Verdict
The BMW 3 Series costs RM265,800 against the BMW iX1 at RM250,800, so the electric SUV starts RM15,000 lower. The 3 Series is the sharper numbers car: 184 hp and 300 Nm, rear-wheel drive, 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and 235 km/h. The iX1 answers with a 204 hp motor, 475 km range, 130 kW DC charging and cheaper RM160 road tax. It is also taller and has 490 litres of boot space, but its 2,085 kg weight and 170 km/h top speed show where the EV hardware bites.
3 Series
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the quicker rear-wheel-drive sedan with the longer wheelbase, higher top speed and 8-speed ZF automatic.
iX1
Pick the BMW iX1 if you want the cheaper electric SUV with 475 km range, lower road tax, a bigger boot and DC fast-charging.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM265,800; BMW iX1 RM250,800
- Powertrain: BMW 3 Series 1,998 cc petrol turbo; BMW iX1 single electric motor with 66.5 kWh battery
- Output: BMW 3 Series 184 hp and 300 Nm; BMW iX1 204 hp and 250 Nm
- Performance: BMW 3 Series 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and 235 km/h; BMW iX1 8.6 seconds and 170 km/h
- Size: BMW 3 Series 4,709 mm long and 1,435 mm tall; BMW iX1 4,500 mm long and 1,642 mm tall
- Boot and road tax: BMW 3 Series 480 litres and RM379/year; BMW iX1 490 litres and RM160/year
3 Series
- Quicker 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time and much higher 235 km/h top speed
- Rear-wheel drive with an 8-speed ZF Steptronic Sport automatic
- Longer 2,851 mm wheelbase and lighter 1,590 kg kerb weight
- Costs RM15,000 more than the BMW iX1
- Smaller 480-litre boot versus 490 litres
- Gets a reverse camera, while the BMW iX1 has a 360-view system
iX1
- Electric range is rated at 475 km, with 11 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging
- Lower RM160 yearly road tax versus RM379
- Taller SUV body and slightly larger 490-litre boot
- Slower at 8.6 seconds from 0-100 km/h and limited to 170 km/h
- Much heavier at 2,085 kg versus 1,590 kg
- Shorter 2,692 mm wheelbase than the BMW 3 Series’ 2,851 mm
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 265,800 | RM 250,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| 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 | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 204 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 250 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 66.5 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 475 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS2 |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 130 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds✓ | 8.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 170 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,500 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,845 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,642 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,692 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 2,085 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 490 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/45R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive M Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Front, front-side, rear |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | 2 on outer rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Front Collision Warning |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Yes |
| Safety Notes | — | Driving Assistant Plus |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Adaptive LED |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Electric Seat Adjustment with Memory for Driver |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 60/40 split |
| 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 | Front 12V, Qi Wireless charging tray |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | Dual front |
| Sun Shade | — | Yes |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Controller, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and 16-speaker, 464W Harman Kardon Sound 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 | Yes |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Electric |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes with 360 view |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Parking Assistant Plus |
| 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 | — | Add RM13,430 for 5 year warranty and service package, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 379 | RM 160✓ |
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 iX1 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW iX1 better?
The BMW 3 Series is better for performance, rear-wheel-drive feel and long-wheelbase sedan packaging. The BMW iX1 is better if you can charge at home or work and want lower road tax, EV range and SUV practicality.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX1 is RM15,000 cheaper. It is priced at RM250,800, while the BMW 3 Series is RM265,800.
Which is quicker, the BMW 3 Series or BMW iX1?
The BMW 3 Series is quicker. It does 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and reaches 235 km/h, while the BMW iX1 takes 8.6 seconds and tops out at 170 km/h.