News / 11 July 2024 / Albert du Toit

First-ever BMW M3 Touring and new M4 for South Africa – Pricing and specifications

Pricing for the new BMW M3 Touring, which will be sold in South Africa for the very first time, as well as the facelifted M4, has been revealed.

Our sources at Duoporta Vehicle Information Specialists have confirmed that the four-door wagon will retail from R2,218,506 once it goes on sale later this year, while its two-door coupe sibling will go for R2,238,002.

The M3 Touring is scheduled to arrive in the country in limited quantities between October and December alongside the new 3 Series, while the updated M4 family will make landfall between July and September with the revised 4 Series.

What’s new

Both the new M3 Touring and M4 are equipped with BMW’s famous 3.0-litre, straight-six cylinder, twin-turbocharged petrol motor that has been uprated by 15kW to generate 390kW and 650Nm.

Drive is fed to all four corners via the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system with an active differential in all variants of the M cars, with gear changes handled by a rapid eight-speed automatic box.

The powerful setup enables the M4 Convertible to sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds, the M3 Touring in 3.6 seconds, and the M4 Coupe in 3.5 seconds.

Thanks to the standard addition of the M Driver’s Package, the top speed of the M3 Touring and M4 Convertible is pegged at 280km/h, and that of the M4 Coupe at 290km/h.

All three models also benefit from the fitment of the adaptive M suspension system, M compound brakes, an M traction control system with 10 grip settings, and 19-inch light-alloy wheels at the front and 20-inchers at the rear.

Cosmetically, the new M cars see redesigned headlights with vertical LED units in an arrowhead shape, a large kidney grille with M-signature horizontal double bars, extended side skirts in gloss black, flared wheel arches, and new front and rear aprons.

Inside the cockpit, the BMWs feature a new flat-bottom steering wheel with a red 12 o’clock marker, Merino leather upholstery in four colours, and a redesigned instrument panel with fewer buttons and controls thanks to “advancements in the area of digital operation,” said BMW.

Other trimmings include a curved display on the dash comprising a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and M-specific graphics and content such as a lap timer and drift analyser.

Nine-colour ambient lighting with new elements around the aircon vents is also standard, as are M Sport seats with electric adjustment and heating functions, a heads-up display, and a wireless smartphone charger.

Safety and assistance equipment encompasses front and rear park distance control, adaptive cruise control with a Stop & Go function, front collision warning system, lane departure warning with lane return and steering assistance, automatic speed limit assist, traffic light detection, and a new Park Assist Plus feature.