Verdict
At RM388,800, the BMW 3 Series M is RM110,200 cheaper and is the easier-sized choice for Malaysian roads: it is 389 mm shorter, 308 mm narrower and 690 kg lighter than the Lotus Eletre. Its 387 hp petrol engine reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, a tenth ahead of the Eletre’s 4.5 seconds. The Lotus counters with 603 hp, 710 Nm, a 112 kWh battery rated for 600 km and a 688-litre boot. Buy it if AC and DC charging suit your routine; its RM1,440 annual road tax also undercuts the BMW’s RM2,125.
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want the RM110,200 lower entry price, a 1,800 kg sedan and the marginally quicker 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
Pick the Lotus Eletre if you need a 600 km-rated EV with 603 hp, 710 Nm and a 688-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM388,800; Lotus Eletre RM499,000.
- Power and torque: BMW 387 hp and 500 Nm; Lotus 603 hp and 710 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 4.4 seconds; Lotus 4.5 seconds.
- Kerb weight: BMW 1,800 kg; Lotus 2,490 kg.
- Boot space: BMW 480 litres; Lotus 688 litres.
- Annual road tax: BMW RM2,125; Lotus RM1,440.
3 Series M
- RM110,200 cheaper to buy
- 690 kg lighter and 389 mm shorter
- Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering and M Sport Differential
- 208 litres less boot space
- 216 hp and 210 Nm down on the Lotus
- RM685 higher annual road tax
Eletre
- 600 km EV range from a 112 kWh battery
- 603 hp and 710 Nm from two motors
- 688-litre boot and 350 kW DC charging
- RM110,200 higher purchase price
- 690 kg heavier and 389 mm longer
- 0.1 seconds slower from 0-100 km/h
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 388,800✓ | RM 499,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | — |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 387 hp | — |
| Torque | 500 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 603 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 710 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 112 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 600 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 350 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 4.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 258 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 5,103 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 2,135 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,630 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 3,019 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 2,490 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 688 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 255/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 285/40R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Michelin Pilot Sport EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy |
| 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 | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbags and Front Knee Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic 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 rear passenger 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 | Projector LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| 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 |
| 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 | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 2 USB-C front, 2 USB-C rear |
| 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 | 15.1" Touchscreen with Lotus Hyper OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-speaker KEF Reference Audio |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Operation (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Remote Control Activation |
| 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 | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, with Surround View |
| 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 | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,125 | RM 1,440✓ |
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 & Eletre for sale
3 Series M vs Eletre FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or Lotus Eletre better?
The BMW 3 Series M is better for lower upfront cost, a lighter 1,800 kg body and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h run. The Lotus Eletre is better for EV driving, with 600 km range, 603 hp and a larger 688-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Eletre costs RM110,200 more than the BMW 3 Series M: RM499,000 versus RM388,800.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Lotus Eletre has lower annual road tax at RM1,440, compared with RM2,125 for the BMW 3 Series M. That is an annual saving of RM685 for the Lotus.