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.
BMW 3 Series vs Renault Triber Express III: the short answer
3 Series has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over Triber Express III.
Triber Express III starts ZAR 661,501 cheaper3 Series from ZAR 911,500 · Triber Express III from ZAR 249,999
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
3 Series
Triber Express III
Maximum Power
3 Series285 kW
Triber Express III53 kW @ 6250 rpm
Maximum Torque
3 Series500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm
Triber Express III96 Nm @ 3500 rpm
Engine Size
3 Series2998 cc
Triber Express III999 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
3 Series12.5 km/l
Triber Express III18.2 km/l
Ground Clearance
3 Series140 mm
Triber Express III182 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
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
Triber Express III
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
3 Series
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Triber Express III
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
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
Triber Express III
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.
Third-generation South African Triber Express light commercial vehicle, announced 10 April 2026 and retailed separately from the preceding Triber Express generation
Facelift History
The seventh-generation G20 has received successive design and interior updates; the current South African page reflects the latest local specification.
New Express III generation with updated exterior, digital cluster, eight-inch connected touchscreen and standard reversing camera
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
2026
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Sedan
Panel Van
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Premium Sedan
Light Commercial Vehicle
Vehicle Type
Car
Panel Van
Tare Mass Kg
-
926 kg
Spec
3 Series
Triber Express III
Length
4714 mm
3990 mm
Width
1827 mm
1739 mm
Height
1440 mm
1662 mm
Wheelbase
2851 mm
2636 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
140 mm
182 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
182 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
59 l
40 l
Boot/Cargo Space
480 l
1500 l
Kerb Weight
1770 kg
926 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2245 kg
1522 kg
Payload Capacity
550 kg
542 kg
Towing Capacity
1800 kg
0 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
2 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
1 rows
Doors
4 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.6 m
5.0 m
Front Headroom
990 mm
970 mm
Rear Headroom
951 mm
Not Applicable
Front Legroom
1040 mm
1028 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
Not Applicable
Spec
3 Series
Triber Express III
Engine
BMW turbocharged engine
1.0-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
B48
BR10
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
2998 cc
999 cc
Cylinders
6
3
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
12
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Direct injection
Multi-Point Injection
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
10.5:1
Bore
82.0 mm
72.2 mm
Stroke
94.6 mm
81.3 mm
Maximum Power
285 kW
53 kW @ 6250 rpm
Maximum Torque
500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm
96 Nm @ 3500 rpm
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
5-Speed Manual
Top Speed
250 km/h
140 km/h
0-100 km/h
4.3 sec
17.4 sec
Quarter Mile
12.2 sec
20.5 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
No
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
7000 rpm
6500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
100 kW/tonne
57.2 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
220 Nm/tonne
103.7 Nm/tonne
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
Triber Express III
Gearbox
8-Speed Automatic
5-Speed Manual
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive
Front Engine, Front-Wheel Drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Yes
4.73:1
Number of Gears
8
5
Transmission Type
Automatic
Manual
Clutch Type
Yes
Single Plate Dry
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Automatic selector
Floor-Mounted Manual
Drivetrain
AWD
Front-Wheel Drive
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
Manual
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Yes
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
8
5
Spec
3 Series
Triber Express III
Claimed Mileage
12.5 km/l
18.2 km/l
City Mileage
10.5 km/l
14.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
15.0 km/l
21.3 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
59 l
40 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro VIb
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Not Available
Real-world Mileage
12.5 km/l
18.2 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
59
40
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
Triber Express III
Airbags
6
2
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Not Available
Traction Control
Standard
Not Available
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Not Available
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Not Applicable
Brake Assist
Standard
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Not Available
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Not Available
AEB
Yes
Not Available
BA
Standard
Not Available
Brake Override System
Yes
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Not Available
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Not Available
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Not Available
Stability Control
Standard
Not Available
TCS
Standard
Not Available
Knee Airbag
Yes
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
3 Series
Triber Express III
Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Yes
Rear Camera
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Yes
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Not Available
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Park Assist
Standard
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Yes
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Not Available
Spec
3 Series
Triber Express III
Seat Material
Leather 'Vernasca' Black with contrast stitching Blue
Fabric
Heated Seats
Yes
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Yes
Urethane
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric with driver memory
Manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
Manual
Seat Trim
M Sport Seats
Dual-Tone Fabric
Spec
3 Series
Triber Express III
Climate Control
Standard
Manual
Power Windows
Standard
Front
Keyless Entry
Comfort Access
Remote
Push Button Start
Yes
Not Available
Wireless Charging
Standard
Not Available
Sunroof
Glass sunroof, electric (no sliding-roof function)
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Standard
Not Applicable
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Not Available
AC Type
Standard
Manual
Spec
3 Series
Triber Express III
Infotainment System
Widescreen Display
8-inch Touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Standard
Android Auto
Yes
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
2
Digital Instrument Cluster
BMW Live Cockpit Professional (includes head-up display)
Standard
USB Ports
2
Standard
Infotainment Screen
14.9
8-inch
Touchscreen
14.9
8-inch
Spec
3 Series
Triber Express III
LED Headlamps
Standard
Not Available
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Yes
Not Available
Roof Rails
Yes
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple manufacturer colours
Ice Cool White, Moonlight Silver, Stealth Black, Cedar Brown, Zanskar Blue
Headlights
Standard
Not Available
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Not Available
Spec
3 Series
Triber Express III
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
All-wheel drive
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Spec
3 Series
Triber Express III
Tyre Size
Runflat tyres
165/80 R14
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Drum
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Full-Size
Wheel Rim Size
19" M Lt/Aly wheels double spoke 792 M Bicolour Jet Black / MT and runflat tyres
14-inch
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Manual
Spec
3 Series
Triber Express III
Front Suspension
M Sports Suspension
MacPherson Strut with Coil Spring
Rear Suspension
M Sports Suspension
Torsion Beam with Coil Spring
Spec
3 Series
Triber Express III
CO2 Emissions
182 g/km
131 g/km
Spec
3 Series
Triber Express III
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
2 years / 30000 km
Spec
3 Series
Triber Express III
Ownership Role
Private, business and fleet
factory-listed roof-rack derivative
Price Zar
1362500 ZAR
261999 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current recommended retail price
top
Starting Price
1362500
261999
Starting Price Zar
1362500
261999
Spec
3 Series
Triber Express III
Warranty
Yes
5 years / 150000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This 3 Series and Triber Express III 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 Triber Express III 23.
Efficiency index: 3 Series 49 vs Triber Express III 69.
Safety-equipment index: 3 Series 92 vs Triber Express III 32.
Practicality index: 3 Series 62 vs Triber Express III 64.
Ownership-cover index: 3 Series not separately scored vs Triber Express III 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 Triber Express III 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 32 points
3 Series has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over Triber Express III.
Performance
3 Series +74
Efficiency
Triber Express III +20
Safety
3 Series +60
Practicality
Triber Express III +2
Large 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
Triber Express III
Performance
23/100
Efficiency
69/100
Safety
32/100
Practicality
64/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW 3 Series
leads the specification evidence index with 77 pts
vs 45 pts for Triber Express III
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, 3 Series leads. However, Triber Express III 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.