Verdict
At RM267,800, the BMW 3 Series is RM111,000 cheaper and its RM379 annual road tax is RM386 less than the iX3’s. It remains the lighter, lower sedan at 1,590 kg and 1,435 mm tall, with 184 hp, 300 Nm and a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time. The RM378,800 iX3 changes the brief: two motors produce 463 hp and 645 Nm for 4.9 seconds, while its 113.4-kWh battery claims 726 km range. Malaysian buyers wanting the more practical five-door should also note its 520-litre boot, 40 litres ahead of the 3 Series.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if RM111,000 saved, lower RM379 road tax and a lower, 1,590-kg rear-wheel-drive sedan matter more than outright pace and EV range.
Pick the BMW iX3 if you want 463 hp, 645 Nm, a claimed 726 km EV range and a roomier 520-litre five-door boot.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; BMW iX3 RM378,800.
- Performance: BMW 3 Series 184 hp/300 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds; BMW iX3 463 hp/645 Nm and 4.9 seconds.
- Energy storage: BMW 3 Series has a 59-litre petrol tank; BMW iX3 has a 113.4-kWh battery and 726 km claimed range.
- Driveline: BMW 3 Series rear-wheel drive; BMW iX3 all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; BMW iX3 520 litres.
- Road tax: BMW 3 Series RM379 per year; BMW iX3 RM765 per year.
3 Series
- RM111,000 lower purchase price.
- Lighter at 1,590 kg and lower at 1,435 mm.
- Higher 235 km/h top speed.
- Slower 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time versus 4.9 seconds.
- Smaller 480-litre boot versus 520 litres.
- Passive cruise control rather than active Stop&Go cruise control.
iX3
- 463 hp and 645 Nm from two motors.
- 113.4-kWh battery with 726 km claimed range, plus 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC charging.
- 520-litre boot, panoramic sunroof and 360-degree camera.
- Costs RM111,000 more.
- Annual road tax is RM765, versus RM379.
- Heavier at 2,285 kg and has a lower 210 km/h top speed.
| 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 | 3 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 acceleration, EV range and cargo capacity: 463 hp, 4.9 seconds to 100 km/h, 726 km claimed range and a 520-litre boot. The 3 Series is the stronger value choice at RM111,000 less with lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX3 costs RM378,800, which is RM111,000 more than the BMW 3 Series at RM267,800.
Which one is quicker and more practical?
The iX3 reaches 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds against the 3 Series’ 7.4 seconds, and its five-door SUV body has a 520-litre boot versus 480 litres. It is also 340 mm taller and 68 mm wider.