BMW 3 Series M vs Lotus Emeya
Verdict
The BMW 3 Series M costs RM388,800 against RM459,000 for the Lotus Emeya, so the gap is RM70,200 before you consider running costs. The BMW is the smaller, CKD petrol sedan: 4,714 mm long, 387 hp and 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The Lotus is much larger, CBU and electric, with dual motors, 603 hp, 610 km of range and a five-year warranty. Performance is close on paper, but the Emeya buys space, EV range and warranty cover; the BMW is easier to place and cheaper to buy.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want the lower RM388,800 entry price, a more compact 4,714 mm body and petrol power with a 59-litre tank.
Emeya
Pick the Lotus Emeya if you want the bigger 5,139 mm electric GT with 603 hp, 610 km range and a five-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM388,800; Lotus Emeya RM459,000
- Power: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp; Lotus Emeya 603 hp
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series M 4.4 seconds; Lotus Emeya 4.2 seconds
- Size: BMW 3 Series M 4,714 mm long; Lotus Emeya 5,139 mm long
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series M 480 litres; Lotus Emeya 509 litres
- Warranty and road tax: BMW 3 Series M 2 years/RM2,125; Lotus Emeya 5 years/RM1,440
3 Series M
- RM70,200 cheaper to buy
- More compact width and length
- Quoted 500 Nm petrol drivetrain
- Shorter two-year warranty
- Less power than the Lotus
- Higher annual road tax
Emeya
- 603 hp dual-motor output
- 610 km EV range from 102.0 kWh battery
- Five-year warranty
- RM70,200 dearer to buy
- Very wide at 2,241 mm
- Torque figure not listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 388,800✓ | RM 459,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Grand Tourer |
| 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 | — | 102 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 610 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 420 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 | 4.15 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 5,139 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 2,241 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,459 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 3,069 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 509 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 285/40R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Pirelli P-Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 20" 5-spoke Aero Grey Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 20" 5-spoke Aero Grey Alloys |
| 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 | Continuous Dampening Control with Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | Fixed |
| 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 | — |
| 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 | Keyless Entry |
| 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 | 4 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | No |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | Tyre puncture repair kit |
| 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.
3 Series M vs Emeya FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or Lotus Emeya better?
The Lotus Emeya is stronger on power, range, boot space and warranty. The BMW 3 Series M is the better pick if you want a cheaper, smaller petrol sedan with nearly identical 250 km/h top speed.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Emeya costs RM70,200 more than the BMW 3 Series M, at RM459,000 versus RM388,800.
Which is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The Lotus Emeya is quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. The BMW 3 Series M is close at 4.4 seconds, and both have a 250 km/h top speed.