Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the BMW 3 Series is the rational compact executive sedan at RM267,800: its 184 hp and 300 Nm deliver 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, while annual road tax is RM379. The BMW M3 costs RM579,000 more, but its 503 hp, 650 Nm and all-wheel drive cut that sprint to 3.5 seconds. It also gets adaptive M suspension, an Active M Differential and selectable 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes. Buy the M3 only if that hardware is the point; both retain five seats and a 480-litre boot.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the same five-seat, 480-litre-boot sedan format for far less money, with RM379 annual road tax and a 1,590 kg kerb weight.
Pick the BMW M3 if 503 hp, 650 Nm, 3.5-second 0-100 km/h pace and its selectable all-wheel-drive M chassis matter more than the RM579,000 premium.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; BMW M3 RM846,800.
- Output: BMW 3 Series 184 hp and 300 Nm; BMW M3 503 hp and 650 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds; BMW M3 3.5 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW 3 Series rear-wheel drive; BMW M3 all-wheel drive with 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes.
- Kerb weight: BMW 3 Series 1,590 kg; BMW M3 1,855 kg.
- Annual road tax: BMW 3 Series RM379; BMW M3 RM2,113.
3 Series
- RM579,000 cheaper to buy.
- 265 kg lighter.
- 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
- 184 hp and 300 Nm trail the M3's 503 hp and 650 Nm.
- 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.9 seconds behind the M3.
- No adaptive M suspension, Active M Differential or selectable driveline modes.
M3
- 503 hp, 650 Nm and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Adaptive M suspension and Active M Differential.
- Laser projector headlamps and a tilt-and-slide sunroof.
- Costs RM579,000 more.
- RM2,113 annual road tax is RM1,734 higher.
- At 1,855 kg, it is 265 kg heavier.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM846,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM2,113 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | 503 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 650 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 84 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 9.3 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 3.5 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 10.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 230 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,794 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,903 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,433 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 1,855 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 275/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 285/30R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 20" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential, 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD Modes |
| 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Attentiveness Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Prevention, Active Protection |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Laser Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) |
| 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 | BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Controller, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 12-speaker 360W 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 with Smartphone Key and Proximity Auto Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist |
| 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 | — | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | 5 years |
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 & M3 for sale
3 Series vs M3 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW M3 better?
The BMW 3 Series is better for cost-conscious daily ownership, with the same five seats and 480-litre boot. The BMW M3 is decisively better for performance, delivering 503 hp, 650 Nm and 3.5-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 costs RM579,000 more than the BMW 3 Series: RM846,800 versus RM267,800.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The BMW 3 Series has much lower annual road tax at RM379. The BMW M3 costs RM2,113 per year, a RM1,734 difference driven by its 2,993 cc engine versus the 3 Series' 1,998 cc unit.