BMW 3 Series M: G20 vs G20 LCI 2
Verdict
This is a facelift-versus-outgoing call, and the numbers make it tight. The BMW 3 Series M G20 costs RM363,680 against RM388,800 for the BMW 3 Series M G20 LCI 2, a RM25,120 gap for just 5 hp more, identical 500 Nm, the same 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time and the same RM2,125 annual road tax. For a Malaysian buyer, the older car looks the sharper buy on paper unless the LCI 2’s newer trim and facelift cabin matter more than outright value.
G20
Pick the BMW 3 Series M G20 if you want the same 4.4-second pace, 500 Nm and xDrive traction for RM25,120 less.
G20 LCI 2
Pick the BMW 3 Series M G20 LCI 2 if you want the facelift model and can accept paying more for a very small power increase.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M G20 RM363,680; BMW 3 Series M G20 LCI 2 RM388,800
- Power: BMW 3 Series M G20 382 hp; BMW 3 Series M G20 LCI 2 387 hp
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series M G20 4.4 s; BMW 3 Series M G20 LCI 2 4.4 s
- Length/height: BMW 3 Series M G20 4,709 mm/1,435 mm; BMW 3 Series M G20 LCI 2 4,714 mm/1,440 mm
- Fuel economy and CO2: BMW 3 Series M G20 7.7 L/100 km and 177 g/km; BMW 3 Series M G20 LCI 2 not stated
- Road tax: BMW 3 Series M G20 RM2,125 a year; BMW 3 Series M G20 LCI 2 RM2,125 a year
G20
- RM25,120 cheaper to buy
- Same 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- Fuel economy and CO2 figures are stated
- 5 hp down on the LCI 2
- Older pre-facelift model
- Slightly shorter and lower body
G20 LCI 2
- 387 hp is 5 hp higher
- Facelift model
- Same 480-litre boot and 59-litre fuel tank
- RM25,120 dearer with no quicker 0-100 km/h time
- Fuel economy and CO2 not stated
- Less user-friendly interior than the pre-facelift car
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 363,680✓ | RM 388,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 382 hp | 387 hp✓ |
| Torque | 500 Nm | 500 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | 10.2 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission | Steptronic Sport |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds | 4.4 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.7 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 177 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,714 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,827 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,851 mm |
| Weight | 1,745 kg | 1,800 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 225/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 255/35R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Run-flat | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Double Spoke Style 792 M Two-tone Alloy | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Double Spoke Style 792 M Two-tone Alloy | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black |
| 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, M Sport Differential, Variable Sport Steering | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering, M Sport Differential |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — Tested with AEB | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Attentiveness Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Prevention | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with Laser High Beam and High Beam Assist | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | 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 with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Yes |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | BMW Navigation System Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Touch Controller, Voice Control and 12-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (360W) | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon 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 Smartphone Key | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control with Brake Function | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | 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 | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service, BMW Live Cockpit Professional | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,125 | RM 2,125 |
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.
G20 vs G20 LCI 2 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M G20 or BMW 3 Series M G20 LCI 2 better?
The BMW 3 Series M G20 is the better value on paper. It matches the LCI 2 for 500 Nm, 4.4-second 0-100 km/h performance, all-wheel drive and road tax, while costing RM25,120 less.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series M G20 LCI 2 is RM25,120 more expensive than the BMW 3 Series M G20.
Do they feel much different in performance terms?
On the quoted figures, no. The LCI 2 has 387 hp versus 382 hp, but torque stays at 500 Nm and both cars do 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds with a 250 km/h top speed.