Verdict
At RM388,800 against RM393,888, the BMW 3 Series M is only RM5,088 cheaper, so this is not really a price fight. It is the quicker, lower car: 4.4 seconds to 100 km/h, 250 km/h flat out and 1,800 kg with Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering and an M Sport Differential. The Mercedes-Benz EQC answers with SUV space, 495 litres of boot room, 760 Nm from two motors, 437 km of EV range and RM545 annual road tax. For Malaysia, the bigger split is petrol sedan feel versus electric SUV running costs.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want the quicker 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time, 250 km/h top speed and the lower sedan driving package.
EQC
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQC if you want an electric SUV with 437 km range, 495 litres of boot space and much lower RM545 road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM388,800; Mercedes-Benz EQC RM393,888
- Powertrain: BMW 3 Series M 2,998 cc petrol, 387 hp and 500 Nm; Mercedes-Benz EQC dual-motor electric, 402 hp and 760 Nm
- Performance: BMW 3 Series M 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and 250 km/h; Mercedes-Benz EQC 5.1 seconds and 180 km/h
- Size and weight: BMW 3 Series M 4,714 mm long, 1,827 mm wide and 1,800 kg; Mercedes-Benz EQC 4,761 mm long, 1,884 mm wide and 2,175 kg
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series M 480 litres; Mercedes-Benz EQC 495 litres
- Road tax: BMW 3 Series M RM2,125 per year; Mercedes-Benz EQC RM545 per year
3 Series M
- Quicker to 100 km/h and much higher top speed
- Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering and M Sport Differential are included
- Longer 5-year extended warranty versus 2 years
- Annual road tax is much higher at RM2,125 versus RM545
- Smaller 480-litre boot versus 495 litres
- No powered contactless boot listed
EQC
- Dual-motor EV output is stronger at 402 hp and 760 Nm
- 437 km EV range with 110.0 kW DC charging
- Larger SUV body with powered contactless boot
- Slower 0-100 km/h time at 5.1 seconds versus 4.4 seconds
- Lower 180 km/h top speed versus 250 km/h
- Heavier at 2,175 kg versus 1,800 kg
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 388,800✓ | RM 393,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact 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 | — | 402 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 760 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 80.0 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 437 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11.0 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 110.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | — |
| Gears | 8 | 1 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 5.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,761 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,884 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,624 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,873 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 2,175 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 495 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Pirelli Scorpion Verde |
| 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 | 20" Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 20" Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated 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 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 passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | PRE-SAFE Brake, Full Auto Brake |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Adaptive LED Projectors |
| 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 Control |
| 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, 2 Rear USB-C |
| 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 | Manual rear door window shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 12.3" Touchscreen MBUX with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Voice Control and 13-speaker Burmester Surround 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 with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot, with contactless operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Available, with Surround View 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 | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,125 | RM 545✓ |
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 EQC FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or Mercedes-Benz EQC better?
The BMW 3 Series M is better for pace and driving hardware. The Mercedes-Benz EQC is better if you want an electric SUV with more boot space, 437 km range and lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz EQC costs RM5,088 more than the BMW 3 Series M: RM393,888 versus RM388,800.
Which one is quicker?
The BMW 3 Series M is quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds against the Mercedes-Benz EQC’s 5.1 seconds. It also has a higher 250 km/h top speed versus 180 km/h.