Verdict
At RM267,800, the BMW 3 Series is RM27,000 below the RM294,800 BMW i4 and gives Malaysian buyers a 480-litre boot, 235 km/h top speed and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system. But the i4’s 282-hp, 400-Nm motor cuts the 0-100 km/h run to 6 seconds against 7.4 seconds, while its 70.3-kWh battery is rated for 500 km and accepts up to 180 kW DC. Choose the petrol BMW for lower entry cost; choose the EV if charging access makes its range and 5-door body useful.
3 Series
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the lower purchase price, a marginally larger 480-litre boot and a 235 km/h top speed.
i4
Pick the BMW i4 if you can charge regularly and want 500 km of rated EV range, stronger acceleration and five-door access.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; BMW i4 RM294,800.
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series 184 hp and 300 Nm; BMW i4 282 hp and 400 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds and 235 km/h; BMW i4 6 seconds and 190 km/h.
- Energy storage and range: BMW 3 Series 1,998 cc petrol engine with 59-litre tank; BMW i4 70.3-kWh battery with 500 km range.
- Practicality: BMW 3 Series has 4 doors and a 480-litre boot; BMW i4 has 5 doors and a 470-litre boot.
- Weight: BMW 3 Series 1,590 kg; BMW i4 2,075 kg.
3 Series
- RM27,000 lower purchase price.
- 480-litre boot and 235 km/h top speed.
- 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
- 184 hp and 300 Nm trail the i4’s 282 hp and 400 Nm.
- 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.4 seconds slower.
- Four doors versus the i4’s five doors.
i4
- 282 hp, 400 Nm and a 6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 70.3-kWh battery, 500 km rated range and 180 kW DC charging.
- Adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera and powered boot.
- Costs RM27,000 more.
- 2,075 kg kerb weight is 485 kg higher.
- 470-litre boot is 10 litres smaller and top speed is 190 km/h.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM294,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM305✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | — |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | — |
| Torque | 300 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 282 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 70.3 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 500 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 180 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 190 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,783 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,448 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,856 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 2,075 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 255/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2nd Row 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 | Adaptive LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | BMW Laser LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory |
| 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 |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker 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 Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| 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 | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 & i4 for sale
3 Series vs i4 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW i4 better?
The BMW i4 is the stronger choice if regular charging is available, with 500 km of rated range, 282 hp and five doors. Pick the BMW 3 Series for lower entry cost, a slightly larger boot and its 235 km/h top speed.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 costs RM27,000 more than the BMW 3 Series.
What charging and battery cover does the BMW i4 get?
The BMW i4 has a 70.3-kWh battery, supports up to 11 kW AC and 180 kW DC charging, and includes an eight-year or 160,000-km battery warranty.
