Verdict
At RM265,800 against RM425,800, the BMW 3 Series is the sharper-priced, lighter sedan: 1,590 kg, rear-wheel drive, 184 hp and 7.4 seconds to 100 km/h. The BMW iX is a very different buy, using two motors for 402 hp, 700 Nm and 5.1 seconds, plus a 100.6 kWh battery with 692 km range. For a Malaysian buyer, the iX asks RM160,000 more for EV pace, SUV size and richer convenience kit; the 3 Series keeps the classic compact executive brief tighter and cheaper.
3 Series
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the lower RM265,800 price, a petrol sedan body and the higher 235 km/h top speed.
iX
Pick the BMW iX if you want the 402 hp electric drivetrain, 692 km EV range, all-wheel drive and SUV space.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM265,800; BMW iX RM425,800
- Powertrain output: BMW 3 Series 184 hp/300 Nm; BMW iX 402 hp/700 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds; BMW iX 5.1 seconds
- Top speed: BMW 3 Series 235 km/h; BMW iX 200 km/h
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; BMW iX 500 litres
- Size: BMW 3 Series 4,709 mm long/1,827 mm wide; BMW iX 4,965 mm long/1,970 mm wide
3 Series
- RM160,000 cheaper to buy
- Higher 235 km/h top speed
- Rear-wheel drive with an 8-speed ZF Steptronic Sport automatic and paddle shifters
- Slower to 100 km/h: 7.4 seconds versus 5.1 seconds
- Smaller boot: 480 litres versus 500 litres
- Gets passive cruise control and a reverse camera, not adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree monitor
iX
- Much stronger electric output: 402 hp and 700 Nm
- 692 km EV range from a 100.6 kWh lithium-ion battery
- Adds air suspension, panoramic glass roof, powered contactless boot and 360-degree monitor
- Costs RM160,000 more
- Heavier and wider: 2,525 kg and 1,970 mm versus 1,590 kg and 1,827 mm
- Lower 200 km/h top speed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 265,800✓ | RM 425,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | — |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | — |
| Torque | 300 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 402 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 700 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 100.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 692 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| 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) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| 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 |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 379✓ | RM 545 |
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 vs iX FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW iX better?
The BMW iX is quicker, roomier and better equipped on these specs. The BMW 3 Series is better if price, a petrol sedan layout and higher top speed matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX costs RM425,800, while the BMW 3 Series costs RM265,800. That is a RM160,000 gap.
Which one is quicker?
The BMW iX is quicker from 0-100 km/h at 5.1 seconds, versus 7.4 seconds for the BMW 3 Series. The 3 Series has the higher top speed, at 235 km/h against 200 km/h.