Verdict
The RM198,800 F30 LCI is the sensible used-generation choice: its 136 hp, 220 Nm 1.5-litre turbo reaches 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, yet brings a five-year/unlimited-mileage warranty with free scheduled maintenance and RM90 annual road tax. At RM267,800, the G20 LCI 2 asks RM69,000 more, but its 184 hp, 300 Nm 2.0-litre cuts the sprint to 7.4 seconds and adds blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking and reversing assist. For a Malaysian buyer who can fund the gap, the newer car’s safety, parking and cabin hardware make the stronger case.
Pick the BMW 3 Series F30 LCI if you want the RM69,000 saving, RM90 road tax and five-year free scheduled maintenance, and can live with 8.9-second performance and fewer driver aids.
Pick the BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 if you want 184 hp and 300 Nm, a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time, plus autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and automated parking.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series F30 LCI RM198,800; BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 RM267,800.
- Engine output: F30 LCI 136 hp and 220 Nm from 1,499 cc; G20 LCI 2 184 hp and 300 Nm from 1,998 cc.
- 0-100 km/h: F30 LCI 8.9 seconds; G20 LCI 2 7.4 seconds.
- Dimensions: F30 LCI 4,633 mm long with a 2,810 mm wheelbase; G20 LCI 2 4,709 mm long with a 2,851 mm wheelbase.
- Wheels and tyres: F30 LCI 17-inch wheels with 225/50R17 tyres; G20 LCI 2 18-inch wheels with 225/45R18 tyres.
- Road tax: F30 LCI RM90 per year; G20 LCI 2 RM379 per year.
F30 LCI
- RM69,000 less to buy and RM289 less annual road tax.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty includes free scheduled maintenance.
- Front fog lamps are fitted.
- 136 hp and 220 Nm trail the G20 LCI 2’s 184 hp and 300 Nm, with a 1.5-second slower 0-100 km/h time.
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking, forward-collision warning or steering correction.
- No reversing camera, head-up display, navigation or automated parking.
G20 LCI 2
- 184 hp, 300 Nm and a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Gets blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian-detecting autonomous braking and steering correction.
- 14.9-inch curved display, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio, head-up display and reversing assist.
- Costs RM69,000 more and annual road tax is RM379 versus RM90.
- At 1,590 kg, it is 115 kg heavier than the F30 LCI.
- It lacks the F30 LCI’s front fog lamps.
| 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 | 184 hp✓ |
| Torque | 220 Nm | 300 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 82 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 | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 | — | 5 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 better equipped and substantially quicker, with 184 hp, 300 Nm, autonomous braking and parking assistance. The F30 LCI is the better budget-led choice thanks to its lower purchase cost, RM90 road tax and five-year maintenance package.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 costs RM69,000 more than the BMW 3 Series F30 LCI. Its annual road tax is also RM289 higher, at RM379 versus RM90.
Which has the more practical cabin?
Both are five-seat sedans with a 480-litre boot, but the G20 LCI 2 has a 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat, rear single-zone automatic climate control and four power sockets. The F30 LCI has only a fold-down centre armrest.
