Verdict
At RM388,800, the BMW 3 Series M is RM81,000 cheaper yet has 387 hp and reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, a full second ahead of the BMW X5’s 308 hp, 5.4-second figures. The X5 counters with 540 Nm, a petrol hybrid/REV powertrain with one motor, air suspension and far more family-friendly packaging: 650 litres of boot space versus 480 litres, plus five doors. For Malaysian buyers who need room and rear-seat climate control, the X5 justifies its higher entry price; the 3 Series M is the sharper performance buy on the numbers.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want 387 hp, a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time and an RM81,000 lower purchase price in a sedan.
X5
Pick the BMW X5 if you need a 650-litre boot, five-door SUV access, air suspension and 540 Nm of torque.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM388,800; BMW X5 RM469,800.
- Performance: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp and 4.4 seconds 0-100 km/h; BMW X5 308 hp and 5.4 seconds.
- Torque: BMW 3 Series M 500 Nm; BMW X5 540 Nm.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series M 480 litres; BMW X5 650 litres.
- Size and weight: BMW 3 Series M is 4,714 mm long and 1,800 kg; BMW X5 is 4,935 mm long and 2,240 kg.
- Fuel tank: BMW 3 Series M 59 litres; BMW X5 83 litres.
3 Series M
- RM81,000 less expensive.
- 387 hp and 4.4-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
- Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering and M Sport Differential.
- 480-litre boot trails the X5's 650 litres.
- Only rear air-con vents, versus the X5's rear dual-zone automatic climate control.
- No air suspension.
X5
- 650-litre boot and five doors.
- 540 Nm plus one electric motor in its petrol hybrid/REV powertrain.
- Air suspension with adaptive dampers and a panoramic sliding sunroof.
- RM81,000 more expensive.
- 308 hp is 79 hp down on the 3 Series M.
- 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time is one second slower and its 2,240 kg kerb weight is 440 kg higher.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 388,800✓ | RM 469,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 387 hp✓ | 308 hp |
| Torque | 500 Nm | 540 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | 11 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | Eight-speed Steptronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 5.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,935 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 2,004 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,975 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 2,240 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 83 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 650 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 275/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 315/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering, M Sport Differential | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, 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 |
| 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 headlights with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| 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 |
| 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 | Panoramic Sliding Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Front, 4 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 | Powered Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 View Monitor |
| 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 |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,125 | RM 1,637✓ |
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 & X5 for sale
3 Series M vs X5 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or BMW X5 better?
The BMW 3 Series M is better for outright performance and purchase price, with 387 hp and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time. The BMW X5 is better for luggage, access and ride hardware, with five doors, a 650-litre boot and air suspension.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X5 costs RM469,800 and the BMW 3 Series M costs RM388,800, so the gap is RM81,000.
Which BMW has more practical luggage space?
The BMW X5 does. Its 650-litre boot is 170 litres larger than the BMW 3 Series M's 480-litre boot, and the X5 also has five doors rather than four.