Verdict
The BMW 3 Series M costs RM392,800, RM16,200 less than the RM409,000 Lexus IS, yet brings 387 hp and 500 Nm against 241 hp and 350 Nm. Its 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.6 seconds quicker, with all-wheel drive, adaptive M suspension and a 250 km/h top speed. The Lexus counters with a far lower RM379 annual road tax versus RM2,125, a 66-litre tank, heated and ventilated front seats, plus a five-year warranty. For a Malaysian buyer, the BMW is the far more performance-led choice; the Lexus makes the stronger low-running-cost case.
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if 387 hp, 500 Nm, 4.4-second acceleration and all-wheel drive matter more than the RM1,746 annual road-tax difference.
Pick the Lexus IS if you prefer RM379 annual road tax, a five-year manufacturer warranty and heated, ventilated front seats over outright pace.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM392,800; Lexus IS RM409,000.
- Performance: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp/500 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds; Lexus IS 241 hp/350 Nm and 7.0 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW 3 Series M all-wheel drive; Lexus IS rear-wheel drive.
- Road tax: BMW 3 Series M RM2,125 per year; Lexus IS RM379 per year.
- Warranty: BMW 3 Series M two years manufacturer warranty; Lexus IS five years.
- Wheels: BMW 3 Series M staggered 19-inch wheels with 225/40R19 front and 255/35R19 rear tyres; Lexus IS 17-inch wheels with 225/45R17 tyres front and rear.
3 Series M
- 387 hp and 500 Nm with a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- All-wheel drive, adaptive M suspension and M Sport Differential.
- 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control and auto parking.
- RM2,125 annual road tax versus RM379.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years.
- No heated or ventilated front seats.
IS
- RM379 annual road tax and a 66-litre fuel tank.
- Heated and ventilated 10-way power front seats.
- Five-year manufacturer warranty and five-star EuroNCAP and ANCAP ratings.
- 241 hp and 350 Nm trail the BMW's 387 hp and 500 Nm.
- 7.0-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.6 seconds slower.
- No blind spot information system, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or reverse camera.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM392,800✓ | RM409,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| 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 |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 387 hp✓ | 241 hp |
| Torque | 500 Nm✓ | 350 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 8-speed Sports Direct Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 230 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,665 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,810 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,430 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,800 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 1,620 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 225/45R17 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering, M Sport Differential | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Bi-Xenon Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment | 10-way Power Adjustable Seats, Heated and Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Yes | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| 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 | 7" Lexus Premium Audio with DVD/MP3 Player and 8 Speakers |
| 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | — |
| 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 | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited✓ | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 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 & IS for sale
3 Series M vs IS FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or Lexus IS better?
The BMW 3 Series M is better for performance and driver-assistance equipment: it has 387 hp, all-wheel drive and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time. Choose the Lexus IS for its much lower road tax, five-year warranty and ventilated seats.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus IS costs RM16,200 more than the BMW 3 Series M. The BMW is RM392,800, while the Lexus is RM409,000.
Which costs less to tax each year?
The Lexus IS is far cheaper to tax annually at RM379, compared with RM2,125 for the BMW 3 Series M. That is an annual difference of RM1,746 in the Lexus's favour.