Verdict
The BMW 3 Series M costs RM24,912 more, but its 387 hp/500 Nm inline-six, all-wheel drive and 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time make it the emphatic performance choice. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class counters with a far lower RM380 annual road tax against RM2,125, plus a 110 mm longer wheelbase and 540-litre boot for executive-car duties. At 201 hp and 320 Nm, the E-Class is no match for the BMW’s pace, but it is the more sensible Malaysian daily if rear-seat space, luggage room and running costs matter more than outright speed.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want 387 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.4-second sprint to 100 km/h.
E-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you want the RM24,912 cheaper sedan with a 540-litre boot, longer 2,961 mm wheelbase and RM380 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM392,800; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM367,888.
- Output: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp and 500 Nm; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 201 hp and 320 Nm.
- Performance: BMW 3 Series M 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and 250 km/h; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 7.5 seconds and 240 km/h.
- Road tax: BMW 3 Series M RM2,125 per year; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM380 per year.
- Space: BMW 3 Series M has a 2,851 mm wheelbase and 480-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz E-Class has a 2,961 mm wheelbase and 540-litre boot.
- Safety and warranty: BMW 3 Series M has six airbags and a two-year warranty; Mercedes-Benz E-Class has nine airbags and a four-year warranty.
3 Series M
- 387 hp and 500 Nm inline-six with all-wheel drive.
- 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Sunroof, head-up display and 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- RM24,912 more expensive and RM2,125 annual road tax versus RM380.
- 110 mm shorter wheelbase and 60 litres less boot space.
- Six airbags and two-year warranty versus nine airbags and four years.
E-Class
- RM24,912 lower purchase price and much lower annual road tax.
- 2,961 mm wheelbase and 540-litre boot.
- Nine airbags, four-year warranty and contactless boot opening.
- 201 hp and 320 Nm trail the BMW’s 387 hp and 500 Nm.
- 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.1 seconds slower.
- No sunroof or head-up display, and a seven-speaker audio system versus 16 speakers.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM392,800 | RM367,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,125 | RM380✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 387 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 500 Nm at 1,900 rpm✓ | 320 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 6 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Daimler AG |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 7.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 240 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,949 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,961 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 1,825 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 540 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 275/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering, M Sport Differential | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 9 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Rear 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 for 2 Outer Rear 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 | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Reflector LED with Adaptive High Beam |
| 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 Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Yes | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.4" MBUX Multimedia with Online Music Streaming, AI functionality built-in, Seven Speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes |
| 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 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 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 3 Series M & E-Class for sale
3 Series M vs E-Class FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
The BMW 3 Series M is better for performance, reaching 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds with 387 hp and 500 Nm. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is better for space, safety count, warranty length and annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series M costs RM392,800 and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs RM367,888, so the BMW is RM24,912 more expensive.
Which has the bigger boot and lower road tax?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class does both: its boot holds 540 litres against the BMW 3 Series M’s 480 litres, while annual road tax is RM380 versus RM2,125.
