Verdict
The BMW 3 Series G20 is the sharper numbers-led choice: 1,470 kg and 7.1 seconds to 100 km/h, despite giving away 3 hp to the LCI 2. Its 6.3 L/100 km rated consumption is also useful for daily Malaysian mileage. The BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 counters with a 14.9-inch Curved Display, head-up display and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio, but weighs 1,590 kg and takes 7.4 seconds to 100 km/h. Both retain rear-wheel drive, 300 Nm, a 59-litre tank and 480-litre boot. The newer cabin kit matters more than the mechanical changes here.
Pick the BMW 3 Series G20 if you want the quicker, 120 kg lighter 3 Series with rated 6.3 L/100 km consumption and more money left over.
Pick the BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 if the 14.9-inch display, head-up display, high-beam assistant and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system are priorities.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series G20 RM230,764; BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 RM267,800.
- Power and acceleration: G20 181 hp and 0-100 km/h in 7.1 seconds; LCI 2 184 hp and 7.4 seconds.
- Weight: G20 1,470 kg; LCI 2 1,590 kg.
- Audio/display: G20 10.25-inch touchscreen with six speakers; LCI 2 14.9-inch Curved Display with 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio.
- Driver aids: G20 has no head-up display and front-seat seatbelt reminders; LCI 2 has a head-up display and reminders for all seats.
- Lighting: G20 has LED projectors and front foglamps; LCI 2 has LED projectors with high-beam assistant but no front foglamps.
G20
- 0-100 km/h in 7.1 seconds, 0.3 seconds quicker.
- 120 kg lighter at 1,470 kg.
- Rated fuel economy of 6.3 L/100 km.
- Smaller 10.25-inch screen and six-speaker audio versus the LCI 2's 14.9-inch display and 18-speaker system.
- No head-up display or high-beam assistant.
- Seatbelt reminders cover only the front seats, not all five seats.
G20 LCI 2
- 14.9-inch BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional.
- 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
- Head-up display, high-beam assistant and seatbelt reminders for all seats.
- RM37,036 more expensive.
- 0-100 km/h takes 7.4 seconds versus 7.1 seconds.
- At 1,590 kg, it is 120 kg heavier.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM230,764✓ | RM267,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 181 hp at 5,000 rpm | 184 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,350 rpm | 300 Nm at 1,350 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | 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 Steptronic Sport Transmission | Steptronic Sport |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.1 seconds✓ | 7.4 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 6.3 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h | 235 km/h |
| Co2 | 144 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,709 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,827 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,851 mm |
| Weight | 1,470 kg | 1,590 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 225/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 225/45R18 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus S1 Evo3 | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V Spoke Style 780 Two-tone Alloy | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V Spoke Style 780 Two-tone 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 — Tested with AEB | — |
| 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 | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | 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 Sports 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | BMW Navigation System Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Touch Controller, Voice Control and 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 | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control with Brake Function | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | 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 |
| Convenience Notes | BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service, BMW Live Cockpit Professional | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 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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G20 vs G20 LCI 2 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series G20 or BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 better?
The BMW 3 Series G20 is better for pace, lower weight and rated fuel use. The BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 is better equipped inside, adding a 14.9-inch display, head-up display and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 costs RM37,036 more: RM267,800 versus RM230,764 for the BMW 3 Series G20.
Which BMW 3 Series is quicker?
The BMW 3 Series G20 is quicker to 100 km/h at 7.1 seconds. The BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 takes 7.4 seconds, despite its 184 hp output versus 181 hp.