Verdict
The 3 Series M is 37% more powerful, while the A4 is about 12% cheaper. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
What the A4 has over the 3 Series M
Airbag Disable FunctionFront FoglampsTiptronic
What the 3 Series M has over the A4
AlarmBlind Spot Info SystemAutonomous Braking SystemLane-keeping AssistCollision WarningSunroofHead-up DisplayReverse CameraAuto Parking
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
A4 4,762 × 1,847 × 1,428 mm · wheelbase 2,820 mm3 Series M 4,714 × 1,827 × 1,440 mm · wheelbase 2,851 mm
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM346,051✓ | RM392,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM372✓ | RM2,125 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM3,535/mo✓ | RM4,010/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM9,310✓ | RM10,559 |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM2,826 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM14.13 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM62,541 | — |
| 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 | 1,984 cc | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 245 hp at 5,000 rpm | 387 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 380 Nm at 1,600 rpm | 500 Nm at 1,900 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82.5 mm × 92.8 mm | 82 mm × 94.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.2 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S-tronic | Steptronic Sport |
| Gears | 7 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.8 seconds | 4.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 141 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,762 mm | 4,714 mm |
| Width | 1,847 mm | 1,827 mm |
| Height | 1,428 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,851 mm |
| Weight | 1,545 kg | 1,800 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 460 litres | 480 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R18 | 225/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R18 | 255/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus S1 evo | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 24 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 19 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-Link | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 10-spoke Dynamic Style Alloys | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 10-spoke Dynamic Style Alloys | 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 | Audi drive select (adaptive comfort suspension) | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering, M Sport Differential |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (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 Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED headlights with Auto High Beam | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function for Driver | 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Yes |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual rear door window shades | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch, Audi Sound System with 10 Speakers, 180 watts | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | All 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 | 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, 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 | Audi virtual cockpit | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used A4 & 3 Series M for sale
Our reviews & guides
A4 vs 3 Series M FAQ
Which one is locally assembled?
The 3 Series M is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the A4 is fully imported (CBU) from Germany. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.
Which has the better warranty?
The A4 carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty against 2 years for the 3 Series M.