Verdict
The RM49,000 step up buys a serious 74 hp and 100 Nm gain: 258 hp/400 Nm cuts the 0-100 km/h run from 7.4 to 5.8 seconds and lifts top speed from 235 to 250 km/h. It also brings 19-inch wheels, a sunroof and rear air-con vents, but the same 1,998 cc turbo four, eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive, 480-litre boot and full active-safety suite remain. For most Malaysian buyers, the lower-priced BMW 3 Series is the sensible call; pay more only if that extra pace matters every day.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if RM49,000 saved matters more than a 1.6-second 0-100 km/h advantage and a sunroof.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want 258 hp, 400 Nm and a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time from your BMW 3 Series.
Key differences
- Price: RM267,800 vs RM316,800
- Power: 184 hp at 5,000 rpm vs 258 hp at 5,000 rpm
- Torque: 300 Nm at 1,350 rpm vs 400 Nm at 1,550 rpm
- 0-100 km/h: 7.4 seconds vs 5.8 seconds; top speed: 235 km/h vs 250 km/h
- Wheels and tyres: 18-inch 225/45R18 Hankook tyres vs 19-inch 225/40R19 front and 255/35R19 rear Pirelli tyres
- Cabin equipment: no sunroof and single-zone rear automatic climate control vs sunroof with shade and rear air-con vents
320i Sport
- RM49,000 cheaper
- Single-zone automatic rear climate control
- 18-inch wheels with 225/45R18 tyres front and rear
- 184 hp and 300 Nm trail the other car by 74 hp and 100 Nm
- 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.6 seconds slower
- No sunroof
330i M Sport
- 258 hp and 400 Nm
- 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time
- Sunroof with shade and 19-inch Style-996M wheels
- RM49,000 more expensive
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM316,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp at 5,000 rpm | 258 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,350 rpm | 400 Nm at 1,550 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| 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 | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 5.8 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,709 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,827 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,851 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 1,590 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 | Pirelli P Zero |
| 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" Style-996M Bi-colour Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) |
| 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 |
| 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, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins 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 | Passive 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 cars for sale
320i Sport vs 330i M Sport FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW 3 Series better?
The 258 hp BMW 3 Series is better for outright performance, reaching 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds. The 184 hp BMW 3 Series is the better-value choice because it retains the same rear-wheel-drive layout, eight-speed automatic, safety kit and 480-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The price gap is RM49,000: RM267,800 for the lower-priced BMW 3 Series and RM316,800 for the pricier version.
Does the pricier BMW 3 Series have better safety equipment?
No. Both have six airbags, blind-spot information, autonomous braking with pedestrian detection, steering-correction lane keeping, collision warning, front and rear parking sensors, a reverse camera and automatic parking.
