Verdict
At RM265,800 against RM329,888, the BMW 3 Series is the sharper value call for a Malaysian buyer who wants pace and cabin kit: it reaches 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, has LED projector headlamps, a head-up display and an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system. The Mercedes-Benz GLC costs RM64,088 more, but brings all-wheel drive, 201 hp and 320 Nm, a mild-hybrid motor, plus a far more useful 620-litre boot. Its 7.8-second sprint is slower, yet the SUV’s five-door body and four-year warranty will matter more to family use.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the quicker 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time, head-up display and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio for less money.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC if you need all-wheel drive, a 620-litre boot, 360-degree camera and four-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM265,800; Mercedes-Benz GLC RM329,888.
- Performance: BMW 3 Series 184 hp, 300 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLC 201 hp, 320 Nm and 7.8 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW 3 Series rear-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz GLC all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLC 620 litres.
- Size: BMW 3 Series 4,709 mm long and 1,435 mm tall; Mercedes-Benz GLC 4,716 mm long and 1,640 mm tall.
- Warranty: BMW 3 Series two years; Mercedes-Benz GLC four years.
3 Series
- Quicker 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time and 235 km/h top speed.
- 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio and head-up display.
- LED projector headlamps with High Beam Assistant.
- 480-litre boot trails the GLC's 620 litres.
- Rear-wheel drive versus the GLC's all-wheel drive.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty is half the GLC's four years.
GLC
- 620-litre boot and five-door SUV body.
- 201 hp, 320 Nm and all-wheel drive, plus a 23 hp mild-hybrid motor.
- 360-degree camera, heated front seats and powered boot.
- RM64,088 more expensive than the BMW 3 Series.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time of 7.8 seconds versus 7.4 seconds.
- No head-up display, and its eight-speaker audio trails the BMW's 18-speaker system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 265,800✓ | RM 329,888 |
| 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 | 201 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 320 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds✓ | 7.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 221 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,716 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,640 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 | 620 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| 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" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| 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 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 | LED Reflectors |
| 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 & Heating |
| 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 | Rear AC Vents |
| 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 Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers |
| 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 |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 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 & GLC for sale
3 Series vs GLC FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz GLC better?
The BMW 3 Series is better for faster acceleration and stronger in-car equipment at a lower price. The Mercedes-Benz GLC is better for SUV practicality, all-wheel drive, a 620-litre boot and a longer four-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC costs RM64,088 more than the BMW 3 Series.
Which has the larger boot?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC has the larger boot at 620 litres, giving it 140 litres more luggage space than the BMW 3 Series' 480 litres.