BMW 3 Series M vs Mercedes-Benz EQE
Verdict
At RM388,800, the BMW 3 Series M is RM8,912 dearer than the RM379,888 Mercedes-Benz EQE, but it is the quick one: 387 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The EQE counters with a bigger executive-class footprint, a 3,120 mm wheelbase, 90.6 kWh battery and 669 km EV range. For Malaysia, the harder numbers are road tax and warranty: RM2,125 and two years for the BMW, RM305 and four years for the Mercedes-Benz.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want the faster sedan, all-wheel drive and a larger 480-litre boot.
EQE
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQE if you want EV running, 669 km range, a longer wheelbase and lower RM305 road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM388,800; Mercedes-Benz EQE RM379,888
- Powertrain: BMW 3 Series M 2,998 cc petrol; Mercedes-Benz EQE single electric motor with 90.6 kWh battery
- Output: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp and 500 Nm; Mercedes-Benz EQE 288 hp
- Acceleration: BMW 3 Series M 0-100 km/h in 4.4 s; Mercedes-Benz EQE 6.4 s
- Size: BMW 3 Series M 4,714 mm long with 2,851 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz EQE 4,946 mm long with 3,120 mm wheelbase
- Boot and road tax: BMW 3 Series M 480 L and RM2,125/year; Mercedes-Benz EQE 430 L and RM305/year
3 Series M
- Much quicker 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- 387 hp, 500 Nm and all-wheel drive
- Larger 480-litre boot
- RM2,125 yearly road tax
- Two-year warranty trails the EQE’s four years
- Six airbags versus nine in the Mercedes-Benz EQE
EQE
- 669 km EV range from a 90.6 kWh battery
- Bigger body and much longer 3,120 mm wheelbase
- RM305 yearly road tax and four-year warranty
- Slower 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- Lower 210 km/h top speed
- Smaller 430-litre boot
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 388,800 | RM 379,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | 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 | — | 669 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 170.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 6.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,946 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,961 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 3,120 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 2,355 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 430 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 255/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 255/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Bridgestone Turanza T005 |
| 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 Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-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 | Comfort Suspension, Rear Wheel Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side, Driver's Knee |
| 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 | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (up to 130 km/h) and Evasive Steering Assist (up to 108 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Pre-Safe, Pre-Safe Impulse Side |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam (Digital Light with Projection Function) |
| 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, Heated |
| 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Yes | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| 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 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 with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, with 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 | Qi Wireless Charger |
| 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 Warranty for EV Battery |
| 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 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or Mercedes-Benz EQE better?
The BMW 3 Series M is better for performance, with 387 hp and 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz EQE is better for EV use, space on paper, road tax and warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series M costs RM388,800, while the Mercedes-Benz EQE costs RM379,888. That makes the BMW RM8,912 more expensive.
Which is cheaper to tax yearly in Malaysia?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE is far cheaper to tax, at RM305 per year. The BMW 3 Series M is listed at RM2,125 per year, a difference of RM1,820 annually.