Verdict
The BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 costs RM69,000 more at RM267,800, but brings a meaningful step from 136 hp and 220 Nm to 184 hp and 300 Nm. That cuts the 0-100 km/h time from 8.9 to 7.4 seconds, while adding autonomous braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring and a reverse camera. The F30 LCI remains the rational Malaysian used buy: its RM90 annual road tax, 5.1 L/100 km rating and five-year manufacturer warranty matter. But the G20’s larger cabin footprint, 18-speaker audio and 14.9-inch display make the newer car feel far less dated.
Pick the BMW 3 Series F30 LCI if lower running costs, a 5.1 L/100 km rating and RM90 annual road tax matter more than outright pace and driver aids.
Pick the BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 if you want 184 hp, 300 Nm, a 7.4-second century sprint and far more parking and active-safety assistance.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series F30 LCI RM198,800; BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 RM267,800.
- Output: F30 LCI 136 hp and 220 Nm; G20 LCI 2 184 hp and 300 Nm.
- Performance: F30 LCI reaches 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds and tops out at 210 km/h; G20 LCI 2 does 7.4 seconds and 235 km/h.
- Size and weight: F30 LCI is 4,633 mm long with a 2,810 mm wheelbase and weighs 1,475 kg; G20 LCI 2 is 4,709 mm, 2,851 mm and 1,590 kg.
- Safety assistance: F30 LCI has no autonomous braking, blind-spot system or lane-keeping assist; G20 LCI 2 has pedestrian-detecting autonomous braking,…
- Parking and infotainment: F30 LCI has four front and four rear sensors with a 6.
F30 LCI
- RM90 annual road tax and a 5.1 L/100 km rated economy figure.
- Five-year manufacturer warranty with 5-year/100,000 km free scheduled maintenance.
- 115 kg lighter than the G20 LCI 2.
- 136 hp and 220 Nm trail the G20 LCI 2’s 184 hp and 300 Nm.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, collision warning or lane-keeping assist.
- No reverse camera or auto-parking function.
G20 LCI 2
- 184 hp and 300 Nm, with a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Autonomous braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring and steering correction.
- 14.9-inch curved display, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio, navigation and head-up display.
- RM379 annual road tax versus the F30 LCI’s RM90.
- 1,590 kg kerb weight is 115 kg more than the F30 LCI.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years for the F30 LCI.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM198,800✓ | RM267,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,499 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 136 hp at 4,500 rpm | 184 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 220 Nm at 1,250 rpm | 300 Nm at 1,350 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 3 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 82 mm × 94.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 11 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8 Speed Automatic | Steptronic Sport |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.9 seconds | 7.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | 235 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 119 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,633 mm | 4,709 mm |
| Width | 1,811 mm | 1,827 mm |
| Height | 1,429 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,810 mm | 2,851 mm |
| Weight | 1,475 kg | 1,590 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/50R17 | 225/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/50R17 | 225/45R18 |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 RFT | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Multi Spoke Style 414 Alloy | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Multi Spoke Style 414 Alloy | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| 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 two outer rear passenger seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| 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 | Fold-down Centre Armrest | 40:20:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 6.5" Radio BMW Professional, iDrive, Stereo 6 Speakers | 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 | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 3 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km free scheduled maintenance | — |
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
F30 LCI vs G20 LCI 2 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series F30 LCI or BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 better?
The BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 is the better-equipped and quicker car, with 184 hp, 300 Nm and active safety systems. Choose the F30 LCI when lower road tax, rated fuel economy and the longer manufacturer warranty outweigh those gains.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 is RM69,000 more expensive: RM267,800 against RM198,800 for the BMW 3 Series F30 LCI.
Which one is easier to park?
The G20 LCI 2 is easier to place in tight spaces. It has six front and six rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, parallel and perpendicular auto parking, plus reversing assist; the F30 LCI has four sensors front and rear and no reverse camera.
