BMW 3 Series M vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Verdict
The BMW 3 Series M is the faster, smaller car here: 387 hp, 500 Nm, AWD and 4.4 seconds to 100 km/h play against the E-Class’s 201 hp, 320 Nm, rear-drive and 7.5 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class counters as the bigger executive sedan, with a 2,961 mm wheelbase, 540-litre boot, nine airbags, four-year warranty and RM380 annual road tax. At RM388,800 versus RM355,888, the BMW asks RM32,912 more; in Malaysia, that money mainly buys pace, not cabin size or lower running costs.
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want the harder-hitting sedan, with 387 hp, 500 Nm, AWD and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you want the bigger executive sedan: 4,949 mm long, with a 2,961 mm wheelbase and 540 litres of boot space.
Key differences
- Price: BMW RM388,800; Mercedes-Benz RM355,888
- Output: BMW 387 hp/500 Nm; Mercedes-Benz 201 hp/320 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 4.4 s; Mercedes-Benz 7.5 s
- Size: BMW 4,714 mm long/2,851 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz 4,949 mm/2,961 mm
- Boot space: BMW 480 L; Mercedes-Benz 540 L
- Annual road tax: BMW RM2,125; Mercedes-Benz RM380
3 Series M
- Much stronger 387 hp and 500 Nm
- Quicker 4.4 s 0-100 km/h
- All-wheel drive traction
- RM32,912 dearer
- RM2,125 annual road tax
- Smaller 480-litre boot
E-Class
- Longer 2,961 mm wheelbase
- Larger 540-litre boot
- Four-year warranty
- Only 201 hp and 320 Nm
- Slower 7.5 s 0-100 km/h
- Lower 240 km/h top speed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 388,800 | RM 355,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| 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✓ | 201 hp |
| Torque | 500 Nm✓ | 320 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | 10 |
| 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 | Daimler AG |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 7.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 240 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,949 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,961 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 1,825 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 540 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 275/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| 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" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & 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, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Rear 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 2 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 | Reflector LED with Adaptive High Beam |
| 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 Driver Side Memory Settings |
| 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 | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.4" MBUX Multimedia with Online Music Streaming, AI functionality built-in, Seven Speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Entry (Push Button 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 |
| 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, 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 | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 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 E-Class FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
For performance, the BMW 3 Series M is better: 387 hp, 500 Nm and 4.4 seconds to 100 km/h. For a Malaysian executive sedan brief, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is easier to justify with more space, boot capacity, airbags, warranty and lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series M costs RM388,800 and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs RM355,888, so the BMW is RM32,912 dearer.
Which one is cheaper to tax in Malaysia?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is much cheaper to tax, at RM380 a year versus RM2,125 for the BMW 3 Series M.