Verdict
At RM267,800, the 3 Series costs RM158,000 less than the RM425,800 iX, and remains the rational petrol sedan choice with a 480-litre boot, 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time and 235 km/h top speed. The iX spends heavily on a different brief: two motors produce 402 hp and 700 Nm, it reaches 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds, and its 100.6-kWh battery is rated for 602 km. For a Malaysian buyer with dependable charging, the iX adds SUV space, all-wheel drive and air suspension; otherwise, the 3 Series leaves a substantial sum unspent.
3 Series
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the RM158,000 saving, a lower RM379 annual road tax bill and a conventional petrol sedan with a 235 km/h top speed.
iX
Pick the BMW iX if you can charge an EV and want 602 km of rated range, 402 hp, all-wheel drive and a larger five-door body.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; BMW iX RM425,800.
- Performance: BMW 3 Series 184 hp, 300 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds; BMW iX 402 hp, 700 Nm and 5.1 seconds.
- Powertrain: BMW 3 Series has a 1,998 cc turbo petrol engine and rear-wheel drive; BMW iX has two electric motors and all-wheel drive.
- EV capability: BMW 3 Series has a 59-litre fuel tank; BMW iX has a 100.6-kWh battery, 602 km range, 22 kW AC and 175 kW DC charging.
- Dimensions and luggage: BMW 3 Series is 4,709 mm long with a 2,851 mm wheelbase and 480-litre boot; BMW iX is 4,965 mm long with a 3,000 mm wheelbase and…
- Chassis and wheels: BMW 3 Series uses 18-inch wheels and conventional double-wishbone/multi-link suspension; BMW iX gets 21-inch wheels and air suspension…
3 Series
- RM158,000 cheaper to buy.
- Lower RM379 annual road tax and 935 kg less weight.
- Higher 235 km/h top speed and 40:20:40 rear seat split.
- 184 hp and 300 Nm trail the iX's 402 hp and 700 Nm.
- 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.3 seconds slower.
- No panoramic glass roof, air suspension or 360-degree camera.
iX
- 402 hp, 700 Nm and a 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 100.6-kWh battery with 602 km rated range, plus 22 kW AC and 175 kW DC charging.
- Air suspension, panoramic glass roof, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree camera.
- RM158,000 dearer to buy and RM545 annual road tax costs RM166 more.
- At 2,525 kg, it is 935 kg heavier than the 3 Series.
- Its 200 km/h top speed is 35 km/h lower.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM425,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM545 |
| 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 | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 402 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 700 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 100.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 602 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 175 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 5.1 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,965 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,970 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 2,525 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 500 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 255/50R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 255/50R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Pirelli P Zero E |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and 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 | 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger 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 | LED Projector with High Beam Assist |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full 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 with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lights |
| 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, 18-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 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| 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 |
| Convenience Notes | — | Intelligent Personal Assistant; Flexible Fast Charger (Mode 2) included |
| 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 & iX for sale
3 Series vs iX FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW iX better?
The iX is better for buyers who can charge at home or work and want faster acceleration, SUV packaging and 602 km of rated EV range. The 3 Series is the better buy if RM158,000 savings and petrol refuelling suit your use.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX costs RM158,000 more than the BMW 3 Series.
Which one has more luggage space and rear-seat flexibility?
The iX has the larger 500-litre boot, against 480 litres in the 3 Series. The 3 Series counters with a 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat, while the iX uses a 60:40 split.