Verdict
The BMW 3 Series is the far more accessible Malaysian buy at RM267,800, undercutting the Lotus Eletre by RM231,200, while its RM379 annual road tax is also RM1,061 lower. It is a 4,709 mm rear-wheel-drive petrol sedan with 184 hp and a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time. The Eletre is the much larger 5,103 mm all-wheel-drive electric SUV: its twin motors produce 603 hp and 710 Nm, cutting 0-100 km/h to 4.5 seconds. Its 112 kWh battery brings a claimed 600 km range, but the 2,490 kg mass and 2,135 mm width demand more space in daily use.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the RM231,200 saving, lower RM379 road tax and a more compact 4,709 mm rear-wheel-drive sedan.
Pick the Lotus Eletre if you need a 688-litre boot, 600 km EV range and vastly quicker 603 hp all-wheel-drive performance.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; Lotus Eletre RM499,000.
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series 184 hp and 300 Nm; Lotus Eletre 603 hp and 710 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds; Lotus Eletre 4.5 seconds.
- Length and width: BMW 3 Series 4,709 mm and 1,827 mm; Lotus Eletre 5,103 mm and 2,135 mm.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; Lotus Eletre 688 litres.
- Annual road tax: BMW 3 Series RM379; Lotus Eletre RM1,440.
3 Series
- RM231,200 cheaper to buy.
- RM379 annual road tax.
- 900 kg lighter than the Eletre at 1,590 kg.
- Slower 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time versus 4.5 seconds.
- Smaller 480-litre boot versus 688 litres.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years.
Eletre
- 603 hp and 710 Nm from two electric motors.
- 112 kWh battery with 600 km range and 350 kW DC charging.
- 688-litre boot and dual-zone rear climate control.
- Costs RM499,000 versus RM267,800.
- RM1,440 annual road tax versus RM379.
- At 2,135 mm wide and 2,490 kg, it is 308 mm wider and 900 kg heavier.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM499,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM1,440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | — |
| Torque | 300 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 603 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 710 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 112 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 600 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 350 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 4.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h | 258 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 5,103 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 2,135 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,630 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 3,019 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 2,490 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 688 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 255/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 285/40R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Michelin Pilot Sport EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbags and Front Knee Airbags |
| 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 two rear passenger 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 | Projector LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 2 USB-C front, 2 USB-C rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| 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 | 15.1" Touchscreen with Lotus Hyper OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-speaker KEF Reference Audio |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Operation (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Remote Control Activation |
| 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 | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Surround View |
| 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 | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 & Eletre for sale
3 Series vs Eletre FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or Lotus Eletre better?
The BMW 3 Series is better for lower purchase and road-tax costs in a smaller sedan. The Lotus Eletre is better if outright pace, EV driving, rear-cabin climate control and a larger boot matter more than its RM499,000 price.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Eletre costs RM231,200 more than the BMW 3 Series: RM499,000 against RM267,800.
Which one is quicker and more practical?
The Lotus Eletre reaches 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, against 7.4 seconds for the BMW 3 Series, and carries 688 litres in its boot versus 480 litres. It is also substantially larger, at 5,103 mm long and 2,135 mm wide.