BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Verdict
The BMW 3 Series is the sharper buy on numbers, at RM265,800 versus RM292,888, and it gives you the larger 480-litre boot and 59-litre tank. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class counters with 201 hp, a fractionally quicker 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time, 246 km/h top speed, seven airbags and just RM90 annual road tax. Both are CKD, rear-wheel-drive compact executive sedans with 300 Nm and a two-year warranty, so the RM27,088 gap buys more power, an extra airbag and petrol-hybrid hardware, not a night-and-day performance leap.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the lower price, bigger boot and larger fuel tank in a rear-wheel-drive compact executive sedan.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz C-Class if you want more power, higher top speed, an extra airbag and the lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM265,800; Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM292,888
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series 184 hp/300 Nm; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 201 hp/300 Nm
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: BMW 3 Series 7.4 s/235 km/h; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 7.3 s/246 km/h
- Boot space and fuel tank: BMW 3 Series 480 L/59 L; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 455 L/50 L
- Size: BMW 3 Series 4,709 mm long, 1,827 mm wide; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4,751 mm long, 2,033 mm wide
- Airbags and road tax: BMW 3 Series 6/RM379 a year; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 7/RM90 a year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 265,800✓ | RM 292,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Engine | 1,998 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Power | 184 hp | 201 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 300 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 7.4 s | 7.3 s✓ |
| Top speed | 235 km/h | 246 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | — | 1.0 kWh |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,751 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 2,033 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,438 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Boot space | 480 L✓ | 455 L |
| Fuel tank | 59 L | 50 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 7✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 2 |
| Road tax / year | RM 379 | RM 90✓ |
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
- RM27,088 cheaper to buy
- Larger 480-litre boot
- Bigger 59-litre fuel tank
- Lower 184 hp output
- Six airbags versus seven
- Higher RM379 annual road tax
C-Class
- Stronger 201 hp output
- Quicker 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Lower RM90 annual road tax
- Costs RM27,088 more
- Smaller 455-litre boot
- Smaller 50-litre fuel tank
3 Series vs C-Class FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class better?
The BMW 3 Series is better value on price, boot space and fuel tank size. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is better if you prioritise power, top speed, airbags and lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series costs RM265,800, while the Mercedes-Benz C-Class costs RM292,888. That makes the Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM27,088 more expensive.
Which is quicker, the BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is slightly quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds versus 7.4 seconds for the BMW 3 Series. Its top speed is also higher at 246 km/h versus 235 km/h.