Verdict
At RM440,078, the Alfa Romeo Giulia asks RM47,278 more than the RM392,800 BMW 3 Series M, yet trails by 111 hp and 100 Nm; its 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.3 seconds behind. The BMW’s all-wheel drive, 4.4-second sprint and adaptive M suspension give the Malaysian buyer more mechanical hardware for less money, plus a sunroof, 360-degree monitor and head-up display. The Giulia is 310 kg lighter and brings a five-year/150,000-km manufacturer warranty, but the BMW’s RM2,125 annual road tax is RM1,747 higher.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if you value its 1,490-kg kerb weight, Matrix Adaptive LED headlamps and five-year/150,000-km manufacturer warranty more than outright pace and equipment.
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want 387 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time for RM47,278 less.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM440,078; BMW 3 Series M RM392,800.
- Power and torque: Alfa Romeo Giulia 276 hp and 400 Nm; BMW 3 Series M 387 hp and 500 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Alfa Romeo Giulia 5.7 seconds; BMW 3 Series M 4.4 seconds.
- Driveline: Alfa Romeo Giulia rear-wheel drive; BMW 3 Series M all-wheel drive.
- Kerb weight: Alfa Romeo Giulia 1,490 kg; BMW 3 Series M 1,800 kg.
- Annual road tax: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM378; BMW 3 Series M RM2,125.
Giulia
- 310 kg lighter at 1,490 kg.
- Five-year/150,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- Matrix Adaptive LED Projector headlamps and a knee airbag for both front occupants.
- RM47,278 dearer despite 276 hp and 400 Nm versus 387 hp and 500 Nm.
- Slower 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time and rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
- No sunroof, head-up display, 360-degree monitor or automatic parking.
3 Series M
- 387 hp, 500 Nm and 4.4-second 0-100 km/h pace.
- Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering and M Sport Differential.
- Sunroof, 14.9-inch BMW Curved Display, 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio and 360-degree monitor.
- 310 kg heavier at 1,800 kg.
- RM2,125 annual road tax, versus RM378 for the Giulia.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty, versus the Giulia’s five years/150,000 km.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM440,078 | RM392,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378✓ | RM2,125 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 276 hp | 387 hp✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 84 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.2 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | Steptronic Sport |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds | 4.4 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,643 mm | 4,714 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,827 mm |
| Height | 1,436 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,851 mm |
| Weight | 1,490 kg | 1,800 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 225/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 255/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering, M Sport Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver and Front Passenger Knee Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Matrix Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Yes |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 8.8" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 14-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Giulia & 3 Series M for sale
Giulia vs 3 Series M FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia or BMW 3 Series M better?
The BMW 3 Series M is the stronger buy on these specifications: it is cheaper, has 387 hp and 500 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and adds all-wheel drive. Choose the Giulia for its lower weight and longer manufacturer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia costs RM47,278 more than the BMW 3 Series M.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia has far lower annual road tax at RM378, compared with RM2,125 for the BMW 3 Series M. That is a RM1,747 yearly difference.
