Verdict
At RM208,800, the BMW 3 Series F30 is RM59,000 cheaper and still gives you rear-wheel drive, an eight-speed ZF automatic and a 480-litre boot. The BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 turns that gap into a meaningful performance and safety upgrade: 184 hp and 300 Nm cut the 0-100 km/h time from 9.2 to 7.4 seconds, while autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and steering correction are included. It is also 85 mm longer and rides on 18-inch wheels, but the 110 kg weight increase and RM379 annual road tax need factoring in.
Pick the BMW 3 Series F30 if RM59,000 saved, lower RM90 annual road tax and a 5-year manufacturer warranty with scheduled maintenance matter more than outright pace and driver 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 substantially stronger active-safety equipment.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series F30 RM208,800; BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 RM267,800.
- Performance: F30 has 136 hp/220 Nm and does 0-100 km/h in 9.2 seconds; G20 LCI 2 has 184 hp/300 Nm and takes 7.4 seconds.
- 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.
- Weight and road tax: F30 weighs 1,480 kg and costs RM90 a year; G20 LCI 2 weighs 1,590 kg and costs RM379 a year.
- Safety assistance: F30 has no autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping aid; G20 LCI 2 has pedestrian-detecting autonomous braking, blind-spot…
- Cabin tech: F30 gets a 6.5-inch monitor and six speakers; G20 LCI 2 has a 14.9-inch Curved Display and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio.
F30
- RM59,000 lower price and RM90 annual road tax.
- 1,480 kg kerb weight, 110 kg lighter than the G20 LCI 2.
- Five-year manufacturer warranty with 100,000 km scheduled maintenance.
- 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 steering correction.
- 6.5-inch display and six-speaker audio are far behind the G20 LCI 2 setup.
G20 LCI 2
- 184 hp, 300 Nm and 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, head-up display and parking assist.
- RM59,000 more expensive, with RM379 annual road tax versus RM90.
- At 1,590 kg, it is 110 kg heavier than the F30.
- No front fog lamps, where the F30 has them.
| 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 | 184 hp✓ |
| Torque | 220 Nm | 300 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 77 mm | 82 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 | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 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 better-equipped and quicker car, with 48 hp and 80 Nm more plus active safety systems absent on the F30. Choose the F30 only if its RM59,000 lower price and lower road tax carry more weight.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 costs RM267,800, which is RM59,000 more than the BMW 3 Series F30 at RM208,800.
Which one is more practical for passengers and luggage?
Both have five seats and a 480-litre boot. The G20 LCI 2 is 85 mm longer with a 41 mm longer wheelbase, and its 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat is more flexible than the F30's fold-down centre armrest.
