BMW 3 Series M vs Mercedes-Benz CLE
Verdict
At RM388,800, the BMW 3 Series M is RM130,088 cheaper than the RM518,888 Mercedes-Benz CLE, yet it has the harder numbers: 387 hp/500 Nm from 3.0 litres and 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds against 255 hp/400 Nm and 6.2 seconds. It is also the more usable car, with four doors, five seats and a 480-litre boot. The Mercedes-Benz CLE counters with a coupe body, CBU Germany assembly, longer warranty and lower RM380 road tax, but on paper the spend is not buying extra pace.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want the quicker, cheaper and more practical compact executive car, with 4.4-second performance and five-seat sedan usability.
CLE
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you want the coupe shape, Germany CBU build, longer warranty cover and the lower RM380 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM388,800; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp/500 Nm; Mercedes-Benz CLE 255 hp/400 Nm, plus a 23 hp/205 Nm motor
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series M 4.4 seconds; Mercedes-Benz CLE 6.2 seconds
- Body and seating: BMW 3 Series M sedan with 4 doors and 5 seats; Mercedes-Benz CLE coupe with 2 doors and 4 seats
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series M 480 litres; Mercedes-Benz CLE 460 litres
- Warranty and road tax: BMW 3 Series M 2-year manufacturer/5-year extended and RM2,125 yearly road tax; Mercedes-Benz CLE 4-year manufacturer/6-year extended…
3 Series M
- Much quicker: 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds
- Stronger 3.0-litre output at 387 hp and 500 Nm
- More practical body, with four doors, five seats and a 480-litre boot
- Annual road tax is far higher at RM2,125 versus RM380
- Shorter warranty cover: 2-year manufacturer and 5-year extended versus 4-year and 6-year
- No centre airbag listed, while the Mercedes-Benz CLE has one
CLE
- Lower annual road tax at RM380
- Longer warranty cover: 4-year manufacturer and 6-year extended
- Adds powered front seats with heating and ventilation
- Costs RM130,088 more
- Slower to 100 km/h at 6.2 seconds versus 4.4 seconds
- Less practical: two doors, four seats and a 460-litre boot
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 388,800✓ | RM 518,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Coupe |
| 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, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 387 hp✓ | 255 hp |
| Torque | 500 Nm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 6.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,850 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,428 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 460 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 275/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (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 | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Solid 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 Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point with Illumination and Front Belt Feeder |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 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 | Digital Light Matrix LEDs |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Yes | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes |
| 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 | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | 6 years✓ |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,125 | RM 380✓ |
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 CLE FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or Mercedes-Benz CLE better?
The BMW 3 Series M is the better all-round buy on these numbers: it is cheaper, much quicker and has more everyday practicality. The Mercedes-Benz CLE makes more sense if you prioritise coupe styling, longer warranty cover and lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM518,888, while the BMW 3 Series M costs RM388,800. That makes the Mercedes-Benz CLE RM130,088 more expensive.
Which one is faster?
The BMW 3 Series M is faster. It does 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, compared with 6.2 seconds for the Mercedes-Benz CLE. Both have a listed top speed of 250 km/h.