Verdict
The BMW 3 Series M costs RM392,800 to the Volvo S60’s RM282,540, a RM110,260 gap. Its 387 hp, 500 Nm 3.0-litre turbo petrol engine, adaptive M suspension and M Sport Differential make the stronger case for a driver who wants a 480-litre boot and 40:20:40 rear seat. Yet both hit 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and 250 km/h. The S60 is the more rational Malaysian buy: its plug-in hybrid system adds a 49 km EV range, is rated at 2 L/100 km, and road tax is RM365 against RM2,125.
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want 387 hp, 500 Nm, adaptive M suspension and a 480-litre boot, and can justify the RM110,260 premium.
Pick the Volvo S60 if 49 km of EV driving, RM365 annual road tax and a five-year/120,000 km warranty matter more than the BMW’s extra power.
Key differences
- Price: BMW RM392,800; Volvo RM282,540
- Power and torque: BMW 387 hp and 500 Nm; Volvo 320 hp and 400 Nm
- Powertrain: BMW 2,998 cc turbo petrol; Volvo 1,969 cc petrol plug-in hybrid with an 87 hp/240 Nm motor
- Road tax: BMW RM2,125 per year; Volvo RM365 per year
- Boot space: BMW 480 litres; Volvo 442 litres
- Warranty: BMW two years with unlimited mileage; Volvo five years/120,000 km
3 Series M
- 387 hp and 500 Nm from a 2,998 cc turbo petrol engine
- Adaptive M suspension, Variable Sport Steering and M Sport Differential
- 480-litre boot and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats
- RM110,260 more expensive
- RM2,125 annual road tax versus RM365
- Two-year warranty versus five years for the Volvo
S60
- 49 km EV range from an 11.6 kWh battery
- Rated at 2 L/100 km with 46 g/km of CO2
- Five-year/120,000 km warranty and rear cross traffic alert
- 67 hp and 100 Nm down on the BMW
- 442-litre boot is 38 litres smaller
- Heavier at 2,041 kg versus 1,800 kg
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM392,800 | RM282,540✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,125 | RM365✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, supercharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 387 hp✓ | 320 hp |
| Torque | 500 Nm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 87 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 240 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 11.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 49 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 3.7 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 8-Speed Geartronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds | 4.4 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 2 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 46 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,761 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,431 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,872 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 2,041 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 442 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 235/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 235/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 19" Five Triple-spoke Diamond Cut/Matte Black Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 19" Five Triple-spoke Diamond Cut/Matte Black Alloys |
| 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 and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electric for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on outer rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| 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 Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 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 Vents |
| Sunroof | Yes | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot |
| 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 | 9" Sensus Connect with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Harman Kardon Premium Sound with 14 Speakers (600 W) |
| 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 Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Park Assist Pilot with Parallel and Perpendicular Parking |
| 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✓ | 120,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
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 & S60 for sale
3 Series M vs S60 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or Volvo S60 better?
The Volvo S60 is the better-value choice, matching the BMW’s 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time while adding plug-in hybrid running and a longer warranty. Choose the BMW 3 Series M for its 387 hp, 500 Nm, M chassis hardware and larger boot.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series M costs RM110,260 more than the Volvo S60. That extra spend brings 67 hp, 100 Nm, adaptive M suspension, Variable Sport Steering, an M Sport Differential and 38 litres more boot space.
Which has lower running costs on paper?
The Volvo S60 has the clear advantage: annual road tax is RM365 versus RM2,125, it has a 49 km EV range, and its rated fuel consumption is 2 L/100 km. Its battery charges at up to 3.7 kW AC.