Excludes initiation fees, monthly service fees, credit-life insurance and vehicle insurance. Your lender quotation may differ.

Vehicle specifications and buying guidance • Hagalu

BMW 1 Series

The fourth-generation BMW 1 Series offers four petrol choices, from a sensible 118 to the all-wheel-drive M135 xDrive performance hatch.

The current BMW 1 Series is the F70 generation, a five-door premium hatchback that entered South African showrooms in 2024. Its job is unusually broad. It must be compact enough for daily commuting and university or office parking, refined enough to justify a premium badge, and practical enough to work as an only car. BMW South Africa’s current range answers that brief with four distinct derivatives rather than four different engines. The 118 appears as Standard Model, Pure Design and M Sport, while M135 xDrive is the separate high-performance choice. That distinction is central to shopping the range: the first three share the same core output and differ principally in presentation and equipment, whereas M135 changes the powertrain, driven wheels and performance character. BMW publishes 115 kW and a 0–100 km/h time of 8.5 seconds for the 118. The South African range price list adds 230 Nm, a seven-speed automatic transmission and a quoted combined consumption figure of 6.4 litres per 100 km. These are useful comparison numbers, not promises of an owner’s result. Congestion, short trips, altitude, load and driving style will change actual fuel use. The 118’s figures nevertheless describe a car with enough performance for normal motorway joining and overtaking without forcing every buyer into the expense and firmer focus of an M derivative. Standard Model is the clean access point; Pure Design is a locally relevant value-and-appearance package; M Sport changes the visual and cabin emphasis without becoming an M135. M135 xDrive sits apart. BMW’s official local material gives it 233 kW and 400 Nm, with a 4.9-second 0–100 km/h claim and a 250 km/h maximum. Its all-wheel-drive traction and performance-oriented chassis make it the range’s specialist rather than simply the most decorated 118. A buyer considering it should compare tyre, insurance and consumable costs with the intended use, because the ability to reach speed quickly changes the ownership equation even when the body remains a practical hatchback. It is also important not to read M135 hardware into an M Sport 118. The shared letter and styling vocabulary do not make their engineering interchangeable. Inside, the F70 uses BMW’s curved-display layout and Operating System 9, with touch and voice interaction carrying more of the control burden than in older 1 Series generations. That gives the cabin a contemporary appearance and useful connected functions, but it makes a real demonstration important. Buyers should test phone pairing, navigation, climate shortcuts and the functions they use every day rather than judge the interface from a static showroom screen. Rear-seat access is straightforward through conventional rear doors, and the hatchback tailgate is more adaptable than a small saloon boot. Yet this remains BMW’s compact car: adults who regularly sit in the second row and owners carrying bulky equipment should test their actual seating and luggage needs before ordering. The 1 Series makes the strongest case when grade discipline is maintained. Choose a 118 package for equipment and appearance, not because the badges suggest different performance. Choose M135 for its measurable powertrain and traction change, accepting the associated running-cost exposure. Across all four, confirm the standard South African equipment attached to the exact build, since configurator imagery can show paid options. That simple check keeps a well-sized premium hatch from becoming an expensive collection of features the owner never intended to buy.

BMW 1 Series — Quick Facts

BMW 1 Series Variants & Prices

Pick up to 3 variants, hit Compare Variants and you'll get a proper side-by-side spec breakdown.

Maximum 3 variants reached
Uncheck one of the selected variants below before choosing another.
Cmp Variant Trim Fuel Efficiency / range Transmission Price
118 Standard Model Standard Petrol Efficiency12.5 km/l 7-Speed Automatic ZAR 705,000
118 Pure Design Pure-Design Petrol Efficiency12.5 km/l 7-Speed Automatic ZAR 753,500
118 M Sport M-Sport Petrol Efficiency12.5 km/l 7-Speed Automatic ZAR 745,000
M135 xDrive M-Performance Petrol Efficiency12.5 km/l 7-Speed Automatic ZAR 975,000
Cmp Variant Trim Fuel Efficiency / range Transmission Price
118 Standard Model Standard Petrol Efficiency12.5 km/l 7-Speed Automatic ZAR 705,000
118 Pure Design Pure-Design Petrol Efficiency12.5 km/l 7-Speed Automatic ZAR 753,500
118 M Sport M-Sport Petrol Efficiency12.5 km/l 7-Speed Automatic ZAR 745,000
M135 xDrive M-Performance Petrol Efficiency12.5 km/l 7-Speed Automatic ZAR 975,000
2 variants selected

BMW 1 Series Specifications

Showing all 219 non-empty supported buyer-facing fields for 118 Standard Model. Blank contract fields are not fabricated.

Model Introduced Year
2024
Body Style
Hatchback
Generation
Fourth-generation F70 BMW 1 Series, configured for South Africa as a five-door hatchback.
Model Year
2026
Production Status
active
Segment
Premium Hatchback
Vehicle Type
Car
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Facelift History
F70 is the current fourth-generation South African launch version; no local facelift has been announced.
Length
4361 mm
Width
1800 mm
Height
1459 mm
Wheelbase
2670 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
49 l
Boot/Cargo Space
380 l
Kerb Weight
1390 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2044 kg
Payload Capacity
459 kg
Towing Capacity
1300 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.6 m
Front Headroom
985 mm
Rear Headroom
945 mm
Front Legroom
1032 mm
Rear Legroom
884 mm
Engine
BMW turbocharged engine
Engine Code
B48
Fuel Type
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1499 cc
Cylinders
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Valves
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Direct injection
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
Bore
82.0 mm
Stroke
94.6 mm
Maximum Power
115 kW
Maximum Torque
230 Nm @ 1500-4600 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
Transmission
7-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
226 km/h
0-100 km/h
8.5 sec
Quarter Mile
15.5 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Launch Control
No
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
100 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
220 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Gearbox
7-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
Front-wheel drive
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Transmission Speeds
7
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Drivetrain
FWD
Axle Layout
Yes
Low Range
Not Applicable
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
Yes
Number of Gears
7
Transmission Type
Automatic
Clutch Type
Yes
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Automatic selector
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Range Real World Mixed
420 km
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
360 km
Real-world Mileage
12.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Litres
49
Auto Start Stop
Standard
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Fuel Tank Capacity
49 l
Highway Mileage
15.0 km/l
City Mileage
10.5 km/l
Claimed Mileage
12.5 km/l
Brake Assist
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Traction Control
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
ABS
Standard
Airbags
6
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
ABS EBD
Standard
BA
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
TCS
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Knee Airbag
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Hill Hold
Yes
AEB
Yes
Driver Airbag
Yes
EBD
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Park Assist
Standard
Cruise Control
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Parking Sensors
Yes
Rear View Camera
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Auto Wipers
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Reverse Camera
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Around View Monitor
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
Seat Trim
Yes
Steering Wheel Material
Yes
Heated Seats
Yes
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Seat Material
Leather/Sensatec
Keyless Entry
Yes
Climate Control
Standard
Power Windows
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Wireless Charging
Yes
Sunroof
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
No
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
AC Type
Automatic air conditioning
Android Auto
Yes
Touchscreen
Yes
USB Ports
2
Infotainment System
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Number of Speakers
6
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Infotainment Screen
14.9
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3
Roof Rails
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple manufacturer colours
Fog Lamps
Yes
Headlights
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
LED Headlamps
Yes
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Tyre Size
225/50 R18
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
17" light alloy wheels Y spoke style 971
Rear Suspension
Multi-link
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
Warranty
Yes
CO2 Emissions
145 g/km
Pricing Role
Current recommended retail price
Price Zar
705000 ZAR
Ownership Role
Private and enthusiast
Starting Price
705000
Starting Price Zar
705000

Imported source and record fields

19 non-empty identity, provenance, and legacy source fields are retained here for review. They are not mixed into the buyer-facing specification table. The supplied pack has no values for 575 of the 813 specification-contract fields on this page, so those blank fields remain omitted.

Market
South Africa
Brand
BMW
Brand Slug
bmw
Country
South Africa
Country Slug
south-africa
Make
BMW
Model
1 Series
OEM URL
https://www.bmw.co.za/en/all-models/1-series/bmw-1-series/bmw-1-series.html
Source Name
BMW South Africa official technical data and range information
Source Page URL
https://www.bmw.co.za/en/all-models/1-series/bmw-1-series/bmw-1-series-technical-data.html
Source URL
https://www.bmw.co.za/en/all-models/1-series/bmw-1-series/bmw-1-series-technical-data.html
Variant
118 Standard Model
Fuel Economy Combined
6.4
Fuel Efficiency
1 l/100km
Combined Consumption L 100km
6.4 l/100km
Combined Consumption
6.4
Claimed Fuel Consumption
6.4 l/100km
Average Fuel Consumption
6.4
Price Source
BMW South Africa July 2026 recommended retail price list
Driving fit

Where the BMW 1 Series Fits Best

A practical view of the buyer and roads this model is best suited to.

Who buys this

The regular 118 suits a professional, couple, small household or downsizer who wants premium cabin technology in a city-friendly footprint. M135 xDrive is aimed at the driver who will use its additional traction and acceleration and has budgeted for the insurance, tyres and fuel that accompany a 233 kW hot hatch.

City
The 1 Series is most persuasive in dense daily use. Its hatchback proportions are easier to place in office basements and shopping-centre bays than a large SUV, and the 118 has sufficient response for short merges without turning every traffic light into a performance event. Test low-speed gearbox calibration, rear visibility and the available parking aids on the exact grade. Pure Design and M Sport should be compared for features that reduce daily friction, not selected only from exterior photographs. M135 drivers need additional restraint in wet streets and should obtain an insurance quotation before delivery.
Highway
A 118 can cover national-road journeys confidently, with the 115 kW and 230 Nm figures providing a reasonable overtaking baseline when loads are planned. The smaller body means passengers should confirm rear-seat comfort for the length of trip they actually make, while the hatch calls for disciplined holiday packing. M135 xDrive supplies far stronger acceleration and all-wheel traction, but its advantage is not a licence to ignore tyre condition, weather or stopping distance. On either engine, compare wheel choices for their effect on ride comfort across patched tar.
Off-Road
This is a road hatchback, including in M135 xDrive form. All-wheel drive improves how the performance derivative deploys power; it does not create SUV clearance, underbody protection or a trail brief. A smooth gravel driveway can be approached carefully after checking tyre and wheel condition, but corrugations, deep ruts, sand and rocky tracks are poor matches. Buyers who reach remote lodges often should value suitable tyres and ground clearance above a sporty body package.
4.1/5
Hagalu editorial score 4.1 out of 5 Reviewed by Hagalu Editorial Team · 2026-09-28

BMW 1 Series — Should You Buy It?

4.1/5
BMW 1 Series review: A convincing compact BMW when the shared 118 packages and the genuinely different M135 are understood.
Hagalu editorial review by Hagalu Editorial Team · 2026-09-28

Start with powertrain need. If the car will commute, run errands and make occasional intercity trips, the 118’s 115 kW and 230 Nm are credible and the decision moves to Standard Model, Pure Design or M Sport. Compare written standard-equipment lists and insurance quotations, because visual packs and configurator options can obscure the real difference between showroom cars. If acceleration, traction and a more focused chassis are the reason for shopping, M135 xDrive is the honest choice; an M Sport 118 cannot substitute for its engineering. In either case, spend time in the cabin. Operating System 9 places many tasks on the display, so menu confidence matters more after purchase than screen size. Put adults in the rear, load representative bags through the hatch and drive on an imperfect route. The car’s value lies in combining a manageable footprint with credible premium character, not in imitating a larger BMW. Buyers who make those practical checks can select a coherent derivative; those who shop only by badge or body kit risk paying for the wrong version. The F70 1 Series succeeds by offering two clear buying paths inside one useful five-door body. The 118 is the balanced route: brisk enough for ordinary South African driving, compact in town and available with three equipment personalities. M135 xDrive is a different proposition with 233 kW, all-wheel traction and much greater running-cost exposure. Neither is automatically the correct answer. The best purchase comes from testing the digital controls, rear accommodation and wheel comfort, then paying only for a grade whose added equipment will be used.

Desk research: Scored from verified published sources and Hagalu's South African buyer analysis; this vehicle was not road-tested for this review. This is a Hagalu editorial score, not a customer rating.

Safety 4.2/5 · 20%
4.2/5
Value 4.2/5 · 20%
4.2/5
Practicality 4.0/5 · 20%
4.0/5
Ownership 3.8/5 · 15%
3.8/5
Powertrain suitability 4.1/5 · 15%
4.1/5
Comfort & technology 4.1/5 · 10%
4.1/5

Evidence reviewed: Hagalu maintains the detailed source record internally so this page does not promote third-party vehicle websites.

How this score is calculated · Methodology v1.0

A convincing compact BMW when the shared 118 packages and the genuinely different M135 are understood.

The F70 1 Series succeeds by offering two clear buying paths inside one useful five-door body. The 118 is the balanced route: brisk enough for ordinary South African driving, compact in town and available with three equipment personalities. M135 xDrive is a different proposition with 233 kW, all-wheel traction and much greater running-cost exposure. Neither is automatically the correct answer. The best purchase comes from testing the digital controls, rear accommodation and wheel comfort, then paying only for a grade whose added equipment will be used.

What's Good
  • ✓Compact five-door body is practical in crowded cities
  • ✓Three 118 equipment routes preserve the same core performance
  • ✓M135 xDrive offers a genuine mechanical step
  • ✓Current curved-display cabin feels contemporary
  • ✓Official performance figures make the range easy to separate
Watch Out For
  • ✕Rear and luggage space remain compact-class rather than family-SUV generous
  • ✕Digital-first controls require familiarisation
  • ✕M Sport styling does not add M135 performance
  • ✕M135 ownership costs need careful budgeting
  • ✕Optional equipment can make showroom examples misleading

BMW 1 Series FAQs

Current recommended retail prices for the BMW 1 Series run from R705,000 to R975,000, depending on the derivative. Compare the exact trim before calculating finance because options, insurance and dealer charges can change the final monthly cost.

The current south african range comprises 118 Standard Model, 118 Pure Design, 118 M Sport, M135 xDrive. Prices and equipment are shown by derivative so buyers can compare the actual local range rather than specifications from another market.

The listed ground clearance for the BMW 1 Series is 140 mm. Use that number as a practical comparison point against similar cars, especially if you regularly deal with steep driveways, gravel roads or uneven parking areas.

The BMW 1 Series engine specification depends on derivative: 118 Standard Model, 118 Pure Design, 118 M Sport: 1499 cc, 115 kW (154 bhp); M135 xDrive: 1998 cc, 233 kW (312 bhp). Compare the exact trim because its gearbox and equipment may also differ.

The combined fuel-economy figure shown for the BMW 1 Series is around 12.5 km/l.

The regular 118 suits a professional, couple, small household or downsizer who wants premium cabin technology in a city-friendly footprint. M135 xDrive is aimed at the driver who will use its additional traction and acceleration and has budgeted for the insurance, tyres and fuel that accompany a...

The 1 Series is most persuasive in dense daily use. Its hatchback proportions are easier to place in office basements and shopping-centre bays than a large SUV, and the 118 has sufficient response for short merges without turning every traffic light into a performance event.

A 118 can cover national-road journeys confidently, with the 115 kW and 230 Nm figures providing a reasonable overtaking baseline when loads are planned. The smaller body means passengers should confirm rear-seat comfort for the length of trip they actually make, while the hatch calls for...

Buyers researching the BMW 1 Series often compare it with rivals such as GWM Ora 03 , Toyota GR Corolla , Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI , Toyota GR Yaris , Volkswagen Golf GTI . Comparing them side by side is the quickest way to see where your money goes — performance, fuel use, price and running costs can differ substantially.

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Data verified against: BMW Official South Africa Website

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