G80/G82 – M3/M4 Pricing in South Africa (Zero2Turbo)

[BMWFanaticscoza]

SA's favourite performance car breaks the bank.

BMW's M3 and more recently the M4 have been the most coveted of all BMW's M models over the last 3 decades. More often than not the Bavarian manufacturer has got the combination of performance, driveability and style spot on, making it the segment benchmark. For this generation (G80/82) BMW has gone to town on the styling front with its M specific grille causing aggressive polarisation. Whether you like it or not, it seems like it's here to stay and looks likely to slowly find its way onto upcoming M products in the coming years.

 

[BMWFanaticscoza]

The M3 and M4 were simultaneously revealed back in September 2020, with local models said to be available from March 2021. The local lineup is initially limited to the Competition models, which produce more power (375 kW/650 Nm compared with 353 kW and 550 Nm) and are exclusively fitted with an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The South African allocation will initially be rear-wheel-drive only. Later on, BMW will bring in the xDrive version which is equipped with all-wheel-drive and a selectable rear-wheel-drive mode. Expect these towards the end of 2021.

There's no need to worry about losing control, however, as BMW has fitted the new M3 and M4 with an M Dynamic mode that gives the driver access to 10 stages of traction control, similar to something you would see in a GT racing car where a driver progressively adds or removes traction control depending on the grip levels. As has become custom on M models, shortcut buttons on the steering wheel (M1 and M2) allow the driver to pre-programme their favourite settings so they can be quickly accessed without having to struggle through the iDrive menus.

The official spec on the new M models hasn't been publicised yet, but we're hoping that SA buyers will have access to the optional M Race Track Package, which is said to reduce vehicle weight by around 25 kg thanks to features including M Carbon ceramic brakes, special M light-alloy wheels and M Carbon bucket seats.

Thanks to Zero2Turbo.

BMW M3 /M4 Price in South Africa (January 2021)
BMW M3 R1 860 000
BMW M4 R1 940 000

 

[babyboss]

(Dealers aware) SA people like higher prices so they will buy or spend more on that item or product 🙃

 

[TBP88]

Can somebody confirm the price difference between the E46M3 and the 996Carrera? It feels absurd that for around 10% more you can now be sitting in a brand new Porsche 911 over an M4 - was the price difference % the same back in 2001?

 

[Stephanv]

Can somebody confirm the price difference between the E46M3 and the 996Carrera? It feels absurd that for around 10% more you can now be sitting in a brand new Porsche 911 over an M4 - was the price difference % the same back in 2001?

And dare I say it... a much better looking car at that?

 

[TurboLlew]

Destroyed the base M badge to the degree that competition is the 'base' (like with the M5)
The AWD variant will tack R200K onto these prices I am sure (if not more) and likely push the F90 price higher.
CCB will be a 150K option on its own so how much would that package add?
This makes the F90 look like good value

$73 and $75K USD for the M3/M4 vs. 911 pricing in the USA of 99K TBP88 - so there is a gap of R350K to stretch to if you want a Porsche.
GBP 76K for an M4 (with their post brexit taxes/complexity priced in) and 83K for the same Porsche so about R150K if you want the Porsche (fairly close, but manufacturers are also taking the piss in the UK because of Brexit).
Germany 59K Euro for the M4 and 83K Euro for the Porsche so R430K gap (more like the USA I guess)

Here in SA the same 992 911 Porsche starts at R1.75M (with 5 year plan) so you PAY 190K to have the BMW. Outside of Badge, technology, handling, looks, depreciation/value etc you might argue that the M3/4 is a drag weapon (LOL OK if that's how you want to justify 2 bar) or is the top end of BMW vs entry into 911 ownership: May I point out those options above... let alone BMWs normal R100 to R150K surcharge for colours/leather/infotainment/other boxes, you are ACTUALLY line priced to a Carrera 4S or Targa 4S which are very, VERY nice cars that also won't make you slowly go blind.

Let that sink in...

The only people who can stop this idiocy in SA are those who vote with their wallets.

 

[TBP88]

So just to be clear a new M3/4 will cost more than a 911 locally? BMW are having a laugh. If anyone here sits in a 992 and thinks it's interior isn't literal streets ahead of anything BMW have ever offered they're taking the piss.

I tried a quick google for the 2001 pricelist for the 996, couldn't find anything. Maybe somebody with a 2001 car magazine collection can confirm the pricing on those vs an E46?

It's just bizarre that in the years since the M3 has almost unarguably gotten worse (look back over the generations, aside from the E30 which is exceptionally rare, the E46 is the car that garners the most praise), while the 911 has literally leapt ahead of any other sportscar (the 996 is the least loved 911 today anyway). Meanwhile BMW SA (and even globally looking at the above) are pricing themselves inline with the 911? Wild.

 

[Veedub]

Unless if Porsche has a financing model to compete with BMW's Select Finance (GFV), the M's will still sell more. Most people look at monthly instalment versus total cost of credit. This means that many of those 'wallets' can't really afford the Porsche on traditional finance structures (even with max balloon).

It's no longer about which is the better car, it's about who can give me the lowest installment.

 

[TBP88]

Unless if Porsche has a financing model to compete with BMW's Select Finance (GFV), the M's will still sell more. Most people look at monthly instalment versus total cost of credit. This means that many of those 'wallets' can't really afford the Porsche on traditional finance structures (even with max balloon).

It's no longer about which is the better car, it's about who can give me the lowest installment.

I doubt it - a bank can give you a big balloon and should do so on a car like this - insurance costs will be similar. And at the end of the day it's a question of depreciation? A 5yr old M4 right now is like 600k? Maybe a really nice one is 700k. A new one is R1.4m.

These cars will half or worse in value over 5yrs. It's unlikely the new 911 will do that...

 

[TurboLlew]

Unless if Porsche has a financing model to compete with BMW's Select Finance (GFV), the M's will still sell more. Most people look at monthly instalment versus total cost of credit. This means that many of those 'wallets' can't really afford the Porsche on traditional finance structures (even with max balloon).

It's no longer about which is the better car, it's about who can give me the lowest installment.

Porsche has the same kinds of options.... Even Aston Martin etc does (guaranteed buy back deals). If you speak to someone at any of these places almost none of their clients use it (as opposed to probably MOST BMW drivers taking these options). Most of these are the same products rebadged by the same few finance companies anyway.

Money vs. Access to Money: people need to learn the difference and be honest with themselves.

I also don't buy that it isn't about which is the better car: so you pay MORE for a car that will depreciate through the floor because you can't afford a cheaper car that will retain value way better? Is that how stupid the average person has become?

 

[Nukleuz]

Waiting for the "Its great value" comments.

 

[aksamg]

Can somebody confirm the price difference between the E46M3 and the 996Carrera? It feels absurd that for around 10% more you can now be sitting in a brand new Porsche 911 over an M4 - was the price difference % the same back in 2001?

2001 Porsche 911 Carrera (996) Manual - R695 000​

2001 BMW M3 Coupe Manual - R365 000​

 

[TBP88]

2001 Porsche 911 Carrera (996) Manual - R695 000​

2001 BMW M3 Coupe Manual - R365 000​

is this seriously correct?

A near double the price difference has become 0?!

Absolute madness - goes to show where we are really getting shafted too. My handy inflation calculator says R365k should be just over R1m today. Meanwhile the porsche should be around the R1.9m mark.

So in real terms the 911 is the same price as it was 20yrs ago and the BMW has doubled.

So much for "blah blah weak rand". BMW SA are pretty much forcing enthusiasts to get Porsches.

 

[TurboLlew]

is this seriously correct?

A near double the price difference has become 0?!

Absolute madness - goes to show where we are really getting shafted too. My handy inflation calculator says R365k should be just over R1m today. Meanwhile the porsche should be around the R1.9m mark.

So in real terms the 911 is the same price as it was 20yrs ago and the BMW has doubled.

So much for "blah blah weak rand". BMW SA are pretty much forcing enthusiasts to get Porsches.

If you look at how many former fanatics are in Porsches or other brands, they have been doing this for over 5 years already now.

 

[TurboLlew]

Another point of comparison: The gap between 911 and E92 was closing vs. E46 and 911 over time

M3 DCT was 722K in 2008 and 930K for a Porsche 911 Carrera Tiptronic so still a 30% gap to the P car and you could (IMHO) easily justify getting the E92 with that kind of gap.

I feel we can have a similar discussion with the guys who are proud of their 'little' 1.0 to 1.5M 'hot hatches'... yes they are going to be as fast as some other cars... WTH do you expect when you're spending 1.5M on a car - it was different when a Conquest RSI or a Superboss (or 325is) was taking on cars that cost 3 or 5 or 10x more.

 

[TBP88]

Another point of comparison: The gap between 911 and E92 was closing vs. E46 and 911 over time

M3 DCT was 722K in 2008 and 930K for a Porsche 911 Carrera Tiptronic so still a 30% gap to the P car and you could (IMHO) easily justify getting the E92 with that kind of gap.

I feel we can have a similar discussion with the guys who are proud of their 'little' 1.0 to 1.5M 'hot hatches'... yes they are going to be as fast as some other cars... WTH do you expect when you're spending 1.5M on a car - it was different when a Conquest RSI or a Superboss (or 325is) was taking on cars that cost 3 or 5 or 10x more.

I grew up watching the vids of the E46 and E39 M cars both being absolute world beaters for much less than the contemporaries. I mean, there was no comparison, AMG wasn't even remotely close to the two above. Let alone Audi S cars.

Now? Mercs AMG are pretty damn fast and pretty damn cool (with the F1 pedigree BMW failed to make work in the early 00s), Audi interiors are really class leading, their RS cars are really desirable.

Meanwhile BMW just keeps churning out a new X1/2/3/4/5/6/7. With M versions and comp pack 70kg lighter 2.5ton behemoths. Not sure you guys follow Doug Demuro but he summarized how BMW have fallen away from the enthusiast market.

 

[individj]

I grew up watching the vids of the E46 and E39 M cars both being absolute world beaters for much less than the contemporaries. I mean, there was no comparison, AMG wasn't even remotely close to the two above. Let alone Audi S cars.

Now? Mercs AMG are pretty damn fast and pretty damn cool (with the F1 pedigree BMW failed to make work in the early 00s), Audi interiors are really class leading, their RS cars are really desirable.

Meanwhile BMW just keeps churning out a new X1/2/3/4/5/6/7. With M versions and comp pack 70kg lighter 2.5ton behemoths. Not sure you guys follow Doug Demuro but he summarized how BMW have fallen away from the enthusiast market.

The C43 & C55 were quick...the S4 & S6 weren't slow but you would probably compare the RS4 & RS6 to the //M3 & //M5

 

[individj]

but i agree ...pricing is real...in my mind i would have to be able to purchase this car cash to buy it...comfortably...im not saying buying it cash is the best option im saying i would need to be in the position to buy it cash to consider it.

 

[Rotinaj]

is this seriously correct?

A near double the price difference has become 0?!

Absolute madness - goes to show where we are really getting shafted too. My handy inflation calculator says R365k should be just over R1m today. Meanwhile the porsche should be around the R1.9m mark.

So in real terms the 911 is the same price as it was 20yrs ago and the BMW has doubled.

So much for "blah blah weak rand". BMW SA are pretty much forcing enthusiasts to get Porsches.

Any enthusiast is not really enthralled by the latest automatic shitbox offering from BMW anyway.

 

[TBP88]

Any enthusiast is not really enthralled by the latest automatic shitbox offering from BMW anyway.

Harsh but true.