Verdict
At RM388,800, the BMW 3 Series M is RM41,200 cheaper and is the clear driver’s choice on these figures: 387 hp, all-wheel drive and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time against the Porsche’s 355 hp, rear-wheel drive and 5.7 seconds. The Porsche Macan Electric answers with 563 Nm, a 100 kWh NMC battery, 641 km EV range and RM455 annual road tax, versus RM2,125 for the BMW. For a Malaysian household, its 540-litre boot, five doors and eight-year/160,000 km warranty also carry real weight.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want the lower RM388,800 entry price, 4.4-second acceleration and all-wheel drive.
Macan Electric
Pick the Porsche Macan Electric if you want 641 km electric range, a 540-litre boot and far lower RM455 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM388,800; Porsche Macan Electric RM430,000.
- Performance: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp and 4.4 seconds 0-100 km/h; Porsche Macan Electric 355 hp and 5.7 seconds.
- Torque and driveline: BMW 3 Series M 500 Nm all-wheel drive; Porsche Macan Electric 563 Nm rear-wheel drive.
- Energy: BMW 3 Series M has a 59-litre petrol tank; Porsche Macan Electric has a 100 kWh NMC battery and 641 km range.
- Practicality: BMW 3 Series M has a 480-litre boot and four doors; Porsche Macan Electric has a 540-litre boot and five doors.
- Annual road tax: BMW 3 Series M RM2,125; Porsche Macan Electric RM455.
3 Series M
- 387 hp, all-wheel drive and 4.4-second 0-100 km/h performance.
- RM41,200 lower purchase price.
- Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering and M Sport Differential.
- 480-litre boot is 60 litres smaller than the Porsche's 540 litres.
- RM2,125 annual road tax is RM1,670 higher.
- Two-year unlimited-mileage warranty is shorter in duration than the Porsche's eight-year/160,000 km cover.
Macan Electric
- 100 kWh NMC battery with 641 km EV range.
- 540-litre boot and five-door SUV body.
- Eight-year/160,000 km warranty, including battery coverage, and RM455 annual road tax.
- RM430,000 price is RM41,200 higher.
- 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time trails the BMW's 4.4 seconds.
- 2,295 kg weight is 495 kg greater than the BMW's 1,800 kg.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 388,800✓ | RM 430,000 |
| 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 | — | 355 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 563 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Nickel Manganese Cobalt |
| Battery Capacity | — | 100 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 641 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 270 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✓ | 5.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 220 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,784 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,938 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,622 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,893 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 2,295 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 540 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 235/55R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 285/45R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | — |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | — |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 20" Alloys |
| 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 | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front & Rear Curtain, Rear Side Airbags & Front Center Airbag |
| 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 | Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For 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 | Power Adjustable Front 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 System |
| 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 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear, 1 Wireless Charger |
| 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 | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 10.9" Infotainment Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 14-speaker Bose Sound System (710-watts) |
| 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 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✓ | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 8 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,125 | RM 455✓ |
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 & Macan Electric for sale
3 Series M vs Macan Electric FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or Porsche Macan Electric better?
The BMW is better for outright pace and lower upfront cost, with 387 hp, all-wheel drive and 4.4-second acceleration. Choose the Porsche for electric running, 641 km range, a larger 540-litre boot and the longer eight-year/160,000 km warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Porsche Macan Electric costs RM41,200 more than the BMW 3 Series M.
Which one has lower annual road tax?
The Porsche Macan Electric has lower annual road tax at RM455, compared with RM2,125 for the BMW 3 Series M. That is a RM1,670 yearly difference.