Verdict
At RM338,990, the Audi A3 Sedan costs RM1,810 less than the RM340,800 BMW 5 Series, yet its 187 hp/320 Nm 2.0-litre turbo reaches 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds, two-tenths ahead of the BMW. The 5 Series counters with 208 hp, 330 Nm, a 2,900 mm wheelbase and a 490-litre boot, giving Malaysian families far more cabin-length and luggage-room potential than the Audi’s 2,636 mm and 425 litres. It also gets autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and active cruise control with Stop & Go. The Audi is the easier-sized C-segment sedan; the BMW brings executive-car space and equipment for little more money.
Pick the Audi A3 Sedan if you want the smaller 4,495 mm footprint, a quicker 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time and a five-year manufacturer warranty.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you need its 2,900 mm wheelbase, 490-litre boot and the added safety and driver-assistance kit.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A3 Sedan RM338,990; BMW 5 Series RM340,800.
- Performance: Audi 187 hp/320 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds; BMW 208 hp/330 Nm and 7.5 seconds.
- Size: Audi is 4,495 mm long with a 2,636 mm wheelbase; BMW is 5,060 mm long with a 2,900 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Audi 425 litres; BMW 490 litres.
- Wheels and tyres: Audi 17-inch wheels with 225/45R17 tyres; BMW 19-inch wheels with 245/45R19 tyres.
- Driver assistance: Audi has lane-departure warning; BMW has autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and active lane keeping with Stop & Go cruise control.
A3 Sedan
- RM1,810 lower purchase price
- Quicker 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Five-year manufacturer warranty
- 425-litre boot is 65 litres smaller
- Lacks autonomous braking and blind-spot monitoring
- No active cruise control, 360-degree camera or head-up display
5 Series
- 490-litre boot and 2,900 mm wheelbase
- 208 hp and 330 Nm output
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and 360-degree camera
- RM1,810 higher purchase price
- Slower 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus the Audi’s five years
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM338,990✓ | RM340,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM372✓ | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp | 208 hp✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm | 330 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82.5 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic Transmission | Eight-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 7 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | ZF |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds✓ | 7.5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 6.2 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 230 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 5,060 mm |
| Width | 1,816 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,425 mm | 1,515 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm | 2,900 mm |
| Weight | 1,535 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 425 litres | 490 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R17 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R17 | 245/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005 | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 19" Style-934 Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 19" Style-934 Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, 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 front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lane Departure Warning, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-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 |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Active Lane keeping assistant and Stop & Go function |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| 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 | Audi Virtual Cockpit | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 5 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 A3 Sedan & 5 Series for sale
A3 Sedan vs 5 Series FAQ
Is the Audi A3 Sedan or BMW 5 Series better?
The BMW 5 Series is better for rear-seat space, a 490-litre boot and driver assistance. The Audi A3 Sedan suits buyers who want a shorter sedan, quicker 0-100 km/h performance and a longer five-year manufacturer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 5 Series costs RM340,800 and the Audi A3 Sedan costs RM338,990, so the BMW is RM1,810 more expensive.
Which sedan has more luggage space?
The BMW 5 Series has the larger boot at 490 litres, compared with 425 litres in the Audi A3 Sedan. That is a 65-litre advantage for the BMW.