Verdict
The BMW 3 Series is the rational Malaysian pick at RM267,800 against the X6’s RM735,800, leaving a vast RM468,000 gap. Its 184 hp, 300 Nm 2.0-litre turbo and 7.4-second sprint are ample, while the 1,590 kg sedan is 650 kg lighter and has lower RM379 annual road tax. The X6 answers with 335 hp, 450 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time, plus a 580-litre boot and panoramic roof. Buy it for its much stronger performance and SUV utility, not economy.
3 Series
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the far lower purchase price, RM379 annual road tax and a lighter 1,590 kg sedan with a 480-litre boot.
X6
Pick the BMW X6 if you want 335 hp, 450 Nm, all-wheel drive, a 580-litre boot and the extra cabin equipment of a panoramic roof and 360-degree camera.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; BMW X6 RM735,800.
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series 184 hp and 300 Nm; BMW X6 335 hp and 450 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds; BMW X6 5.4 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW 3 Series rear-wheel drive; BMW X6 all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; BMW X6 580 litres.
- Annual road tax: BMW 3 Series RM379; BMW X6 RM1,637.
3 Series
- RM468,000 cheaper to buy
- 650 kg lighter at 1,590 kg
- Lower RM379 annual road tax
- 184 hp and 300 Nm trail the X6’s 335 hp and 450 Nm
- 480-litre boot is 100 litres smaller
- No panoramic glass roof or 360-degree surround-view camera
X6
- 335 hp, 450 Nm and 5.4-second sprint
- All-wheel drive and Adaptive M Suspension
- 580-litre boot, panoramic roof and 360-degree camera
- Costs RM468,000 more
- RM1,637 annual road tax is RM1,258 higher
- 2,240 kg kerb weight is 650 kg greater
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM735,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM1,637 |
| 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✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 12 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 200 Nm |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 & X6 for sale
3 Series vs X6 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW X6 better?
The BMW 3 Series is better for price and annual road tax. The BMW X6 is better if stronger performance, all-wheel drive, a 100-litre larger boot and SUV body are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X6 costs RM468,000 more than the BMW 3 Series.
Which is quicker, the BMW 3 Series or BMW X6?
The BMW X6 is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds versus 7.4 seconds for the BMW 3 Series. It also produces 335 hp and 450 Nm, compared with 184 hp and 300 Nm.