Verdict
The BMW 3 Series costs RM267,800, undercutting the Mercedes-Benz C-Class by RM25,088, and it brings a larger 480-litre boot, 59-litre tank, head-up display and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system. The C-Class answers with 201 hp, a 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time, seven airbags and broader autonomous braking coverage up to 250 km/h. Its RM90 annual road tax is far lower than the BMW’s RM379, too. For the Malaysian buyer, the BMW is the better-equipped value call; the Mercedes makes sense for its safety hardware and lower running tax.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want to save RM25,088 while gaining a 480-litre boot, 59-litre fuel tank, head-up display and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz C-Class if its 201 hp output, seven airbags, 7.3-second sprint and RM90 annual road tax matter more than the higher purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM292,888.
- Power and 0-100 km/h: BMW 184 hp and 7.4 seconds; Mercedes-Benz 201 hp and 7.3 seconds.
- Road tax per year: BMW RM379; Mercedes-Benz RM90.
- Boot space and fuel tank: BMW 480 litres and 59 litres; Mercedes-Benz 455 litres and 50 litres.
- Airbags and autonomous braking: BMW six airbags, 5-80 km/h pedestrian detection; Mercedes-Benz seven airbags, 7-250 km/h braking with pedestrian and cyclist…
- Audio and displays: BMW 14.9-inch display with 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio; Mercedes-Benz 11.4-inch MBUX display with eight speakers.
3 Series
- RM25,088 lower purchase price
- 480-litre boot and 59-litre fuel tank
- Head-up display and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system
- 184 hp trails the C-Class' 201 hp
- Six airbags versus seven
- Autonomous braking operates from 5-80 km/h, against 7-250 km/h in the C-Class
C-Class
- 201 hp and a 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Seven airbags plus pedestrian and cyclist detection
- RM90 annual road tax
- Costs RM25,088 more
- 455-litre boot is 25 litres smaller
- 50-litre tank is 9 litres smaller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM292,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp at 5,000 rpm | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,350 rpm | 300 Nm at 1,800 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 78 mm × 78.3 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 20 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 200 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 9G-TRONIC |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 7.3 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h | 246 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 151 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,751 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,820 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,437 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 1,650 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 455 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 225/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/40R18 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Pirelli Cinturato P7 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Agility Control Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes (7 to 250 km/h), with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (7 to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Blind Spot Collision Prevention, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Prevention, Active Bonnet |
| 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 with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar |
| 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 Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Sun Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Sun Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 11.4" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers |
| 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| 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 | — | Auto-dimming Mirrors, Qi Wireless Charger, Fingerprint Scanner |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years✓ | 2 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 & C-Class for sale
3 Series vs C-Class FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class better?
The BMW 3 Series is the stronger value choice at RM267,800, with more boot space, a larger tank, head-up display and 18-speaker audio. Choose the Mercedes-Benz C-Class for more power, an extra airbag and wider autonomous-braking coverage.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class costs RM292,888, which is RM25,088 more than the BMW 3 Series at RM267,800.
Which is quicker, the BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is marginally quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds versus 7.4 seconds for the BMW 3 Series. It also produces 201 hp, compared with 184 hp.
