1996 BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series

BMW’s 3 Series is still the yardstick for compact executive sedans in South Africa. Every C-Class, A4, and S60 gets measured against it, and there’s a reason you see so many still going strong on Joburg highways or Cape Town’s M3. Petrol or diesel, manual or auto, you’ll find your flavour if you’re shopping used—there’s not a single new one on the market right now, which says something about demand and supply. Prices? Wildly spread, from R54,500 for the old, well-lived-in stuff all the way up to R1,988,888 for nearly-new G20s. That median of R354,900 puts it right in the “think twice, buy once” bracket, and on paper at least, that’s superb value for a car that holds its own against anything in the resale stakes. Most used stock is the F30—no surprises there. The 320i M Sport A/T’s going for R199,950 to R319,995, while the diesel 320D Sport Line A/T slots in at R214,500 to R268,500. If you want a G20, especially a 320D M Sport Auto, you’re looking at R645,900, so best you know your budget. Average mileage is a chunky 119,260 km, so don’t skimp on the maintenance fund. Still, the 3 Series keeps pulling South Africans because it feels right—steering that talks to you, body control that doesn’t get flustered by Gauteng’s patchwork roads, and a driving position that fits like a glove. The A4 might edge it on some trim bits, but variety is where the 3 Series wins, and if you pack smart, you’ll find one that suits your wallet and your commute.