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.
3 Series has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Coolray remains close.
Coolray starts ZAR 541,600 cheaper3 Series from ZAR 911,500 · Coolray from ZAR 369,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
3 Series
Coolray
Maximum Power
3 Series285 kW
Coolray128 kW
Maximum Torque
3 Series500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm
Coolray290 Nm
Engine Size
3 Series2998 cc
CoolrayNot Officially Disclosed
Combined Fuel Economy
3 Series12.5 km/l
Coolray15.38 km/l
Ground Clearance
3 Series140 mm
Coolray180 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)
Specification evidence leader
3 Series
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Coolray
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
3 Series
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Coolray
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
3 Series
Coolray
Model Introduced Year
2019
2026
Generation
Seventh-generation G20 BMW 3 Series Sedan, with regular 320i, 320d and 330i derivatives and an M340i xDrive M Performance flagship.
Current South African model / exact generation number not separately published
Facelift History
The seventh-generation G20 has received successive design and interior updates; the current South African page reflects the latest local specification.
No applicable South African facelift history established
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Not Applicable
Body Style
Sedan
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Premium Sedan
Passenger vehicle
Vehicle Type
Car
SUV
Spec
3 Series
Coolray
Length
4714 mm
4380 mm
Width
1827 mm
1795 mm
Height
1440 mm
1609 mm
Wheelbase
2851 mm
2600 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
140 mm
180 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
59 l
45 l
Boot/Cargo Space
480 l
330 l
Kerb Weight
1770 kg
1815 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2245 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
Payload Capacity
550 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity
1800 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity
5 seats
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Rows
2 rows
Not Officially Disclosed
Doors
4 doors
Not Officially Disclosed
Minimum Turning Radius
5.6 m
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Headroom
990 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
951 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
1040 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
900 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
3 Series
Coolray
Engine
BMW turbocharged engine
1.5L Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
B48
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
2998 cc
Not Officially Disclosed
Cylinders
6
Not Officially Disclosed
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Direct injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
82.0 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
94.6 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
285 kW
128 kW
Maximum Torque
500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm
290 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
FWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
7-Speed DCT
Top Speed
250 km/h
200 km/h
0-100 km/h
4.3 sec
7.6 sec
Quarter Mile
12.2 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
7000 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
100 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
220 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
3 Series
Coolray
Gearbox
8-Speed Automatic
7-Speed DCT
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Final Drive Ratio
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
8
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission Type
Automatic
DCT
Clutch Type
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Type
Automatic selector
Not Officially Disclosed
Drivetrain
AWD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Automatic Shift Paddles
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Axle Layout
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission Speeds
8
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
3 Series
Coolray
Claimed Mileage
12.5 km/l
15.38 km/l
City Mileage
10.5 km/l
11.3 km/l
Highway Mileage
15.0 km/l
15.3 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
59 l
45 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Not Officially Disclosed
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Real-world Mileage
12.5 km/l
15.38 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Litres
59
45
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Highway
360 km
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Mixed
420 km
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
3 Series
Coolray
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Traction Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Brake Assist
Standard
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Front seats
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
AEB
Yes
Yes
BA
Standard
Yes
Brake Override System
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Yes
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Hill Hold
Standard
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Front
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Front seats
Side Airbags
Yes
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Yes
TCS
Standard
Yes
Knee Airbag
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Spec
3 Series
Coolray
Cruise Control
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Parking Sensors
Yes
Rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Yes
Auto Wipers
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Yes
Reverse Camera
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Park Assist
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Around View Monitor
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Yes
Spec
3 Series
Coolray
Seat Material
Leather 'Vernasca' Black with contrast stitching Blue
Not Officially Disclosed
Heated Seats
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Yes
Steering Wheel Material
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric with driver memory
6-way adjustable
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
Not Officially Disclosed
Seat Trim
M Sport Seats
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
3 Series
Coolray
Climate Control
Standard
Climate control
Power Windows
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Keyless Entry
Comfort Access
Not Officially Disclosed
Push Button Start
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Wireless Charging
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Sunroof
Glass sunroof, electric (no sliding-roof function)
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Tailgate
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
AC Type
Standard
Climate control
Spec
3 Series
Coolray
Infotainment System
Widescreen Display
14.6-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Android Auto
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Speakers
6
Not Officially Disclosed
Digital Instrument Cluster
BMW Live Cockpit Professional (includes head-up display)
Not Officially Disclosed
USB Ports
2
Not Officially Disclosed
Infotainment Screen
14.9
14.6-inch HD touchscreen
Touchscreen
14.9
14.6-inch HD touchscreen
Spec
3 Series
Coolray
LED Headlamps
Standard
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Fog Lamps
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Roof Rails
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple manufacturer colours
White, Red, Green, Grey, Silver
Headlights
Standard
Yes
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
3 Series
Coolray
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD System Type
All-wheel drive
Not Officially Disclosed
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
3 Series
Coolray
Tyre Size
Runflat tyres
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Not Officially Disclosed
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Not Officially Disclosed
Wheel Rim Size
19" M Lt/Aly wheels double spoke 792 M Bicolour Jet Black / MT and runflat tyres
18-inch alloy wheels
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
3 Series
Coolray
Front Suspension
M Sports Suspension
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Suspension
M Sports Suspension
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
3 Series
Coolray
CO2 Emissions
182 g/km
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
3 Series
Coolray
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
5 years / 50,000 km
Spec
3 Series
Coolray
Ownership Role
Private, business and fleet
top
Price Zar
1362500 ZAR
429900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current recommended retail price
Current South African retail price
Starting Price
1362500
429900
Starting Price Zar
1362500
429900
Spec
3 Series
Coolray
Warranty
Yes
Vehicle and engine: 5 years / 150,000 km; roadside assistance: 5 years / unlimited km
In depth: how these cars differ
This 3 Series and Coolray 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 Coolray 60.
Efficiency index: 3 Series 49 vs Coolray 61.
Safety-equipment index: 3 Series 92 vs Coolray 90.
Practicality index: 3 Series 62 vs Coolray 56.
Ownership-cover index: 3 Series not separately scored vs Coolray 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 Coolray 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
3 Series leads by 10 points
3 Series has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Coolray remains close.
Performance
3 Series +37
Efficiency
Coolray +12
Safety
3 Series +2
Practicality
3 Series +6
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
3 Series
Performance
97/100
Efficiency
49/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
62/100
Coolray
Performance
60/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
90/100
Practicality
56/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW 3 Series
leads the specification evidence index with 77 pts
vs 67 pts for Coolray
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, 3 Series leads. However, Coolray 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.
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