Verdict
The BMW M3 is RM52,000 cheaper at RM846,800, yet its 503 hp inline-six reaches 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, a tenth ahead of the 523 hp M3 Touring. It is also 70 kg lighter at 1,855 kg and 7 mm shorter, useful in tighter Malaysian car parks. The Touring answers with a 500-litre boot, five doors, adaptive cruise control and a 14.9-inch curved display, against the sedan's 480 litres, four doors, passive cruise and 10.25-inch screen. Choose based on load-carrying and equipment, not straight-line speed.
M3
Pick the BMW M3 if you want the quicker 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time, 70 kg lower weight and RM52,000 lower price.
M3 Touring
Pick the BMW M3 Touring if you need five-door access, a 500-litre boot and the richer driver-assistance and infotainment kit.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 RM846,800; BMW M3 Touring RM898,800.
- Performance: BMW M3 503 hp and 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds; BMW M3 Touring 523 hp and 3.6 seconds.
- Weight: BMW M3 1,855 kg; BMW M3 Touring 1,925 kg.
- Practicality: BMW M3 has four doors and a 480-litre boot; BMW M3 Touring has five doors and a 500-litre boot.
- Driver assistance: BMW M3 has passive cruise control and lane-keeping warning; BMW M3 Touring has adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping steering correction.
- Infotainment: BMW M3 has a 10.25-inch touchscreen and 12-speaker 360W Harman Kardon audio; BMW M3 Touring has a 14.
M3
- RM52,000 lower purchase price.
- 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, versus 3.6 seconds.
- 70 kg lighter, with 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes.
- 480-litre boot and four doors versus the Touring's 500 litres and five doors.
- Passive cruise control and lane-keeping warning only, where the Touring gets adaptive cruise and steering correction.
- Smaller 10.25-inch display and 12-speaker 360W audio system.
M3 Touring
- 500-litre boot and five doors.
- 523 hp and 650 Nm from the 2,993 cc twin-turbo inline-six.
- Adaptive cruise control, steering-correction lane keeping and a 360-degree camera.
- Costs RM52,000 more.
- 1,925 kg weight is 70 kg higher than the M3.
- 0-100 km/h takes 3.6 seconds, 0.1 second behind the M3.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM846,800✓ | RM898,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,113 | RM2,113 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 2,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 503 hp at 6,250 rpm | 523 hp at 6,250 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 650 Nm at 2,750 rpm | 650 Nm at 2,750 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 6 | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 84 mm × 90 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds✓ | 3.6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 10.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 230 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,794 mm | 4,801 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 1,903 mm |
| Height | 1,433 mm | 1,446 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 1,855 kg | 1,925 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 500 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 275/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/30R20 | 295/30R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 19" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 20" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential, 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD Modes | Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport Differential |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Attentiveness Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Prevention, Active Protection | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Laser Projectors with Auto High Beam | Adaptive LED Projectors with High Beam Assist |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 Side 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 |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Controller, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 12-speaker 360W Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-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 with Smartphone Key and Proximity Auto Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes |
| 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 | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | 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 & M3 Touring for sale
M3 vs M3 Touring FAQ
Is the BMW M3 or BMW M3 Touring better?
The M3 is the better choice for outright acceleration and lower cost: it does 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and costs RM846,800. The M3 Touring is better for access and carrying capacity, with five doors and a 500-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 Touring costs RM898,800, which is RM52,000 more than the BMW M3 at RM846,800.
Which has the bigger boot?
The BMW M3 Touring has the bigger boot at 500 litres, 20 litres more than the BMW M3's 480 litres. It also has five doors rather than four, while both seat five.
