Hatchback Petrol 7-Speed Automatic AWD 5-seat

BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive

Price in Polokwane, 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
M135 xDrive transforms the compact F70 into a 233 kW all-wheel-drive performance hatch with very different ownership costs.
ZAR 975,000
On-road in
ZAR 991,637
What makes up this price?
Vehicle price (ex-showroom)
ZAR 975,000
Registration allowance
ZAR 3,600
Licensing allowance
ZAR 1,400
Inspection / roadworthy allowance
ZAR 950
Dealer handling / delivery
ZAR 2,400
Insurance
ZAR 8,288
Other fees
ZAR 0
Ex-showroom ZAR 975,000
Estimated finance from ZAR 17,154/month Ex-showroom basis · approx. 20% deposit · 11.5% p.a. · 60 months · no balloon
Engine:1998cc (2.0L) Torque:400Nm (295 lb-ft) Ground Clearance:140mm (5.5″) Power:233kW (312 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.

Research this model
Model PDF Compare cars
₿ Pay with crypto BTC · ETH · USDT · USDC
Hagalu editorial rating: 4.1/5 Review

Estimate monthly vehicle finance for the BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive 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 17,154
Total Interest
ZAR 249,254
Total Payable
ZAR 1,029,254
Principal Interest

* Illustrative estimate based on the ex-showroom price, approximately 20% deposit, 11.5% nominal annual interest, 60 months and no balloon payment. 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 M135 xDrive

M135 xDrive transforms the compact F70 into a 233 kW all-wheel-drive performance hatch with very different ownership costs.

M135 xDrive is the mechanically serious member of the South African 1 Series range. For M135 xDrive, the stated maximum is 250 km/h and the sprint to 100 km/h takes 4.9 seconds; output is 233 kW with 400 Nm. It uses a seven-speed automatic and xDrive to deploy output through all four wheels. Those numbers distinguish it decisively from the 115 kW 118 M Sport. A buyer is not simply selecting a richer trim; they are choosing performance-car acceleration in a practical five-door body. The appeal is breadth. The car can carry rear passengers, accept everyday luggage and fit a normal office parking bay, then deliver acceleration that would once have belonged to a larger M car. All-wheel traction makes full-throttle deployment more secure in suitable conditions, but cannot defeat worn tyres, standing water or excessive speed. Immediate pace shortens decision time, so driver discipline and advanced training can matter more than another option. The official 7.8-litre-per-100-kilometre comparison figure should not be used as a guarantee for enthusiastic use. Ownership planning must expand beyond the advertised monthly payment. Obtain the exact insurance premium, tyre sizes and replacement prices, brake-service outlook and fuel budget. Inspect wheel vulnerability on the routes used most. The M135’s rapid acceleration may also influence tracking and security requirements. These costs are not defects; they are consequences of selecting a 233 kW hot hatch. A buyer who will never use the chassis or power may be more satisfied with a well-equipped 118. The interior retains F70 digital architecture, with M-specific presentation and equipment depending on the build. Seat comfort should be tested for long trips as well as cornering support, and the driver should learn how performance, stability and assistance settings interact. The rear seat and hatch remain useful but compact. M135 is at its best as one car that can commute calmly and provide genuine driver engagement when conditions allow. It is weakest as a badge purchase used only in congestion, where its expense continues even while its capabilities do not. The practical hatch format can also make M135 a tempting used proposition later, so ownership records matter. Keep tyre replacements matched, document wheel repairs and retain invoices for scheduled maintenance. Performance cars reveal neglect more quickly than badges reveal care. A complete file and unmodified, correctly specified vehicle can be more valuable than another cosmetic upgrade when the time comes to sell.

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
Buyer discovery

Keep exploring cars in South Africa

Broaden your shortlist with live models, images and published starting prices.

Browse all brands
5 live choices

Vans

All
5 live choices

SUVs

All
5 live choices

Bakkies & pickups

All
5 live choices

Sedans

All
5 live choices

MPVs

All

BMW 1 Series Specifications

Showing all 200 non-empty supported buyer-facing fields for M135 xDrive. Blank contract fields are not fabricated.

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

For an experienced enthusiast who needs five-door practicality, values all-wheel traction and will budget responsibly for a 233 kW hot hatch rather than shopping only from its monthly payment.

City
M135 can commute smoothly, but city traffic rarely rewards its 4.9-second capability. Compact dimensions and automatic operation are helpful; expensive tyres, low-profile wheels and security exposure are the counterweights. Test parking visibility, low-speed calibration and ride over the harshest normal street. Gentle throttle use preserves comfort and tyres. If nearly all driving is congested, a 118 M Sport offers similar visual satisfaction with a simpler budget.
Highway
The performance reserve makes joining and overtaking effortless, but legal speeds and stopping distance remain unchanged. xDrive aids traction, not judgement. Check tyre condition before every long trip and account for passenger and luggage load. Supportive seats and stable road manners can make M135 a capable tourer, though a smaller fuel tank and enthusiastic consumption may require more stops than a diesel sedan. Never build an itinerary around maximum-speed ability.
Off-Road
M135 xDrive is not an off-road derivative. Its all-wheel system exists principally to deploy performance on roads, while wheels, tyres, clearance and lower trim remain vulnerable on rough tracks. Use only a well-maintained gravel entrance slowly and avoid ruts, rocks, mud and uncertain water. Remote-road buyers should choose genuine ground clearance and robust tyres instead of trying to turn a hot hatch into an SUV.
4.1/5
Hagalu editorial score 4.1 out of 5 Reviewed by Hagalu Editorial Team · 2026-09-28

BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive — Should You Buy It?

4.1/5
BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive: buyer assessment
Hagalu editorial review by Hagalu Editorial Team · 2026-09-28

Treat M135 as a performance-car purchase from the first quotation. Verify the exact build, then obtain written insurance, tyre and service costs before comparing it with 118 M Sport. Drive on a route that includes congestion, imperfect tar and open curves so the car must demonstrate more than straight-line acceleration. Test seat comfort, menu access and the behaviour of its selectable settings. Inspect rear and luggage space with real users, because practicality is part of the argument. Finally, consider where and how often the 233 kW capability can be enjoyed legally and safely. If the answer is meaningful, M135 combines rare pace with a useful footprint. If not, its continuing costs will outlast the novelty. M135 xDrive is the mechanically serious member of the South African 1 Series range. For M135 xDrive, the stated maximum is 250 km/h and the sprint to 100 km/h takes 4.9 seconds; output is 233 kW with 400 Nm. It uses a seven-speed automatic and xDrive to deploy output through all four wheels. Those numbers distinguish it decisively from the 115 kW 118 M Sport. A buyer is not simply selecting a richer trim; they are choosing performance-car acceleration in a practical five-door body. The appeal is breadth. The car can carry rear passengers, accept everyday luggage and fit a normal office parking bay, then deliver acceleration that would once have belonged to a larger M car. All-wheel traction makes full-throttle deployment more secure in suitable conditions, but cannot defeat worn tyres, standing water or excessive speed. Immediate pace shortens decision time, so driver discipline and advanced training can matter more than another option. The official 7.8-litre-per-100-kilometre comparison figure should not be used as a guarantee for enthusiastic use. Ownership planning must expand beyond the advertised monthly payment. Obtain the exact insurance premium, tyre sizes and replacement prices, brake-service outlook and fuel budget. Inspect wheel vulnerability on the routes used most. The M135’s rapid acceleration may also influence tracking and security requirements. These costs are not defects; they are consequences of selecting a 233 kW hot hatch. A buyer who will never use the chassis or power may be more satisfied with a well-equipped 118. The interior retains F70 digital architecture, with M-specific presentation and equipment depending on the build. Seat comfort should be tested for long trips as well as cornering support, and the driver should learn how performance, stability and assistance settings interact. The rear seat and hatch remain useful but compact. M135 is at its best as one car that can commute calmly and provide genuine driver engagement when conditions allow. It is weakest as a badge purchase used only in congestion, where its expense continues even while its capabilities do not. The practical hatch format can also make M135 a tempting used proposition later, so ownership records matter. Keep tyre replacements matched, document wheel repairs and retain invoices for scheduled maintenance. Performance cars reveal neglect more quickly than badges reveal care. A complete file and unmodified, correctly specified vehicle can be more valuable than another cosmetic upgrade when the time comes to sell.

Desk research: Scored from verified published sources and Hagalu's market-specific 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 4.1/5 · 20%
4.1/5
Practicality 4.0/5 · 20%
4.0/5
Ownership 3.7/5 · 15%
3.7/5
Powertrain suitability 4.3/5 · 15%
4.3/5
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 remarkably quick and usable hot hatch whose costs and intended use must be as serious as its performance.

M135 xDrive earns its flagship position through engineering rather than decoration. The 233 kW output, 400 Nm and all-wheel traction create a genuine performance step while five doors preserve everyday usefulness. That achievement comes with insurance, tyre, brake and fuel obligations that a 118 avoids. Buyers who seek driver engagement and will use it responsibly can justify the car; buyers seeking only M appearance should choose lower in the range.

What's Good
  • ✓Genuine 233 kW performance
  • ✓All-wheel-drive traction
  • ✓4.9-second published acceleration
  • ✓Five-door hatchback practicality
  • ✓Clear mechanical separation from 118 M Sport
Watch Out For
  • ✕Higher tyre and brake costs
  • ✕Insurance requires early checking
  • ✕Performance is underused in congestion
  • ✕No off-road role despite xDrive
  • ✕Fuel use can rise sharply with driving style

BMW 1 Series FAQs

The current recommended retail price listed for the BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive is R975,000. This is the vehicle price before finance interest, insurance, registration and any dealer-added options.

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 M135 xDrive 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 listed engine capacity for the BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive is 1998 cc, with output shown as 233 kW (312 bhp). Where a model has more than one derivative, compare the specific variant because fuel type, gearbox and drivetrain can change the way it drives.

The combined fuel-economy figure shown for the BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive is around 12.5 km/l.

For an experienced enthusiast who needs five-door practicality, values all-wheel traction and will budget responsibly for a 233 kW hot hatch rather than shopping only from its monthly payment.

M135 can commute smoothly, but city traffic rarely rewards its 4.9-second capability. Compact dimensions and automatic operation are helpful; expensive tyres, low-profile wheels and security exposure are the counterweights.

The performance reserve makes joining and overtaking effortless, but legal speeds and stopping distance remain unchanged. xDrive aids traction, not judgement.

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.

Compare BMW 1 Series with Similar Hatchbacks

Tap any card to see a full head-to-head — specs, scores and a clear verdict on which one's worth your money.

BMW 1 Series
VS
GWM Ora 03
1 Series vs Ora 03
Electric Hatchback 3 Variants
GWM Ora 03 from ZAR 686,950
See full specs & who wins →
BMW 1 Series
VS
Toyota GR Corolla
1 Series vs GR Corolla
Petrol Hatchback 2 Variants
Toyota GR Corolla from ZAR 816,500
See full specs & who wins →
BMW 1 Series
VS
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI
1 Series vs Golf 1.4 TSI
Petrol Hatchback 4 Variants
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI from ZAR 580,900
See full specs & who wins →
BMW 1 Series
VS
Toyota GR Yaris
1 Series vs GR Yaris
Petrol Hatchback 2 Variants
Toyota GR Yaris from ZAR 897,400
See full specs & who wins →
BMW 1 Series
VS
Volkswagen Golf GTI
1 Series vs Golf GTI
Petrol Hatchback 1 Variant
Volkswagen Golf GTI from ZAR 908,000
See full specs & who wins →

Also Worth Exploring in South Africa

Different body types — refreshed every visit so you discover something new.

Toyota Quantum Bus Diesel
Toyota Quantum Bus
Van 1 Variant
From ZAR 895,000
Lexus LX diesel and hybrid
Lexus LX
Suv 5 Variants
From ZAR 2,687,500
Suzuki Across petrol mild hybrid
Suzuki Across
Suv 3 Variants
From ZAR 349,900
Dongfeng FRIDAY REEV plug-in hybrid
Dongfeng FRIDAY REEV
Suv 2 Variants
From ZAR 489,000

Other Current BMW Models in South Africa

Models currently listed for sale in the south african range.

BMW 2 Series Coupé petrol / diesel
BMW
2 Series Coupé
Coupe 3 Variants
Starting from ZAR 855,000
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé Petrol
BMW
2 Series Gran Coupé
Sedan 4 Variants
Starting from ZAR 725,500
BMW 3 Series petrol / diesel
BMW
3 Series
Sedan 6 Variants
Starting from ZAR 911,500
BMW 4 Series Convertible Petrol
BMW
4 Series Convertible
Convertible 2 Variants
Starting from ZAR 1,146,500

More from BMW