Verdict
At RM265,800, the BMW 3 Series is the much cheaper route into this pairing, leaving a RM233,088 gap to the RM498,888 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe. The Mercedes earns its price with 416 hp, 500 Nm and 4.8-second 0-100 km/h pace, against 184 hp, 300 Nm and 7.4 seconds for the BMW, plus all-wheel drive and a 545-litre boot. But the BMW is 109 mm lower, 263 mm narrower and 1,590 kg, so it is the more manageable sedan proposition for Malaysian urban use. The AMG GLC Coupe is faster and roomier; the 3 Series is the rational buy.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if RM265,800, a lower 1,435 mm sedan body and a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time suit your daily use better than SUV pace.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe if you want 416 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive, a 545-litre boot and 4.8-second acceleration despite the RM233,088 higher price.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM265,800; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe RM498,888.
- Power and torque: BMW 184 hp and 300 Nm; Mercedes-Benz 416 hp and 500 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 7.4 seconds; Mercedes-Benz 4.8 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW rear-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW 480 litres; Mercedes-Benz 545 litres.
- Height: BMW 1,435 mm; Mercedes-Benz 1,699 mm.
3 Series
- RM233,088 less expensive.
- Lower 1,435 mm sedan body and narrower 1,827 mm width.
- 14.9-inch BMW Curved Display and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
- Slower 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time versus 4.8 seconds.
- 184 hp and 300 Nm trail the Mercedes-Benz's 416 hp and 500 Nm.
- Smaller 480-litre boot versus 545 litres.
AMG GLC Coupe
- 416 hp, 500 Nm and 4.8-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
- All-wheel drive, 545-litre boot and five doors.
- Digital Light Matrix LEDs, 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control.
- RM498,888 price is RM233,088 higher.
- 263 mm wider and 264 mm taller than the BMW.
- No extended warranty is stated, while the BMW gets five years of extended warranty.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 265,800✓ | RM 498,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Mild Hybrid Assist |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | 416 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 500 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 | — | 13 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 150 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Daimler |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 4.8 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,763 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,699 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,888 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 62 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 545 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 265/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 275/35R21 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Continental SportContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 20" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 20" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc |
| 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, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer 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 | Digital Light Matrix LEDs |
| 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 4-Way Lumbar and Memory Function for Driver, Heating Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 40:20:20 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 |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Windows, Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-speaker Burmester 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes |
| 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 | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 379✓ | RM 440 |
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 & AMG GLC Coupe for sale
3 Series vs AMG GLC Coupe FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe better?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe is better for outright performance, all-wheel drive and luggage space, with 416 hp, 4.8-second acceleration and a 545-litre boot. The BMW 3 Series is the better financial choice at RM265,800 and is substantially lower and narrower.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe costs RM498,888, which is RM233,088 more than the BMW 3 Series at RM265,800.
Which is more practical for carrying luggage?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe has the larger boot at 545 litres, 65 litres more than the BMW 3 Series' 480 litres. It also has five doors, while the BMW has four.