Verdict
The RM27,000 gap between the RM267,800 BMW 3 Series and RM294,800 BMW i4 buys a 282 hp, 400 Nm electric motor, 500 km of claimed range and 180 kW DC charging. It is also quicker to 100 km/h by 1.4 seconds, while adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera make the i4 the more complete daily driver. But the 3 Series is 485 kg lighter, has a 480-litre boot and costs RM74 more a year in road tax, so petrol convenience and a lower entry price still matter in Malaysia.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the RM27,000 saving, a 59-litre petrol tank, a 480-litre boot and the lighter 1,590 kg kerb weight.
Pick the BMW i4 if you can charge regularly and want 282 hp, 400 Nm, 500 km of range, 180 kW DC charging and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
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.
- Energy storage: BMW 3 Series 59-litre fuel tank; BMW i4 70.3 kWh battery with 500 km range.
- Weight: BMW 3 Series 1,590 kg; BMW i4 2,075 kg.
- Boot space and doors: BMW 3 Series 480 litres and four doors; BMW i4 470 litres and five doors.
3 Series
- RM27,000 lower purchase price
- 485 kg lighter kerb weight
- 480-litre boot and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system
- Slower 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.0 seconds
- Lower 184 hp and 300 Nm outputs versus 282 hp and 400 Nm
- Passive cruise control and no 360-degree camera
i4
- 282 hp, 400 Nm motor and 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- 70.3 kWh battery, 500 km range and 180 kW DC charging
- Adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera and powered boot
- RM27,000 higher purchase price
- 485 kg heavier than the BMW 3 Series
- 470-litre boot is 10 litres smaller and top speed is 190 km/h versus 235 km/h
| 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✓ |
| 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 | — |
| Torque | 300 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 82 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 |
| 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 | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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.
Used 3 Series & i4 for sale
3 Series vs i4 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW i4 better?
The BMW i4 is better for drivers with reliable charging, delivering 282 hp, 400 Nm, 500 km of range and a 6.0-second sprint. The BMW 3 Series is the better fit if lower purchase cost, petrol refuelling and a lighter 1,590 kg car matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 costs RM27,000 more than the BMW 3 Series: RM294,800 against RM267,800.
Which one is quicker and easier to park?
The BMW i4 reaches 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds, against 7.4 seconds for the BMW 3 Series. Both have front and rear parking sensors, reverse cameras and auto parking, but only the i4 adds a 360-degree camera.