Earlier this month, we confirmed that Volkswagen South Africa planned to discontinue the manual version of the Golf GTI later this year. And now it seems BMW SA is about to follow suit with the M3 and M4.
Yes, we have it on good authority that the three-pedal versions of the Munich-based automaker’s M3 and M4 (including 331 kW Competition versions, which are currently the most powerful manuals available new in SA) will be removed from the local line-up with the upcoming facelift.
In addition, the remaining seven-speed M-DCT-equipped variants will each feature a bump in price, from R1 151 236 to R1 199 636 for the M3 sedan and from R1 207 836 to R 1 257 436 for the M4 Coupé.
The removal of the six-speed manual transmission option also applies to the M4 Convertible, which will cost R1 419 062, up from R1 363 362.
The 3,0-litre, twin-turbo, straight-six engine is untouched, with the update comprising mostly subtle exterior styling tweaks.
The M3 Competition, meanwhile, will now cost R 1 335 536 (up from R1 287 136), while the M4 Competition will be priced at R1 393 336 (up from R1 343 736) and the M4 Convertible Competition at R1 554 962 (up from R1 499 262).
