Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the BMW 3 Series M is the harder one to ignore: it costs RM47,278 less at RM392,800, yet brings 387 hp, 500 Nm and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time against the Giulia’s 276 hp, 400 Nm and 5.7 seconds. Its RM2,125 annual road tax is far higher than the Alfa’s RM378, however. The Alfa Romeo Giulia counters with 310 kg less weight, matrix adaptive LED headlamps and a five-year/150,000 km warranty. Both retain 480-litre boots, eight-speed automatics and 19-inch tyres.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if lower RM378 annual road tax, a 1,490 kg kerb weight and matrix adaptive LED headlamps matter more than outright pace.
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want 387 hp, all-wheel drive, a 4.4-second sprint and more parking and cabin technology for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM440,078; BMW 3 Series M RM392,800.
- Performance: Alfa Romeo Giulia 276 hp/400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds; BMW 3 Series M 387 hp/500 Nm and 4.4 seconds.
- Road tax per year: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM378; BMW 3 Series M RM2,125.
- Driveline and weight: Alfa Romeo Giulia rear-wheel drive and 1,490 kg; BMW 3 Series M all-wheel drive and 1,800 kg.
- Display and audio: Alfa Romeo Giulia 8.8-inch touchscreen with 14 speakers; BMW 3 Series M 14.9-inch curved display with 16 speakers.
- Warranty mileage: Alfa Romeo Giulia five years/150,000 km; BMW 3 Series M two years plus three-year extended warranty, both with unlimited mileage.
Giulia
- RM1,747 lower annual road tax.
- 310 kg lighter than the BMW 3 Series M.
- Matrix adaptive LED projectors and driver/front-passenger knee airbags.
- RM47,278 more expensive despite 111 hp and 100 Nm less.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 5.7 seconds versus 4.4 seconds.
- Warranty is capped at 150,000 km, where the BMW’s coverage is unlimited-mileage.
3 Series M
- RM392,800 price is RM47,278 below the Alfa Romeo Giulia.
- 387 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Gets adaptive M suspension, variable sport steering, M Sport differential, 360-degree camera and auto parking.
- RM2,125 annual road tax versus the Alfa Romeo Giulia’s RM378.
- At 1,800 kg, it is 310 kg heavier.
- No knee airbags or airbag-disable function, where the Giulia has both.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM440,078 | RM392,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378✓ | RM2,125 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 276 hp | 387 hp✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 84 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.2 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | Steptronic Sport |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds | 4.4 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,643 mm | 4,714 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,827 mm |
| Height | 1,436 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,851 mm |
| Weight | 1,490 kg | 1,800 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 225/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 255/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering, M Sport Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver and Front Passenger Knee Airbag | Driver and Front 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 on two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Matrix Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant |
| 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 Side Memory | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Yes |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 8.8" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 14-speaker 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 | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| 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 | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| 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 | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 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.
Used Giulia & 3 Series M for sale
Giulia vs 3 Series M FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia or BMW 3 Series M better?
The BMW 3 Series M is the stronger all-round buy on paper: it is RM47,278 cheaper, has 387 hp and reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. Choose the Giulia for its far lower road tax, lighter weight and matrix adaptive LED headlamps.
What is the price difference?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia costs RM440,078 and the BMW 3 Series M costs RM392,800. The BMW is RM47,278 cheaper.
Which car is quicker?
The BMW 3 Series M is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds versus 5.7 seconds for the Alfa Romeo Giulia. It also has 387 hp and 500 Nm, compared with 276 hp and 400 Nm.