Verdict
The BMW 3 Series is the sensible sedan choice here: RM265,800, CKD in Malaysia, rear-driven, 1,590 kg and still with 184 hp/300 Nm for a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time. The BMW X6 is a different-size cheque and a different-size car at RM734,800, adding a 2,998 cc mild-hybrid petrol engine with 335 hp/450 Nm, all-wheel drive, 5.4 seconds to 100 km/h and 580 litres of boot space. But it is 650 kg heavier, while road tax jumps from RM379 to RM1,637.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the cheaper, lighter, rear-driven sedan with five seats, a 480-litre boot and RM379 annual road tax.
Pick the BMW X6 if you want the quicker 5.4-second SUV with all-wheel drive, 580 litres of boot space and a panoramic glass roof.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM265,800; BMW X6 RM734,800
- Power/torque: BMW 3 Series 184 hp/300 Nm; BMW X6 335 hp/450 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds; BMW X6 5.4 seconds
- Size: BMW 3 Series 4,709 x 1,827 x 1,435 mm; BMW X6 4,960 x 2,004 x 1,700 mm
- Boot/fuel tank: BMW 3 Series 480 litres/59 litres; BMW X6 580 litres/83 litres
- Driveline/weight: BMW 3 Series rear-wheel drive/1,590 kg; BMW X6 all-wheel drive/2,240 kg
3 Series
- RM469,000 lower purchase price and RM1,258 lower annual road tax
- 650 kg lighter, with a smaller 4,709 mm by 1,827 mm footprint
- Still gets five seats, a 480-litre boot and head-up display
- 151 hp and 150 Nm down on the BMW X6
- Two seconds slower to 100 km/h
- 100 litres less boot space and no all-wheel drive
X6
- 151 hp and 150 Nm stronger, with a 12 hp/200 Nm mild-hybrid motor
- 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.0 seconds quicker
- 100-litre larger boot, all-wheel drive and 360-degree surround-view camera
- RM469,000 dearer to buy and RM1,258 dearer in annual road tax
- 650 kg heavier
- Larger footprint to manage: 251 mm longer and 177 mm wider
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 265,800✓ | RM 734,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift with Mild Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | 335 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 12 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 200 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 8-speed Steptronic Sport |
| 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 | 4,960 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 2,004 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,700 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 | 580 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 275/35R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 315/30R22 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | United States (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 22" M Light Alloy Wheels V-Spoke Style 747 M |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 22" M Light Alloy Wheels V-Spoke Style 747 M |
| 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 | — | Adaptive M Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| 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 outer two 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 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 Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar |
| 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 System |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-Speaker 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 |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Surround View |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Yes |
| 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 X6 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW X6 better?
For most buyers, the BMW 3 Series is the better buy because it costs far less, has much lower road tax and still seats five with 480 litres of boot space. Choose the BMW X6 if you need 335 hp/450 Nm, all-wheel drive and the bigger boot.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X6 costs RM734,800 versus RM265,800 for the BMW 3 Series, so the gap is RM469,000. Annual road tax also differs sharply: RM1,637 for the X6 against RM379 for the 3 Series.
Which has more boot space?
The BMW X6 has the larger boot at 580 litres, versus 480 litres in the BMW 3 Series. Both seat five and both use 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats, so the X6’s advantage is cargo volume.