Verdict
At RM898,800, the BMW M3 Touring costs RM619,800 more than the RM279,000 Subaru Outback, but its 523 hp and 650 Nm cut the 0-100 km/h time to 3.6 seconds versus 9.6 seconds. The Subaru is the rational long-distance wagon: it has a 522-litre boot, 63-litre tank and five-year/100,000 km warranty. The BMW brings sharper hardware, 40:20:40 rear seats, a head-up display and 360-degree camera, but its RM2,113 annual road tax is far higher than the Subaru’s RM878.
Pick the BMW M3 Touring if 523 hp, a 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time and performance-focused chassis hardware matter more than the RM619,800 price gap.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want the larger 522-litre boot, seven airbags and five-year/100,000 km warranty for far less money.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 Touring RM898,800; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Performance: BMW M3 Touring 523 hp, 650 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds; Subaru Outback 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds.
- Boot space: BMW M3 Touring 500 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- Fuel tank: BMW M3 Touring 59 litres; Subaru Outback 63 litres.
- Annual road tax: BMW M3 Touring RM2,113; Subaru Outback RM878.
- Safety equipment: BMW M3 Touring has six airbags; Subaru Outback has seven airbags.
M3 Touring
- 523 hp and 650 Nm with a 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Adaptive M Suspension and M Sport Differential.
- Head-up display, navigation and auto parking.
- RM619,800 pricier and RM1,235 costlier in annual road tax.
- 500-litre boot and 59-litre tank are smaller than the Subaru’s 522 litres and 63 litres.
- Six airbags versus the Subaru’s seven.
Outback
- RM619,800 lower purchase price.
- 522-litre boot, 63-litre fuel tank and seven airbags.
- Five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty and a front sunroof.
- 185 hp and 245 Nm leave it 6.0 seconds slower to 100 km/h.
- No head-up display, navigation or auto parking.
- Four rear parking sensors versus the BMW’s six, and no front sensors listed.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM898,800 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | Wagon | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,113 | RM878✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 523 hp at 6,250 rpm✓ | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 650 Nm at 2,750 rpm✓ | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 6 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 94 mm × 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.6 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,801 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,446 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,925 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/30R20 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport Differential | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| 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 for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors with High Beam Assist | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory Function | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon 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 and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 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.
Used M3 Touring & Outback for sale
M3 Touring vs Outback FAQ
Is the BMW M3 Touring or Subaru Outback better?
The BMW is better for outright performance and driver-focused hardware, with 523 hp and a 3.6-second sprint to 100 km/h. The Subaru is the better value-led wagon, costing RM619,800 less while carrying more luggage and gaining an extra airbag.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 Touring costs RM619,800 more than the Subaru Outback.
Which has the longer warranty?
The Subaru Outback has a five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty. The BMW M3 Touring has a two-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty, with a further three-year unlimited-mileage extended warranty listed.
