Verdict
The Audi A4 costs RM346,051, a substantial RM78,251 more than the RM267,800 BMW 3 Series, but it brings 245 hp, 380 Nm and quattro all-wheel drive against 184 hp, 300 Nm and rear-wheel drive. That translates to 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds rather than 7.4 seconds. The BMW counters with a 480-litre boot, a 14.9-inch curved display, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio and active safety including pedestrian-detecting autonomous braking. For Malaysian buyers, the BMW is the better-equipped daily driver; the Audi’s case rests on significantly stronger performance and a five-year manufacturer warranty.
Pick the Audi A4 if 245 hp, 380 Nm, 5.8-second acceleration and all-wheel drive matter more than an RM78,251 saving.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the lower entry price, a larger 480-litre boot and active safety with autonomous braking and steering correction.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A4 RM346,051; BMW 3 Series RM267,800.
- Output: Audi A4 245 hp and 380 Nm; BMW 3 Series 184 hp and 300 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Audi A4 5.8 seconds; BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds.
- Driveline: Audi A4 all-wheel drive; BMW 3 Series rear-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Audi A4 460 litres; BMW 3 Series 480 litres.
- Driver assistance: Audi A4 has no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist; BMW 3 Series has pedestrian-detecting autonomous braking and steering correction.
A4
- 245 hp and 380 Nm
- 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time
- Five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty
- Costs RM78,251 more
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping assist
- 460-litre boot is 20 litres smaller
3 Series
- RM78,251 lower purchase price
- Autonomous braking with pedestrian detection and steering correction
- 480-litre boot, reverse camera and auto parking
- 184 hp and 300 Nm trail the Audi
- 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.6 seconds slower
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus the Audi's five years
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM346,051 | RM267,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact 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 |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 245 hp✓ | 184 hp |
| Torque | 380 Nm✓ | 300 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82.5 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 11 |
| 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 | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.8 seconds✓ | 7.4 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 235 km/h |
| Co2 | 141 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,762 mm | 4,709 mm |
| Width | 1,847 mm | 1,827 mm |
| Height | 1,428 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,851 mm |
| Weight | 1,545 kg | 1,590 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 460 litres | 480 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R18 | 225/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R18 | 225/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus S1 evo | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 |
| 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 | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 10-spoke Dynamic Style Alloys | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Audi drive select (adaptive comfort suspension) | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 on Two Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) |
| 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 |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| 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 | — |
| 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, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins 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 | Passive 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 |
| 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 | — |
| 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 A4 & 3 Series for sale
A4 vs 3 Series FAQ
Is the Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series better?
The BMW 3 Series is the better-equipped and far cheaper choice, with active safety, auto parking and a larger boot. Choose the Audi A4 if its 245 hp output, 380 Nm torque, all-wheel drive and 5.8-second sprint are the priority.
What is the price difference?
The Audi A4 costs RM78,251 more than the BMW 3 Series.
Which is quicker, the Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series?
The Audi A4 is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds. The BMW 3 Series takes 7.4 seconds, despite having an eight-speed automatic to the Audi's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.