Verdict
At RM388,800, the BMW 3 Series M costs RM37,088 less yet reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, 1.9 seconds ahead of the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. Its 387 hp, 500 Nm 2,998 cc petrol engine and Adaptive M Suspension suit the buyer after pace. The GLC Coupe answers with SUV height, a 545-litre boot and a 31.2-kWh battery for 131 km of EV range, but needs Type 2 AC charging at up to 11 kW. Its RM440 annual road tax is far lower than RM2,125.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if rapid 4.4-second performance, sharper chassis hardware and driver-assistance kit matter more than electric running.
GLC Coupe
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe if you need SUV practicality, a 131-km EV range and a much lower RM440 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM388,800; Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe RM425,888.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series M 4.4 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe 6.3 seconds.
- Powertrain: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp and 500 Nm from a 2,998 cc petrol engine; Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe 201 hp and 320 Nm from a 1,999 cc petrol engine, plus a…
- EV capability: BMW 3 Series M has no battery or EV range; Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe has a 31.2-kWh battery and 131 km EV range.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series M 480 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe 545 litres.
- Warranty: BMW 3 Series M two years; Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe four years.
3 Series M
- 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time with 387 hp and 500 Nm.
- Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering and M Sport Differential.
- Head-up display, 360-degree monitor and automatic parallel/perpendicular parking.
- No EV range, against the GLC Coupe's 131 km electric capability.
- Smaller 480-litre boot and four doors, versus 545 litres and five doors.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty, two years shorter than the GLC Coupe's.
GLC Coupe
- 31.2-kWh battery, 127-hp motor and 131 km EV range.
- 545-litre boot, five doors and hands-free powered boot access.
- Four-year unlimited-mileage warranty and Digital Light matrix headlamps.
- 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time trails the BMW by 1.9 seconds.
- No head-up display or automatic parking, both fitted to the BMW.
- Only one front power socket, where the BMW has front, centre armrest, rear and boot sockets.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 388,800✓ | RM 425,888 |
| 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 | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Plug-in Hybrid Assist |
| 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 Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 82 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 127 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 440 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 31.2 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 131 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 6.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 246 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,763 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,699 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,888 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 1,945 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 62 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 545 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| 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 | 20" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 20" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated, Cross-drilled 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's 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 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 | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam (Digital Light with Projection Function) |
| 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 |
| 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 | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Yes | Yes |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| 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 | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-speaker Burmester 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 |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot with Hands-free Access |
| 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 | — |
| 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 440✓ |
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 GLC Coupe FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe better?
The BMW 3 Series M is the better performance buy: it is cheaper and reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe for its 131-km EV range, larger boot and SUV body.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe costs RM37,088 more than the BMW 3 Series M: RM425,888 against RM388,800.
Can the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe be driven on electric power?
Yes. Its plug-in-hybrid system uses a 31.2-kWh lithium-ion battery for a claimed 131 km EV range, and accepts Type 2 AC charging at up to 11 kW.