Verdict
The BMW 3 Series M is the harder-edged choice: its 387 hp, 500 Nm turbo petrol drivetrain and all-wheel drive cut 0-100 km/h to 4.4 seconds, against the i4’s 282 hp, 400 Nm rear-drive electric motor and 6.0 seconds. The i4 answers with a 70.3 kWh battery, 500 km range and 180 kW DC charging, plus annual road tax of RM305 versus RM2,125. For a Malaysian buyer with dependable charging, the i4 makes the stronger running-cost case; choose the 3 Series M for pace and M hardware.
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want 4.4-second performance, all-wheel drive and the Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering and M Sport Differential.
Pick the BMW i4 if you can charge regularly and want 500 km of claimed range, 180 kW DC charging and far lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM392,800; BMW i4 RM294,800.
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp and 500 Nm; BMW i4 282 hp and 400 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: BMW 3 Series M 4.4 seconds and 250 km/h; BMW i4 6.0 seconds and 190 km/h.
- Driveline: BMW 3 Series M all-wheel drive; BMW i4 rear-wheel drive.
- Energy storage: BMW 3 Series M 59-litre petrol tank; BMW i4 70.3 kWh battery with 500 km range.
- Kerb weight: BMW 3 Series M 1,800 kg; BMW i4 2,075 kg.
3 Series M
- 387 hp and 500 Nm with 4.4-second 0-100 km/h pace.
- All-wheel drive, Adaptive M Suspension and M Sport Differential.
- Sunroof and 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- Annual road tax is RM2,125 versus the i4’s RM305.
- No electric range or AC/DC charging capability.
i4
- 70.3 kWh battery, 500 km range and 180 kW DC charging.
- RM305 annual road tax.
- Five-door body and powered boot.
- Slower at 6.0 seconds to 100 km/h versus 4.4 seconds.
- Rear-wheel drive instead of 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 | 5 years | 5 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 BMW 3 Series M is better for outright performance, with 387 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time. The BMW i4 is better for lower annual road tax and electric driving, with 500 km range.
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 costs RM98,000 more.
How quickly can the BMW i4 charge?
The BMW i4 accepts up to 11 kW AC charging and 180 kW DC charging. Its battery capacity is 70.3 kWh and its claimed EV range is 500 km.