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 and T1 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
T1 starts ZAR 396,600 cheaper3 Series from ZAR 911,500 · T1 from ZAR 514,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
3 Series
T1
Maximum Power
3 Series285 kW
T1180 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
3 Series500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm
T1375 Nm
Engine Size
3 Series2998 cc
T11998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
3 Series12.5 km/l
T111.1 km/l
Ground Clearance
3 Series140 mm
T1190 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
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Efficiency
T1
Strengths
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
3 Series
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
T1
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
T1
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 local listing
Facelift History
The seventh-generation G20 has received successive design and interior updates; the current South African page reflects the latest local specification.
Not listed by current South African source page.
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
2026
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Sedan
SUV
Model Year
2026
Current
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
Premium Sedan
SUV
Vehicle Type
Car
SUV
Gross Combined Mass Kg
-
3808 kg
Tare Mass Kg
-
1811 kg
Spec
3 Series
T1
Length
4714 mm
4705 mm
Width
1827 mm
1967 mm
Height
1440 mm
1840 mm
Wheelbase
2851 mm
2800 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
140 mm
190 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
190 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
59 l
70 l
Boot/Cargo Space
480 l
574 l
Kerb Weight
1770 kg
1811 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2245 kg
2208 kg
Payload Capacity
550 kg
375 kg
Towing Capacity
1800 kg
1600 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
5.7 m
Front Headroom
990 mm
1030 mm
Rear Headroom
951 mm
1010 mm
Front Legroom
1040 mm
1050 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
930 mm
Spec
3 Series
T1
Engine
BMW turbocharged engine
2-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
B48
SQRF4J20
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
2998 cc
1998 cc
Cylinders
6
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
16
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Direct injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
10.2:1
Bore
82.0 mm
80.5 mm
Stroke
94.6 mm
98.12 mm
Maximum Power
285 kW
180 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm
375 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
4WD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
7-Speed DCT
Top Speed
250 km/h
180 km/h
0-100 km/h
4.3 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
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
T1
Gearbox
8-Speed Automatic
Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive
4WD
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Multi-Plate Clutch Limited-Slip Differential
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Rear Electronic Limited-Slip Differential
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Yes
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
8
7
Transmission Type
Automatic
7DCT
Clutch Type
Yes
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Automatic selector
Not Applicable
Drivetrain
AWD
4WD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Yes
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
7DCT
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Yes
2WD
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
8
7
Spec
3 Series
T1
Claimed Mileage
12.5 km/l
11.1 km/l
City Mileage
10.5 km/l
9.1 km/l
Highway Mileage
15.0 km/l
10.4 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
59 l
70 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
VI B
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
12.5 km/l
11.1 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
59
70
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
360 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
420 km
Not Applicable
Spec
3 Series
T1
Airbags
6
Front, front side, and curtain airbags
ABS
Standard
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Traction Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Not Available
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Yes
Brake Assist
Standard
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Available
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Not Available
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Yes
AEB
Yes
Yes
BA
Standard
Not Available
Brake Override System
Yes
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Front, front side, and curtain airbags
Driver Airbag
Yes
Not Available
EBD
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Available
Hill Hold
Standard
Not Available
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Not Available
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Not Available
Side Airbags
Yes
Front, front side, and curtain airbags
Stability Control
Standard
Yes
TCS
Standard
Yes
Knee Airbag
Yes
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Spec
3 Series
T1
Cruise Control
Standard
No
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Parking Sensors
Yes
Not Available
Rear View Camera
Yes
Not Available
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Yes
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Yes
Reverse Camera
Yes
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Park Assist
Standard
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Yes
Spec
3 Series
T1
Seat Material
Leather 'Vernasca' Black with contrast stitching Blue
Black synthetic leather with orange stitching
Heated Seats
Yes
Not Applicable
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Not Applicable
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Multi
Steering Wheel Material
Yes
Not Applicable
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric with driver memory
Not Applicable
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
Not Applicable
Seat Trim
M Sport Seats
Black synthetic leather with orange stitching
Front Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Rear AC Vents
-
Yes
Spec
3 Series
T1
Climate Control
Standard
Dual-zone climate control
Power Windows
Standard
Not Available
Keyless Entry
Comfort Access
Yes
Push Button Start
Yes
Yes
Wireless Charging
Standard
50W
Sunroof
Glass sunroof, electric (no sliding-roof function)
Yes
Electric Tailgate
Standard
Yes
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Yes
AC Type
Standard
Dual-zone climate control
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Automatic Headlamps
-
Yes
Boot Space Seats Folded
-
1455 l
Engine Warranty
-
10-year/1,000,000 km engine warranty
Fuel Consumption Combined
-
9.0
Rear Seat Split
-
60/40
Remote Engine Start
-
Yes
Spare Wheel
Tyre repair kit
145/80 R18 space saver
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Roof Load
-
300kg static / 100kg dynamic
Towbar
-
Yes
Spec
3 Series
T1
Infotainment System
Widescreen Display
15.6-inch infotainment system
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Wireless
Android Auto
Yes
Wireless
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Number of Speakers
6
9 Sony Speakers
Digital Instrument Cluster
BMW Live Cockpit Professional (includes head-up display)
10.25-inch
USB Ports
2
Front Type-A/Type-C and rear Type-A/Type-C
Infotainment Screen
14.9
15.6-inch
Touchscreen
14.9
15.6-inch
Spec
3 Series
T1
LED Headlamps
Standard
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Yes
Fog Lamps
Yes
Yes
Roof Rails
Yes
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple manufacturer colours
See OEM source page for colour availability.
Headlights
Standard
Yes
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Not Available
Headlamps
Standard
Yes
Headlight Type
Standard
Yes
Spec
3 Series
T1
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Normal, Sport, Snow, Mud, Sand, Rock, Eco
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Rear Electronic Limited-Slip Differential
4WD System Type
All-wheel drive
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Underbody Protection
-
Metal guard plate for front compartment
Ground Clearance Max
-
190 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
190 mm
Crawl Control
-
Yes
Spec
3 Series
T1
Tyre Size
Runflat tyres
235/60 R19
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc brake
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Solid disc brake
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
145/80 R18 space saver
Wheel Rim Size
19" M Lt/Aly wheels double spoke 792 M Bicolour Jet Black / MT and runflat tyres
19
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Not Applicable
Brake Type Front
-
Ventilated disc brake
Brake Type Rear
-
Solid disc brake
Spare Tyre
Tyre repair kit
145/80 R18 space saver
Electric Park Brake
-
Yes
Towing Unbraked Kg
-
750 kg
Wheel Material
-
Alloy
Spec
3 Series
T1
Front Suspension
M Sports Suspension
MacPherson strut suspension
Rear Suspension
M Sports Suspension
Multi-link independent suspension
Front Track Width
-
1690 mm
Rear Track Width
-
1700 mm
Front Suspension Type
M Sports Suspension
MacPherson strut suspension
Rear Suspension Type
M Sports Suspension
Multi-link independent suspension
Spec
3 Series
T1
CO2 Emissions
182 g/km
203 g/km
Start Stop System
-
Yes
Fuel Octane Requirement
-
Petrol
Spec
3 Series
T1
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
7-year/75,000 km service plan
Spec
3 Series
T1
Ownership Role
Private, business and fleet
South Africa market model
Price Zar
1362500 ZAR
634900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current recommended retail price
flagship
Starting Price
1362500
634900
Starting Price Zar
1362500
634900
Spec
3 Series
T1
Warranty
Yes
10-year/1,000,000 km engine warranty
In depth: how these cars differ
This 3 Series and T1 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 T1 77.
Efficiency index: 3 Series 49 vs T1 44.
Safety-equipment index: 3 Series 92 vs T1 93.
Practicality index: 3 Series 62 vs T1 67.
Ownership-cover index: 3 Series not separately scored vs T1 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 T1 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 5 points
3 Series and T1 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
3 Series +20
Efficiency
3 Series +5
Safety
T1 +1
Practicality
T1 +5
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
3 Series
Performance
97/100
Efficiency
49/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
62/100
T1
Performance
77/100
Efficiency
44/100
Safety
93/100
Practicality
67/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW 3 Series
leads the specification evidence index with 77 pts
vs 72 pts for T1
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, 3 Series leads. However, T1 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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