BMW 3 Series vs BMW i4
Verdict
The BMW i4 costs RM294,800, so it is RM29,000 dearer than the RM265,800 BMW 3 Series. That money gets you electric drive, 282 hp and a quicker 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time, plus a 70.3 kWh battery with 500 km of range. The 3 Series is the lighter-on-wallet petrol choice, with a 59-litre tank, a higher 235 km/h top speed and a slightly larger 480-litre boot. Both are rear-driven five-seat compact executive sedans with six airbags, AEB and a two-year warranty.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the cheaper petrol sedan with the larger boot, higher top speed and straightforward refuelling.
Pick the BMW i4 if you want the quicker rear-drive EV with 500 km of range and lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM265,800; BMW i4 RM294,800
- Power: BMW 3 Series 184 hp; BMW i4 282 hp
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 7.4 s; BMW i4 6.0 s
- Top speed: BMW 3 Series 235 km/h; BMW i4 190 km/h
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 L; BMW i4 470 L
- Road tax: BMW 3 Series RM379/year; BMW i4 RM305/year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 265,800✓ | RM 294,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Engine | 1,998 cc | Single motor |
| Power | 184 hp | 282 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | — |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 7.4 s | 6.0 s✓ |
| Top speed | 235 km/h✓ | 190 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | — | 70.3 kWh |
| EV range | — | 500 km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,783 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,448 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,856 mm |
| Boot space | 480 L✓ | 470 L |
| Fuel tank | 59 L | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 2 |
| Road tax / year | RM 379 | RM 305✓ |
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
- RM29,000 cheaper to buy
- Higher 235 km/h top speed
- Slightly larger 480-litre boot
- Slower 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- Less power at 184 hp
- Higher RM379 annual road tax
i4
- Quicker 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- 500 km EV range from a 70.3 kWh battery
- Lower RM305 annual road tax
- Costs RM29,000 more
- Lower 190 km/h top speed
- Slightly smaller 470-litre boot
3 Series vs i4 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW i4 better?
The BMW i4 is better for performance and EV running, with 282 hp, 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and 500 km range. The BMW 3 Series is better if purchase price, petrol refuelling and boot space matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 costs RM294,800, while the BMW 3 Series costs RM265,800. That makes the i4 RM29,000 more expensive.
Which one is faster?
The BMW i4 accelerates faster, doing 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds against the BMW 3 Series' 7.4 seconds. The 3 Series has the higher top speed, at 235 km/h versus 190 km/h.