Verdict
The BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 costs RM59,000 more at RM267,800, but its 2.0-litre turbo delivers 184 hp and 300 Nm against the F30’s 136 hp and 220 Nm. That cuts 0-100 km/h from 9.2 to 7.4 seconds, while adding blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian-detecting autonomous braking and a reversing camera. The trade-off for Malaysian ownership is RM379 annual road tax versus RM90, plus a 110 kg heavier car. The F30 remains the sensible lower-cost route, especially with its five-year/100,000 km free scheduled maintenance.
Pick the BMW 3 Series F30 if RM208,800 pricing, RM90 annual road tax and five-year/100,000 km free scheduled maintenance matter more than stronger performance and newer safety assistance.
Pick the BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 if you want 184 hp, 300 Nm, a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time and its far broader driver-assistance package.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series F30 RM208,800; BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 RM267,800.
- Engine output: F30 136 hp and 220 Nm from 1,598 cc; G20 LCI 2 184 hp and 300 Nm from 1,998 cc.
- Performance: F30 0-100 km/h in 9.2 seconds and 210 km/h; G20 LCI 2 7.4 seconds and 235 km/h.
- Dimensions: F30 is 4,624 mm long on a 2,810 mm wheelbase; G20 LCI 2 is 4,709 mm long on a 2,851 mm wheelbase.
- Running costs: F30 road tax is RM90 yearly and rated consumption is 5.9 L/100 km; G20 LCI 2 road tax is RM379 yearly and has no rated consumption figure.
- Driver assistance: F30 has no blind-spot system, autonomous braking or reverse camera; G20 LCI 2 has blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian-detecting autonomous…
F30
- RM59,000 lower purchase price
- RM90 annual road tax
- Five-year/100,000 km free scheduled maintenance
- 136 hp and 220 Nm trail the G20 LCI 2 by 48 hp and 80 Nm
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking, lane steering correction or reverse camera
- 17-inch wheels and Bi-Xenon headlamps versus 18-inch wheels and LED projectors
G20 LCI 2
- 184 hp, 300 Nm and a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- Blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian-detecting autonomous braking and steering correction
- 14.9-inch Curved Display with 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio
- RM59,000 higher purchase price
- RM379 annual road tax versus RM90
- 110 kg heavier at 1,590 kg
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM208,800✓ | RM267,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbo with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 136 hp at 4,350 rpm | 184 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 220 Nm at 1,350 rpm | 300 Nm at 1,350 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 77 mm × 85.8 mm | 82 mm × 94.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 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 | 9.2 seconds | 7.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | 235 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 137 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,624 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 | 1,480 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 | — | 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" Star Spoke Style 393 Alloy | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Star Spoke Style 393 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 | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-Xenon Projector | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant |
| Taillamps | LED light bar with normal bulb brake light | 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 | BMW Professional Audio with MP3 compatible CD Drive, 6.5" monitor operated by iDrive, Bluetooth, USB + 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 | 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 | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | 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 vs G20 LCI 2 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series F30 or BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 better?
The BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 is the more capable car, with 184 hp, 300 Nm, faster acceleration and much more active safety equipment. The F30 is the better choice when its lower upfront cost, RM90 road tax and included scheduled maintenance carry greater weight.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 is RM59,000 more expensive: RM267,800 against RM208,800 for the BMW 3 Series F30.
Which one has more practical rear-seat and boot space?
Both have a 480-litre boot and five seats, but the G20 LCI 2 has a 41 mm longer wheelbase at 2,851 mm and a 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat. The F30 has a 2,810 mm wheelbase and a fold-down centre armrest.
