Verdict
The BMW 3 Series M costs RM52,000 more, but its 387 hp, 500 Nm 3.0-litre turbo petrol six and all-wheel drive cut the 0-100 km/h time to 4.4 seconds, against 7.5 seconds for the 208 hp, 330 Nm rear-drive 5 Series. That is a major performance gap. The 5 Series answers with executive-car space: it is 346 mm longer, has a 49 mm longer wheelbase and a 490-litre boot. For Malaysian running costs, its RM379 annual road tax is far easier to swallow than RM2,125.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if 387 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than cabin space and road tax.
5 Series
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the larger 5,060-mm executive sedan, a 490-litre boot and RM379 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM392,800; BMW 5 Series RM340,800.
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp and 500 Nm; BMW 5 Series 208 hp and 330 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series M 4.4 seconds; BMW 5 Series 7.5 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW 3 Series M all-wheel drive; BMW 5 Series rear-wheel drive.
- Length and wheelbase: BMW 3 Series M 4,714 mm and 2,851 mm; BMW 5 Series 5,060 mm and 2,900 mm.
- Annual road tax: BMW 3 Series M RM2,125; BMW 5 Series RM379.
3 Series M
- 387 hp and 500 Nm from a 2,998 cc turbo petrol engine.
- All-wheel drive and 4.4-second 0-100 km/h pace.
- Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering and M Sport Differential.
- RM52,000 dearer to buy and RM1,746 costlier in annual road tax.
- 346 mm shorter, with a 49 mm shorter wheelbase and 10 litres less boot space.
- Rear passengers get rear air-con vents rather than dual-zone automatic climate control.
5 Series
- 346 mm longer body and 49 mm longer wheelbase.
- 490-litre boot and rear dual-zone automatic climate control.
- RM379 annual road tax.
- 208 hp, 330 Nm and a 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time trail the 3 Series M by a wide margin.
- Rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive.
- No adaptive M suspension, Variable Sport Steering or M Sport Differential listed.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM392,800 | RM340,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,125 | RM379✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 387 hp✓ | 208 hp |
| Torque | 500 Nm✓ | 330 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | Eight-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 7.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 230 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 5,060 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,515 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,900 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 490 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 245/45R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 19" Style-934 Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 19" Style-934 Alloys |
| 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 Front 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 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 | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam |
| 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 and Bolster Adjustment | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| 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 | Rear AC Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Yes | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon 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 with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Active Lane keeping assistant and Stop & Go function |
| 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, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| 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 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | 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 3 Series M & 5 Series for sale
3 Series M vs 5 Series FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or BMW 5 Series better?
The BMW 3 Series M is better for performance, with 387 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and 4.4-second acceleration to 100 km/h. The BMW 5 Series is better for rear-seat-oriented space, with a 2,900-mm wheelbase, 490-litre boot and far lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series M costs RM392,800 and the BMW 5 Series costs RM340,800, a difference of RM52,000.
Which one has lower annual road tax?
The BMW 5 Series has lower annual road tax at RM379, versus RM2,125 for the BMW 3 Series M. That saves RM1,746 each year.