Verdict
The BMW i4 is the rational Malaysian buy: it costs RM98,000 less at RM294,800, carries just RM305 annual road tax and brings a 70.3-kWh battery, 500-km range and up to 180-kW DC charging. The BMW 3 Series M answers with far harder performance, its 387-hp/500-Nm 3.0-litre turbo and all-wheel drive cutting 0-100 km/h to 4.4 seconds against the i4’s 6.0 seconds. It is also 275 kg lighter, but its RM392,800 price and RM2,125 road tax demand a real appetite for petrol performance.
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 a RM98,000 saving.
Pick the BMW i4 if you want 500 km of electric range, 180-kW DC charging and RM305 annual road tax without giving up the same five-seat compact-executive brief.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM392,800; BMW i4 RM294,800.
- Road tax per year: BMW 3 Series M RM2,125; BMW i4 RM305.
- Performance: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp, 500 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds; BMW i4 282 hp, 400 Nm and 6.0 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW 3 Series M all-wheel drive; BMW i4 rear-wheel drive.
- Weight: BMW 3 Series M 1,800 kg; BMW i4 2,075 kg.
- Practicality: BMW 3 Series M has a 480-litre boot and four doors; BMW i4 has a 470-litre boot and five doors.
3 Series M
- 387 hp and 500 Nm from a 3.0-litre turbo petrol engine.
- All-wheel drive, adaptive M Suspension and M Sport Differential.
- Faster 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time and 250-km/h top speed.
- Costs RM98,000 more.
- Annual road tax is RM1,820 higher.
- No electric driving range or DC charging capability.
i4
- RM305 annual road tax and a RM98,000 lower purchase price.
- 70.3-kWh battery, 500-km range and up to 180-kW DC charging.
- Five-door body and powered boot.
- Slower: 0-100 km/h takes 6.0 seconds versus 4.4 seconds.
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
- Smaller 470-litre boot and no sunroof.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM392,800 | RM294,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,125 | RM305✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 387 hp | — |
| Torque | 500 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 282 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 70.3 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 500 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 180 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 190 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,783 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,448 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,856 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 2,075 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 255/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & 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, 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2nd Row 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 | Adaptive LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | BMW Laser 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 | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory |
| 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 | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Yes | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes |
| 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 | 3 years | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 & i4 for sale
3 Series M vs i4 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or BMW i4 better?
The i4 is better for lower upfront and annual costs, with 500 km of range and RM305 road tax. Choose the 3 Series M for its 387 hp, all-wheel drive and 4.4-second 0-100 km/h sprint.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series M costs RM392,800 and the BMW i4 costs RM294,800, so the 3 Series M is RM98,000 more expensive.
How quickly can the BMW i4 charge?
The BMW i4 supports AC charging at up to 11 kW and DC charging at up to 180 kW. Its battery capacity is 70.3 kWh and its stated electric range is 500 km.