BMW is well established as a premium brand, however, you can find plenty of affordable used BMW models on AutoTrader and there might even be a new model in the segment you are considering within your budget. We will be looking at the most affordable new options within the individual hatchback, sedan, gran coupé, coupé, convertible, crossover, SUV and SAC segments.
The prices and vehicle derivatives listed was correct at the time of writing this article, however, can change at any moment and without notice. That is why we recommend you contact your closest dealer for an accurate quotation or find a used BMW model on AutoTrader.
Hatchback
Whether you are looking for a hatchback or the most affordable new BMW you can purchase, the BMW 1 Series will tick both boxes. The exact derivative you will be looking at if the price is of the essence is the 118i in the base specification. Motivated by a 1.5-litre, turbocharged, 3-cylinder petrol motor, it might not be the fastest option but the 103 kW and 220 Nm will be ample for the daily commute.
Price: R 591 020
Sedan
If you need some additional space for the family, you might want to get something with a large 480-litre boot. For that, we recommend the BMW 3 Series or more specifically the 318i as it is the most affordable in the range. This model is powered by a 2.0-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder petrol motor producing 115 kW and 250 Nm of torque, enough for the whole family and all of their luggage.
Price: R 697 524
Gran Coupé
If you want the benefits of a sedan model but would like the silhouette to resemble that coupé, then BMW's gran coupé offerings might just be what you are looking for. The most compact and affordable gran coupé from the German automaker comes in the shape of the 218i gran coupé. The model is powered by the same 1.5-litre, turbocharged, 3-cylinder petrol motor in the 118i listed above and produces the same power figures.
Price: R 625 020
Coupé
If you don't need four doors and are in the market for something a little more sporty, then you should consider the 220i coupé. This, the most affordable coupé in the BMW line-up gets its motivation from a 2.0-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder petrol motor capable of 135 kW and 270 Nm of torque. Ample for a vehicle with a tare weight of only 1 365 kg.
Price: R 655 078
Convertible
With the 220i coupé being the most affordable in its segment, it's no surprise that the 220i convertible is the most attainable drop-top from the German automaker. Identically powered as its coupé, the soft-top just adds a bit of glamour to your trip as you can lower the roof and feel the wind in your hair, however, this privilege comes at a premium.
Price: R 754 444
Crossover
Ever since the crossover arrived, it has been a tremendously popular segment in the industry. Like other automakers, BMW didn't wait too long before introducing a product in this body style. If are considering one then have a look at the X1, more specifically the sDrive18i as it is the most affordable of the bunch. This model not only shares a platform with the 118i but also the engine and as such, you can expect the same power figures.
Price: R 645 934
SUV
You don't have to travel far down the road before you spot an SUV. Because of its practicality and modern capabilities, many new-car buyers opt for this segment. If you are considering an SUV from BMW, then the X3 sDrive18d will be the most affordable option today. As the model designation indicates, this model comes with a 2.0-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder diesel motor which is capable of 110 kW and 350 Nm of torque.
Price: R 895 658
SAC
You might wonder what a SAC is, well it means Sports Activity Vehicle. It's a vehicle that shares a platform, engine and many interior components with SUVs but like the gran coupé models come with a sportier silhouette as the roof slopes down towards the rear of the vehicle. The most affordable SAC in BMW's arsenal is the X4 xDrive20d M Sport which comes with a 2.0-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder diesel motor producing 140 kW and 400 Nm of torque.
Price: R 1 137 176
Hybrid
If you want to benefit from less fuel consumption while having less of an impact on the environment, then a hybrid vehicle might just be what you are looking for. The most affordable hybrid model BMW has on offer at the time of writing this article is the X5 xDrive45e xLine. Under the bonnet features a 3.0-litre, turbocharged, inline 6-cylinder petrol engine bolstered with an electric motor to produce 290 kW and 600 Nm of torque in total.
Price: R 1 540 400
Electric Vehicle
If you want to get rid of your petrol spend altogether, then you might want to consider an electric vehicle. While BMW has indicated that new fully electric models will be arriving locally soon, the most affordable at the time of writing this article is the i3s Drive. While it might be small and only have one electric motor, the hatch is still capable of producing 135 kW and 270 Nm of torque.
Price: R 820 700
