Verdict
At RM388,800, the BMW 3 Series M costs RM16,000 less than the RM404,800 BMW X4 yet brings 387 hp, 500 Nm and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time, against 249 hp, 350 Nm and 6.3 seconds. That is the clear choice for the buyer who values pace and adaptive M hardware. The X4 answers with a 525-litre boot, five doors and far lower RM439 annual road tax versus RM2,125. Its extra space and SUV body have a practical Malaysian case, but its performance deficit is substantial.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if 387 hp, 500 Nm, adaptive M suspension and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than the X4’s extra luggage space.
X4
Pick the BMW X4 if you need five doors, a 525-litre boot and RM439 annual road tax, and can accept 249 hp and a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM388,800; BMW X4 RM404,800.
- Performance: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp, 500 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds; BMW X4 249 hp, 350 Nm and 6.3 seconds.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series M 480 litres; BMW X4 525 litres.
- Road tax: BMW 3 Series M RM2,125 per year; BMW X4 RM439 per year.
- Body dimensions: BMW 3 Series M 4,714 mm long and 1,440 mm tall; BMW X4 4,751 mm long and 1,621 mm tall.
- Cruise control: BMW 3 Series M adaptive cruise control; BMW X4 passive cruise control.
3 Series M
- 387 hp and 500 Nm with 4.4-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
- Adaptive M suspension, variable sport steering and M Sport differential.
- Adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree monitor.
- 480-litre boot trails the X4’s 525 litres.
- Four doors versus the X4’s five.
- RM2,125 annual road tax versus RM439.
X4
- 525-litre boot and five-door SUV body.
- RM439 annual road tax.
- Pedestrian detection autonomous braking, rear cross traffic alert and collision prevention.
- 249 hp and 350 Nm are well down on the 3 Series M’s 387 hp and 500 Nm.
- 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.9 seconds behind the 3 Series M.
- Passive cruise control replaces the 3 Series M’s adaptive system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 388,800✓ | RM 404,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC with Twin-Scroll Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 387 hp✓ | 249 hp |
| Torque | 500 Nm✓ | 350 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | 10.2 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 8 Speed Steptronic Sport Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 6.3 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 8.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 240 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 192 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,751 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,918 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,621 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,864 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 65 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 525 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 245/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 275/35R21 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Pirelli P Zero Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 21" Style 726 M 2-tone Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 21" Style 726 M 2-tone Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering, M Sport Differential | Adaptive Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 60 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Collision Prevention |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Adaptive LED Projector with Automatic 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 | 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Yes | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting (6 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 12.3" Touchscreen BMW Operating System 7.0 with iDrive Touch Controller, Voice Control and 16-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (464 Watts) |
| 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 with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| 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 | Auto-dimming Mirrors |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,125 | RM 439✓ |
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.
3 Series M vs X4 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or BMW X4 better?
The BMW 3 Series M is better for outright performance, with 387 hp and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time. Choose the BMW X4 for its 525-litre boot, five doors and much lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X4 costs RM16,000 more than the BMW 3 Series M.
Which has lower road tax?
The BMW X4 has lower annual road tax at RM439, compared with RM2,125 for the BMW 3 Series M. That is an annual difference of RM1,686.