Verdict
The RM267,800 BMW 3 Series asks RM96,000 more than the RM171,800 BYD Seal, yet the Seal delivers 308 hp, 360 Nm and a 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time against 184 hp, 300 Nm and 7.4 seconds. Its 82.56-kWh battery is rated for 570 km and accepts 150-kW DC charging. The BMW counters with a 480-litre boot, 80 litres more than the Seal, and a 235-km/h top speed. For a Malaysian buyer with reliable charging access, the Seal is the sharper buy; pick the BMW if boot capacity and its higher top speed matter more.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you need its 480-litre boot and prefer a petrol sedan with an eight-speed automatic and 235-km/h top speed.
Pick the BYD Seal if you can charge an EV and want 308 hp, 570 km of claimed range, faster acceleration and more equipment for RM96,000 less.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; BYD Seal RM171,800.
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series 184 hp and 300 Nm; BYD Seal 308 hp and 360 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds; BYD Seal 5.9 seconds.
- Energy storage and range: BMW 3 Series 59-litre fuel tank; BYD Seal 82.56-kWh battery with 570 km EV range.
- Top speed: BMW 3 Series 235 km/h; BYD Seal 180 km/h.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; BYD Seal 400 litres.
3 Series
- 480-litre boot is 80 litres larger.
- 235-km/h top speed.
- Eight-speed ZF Steptronic Sport automatic with paddle shifts.
- RM96,000 more expensive.
- Slower 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time versus 5.9 seconds.
- Shorter two-year manufacturer warranty versus six years.
Seal
- 308 hp and 360 Nm from its single motor.
- 82.56-kWh battery, 570-km range and 150-kW DC charging.
- Ventilated front seats, panoramic glass roof and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go.
- 400-litre boot is 80 litres smaller.
- 180-km/h top speed is 55 km/h lower.
- At 2,055 kg, it is 465 kg heavier.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800 | RM171,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM335✓ |
| 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 | — | 308 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 360 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 82.56 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 570 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 150 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 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 | 5.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,800 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,460 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,920 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 2,055 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 400 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 235/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 235/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Frequency Selective Damping |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee Airbag |
| 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 on Front Passenger and Outer Two Rear Seat |
| 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 Projector with Auto 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 | Power-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated with Driver's Side Memory Function |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 2 Wireless Chargers |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 15.6" Rotating Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 12-speaker Dynaudio HiFi Audio 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 |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 6 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000-km Battery Warranty, 8-year/150,000-km Electric Drive Unit 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 & Seal for sale
3 Series vs Seal FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BYD Seal better?
The BYD Seal is the better buy for drivers with charging access: it is RM96,000 cheaper, quicker to 100 km/h and has a 570-km claimed EV range. Choose the BMW 3 Series for its larger 480-litre boot and 235-km/h top speed.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series costs RM267,800 and the BYD Seal costs RM171,800, so the BMW is RM96,000 more expensive.
Which car is quicker and easier to charge on longer EV trips?
The BYD Seal is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds versus 7.4 seconds. It has an 82.56-kWh battery, 570-km claimed range and 150-kW DC charging; the petrol BMW instead uses a 59-litre fuel tank.
