Verdict
At RM388,800, the BMW 3 Series M costs RM110,088 less and is the emphatic performance pick: its 387 hp, 500 Nm 3.0-litre petrol engine reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, against the Mercedes-Benz GLE’s 6.1 seconds. The GLE earns its RM498,888 asking price with SUV scale, a 114 km EV range from its 31 kWh battery and air suspension. For Malaysian buyers able to charge at home or work, that plug-in capability is a meaningful daily-use advantage; for driving pace and lower annual road tax, take the BMW.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if 4.4-second 0-100 km/h pace, 387 hp and the RM110,088 lower purchase price matter more than SUV space and plug-in driving.
GLE
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you need a five-door executive SUV with a 114 km EV range, 490-litre boot and rear dual-zone climate control.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM388,800; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM498,888.
- Performance: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp, 500 Nm and 4.4 sec to 100 km/h; Mercedes-Benz GLE 248 hp, 400 Nm and 6.1 sec.
- Electrification: BMW 3 Series M has no motor or battery; Mercedes-Benz GLE has one 154 hp/440 Nm motor and a 31 kWh battery.
- EV range: BMW 3 Series M none; Mercedes-Benz GLE 114 km.
- Size: BMW 3 Series M is 4,714 mm long and 1,440 mm tall; Mercedes-Benz GLE is 4,924 mm long and 1,772 mm tall.
- Road tax: BMW 3 Series M RM2,125 per year; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM440 per year.
3 Series M
- 387 hp and 500 Nm, with 4.4-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
- RM110,088 lower purchase price.
- Adaptive cruise control and a head-up display.
- No plug-in hybrid system or EV range, versus the GLE’s 31 kWh battery and 114 km EV range.
- Smaller 480-litre boot than the GLE’s 490 litres.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus four years.
GLE
- 114 km EV range from a 31 kWh lithium-ion battery, with 11 kW Type 2 AC charging.
- Larger five-door SUV body, 2,995 mm wheelbase and 490-litre boot.
- Front-seat massage and ventilation, rear dual-zone climate control, and air suspension.
- RM110,088 more expensive than the BMW.
- Slower 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time versus 4.4 seconds.
- Annual road tax is RM440, but it lacks the BMW’s head-up display and adaptive cruise control.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 388,800✓ | RM 498,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| 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 with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 387 hp✓ | 248 hp |
| Torque | 500 Nm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 154 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 440 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 31 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 114 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 | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,772 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 2,685 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 85 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 490 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 315/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, 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 with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 21" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Cross-drilled 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 | Airmatic with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, 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 on two rear passenger 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 | LED Reflectors |
| 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 | Powered Front Seats with Massage and Ventilation Functions |
| 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 | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| 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 | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, 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 | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| 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.
Used 3 Series M & GLE for sale
3 Series M vs GLE FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
The BMW 3 Series M is better for outright performance and purchase price, with 387 hp and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time. The Mercedes-Benz GLE is better for SUV space, a 114 km EV range and rear passenger comfort features.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM498,888, which is RM110,088 more than the RM388,800 BMW 3 Series M.
Can the Mercedes-Benz GLE drive on electric power?
Yes. The Mercedes-Benz GLE is a petrol plug-in hybrid with one 154 hp electric motor, a 31 kWh lithium-ion battery, 114 km EV range and 11 kW Type 2 AC charging.