Verdict
At RM388,800, the BMW 3 Series M costs RM10,088 less, reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and has all-wheel drive, adaptive M suspension and an M Sport differential. The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV counters with a 90.6-kWh battery, 596 km range, 170-kW DC charging and RM305 annual road tax against the BMW’s RM2,125. For Malaysian buyers able to charge regularly, the EQE SUV’s 520-litre boot, five doors and 4-year warranty make the stronger practical case; the BMW is the quicker petrol performance choice.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want 4.4-second acceleration, 250 km/h top speed and all-wheel drive for RM10,088 less.
EQE SUV
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV if you can charge at home or work and want 596 km EV range, a larger boot and far lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM388,800; Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV RM398,888.
- Performance: BMW 3 Series M 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and 250 km/h; Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV 4.9 seconds and 210 km/h.
- Powertrain: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp/500 Nm 2,998 cc turbo petrol; Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV 288 hp/565 Nm single motor with a 90.6-kWh battery.
- Driveline and weight: BMW 3 Series M all-wheel drive and 1,800 kg; Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV rear-wheel drive and 2,560 kg.
- Practicality: BMW 3 Series M 480-litre boot and four doors; Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV 520 litres and five doors.
- Annual road tax: BMW 3 Series M RM2,125; Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV RM305.
3 Series M
- RM10,088 lower purchase price
- Quicker 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time and 250 km/h top speed
- All-wheel drive, adaptive M suspension and M Sport differential
- RM2,125 annual road tax versus RM305
- 480-litre boot is 40 litres smaller
- 2-year warranty versus four years
EQE SUV
- 90.6-kWh battery with 596 km EV range
- 520-litre boot and five-door SUV body
- Four-year warranty plus 10-year/250,000 km battery warranty
- RM10,088 more expensive
- Slower 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time and 210 km/h top speed
- 760 kg heavier and rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 388,800✓ | RM 398,888 |
| 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 | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 288 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 565 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 90.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 596 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 170 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 4.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,863 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,940 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,685 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 3,030 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 2,560 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 520 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | United States (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 | 20" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 20" Alloy |
| 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 | Comfort Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| 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, PRE-SAFE Brake |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | LED Projector 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 Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| 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 | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| 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 | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 12.8" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmester 3D Surround 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 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, Powered Boot |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 10-year/250,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,125 | RM 305✓ |
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 EQE SUV FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV better?
The EQE SUV is better for regular charging, lower RM305 road tax, 596 km range and extra luggage space. Choose the BMW instead for quicker 4.4-second acceleration, 250 km/h performance and all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV costs RM398,888, which is RM10,088 more than the RM388,800 BMW 3 Series M.
Which is cheaper to tax and run on electricity?
The EQE SUV has RM305 annual road tax, versus RM2,125 for the BMW. It uses a 90.6-kWh battery, supports 22-kW AC and 170-kW DC charging, and has a stated 596 km range.