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.
C9 SHS has a modest catalogue-index lead, while 3 Series remains close.
3 Series starts ZAR 88,400 cheaper3 Series from ZAR 911,500 · C9 SHS from ZAR 999,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
3 Series
C9 SHS
Maximum Power
3 Series285 kW
C9 SHSNot Officially Disclosed
Maximum Torque
3 Series500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm
C9 SHSNot Officially Disclosed
Engine Size
3 Series2998 cc
C9 SHS1500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
3 Series12.5 km/l
C9 SHS71.4 km/l
Ground Clearance
3 Series140 mm
C9 SHS165 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
BMW 3 Series
M340i xDrive Sedan
Hagalu editorial rating
4.0/5★★★★★★★★★★
Desk research · Exact variant
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
3 Series
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
Specification evidence leader
C9 SHS
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
3 Series
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
C9 SHS
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
3 Series
C9 SHS
Model Introduced Year
2019
2025
Generation
Seventh-generation G20 BMW 3 Series Sedan, with regular 320i, 320d and 330i derivatives and an M340i xDrive M Performance flagship.
Current South Africa C9 SHS range
Facelift History
The seventh-generation G20 has received successive design and interior updates; the current South African page reflects the latest local specification.
Current South Africa version listed by official source
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Sedan
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Premium Sedan
SUV
Vehicle Type
Car
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
-
Not Available
Spec
3 Series
C9 SHS
Length
4714 mm
4775 mm
Width
1827 mm
1920 mm
Height
1440 mm
1671 mm
Wheelbase
2851 mm
2800 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
140 mm
165 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
140 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
59 l
70 l
Boot/Cargo Space
480 l
660 l
Kerb Weight
1770 kg
2195 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2245 kg
2717 kg
Payload Capacity
550 kg
522 kg
Towing Capacity
1800 kg
1500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
4 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.6 m
5.8 m
Front Headroom
990 mm
1005 mm
Rear Headroom
951 mm
970 mm
Front Legroom
1040 mm
1070 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
960 mm
Spec
3 Series
C9 SHS
Engine
BMW turbocharged engine
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol Plug-in Hybrid
Engine Code
B48
SQRH4J15
Fuel Type
Petrol
Plug-in Hybrid
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Plug-in Hybrid
Engine Displacement
2998 cc
1500 cc
Cylinders
6
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Direct injection
Petrol injection
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
14.5:1
Bore
82.0 mm
72.0 mm
Stroke
94.6 mm
92.0 mm
Maximum Power
285 kW
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Torque
500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Combined Power
Not Applicable
440 kW
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
915 Nm
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Permanent-magnet synchronous traction motors
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
3
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Front and rear axles
Drive Type
AWD
AWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
3-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
250 km/h
180 km/h
0-100 km/h
4.3 sec
4.9 sec
Quarter Mile
12.2 sec
13.3 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, Mud, Sand, Off-Road
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
7000 rpm
6000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
100 kW/tonne
200.5 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
220 Nm/tonne
416.9 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
34.46 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
31.0 kWh
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Lithium-ion traction battery
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
322 V
Electric Range
Not Applicable
150 km (WLTP)
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
6.6 kW
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
70 kW
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
5 h 30 min (30-100%)
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
25 min (30-80%)
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Yes
Spec
3 Series
C9 SHS
Gearbox
8-Speed Automatic
3-Speed DHT
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive
AWD
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
Yes
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
8
3
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Yes
Automatic clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Automatic selector
Electric
Drivetrain
AWD
AWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Electrically controlled AWD using front hybrid drive and rear electric drive with automatic torque management
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Yes
Standard
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
DHT
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Yes
AWD
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
8
3
Spec
3 Series
C9 SHS
Claimed Mileage
12.5 km/l
71.4 km/l
City Mileage
10.5 km/l
12.8 km/l
Highway Mileage
15.0 km/l
16.9 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
59 l
70 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro VIb
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Standard
Real-world Mileage
12.5 km/l
71.4 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Plug-in hybrid AC/DC
Charging Type
Not Applicable
AC and DC fast charging
Fuel Tank Litres
59
70
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
1100
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
22.7
Range Real World Highway
360 km
Not Available
Range Real World Mixed
420 km
Not Available
Spec
3 Series
C9 SHS
Airbags
6
Multiple airbags
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
AEB
Yes
Standard
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Yes
Standard
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
3 Series
C9 SHS
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Standard
Auto Wipers
Yes
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Park Assist
Standard
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Standard
Spec
3 Series
C9 SHS
Seat Material
Leather 'Vernasca' Black with contrast stitching Blue
Leatherette / leather
Heated Seats
Yes
Standard
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Standard
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Standard
Steering Wheel Material
Yes
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric with driver memory
Power
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
Power
Seat Trim
M Sport Seats
Leatherette / leather
Front Shoulder Room
-
Not Available
Rear Shoulder Room
-
Not Available
Spec
3 Series
C9 SHS
Climate Control
Standard
Automatic
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Comfort Access
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Glass sunroof, electric (no sliding-roof function)
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Standard
Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Standard
AC Type
Standard
Automatic
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded
-
1783 l
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Spec
3 Series
C9 SHS
Infotainment System
Widescreen Display
Touchscreen infotainment
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Standard
Android Auto
Yes
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
8
Digital Instrument Cluster
BMW Live Cockpit Professional (includes head-up display)
Standard
USB Ports
2
Front and rear USB where listed
Infotainment Screen
14.9
10.25-inch or larger by trim
Touchscreen
14.9
10.25-inch or larger by trim
Spec
3 Series
C9 SHS
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Yes
Standard
Roof Rails
Yes
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple manufacturer colours
Khaki white, carbon crystal black, moonlight silver, grey and other official Omoda market colours where listed.
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Standard
Spec
3 Series
C9 SHS
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Standard
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
All-wheel drive
AWD / 4WD as listed
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
-
165 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
165 mm
Spec
3 Series
C9 SHS
Tyre Size
Runflat tyres
245/50 R20
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Not Available
Wheel Rim Size
19" M Lt/Aly wheels double spoke 792 M Bicolour Jet Black / MT and runflat tyres
245/50 R20
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electronic parking brake
Spec
3 Series
C9 SHS
Front Suspension
M Sports Suspension
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
M Sports Suspension
Multi-link
Front Track Width
-
Not Available
Rear Track Width
-
Not Available
Spec
3 Series
C9 SHS
CO2 Emissions
182 g/km
Not Available
Fuel Octane Requirement
-
Petrol
Spec
3 Series
C9 SHS
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
5 Years / 75 000 km
Spec
3 Series
C9 SHS
Ownership Role
Private, business and fleet
flagship or capability-focused
Price Zar
1362500 ZAR
999900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current recommended retail price
flagship or capability-focused
Starting Price
1362500
999900
Starting Price Zar
1362500
999900
Spec
3 Series
C9 SHS
Warranty
Yes
7 Years / 200 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This 3 Series and C9 SHS 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: 3 Series 97 vs C9 SHS 92.
Efficiency index: 3 Series 49 vs C9 SHS 96.
Safety-equipment index: 3 Series 92 vs C9 SHS 94.
Practicality index: 3 Series 62 vs C9 SHS 69.
Ownership-cover index: 3 Series not separately scored vs C9 SHS 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.
Model imagery
3 Series and C9 SHS image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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
C9 SHS leads by 10 points
C9 SHS has a modest catalogue-index lead, while 3 Series remains close.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
C9 SHS
Performance
92/100
Efficiency
96/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
69/100
3 Series
Performance
97/100
Efficiency
49/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
62/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexOmoda C9 SHS
leads the specification evidence index with 87 pts
vs 77 pts for 3 Series
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, C9 SHS leads. However, 3 Series 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.
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.
Compare
Request dealer offers
Let's discuss your next car
Share your interest so Hagalu can follow up about quotations and available discounts. The dealer confirms stock, price and terms.
✓
We've Got Your Details!
Your enquiry has reached Hagalu for follow-up. Any dealer offer will be confirmed separately by the seller.