BMW 3 Series vs BMW X1
Verdict
At RM265,800, the BMW 3 Series is RM15,000 dearer than the RM250,800 BMW X1, and the money buys a longer-wheelbase rear-drive sedan with a head-up display, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio and a larger 59-litre tank. The X1 counters with an SUV body, five doors, 201 hp versus 184 hp, 19-inch wheels and a space-saver spare. Both are CKD, both use a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with 300 Nm, and performance is close: 7.4 seconds plays 7.6 seconds to 100 km/h.
3 Series
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the rear-wheel-drive sedan, the longer 2,851 mm wheelbase, head-up display and stronger in-cabin kit.
X1
Pick the BMW X1 if you want the cheaper SUV with five-door access, more power and a listed 7.2 L/100 km fuel figure.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM265,800; BMW X1 RM250,800
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series 184 hp/300 Nm; BMW X1 201 hp/300 Nm
- Drivetrain and gearbox: BMW 3 Series rear-wheel drive with 8-speed ZF automatic; BMW X1 front-wheel drive with 7-speed Getrag dual-clutch
- Acceleration and top speed: BMW 3 Series 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, 235 km/h; BMW X1 7.6 seconds, 236 km/h
- Size: BMW 3 Series 4,709 mm long, 1,435 mm tall, 2,851 mm wheelbase; BMW X1 4,500 mm long, 1,642 mm tall, 2,692 mm wheelbase
- Boot and tank: BMW 3 Series 480 litres and 59 litres; BMW X1 476 litres and 45 litres
3 Series
- Quicker 0-100 km/h time despite having less power
- Rear-wheel drive and 8-speed ZF automatic
- Head-up display, driver memory seat and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio
- Costs RM15,000 more than the BMW X1
- Lower output at 184 hp versus 201 hp
- Four-door sedan body is less handy than the X1’s five-door SUV layout
X1
- RM15,000 cheaper to buy
- Higher output at 201 hp with the same 300 Nm torque
- SUV body, 19-inch wheels and space-saver spare tyre
- Slightly slower to 100 km/h at 7.6 seconds versus 7.4 seconds
- Shorter 2,692 mm wheelbase versus 2,851 mm
- Smaller 45-litre fuel tank versus 59 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 265,800 | RM 250,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | 201 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 300 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 11.1 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | Steptronic Dual-clutch |
| Gears | 8 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Getrag |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds✓ | 7.6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.2 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h | 236 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 | — |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 476 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" V-spoke style 867 Bicolour Light Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" V-spoke style 867 Bicolour Light Alloy Wheels |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| 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 for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on front passenger seat and 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 | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Adaptive LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| 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 |
| 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 | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 2x USB-C front, 2x USB-C rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| 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 | 10.7" BMW Operating System 8 with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto |
| 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 Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| 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 | Parking Assistant |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | No |
| 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 |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 379✓ | RM 439 |
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 X1 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW X1 better?
The BMW 3 Series is the sharper paper pick for driving and cabin equipment. The BMW X1 is better if you want SUV access, a lower price and more power.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series costs RM265,800, while the BMW X1 costs RM250,800. That makes the X1 RM15,000 cheaper.
Which one is faster from 0-100 km/h?
The BMW 3 Series is slightly quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. The BMW X1 takes 7.6 seconds, despite having 201 hp versus the 3 Series’ 184 hp.