BMW

BMW’s hatchback remains a strange model range for legacy fans of the brand.

Front-wheel drive, but with typical BMW engineering quality. Which makes for a sparkling driver experience.

Premium hatchbacks are rare nowadays, but BMW’s design team did a great job of giving the 1 Series a strong form and proportions. Looks particularly good in the M Sport trim.

Cabin is driver-centric, with an excellent driving position. BMW still managed to integrate seat rails that allow tall drivers to get low, into the ideal driving position. This is something that sets 1 Series apart from other premium hatchbacks.

Luggage space is practically the same as A-Class. Cabin quality is fair, but there’s a lot of hard plastic finishing, where you’d expect more premium materials.

Best buy? M135i xDrive is a terrific hot hatch with deep driver appeal. But there’s no ignoring the real-world appeal of118d. With a 380Nm turbodiesel engine, 118d’s highway overtaking performance is excellent, and its 4.7l/100km fuel consumption is fantastic, too.

A driver’s car in the truest BMW tradition: rear-wheel drive and prioritised around the front seat passengers. Design isn’t elegant, but it’s purposeful, and it looks rather good in purple.

Driving dynamics are everything you’d expect from a BMW coupe. Agile and excellently stable at speed. It’s a selfish car for two-up driving and long-distance touring.

The 220d variant offers an interesting alternative, with distinctive looks, rewarding driving dynamics and excellent range/fuel economy. M2 is one of the best driver’s cars available, at any price, and is likely to become a future classic.

South African-specific 2 Series special editions are very confusingly named (325iS Homage and BMW 333i Homage). But both are charming collectors’ cars for the ardent BMW fan.

The forever benchmark for compact executive sedans. Still engineered to deliver an engaging driving experience.

Latest-generation 3 Series is no longer that ‘compact’, which means decent rear legroom and more boot space than the A5 or C-Class.

Mid-size luxury sedans are a shrinking market, but 3 Series is still the best driver’s car in class.

You can feel that BMW brand engineering obsession in everything. From the driving position to the steering accuracy at high speeds and perfectly coordinated throttle response. Something which is amiss in Chinese luxury cars.

If you never do any gravel travel and live in a part of South Africa with good roads, 3 Series is a more rewarding driving experience than any crossover or SUV.

All engine options are excellent, but the 320d remains an incredible long-distance cruiser. With 400Nm for powerful overtaking acceleration and real-world sub 7l/100km high speed cruising economy.

If high-speed cruising confidence and ride quality matter to you. The 5 Series still offers the most compelling full-size luxury sedan driving experience.

Most buyers in this segment choose the X5. But if you don’t need the gravel-travelling ability of an SUV, the 5 Series is a better long-distance cruiser. Why? Because of its lower centre of gravity, it has better high-speed tracking stability. And the lower drag profile of its sedan body shape, means less wind noise at speed.

You can feel the BMW engineering team’s sense of mission in every touchpoint and vehicle response. 5 Series pampers passengers with excellent ride quality while empowering the driver with great steering feedback. An effortless car for doing 1000km-in-day.

Compared to ultra-luxury Chinese car interiors, some of the 5 Series cabin materials are a bit average for the price. But seat comfort and adjustability are superior to any Chinese luxury vehicle in SA.

As with 3 Series, the best version is a diesel. BMW’s 520d offers terrific economy and driving range. The 2.0 turbodiesel engine is rated at 400Nm and capable of confident, high-speed overtaking acceleration. Don’t choose the optional 20- or 21-inch wheels, as they ruin the 5 Series' ride quality.

Current 7 Series is the most dramatic-looking BMW since the millennial Chris Bangle designs.

An audacious design by BMW and stacked with technology.

The cabin seating comfort is exceptional, but some of the UX is a bit OTT and overwhelming, and it functions better for passengers than for the driver. Optional auto-opening and closing doors that can’t be shut hastily are a bit of a security risk for VIP passengers. 

Incredibly luxurious inside and amazingly refined on the move. 7 Series has impeccable ride quality and handling, thanks to BMW’s obsession with suspension balance.

This is the one large limousine that offers a rewarding driving experience, making it feel smaller than its dimensions at speed. 7 Series is truly a magnificent long-distance cross-country cruiser, especially if your route includes several of South Africa’s celebrated mountain passes.

Lots of engine options, including a 500km real-world range EV. But the M760e PHEV’s combination of 90km pure electric range and BMW’s celebrated 3-litre inline six, is the one to have. With 420kW of power and real-world range close to 800km.

Boldly futuristic EV that looks nothing like no other BMW SUV. But has all the deep engineering excellence you’d expect from BMW, underneath the futuristic exterior.

Doesn’t have a frunk, but BMW’s clever cabin architects worked to ensure 500-litres of luggage space, growing to a huge 1750-litres with the rear seats folded.

You don’t need the huge power, weight, or longer battery charging times of the iX M60 or the xDrive 50i’s 111kWh power pack.

The iX xDrive 40i offers more than 300km of demanding real-world driving range and terrific performance from its mid-sized 76kWh battery pack.

If you are EV-curious, BMW’s iX is a very safe and rewarding choice. But you really need to believe in the EV mission to choose an iX over X5.

Iconic 4-door performance car and still the class standard. Carries the controversial long-and-narrow BMW kidney grille design without looking awkward.

M3 has grown in size to the point where it may be too heavy, but BMW’s engineers still make it feel engaging and agile. All driver-assist systems and technical upgrades enhance the driving experience rather than diluting it.

Legitimately, a better 4-door family performance car than the even heavier PHEV-configured M5.

M3 completely outclasses AMG’s 4-cylinder C63 hybrid, and it’s clear in the residual values, too. Where M3s hold their value much better than 2-litre AMG C63s.

Offers all the drama and engaging driver experience one would expect from the M3 nameplate and BMW’s celebrated inline-6 high-performance engines.

One of the few modern high-performance cars that is truly versatile, with sensible boot space and lots of leg- and headroom for rear-seat passengers.

Wildly expensive for a 3 Series. But unquestionably worth it for the discerning driver who needs the practicality of spacious rear seats and a usable boot.

Stay away from the cosmetic R90 000 carbon exterior package, which has no weight distribution or aero benefits. Same for the R190 000 carbon-ceramic brakes, which are pointless unless you do several track days each year.

Two-door version of BMW’s best high-performance car. In a world overwhelmed by the narrative of 400kW+ EVs and PHEVs, BMW’s M3 proves that it’s not just about power. But driving experience.

Like the four-door M3 it has become a heavy, large vehicle. But the dynamic driving balance and engineering remain peerless. Somehow, BMW’s engineers have managed to make the all-wheel-drive M4 feel like a pointier, rear-wheel-drive performance car.

There are precious few cars, beyond Porsche 911s and 718s, that rival an M4’s steering, brake and throttle controls for intuition and engagement.

No manual gearbox or dual-clutch transmission options anymore. But the 8-speed ZF automatic is smooth in traffic, excellently responsive when you need it to be. And a lot less vulnerable to expensive long-term maintenance than a dual-clutch transmission.

Two-door bodyshell is (slightly) stiffer than four-door M3, but you’d have to be a very gifted driver to notice that. Those big doors have a wide opening, which can make door ding risk a real concern in crowded underground parking garages.

Be conservative with the options. The R90 000 carbon styling package is pure cosmetics, without any real driving, weight distribution or aero benefit. And you absolutely don’t need the R190 000 carbon-ceramic brakes, unless you spend every available weekend at a track day.

BMW’s compact crossover that’s related to the Mini Countryman.

First-generation X1 looked very awkward. The current version doesn’t, and it's one of BMW’s best-balanced designs.

Cabin has a typically excellent BMW driving position and ergonomics configured for the driver. Standard spec is very sparse, and the options list rapidly inflates pricing.

Luggage capacity is excellent for a compact crossover, with 540-litres of space and a versatile rear seat adjustment. Creating a truly flat load space. X1 has more luggage space than Mercedes-Benz’s GLA…

The EV and PHEV versions are very expensive and outmatched by much cheaper Chinese crossovers that offer better powertrains, more space, and standard equipment.

Best buy? sDrive18d. Why? The 2.0 turbodiesel engine delivers 360Nm, which is plenty for confident highway overtaking. And on a long-distance driving route, you can average close to 5l/100km, which is remarkable.

Stay away from the M Sport trims, with their oversized wheels, low-profile tyres, and compromised ride quality. X1 is available with 17-inch wheels, which suit its suspension setup perfectly and make it much less vulnerable to pothole strike damage.

Most popular German luxury mid-size SUV. And with good reason.

Proudly locally built, X3 continues the profile and success of the 3 Series, which is the model line it replaced due to BMW SA’s production change.

Excellent driving position, seat comfort, and controls. Feels more agile and responsive than most other mid-size SUVs, and a testament to BMW’s engineering department still being the masters of calibration, to create the best driving experience.

Many engine options, but the diesel makes most sense: more than enough torque (400Nm) for good highway cruising performance. And terrific long-distance driving economy, for those year-end road trips.

Best buy is questionably the X3 Rugged. It adds 225/60 R18 all-terrain General Grabber tyres, a 320-litre roof box and adaptive suspension to the X3 20d xDrive.

X3 Rugged is just a terrific specification for South African conditions, especially if you love gravel travel through the Karoo oR Namibia. Audi and Mercedes-Benz offer no rival to X3 Rugged.

Sloping roofline version of the excellent X3. With a shapelier silhouette, but also less space inside.

You get all the overengineered BMW driving experience you’d experience with an X3. Ultra-precise steering, perfectly calibrated throttle and brakes. X4 is one of the few sloping-roofline crossover coupes that actually drives as dynamically as it looks. All credit to BMW’s legacy of engineering excellence.

But there are real sacrifices with the sloping roofline body shape. The luggage space sacrifice isn’t as great as you’d imagine. X4’s luggage capacity is only 10% less than X3. But again, when you are packing for a weekend away and run out of space, with kids' toys and goodies still to load, that 10% difference becomes a very real issue.

The more telling packaging issue with X4 versus X3 is rear-seat headroom. X4’s sloping roofline does trim headroom for tall passengers a lot more than in an X3

As with X4, the xDrive40d makes a lot of real-world sense. With a torquey diesel engine that’s great for highway driving and can return very low fuel consumption. The 6-cylinder M40i and X4 M Competition models are a bit over the top and have very harsh ride quality on South African road surfaces.

For many lifelong BMW customers, this is a peak luxury car for South African conditions.

You get most of the legendary 5 Series driving dynamics, with the benefit of (just) enough ground clearance to include gravel travel in your luxury long-weekend and vacation road trips.

Like all BMWs, the driving experience is about steering, braking and throttle feedback. X5 is the most agile and responsive of the large luxury German SUVs to drive.

Broad selection of engines, but like true BMW insiders know: always choose an in-line six if you can. And X3 offers two 3-litre turbocharged inline-six engines.

If you want the best balance of highway overtaking performance and driving range, choose the xDrive30d. Worried about South African diesel fuel quality? In that case X5 xDrive40i is the best buy.

The M60i and X5 M are pointless when you can buy a more dynamically rewarding high-performance 5 Series for the same money.

BMW’s Sports Activity Coupe. That’s what the marketing people call it. But in reality, it’s a sloped-roof version of the terrific X5, with a lot less rear-seat passenger comfort. And a considerable loss of luggage space.

Dynamically excellent, just like the X5, despite being incredibly heavy. BMW’s engineers have worked miracles to make the X6 feel smaller and more agile on a challenging mountain road.

Engine options are a selection of BMW’s finest inline sixes and V8s. But the latter are overkill and come with huge wheels that ride terribly on South African roads.

You are best off with either of the 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-6 engines. The diesel xDrive30d’s 650Nm and sub-8l/100km consumption are numbers that make a lot of sense for a large, luxury Sports Activity Coupe like the X6.

X6 weaknesses? It has less legroom and a lot less headroom than the X5. This can make long journeys feel cramped for tall rear-seat passengers. Which is a bizarre seating discomfort outcome in a large luxury car…

Luggage space sacrifice is real, too: the X6 has nearly 20% less luggage capacity than an X5.

The design brief was to create a 7-seater BMW with gravel-travel capability.

It’s not quite the three-row seating 7 Series with ground clearance that you’d think. But X7 has more cabin space than any other BMW.

Very big, accommodating cabin with third-row seats that are actually useful, not merely a compliance feature for young kids. Even with the third-row seating in use, there’s 326-litres of luggage space. With second- and third-row seating folded, X7 has an enormous 2120-litre load space.

It’s enormous and heavy, but BMW’s engineers integrated two-axle air suspension to tame body roll and dive.

Drives like an authentic BMW limousine with a higher centre of gravity. It’s still a huge vehicle, though, so make sure you really need the cabin space, because X7’s a challenge to park – everywhere.

Best buy? X7 40d’s 6-cylinder diesel is superior to M60i’s petrol V8. Especially for those long-distance road trips where you don’t want to be refuelling every few hours. Rated to tow 3500kg, too. Don’t opt for the 22- or 23-inch wheels, stay with the standard 21s.