Dongfeng 007 vs BMW 3 Series

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Dongfeng 007 in South Africa

Dongfeng 007

007 E2 540 Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 929,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 400 kW 🔧 640 Nm
VS
BMW 3 Series in South Africa

BMW 3 Series

M340i xDrive Sedan Petrol 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 1,362,500 ex-showroom
⚡ 285 kW 🔧 500 Nm ⛽ 12.5 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Dongfeng 007 vs BMW 3 Series: the short answer

007 and 3 Series are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

007 starts ZAR 112,500 cheaper 007 from ZAR 799,000 · 3 Series from ZAR 911,500

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification 007 3 Series
Maximum Power 007400 kW 3 Series285 kW
Maximum Torque 007640 Nm 3 Series500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm
Engine Size 007Not Applicable 3 Series2998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy 007Not Applicable 3 Series12.5 km/l
Ground Clearance 007150 mm 3 Series140 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

007

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance
Specification evidence leader

3 Series

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

007

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

3 Series

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec 007 3 Series
Model Introduced Year 2026 2019
Generation Current South African 007 generation Seventh-generation G20 BMW 3 Series Sedan, with regular 320i, 320d and 330i derivatives and an M340i xDrive M Performance flagship.
Facelift History Current South African launch version; no local facelift announced The seventh-generation G20 has received successive design and interior updates; the current South African page reflects the latest local specification.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Sedan Sedan
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Electric Fastback Sedan Premium Sedan
Vehicle Type Passenger Vehicle Car
Spec 007 3 Series
Length 4880 mm 4714 mm
Width 1895 mm 1827 mm
Height 1460 mm 1440 mm
Wheelbase 2915 mm 2851 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 150 mm 140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 135 mm 125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 0 l 59 l
Boot/Cargo Space 452 l 480 l
Kerb Weight 500 kg 1770 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 500 kg 2245 kg
Payload Capacity 500 kg 550 kg
Towing Capacity 1500 kg 1800 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.8 m 5.6 m
Front Headroom 990 mm 990 mm
Rear Headroom 945 mm 951 mm
Front Legroom 1060 mm 1040 mm
Rear Legroom 930 mm 900 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This 007 and 3 Series comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: 007 100 vs 3 Series 97.

Efficiency index: 007 31 vs 3 Series 49.

Safety-equipment index: 007 95 vs 3 Series 92.

Practicality index: 007 60 vs 3 Series 62.

Ownership-cover index: 007 not separately scored vs 3 Series not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

3 Series leads by 2 points

007 and 3 Series are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 77 /100
Lead 2 points
Data 83% source coverage
77
#1 Evidence leader

3 Series

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Performance 97 Check Efficiency 49
Performance 97
Efficiency 49
Safety 92
Practicality 62
Leads by 2 points
75
#2

007

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Performance 100 Check Efficiency 31
Performance 100
Efficiency 31
Safety 95
Practicality 60
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance 007 +3 Efficiency 3 Series +18 Safety 007 +3 Practicality 3 Series +2

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

3 Series

Performance 97/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 62/100

007

Performance 100/100
Efficiency 31/100
Safety 95/100
Practicality 60/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index BMW 3 Series leads the specification evidence index with 77 pts vs 75 pts for 007

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, 3 Series leads. However, 007 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Related comparisons

Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.

007
007
VS
ES
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007 vs ES →
007
007
VS
A-Class
A-Class
007 vs A-Class →
007
007
VS
C-Class
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007 vs C-Class →
007
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VS
CLA Hybrid
CLA HybridUpcoming
007 vs CLA Hybrid →
007
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GR86
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007 vs GR86 →
007
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2 Series Gran Coupé
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007 vs 2 Series Gran Coupé →
3 Series
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VS
ES
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3 Series vs ES →
3 Series
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VS
A-Class
A-Class
3 Series vs A-Class →

007 vs 3 Series questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.