Verdict
At RM267,800, the BMW 3 Series is the known quantity: a 184 hp, 300 Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol sedan with rear-wheel drive, an eight-speed Steptronic Sport and a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 7.4 seconds. The Lexus ES is a class larger in footprint, stretching 5,140 mm long on a 2,950 mm wheelbase against the BMW’s 4,709 mm and 2,851 mm. That promises a more substantial cabin package on paper, but its Malaysian price, powertrain outputs and equipment details remain unconfirmed. For now, the BMW is the easier car to buy with confidence.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want confirmed 184 hp/300 Nm performance, rear-wheel drive and a fully detailed Malaysian specification now.
Pick the Lexus ES if its 5,140 mm length and 2,950 mm wheelbase are more important to you than having confirmed local price and performance figures.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; Lexus ES TBA
- Length: BMW 3 Series 4,709 mm; Lexus ES 5,140 mm
- Width: BMW 3 Series 1,827 mm; Lexus ES 1,920 mm
- Height: BMW 3 Series 1,435 mm; Lexus ES 1,555 mm
- Wheelbase: BMW 3 Series 2,851 mm; Lexus ES 2,950 mm
- Fuel type: BMW 3 Series petrol; Lexus ES petrol hybrid/REV
3 Series
- 184 hp and 300 Nm are confirmed
- Rear-wheel drive with eight-speed Steptronic Sport
- Extensive confirmed safety and parking equipment
- 431 mm shorter than the Lexus ES
- 93 mm narrower than the Lexus ES
- 99 mm shorter wheelbase than the Lexus ES
ES
- 431 mm longer body
- 93 mm wider body
- 99 mm longer wheelbase
- Malaysian price is still TBA
- No power or torque figures are confirmed
- No local equipment specification is confirmed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800 | TBA |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | — |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | — |
| Torque | 300 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | — |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | — |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 5,140 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,555 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,950 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | — |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | — |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | — |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | — |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | — |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | — |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | — |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | — |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | — |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | — |
| Stability Control | ✓ | — |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | — |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | — |
| Taillamps | Full LED | — |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | — |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | — |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | — |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | — |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | — |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | — |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Auto Parking | 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 | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | — |
| Warranty Extended | 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 & ES for sale
3 Series vs ES FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or Lexus ES better?
The BMW 3 Series is the better-defined choice today, with confirmed RM267,800 pricing, 184 hp, 300 Nm and a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h claim. Choose the Lexus ES if its significantly larger 5,140 mm body and 2,950 mm wheelbase are your priority.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series costs RM267,800, while the Lexus ES price is TBA. A price difference cannot yet be calculated.
Which car is larger, the BMW 3 Series or Lexus ES?
The Lexus ES is larger in every published exterior dimension: 5,140 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,555 mm tall, versus 4,709 mm, 1,827 mm and 1,435 mm for the BMW 3 Series.