Verdict
At RM388,800, the BMW 3 Series M costs RM7,088 less than the RM395,888 Lexus NX and delivers far stronger straight-line numbers: 387 hp, 500 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds versus 184 hp, 221 Nm and 7.7 seconds. Its 2,851 mm wheelbase also exceeds the Lexus’s 2,690 mm. The NX counters with SUV practicality, a 520-litre boot, two hybrid motors and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty. For Malaysian buyers, the catch is BMW road tax of RM2,125 a year against RM830 for the Lexus.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want 4.4-second 0-100 km/h pace, 500 Nm and adaptive M suspension for RM7,088 less.
NX
Pick the Lexus NX if you need an SUV body, a 520-litre boot, hybrid assistance and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM388,800; Lexus NX RM395,888
- Performance: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp, 500 Nm and 4.4 seconds; Lexus NX 184 hp, 221 Nm and 7.7 seconds
- Body and boot: BMW 3 Series M sedan with 480 litres; Lexus NX SUV with 520 litres
- Warranty: BMW 3 Series M two years unlimited mileage; Lexus NX five years unlimited mileage
- Road tax: BMW 3 Series M RM2,125/year; Lexus NX RM830/year
- Wheelbase: BMW 3 Series M 2,851 mm; Lexus NX 2,690 mm
3 Series M
- 387 hp and 500 Nm
- 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- Adaptive M suspension, variable sport steering and M Sport differential
- Two-year warranty versus the Lexus NX’s five years
- 480-litre boot versus 520 litres
- RM2,125 annual road tax versus RM830
NX
- 520-litre boot and five doors
- Two motors with lithium-ion battery hybrid assistance
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time versus 4.4 seconds
- 184 hp and 221 Nm versus 387 hp and 500 Nm
- No sunroof or automatic parking, both fitted to the BMW 3 Series M
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 388,800✓ | RM 395,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 387 hp✓ | 184 hp |
| Torque | 500 Nm✓ | 221 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | 14 |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 133 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 208 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-Ion |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 8-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,670 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 1,765 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 520 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 235/50R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Bridgestone Alenza 001 Run-flats |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish 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 | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front 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 on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | 3 LED Projectors |
| 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 | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, 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 with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Yes | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| 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" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 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 Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera |
| 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 | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | Qi Wireless Charger, Smart Card Key |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,125 | RM 830✓ |
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 NX FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or Lexus NX better?
The BMW 3 Series M is the stronger performance choice, with 387 hp, 500 Nm and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time. The Lexus NX is better for SUV packaging, with five doors, a 520-litre boot and a five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus NX costs RM7,088 more: RM395,888 against RM388,800 for the BMW 3 Series M.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Lexus NX has lower annual road tax at RM830, compared with RM2,125 for the BMW 3 Series M. That is a RM1,295 yearly difference.