Verdict
For RM7,000 more, the BMW 3 Series 330Li M Sport stretches the wheelbase by 110 mm to 2,961 mm and adds adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, a panoramic sliding glass roof and comfort suspension. That is meaningful for Malaysian owners regularly carrying adults in the rear. But the 330i M Sport is 95 kg lighter, reaches 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds rather than 6.2, and gets 19-inch wheels plus an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system. Drive yourself more often? Save the money and take the 330i.
Pick the BMW 3 Series 330i M Sport if you want the quicker 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time, 19-inch wheels and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio for less money.
Pick the BMW 3 Series 330Li M Sport if rear-seat room, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go and its 2,961-mm wheelbase matter more than outright response.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series 330i M Sport RM316,800; BMW 3 Series 330Li M Sport RM323,800.
- Power and acceleration: 330i has 258 hp and does 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds; 330Li has 255 hp and takes 6.2 seconds.
- Wheelbase and weight: 330i is 2,851 mm and 1,590 kg; 330Li is 2,961 mm and 1,685 kg.
- Wheels and tyres: 330i uses 19-inch Style-996M alloys with 225/40R19 front and 255/35R19 rear tyres; 330Li has 18-inch 848 M alloys with 225/45R18 front and…
- Cruise control and roof: 330i has passive cruise control and a sunroof; 330Li gets adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go and a panoramic sliding glass roof.
- Audio: 330i has an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system; 330Li has a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system.
330i M Sport
- RM7,000 less expensive.
- Quicker 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 19-inch wheels and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio.
- 110 mm less wheelbase than the 330Li.
- Passive cruise control instead of adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go.
- Regular sunroof rather than a panoramic sliding glass roof.
330Li M Sport
- 110 mm longer 2,961-mm wheelbase.
- Adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go.
- Panoramic sliding glass roof and comfort suspension.
- Costs RM7,000 more.
- Slower 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio versus the 330i's 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM316,800✓ | RM323,800 |
| 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 | 258 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ | 255 hp at 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 400 Nm at 1,550 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 | 10.2 | 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 | 5.8 seconds✓ | 6.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,823 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,827 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,961 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 1,685 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 225/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 255/45R18 |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 ZP |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour Alloys | 18" M Double-spoke style 848 M Bicolour |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour Alloys | 18" M Double-spoke style 848 M Bicolour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Suspension |
| 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 | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Yes | Panoramic Sliding Glass Roof |
| 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 | 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, 14-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 with Stop & Go |
| 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.
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330i M Sport vs 330Li M Sport FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series 330i M Sport or BMW 3 Series 330Li M Sport better?
The 330i M Sport is better for the driver: it is 95 kg lighter and reaches 100 km/h 0.4 seconds sooner. The 330Li M Sport is better when rear-seat accommodation and adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series 330Li M Sport costs RM7,000 more than the 330i M Sport: RM323,800 versus RM316,800.
Which BMW 3 Series is better for rear passengers?
The 330Li M Sport is the clear choice. Its 2,961-mm wheelbase is 110 mm longer than the 330i M Sport's 2,851 mm, and it also adds a panoramic sliding glass roof.
