Verdict
The BMW 3 Series is the rational entry point at RM267,800, saving RM111,000 and RM386 a year in road tax versus the BMW iX3. Its 184 hp, 300 Nm turbo petrol engine reaches 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, but the iX3’s dual motors deliver 463 hp and 645 Nm for 4.9 seconds. The SUV also brings a 113.4 kWh battery, 726 km range, 400 kW DC charging and a larger 520-litre boot. Choose the 3 Series for lower ownership entry cost; pay for the iX3 only if its EV range, performance and SUV utility matter to you.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the RM267,800 price, RM379 annual road tax and a lighter 1,590 kg rear-wheel-drive sedan.
Pick the BMW iX3 if you want 463 hp, 645 Nm, 726 km EV range, 400 kW DC charging and a 520-litre SUV boot.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; BMW iX3 RM378,800.
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series 184 hp and 300 Nm; BMW iX3 463 hp and 645 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds; BMW iX3 4.9 seconds.
- Annual road tax: BMW 3 Series RM379; BMW iX3 RM765.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; BMW iX3 520 litres.
- Weight: BMW 3 Series 1,590 kg; BMW iX3 2,285 kg.
3 Series
- RM111,000 lower purchase price.
- RM386 lower annual road tax.
- Lighter 1,590 kg kerb weight and 235 km/h top speed.
- Slower 7.4-second century sprint versus 4.9 seconds.
- Smaller 480-litre boot versus 520 litres.
- No electric driving range, 400 kW DC charging or 3.7 kW V2L.
iX3
- 463 hp and 645 Nm from two motors.
- 113.4 kWh battery with 726 km range, 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC charging.
- 520-litre boot, panoramic sunroof and 360-degree camera.
- RM111,000 higher purchase price.
- RM765 annual road tax, versus RM379.
- Heavier at 2,285 kg versus 1,590 kg.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM378,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM765 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 6th-generation BMW eDrive, 800V 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 | — | 463 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 645 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 113.4 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 726 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 400 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.7 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 | 4.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,782 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,895 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,897 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 2,285 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 520 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 255/35R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 275/35R22 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Hungary (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 22" Alloys (9J) |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 22" Alloys (9.5J) |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 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, with High-beam Assistant |
| 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 | M Sport Seats, Power Adjustable with Driver Memory |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | 3-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, with Climate Comfort Glazing |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Ambient Light |
| 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 | Harman Kardon 13 Speakers (430W); 17.9" Central Display + 43.3" Panoramic Vision, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wireless Charging |
| 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 (Comfort Access) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | Yes |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | Yes |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes, Parking Assistant Professional with Remote Control Parking |
| 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 | — | Flexible Fast Charger (Mode 2) included; Drive Recorder and Remote Theft Recorder; Intelligent Personal Assistant |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | RM399,800 with 5-year extended warranty and service package |
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 & iX3 for sale
3 Series vs iX3 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW iX3 better?
The iX3 is better for outright performance, EV range and cargo space: 463 hp, 726 km and 520 litres. The 3 Series is the better buy for lower entry cost and annual road tax, at RM267,800 and RM379.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX3 costs RM378,800 and the BMW 3 Series costs RM267,800, so the iX3 carries an RM111,000 premium.
Which one charges faster or travels farther?
The iX3 is the only EV here. Its 113.4 kWh battery is rated for 726 km, with 22 kW AC charging and up to 400 kW DC charging. The petrol 3 Series instead has a 59-litre fuel tank.