Verdict
The 3 Series M is about 26% cheaper, while the AMG CLA is 8% more powerful. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 388,800✓ | RM 527,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing and lift |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | 387 hp | 421 hp✓ |
| Torque | 500 Nm | 500 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | 9 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8-speed sports transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds | 4.1 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,701 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,999 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,413 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 1,600 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 460 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 255/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 255/35R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Continental SportContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated, Cross-drilled Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated, Cross-drilled 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 | AMG Ride Control, Adaptive dampers, AMG Dynamic Select |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| 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 Two 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 | Multibeam LED Projector |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| 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 | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Mercedes me connect, Touchpad, Voice Control, Burmester Sound System, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 10-Speaker 225W Sound System |
| 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | No |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,125 | RM 376✓ |
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.