Verdict
At RM265,800 against RM469,800, the BMW 3 Series is the sharper buy if you want a compact executive sedan with proper performance: 184 hp, 300 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds are not shabby. The BMW X5 asks RM204,000 more but brings a different brief: 308 hp, 540 Nm, all-wheel drive, air suspension, a 650-litre boot and 5.4-second pace. It is also 650 kg heavier and far larger, so the extra money buys space, shove and equipment, not subtlety.
3 Series
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the lower-priced, lighter CKD sedan with rear-wheel drive, a 480-litre boot and enough performance for daily use.
X5
Pick the BMW X5 if you want the bigger CKD SUV with much stronger hybrid-assisted performance, all-wheel drive, air suspension and more cabin-luggage flexibility.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM265,800; BMW X5 RM469,800
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series 184 hp/300 Nm; BMW X5 308 hp/540 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds; BMW X5 5.4 seconds
- Size: BMW 3 Series 4,709 mm long/1,827 mm wide; BMW X5 4,935 mm long/2,004 mm wide
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; BMW X5 650 litres
- Road tax: BMW 3 Series RM379 a year; BMW X5 RM1,637 a year
3 Series
- RM204,000 cheaper to buy
- 650 kg lighter than the BMW X5
- Lower annual road tax at RM379
- Much less output at 184 hp and 300 Nm
- Smaller 480-litre boot
- No all-wheel drive or air suspension
X5
- Stronger 308 hp and 540 Nm powertrain with one electric motor
- Quicker 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- Larger 650-litre boot with powered, contactless opening
- Costs RM204,000 more
- Much heavier at 2,240 kg
- Annual road tax is RM1,637
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 265,800✓ | RM 469,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | 308 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 540 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 11 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | Eight-speed Steptronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 5.4 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,935 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 2,004 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,975 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 2,240 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 83 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 650 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 275/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 315/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, 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 |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Adaptive LED headlights with Auto High Beam |
| 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sliding Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) |
| 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 | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes |
| 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 |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 379✓ | RM 1,637 |
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 X5 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW X5 better?
The BMW X5 is stronger, quicker, roomier and better equipped on paper. The BMW 3 Series is better value if you do not need SUV space, all-wheel drive or air suspension.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X5 costs RM469,800, while the BMW 3 Series costs RM265,800. That makes the X5 RM204,000 more expensive.
Which one is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The BMW X5 is quicker, taking 5.4 seconds from 0-100 km/h. The BMW 3 Series does the same sprint in 7.4 seconds.