Verdict
At RM267,800, the locally assembled 3 Series undercuts the German-built i4’s RM294,800 by RM27,000, yet it brings a 480-litre boot and 235 km/h top speed. The i4 answers with 282 hp, 400 Nm and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time, against 184 hp, 300 Nm and 7.4 seconds for the petrol sedan. Its 70.3-kWh battery claims 500 km of range and accepts 180 kW DC charging, while annual road tax is also lower at RM305 versus RM379. For Malaysians with dependable charging, the i4’s extra pace and EV range justify serious consideration; the 3 Series remains the lower-entry, lighter choice.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the RM27,000 lower purchase price, a 480-litre boot and 235 km/h top speed.
Pick the BMW i4 if you have reliable charging and want 282 hp, 400 Nm, a 500-km EV range and 6.0-second acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; BMW i4 RM294,800.
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series 184 hp and 300 Nm; BMW i4 282 hp and 400 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds; BMW i4 6.0 seconds.
- Top speed: BMW 3 Series 235 km/h; BMW i4 190 km/h.
- Kerb weight: BMW 3 Series 1,590 kg; BMW i4 2,075 kg.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; BMW i4 470 litres.
3 Series
- RM27,000 lower entry price
- 480-litre boot and 235 km/h top speed
- 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system
- Slower 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.0 seconds
- Higher annual road tax at RM379 versus RM305
- Passive cruise control rather than adaptive cruise control
i4
- 282 hp and 400 Nm from its single motor
- 500-km range, 11 kW AC and 180 kW DC charging
- Adaptive cruise control and 360-degree camera
- RM27,000 more expensive
- 470-litre boot is 10 litres smaller
- 190 km/h top speed is 45 km/h lower
What the 3 Series has over the i4
What the i4 has over the 3 Series
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM294,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM305✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM2,735/mo✓ | RM3,010/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM7,276✓ | RM7,913 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | — | RM1,249 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | — | RM6.25 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | — | RM47,335 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | — | 6.4 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | — | 25 min |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 184 hp at 5,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,350 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 282 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 70.3 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 500 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 180 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 190 km/h |
| 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 |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 2,075 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 255/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 24 inch | 24 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 19 inch | 19 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2nd Row 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 | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Adaptive LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | BMW Laser LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory |
| 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 |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System |
| 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used 3 Series & i4 for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW 3 Series
BMW i4
3 Series vs i4 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW i4 better?
The i4 is the stronger choice if charging is practical, with 282 hp, 400 Nm, 500 km of range and a 6.0-second sprint. Choose the 3 Series for lower upfront cost, 10 litres more boot space and its 235 km/h top speed.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 costs RM27,000 more than the BMW 3 Series. The gap brings electric drive, a 70.3-kWh battery, 500 km of claimed range, 180 kW DC charging, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera.
Which one is quicker?
The BMW i4 is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds versus 7.4 seconds for the BMW 3 Series. Its motor also produces 282 hp and 400 Nm, compared with the 3 Series’ 184 hp and 300 Nm.
How long does charging take?
The i4's 70.3 kWh battery takes about 6.4 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 25 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 180 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The 3 Series is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the i4 is fully imported (CBU) from Germany. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.