Verdict
The BMW 3 Series is the rational Malaysian pick at RM267,800, while the BMW 3 Series M costs RM392,800. That RM125,000 gap buys a 387 hp/500 Nm 3.0-litre inline-six, all-wheel drive and 4.4-second 0-100 km/h pace, against 184 hp/300 Nm, rear-wheel drive and 7.4 seconds. It also adds adaptive M suspension, a 360-degree monitor and adaptive cruise control. Yet both retain five seats, a 480-litre boot and a 59-litre tank; choose the M only if its RM2,125 annual road tax is acceptable.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the same five-seat, 480-litre-boot layout for RM125,000 less, with lower RM379 yearly road tax.
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if 4.4-second 0-100 km/h acceleration, all-wheel drive and its M chassis hardware justify the extra outlay.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; BMW 3 Series M RM392,800.
- Output: BMW 3 Series 184 hp and 300 Nm; BMW 3 Series M 387 hp and 500 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds; BMW 3 Series M 4.4 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW 3 Series rear-wheel drive; BMW 3 Series M all-wheel drive.
- Road tax: BMW 3 Series RM379 per year; BMW 3 Series M RM2,125 per year.
- Kerb weight: BMW 3 Series 1,590 kg; BMW 3 Series M 1,800 kg.
3 Series
- RM125,000 cheaper to buy
- RM379 annual road tax versus RM2,125
- 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system
- 184 hp and 300 Nm trail the M's 387 hp and 500 Nm
- 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.0 seconds slower
- Passive cruise control and a reverse camera, versus adaptive cruise and a 360-degree monitor
3 Series M
- 387 hp, 500 Nm and 4.4-second 0-100 km/h pace
- All-wheel drive, adaptive M suspension, Variable Sport Steering and M Sport Differential
- Adaptive cruise control and 360-degree monitor
- Costs RM125,000 more
- RM2,125 annual road tax is RM1,746 higher
- 210 kg heavier at 1,800 kg
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM392,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM2,125 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp at 5,000 rpm | 387 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,350 rpm | 500 Nm at 1,900 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 82 mm × 94.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 10.2 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | Steptronic Sport |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 4.4 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,714 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,827 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,851 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 1,800 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 225/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 255/35R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 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 | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | 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 Memory Function | 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Yes |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins 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 with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | 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 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | 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 & 3 Series M for sale
3 Series vs 3 Series M FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW 3 Series M better?
The BMW 3 Series M is better for outright pace and chassis hardware, with 387 hp, all-wheel drive and adaptive M suspension. The BMW 3 Series is the better-value choice if you do not need a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series M costs RM125,000 more than the BMW 3 Series. Its yearly road tax is also RM1,746 higher.
Which BMW 3 Series is quicker?
The BMW 3 Series M is decisively quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds versus 7.4 seconds for the BMW 3 Series. It also has 250 km/h top speed, compared with 235 km/h.
