Verdict
The RM267,800 BMW 3 Series is the more rational Malaysian buy: it seats five, carries 480 litres and has rear curtain airbags, ISOFIX and 40:20:40 rear seats. Its 184 hp, 300 Nm turbo petrol four-door is slower to 100 km/h at 7.4 seconds, but it has a 2,851 mm wheelbase and 59-litre tank. The RM299,900 MG Cyberster costs RM32,100 more for a 338 hp, 475 Nm electric motor and 5.0-second sprint, plus 508 km EV range. Choose its two-seat convertible format only if performance and EV ownership outweigh family duties.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you need five seats, a 480-litre boot and stronger family-friendly safety and cabin equipment.
Pick the MG Cyberster if you want 338 hp, 475 Nm, a 5.0-second century sprint and 508 km of electric range in a two-seat convertible.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; MG Cyberster RM299,900.
- Power and torque: BMW 184 hp and 300 Nm; MG 338 hp and 475 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 7.4 seconds; MG 5.0 seconds.
- Seating and boot space: BMW five seats and 480 litres; MG two seats and 249 litres.
- Wheelbase: BMW 2,851 mm; MG 2,690 mm.
- Manufacturer warranty: BMW two years/unlimited mileage; MG seven years/150,000 km.
3 Series
- Five seats, 480-litre boot and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
- Rear curtain airbags, rear ISOFIX and dual-zone front plus rear air-conditioning.
- 14.9-inch BMW Curved Display, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio, head-up display and auto parking.
- 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time trails the MG's 5.0 seconds.
- 184 hp and 300 Nm fall well short of the MG's 338 hp and 475 Nm.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty is much shorter than the MG's seven years.
Cyberster
- 338 hp, 475 Nm and a 5.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 77 kWh battery, 508 km EV range, 144 kW DC charging and 2.5 kW V2L.
- Adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera and powered scissor doors.
- Two seats and a 249-litre boot are far less useful than the BMW's five seats and 480 litres.
- It lacks rear curtain airbags and rear ISOFIX listed on the BMW.
- Single-zone climate control and no rear air-conditioning versus the BMW's dual-zone front and single-zone rear setup.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM299,900 |
| Body type | Sedan | Convertible |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM395 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | — |
| Torque | 300 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 338 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 475 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 77 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 508 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 144 kW |
| V2L | — | 2.5 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 195 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,535 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,913 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,329 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 1,885 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 249 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 275/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Pirelli P Zero Elect |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" Alloys |
| 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 |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 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) | 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 Projector |
| 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 | Powered Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 2 USB Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 7" Dual Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Eight Speaker Bose Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up & Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | Powered Scissor Doors |
| 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 | 7 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8 Years/Unlimited Mileage Warranty on Powertrain, 8-year/150,000 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 & Cyberster for sale
3 Series vs Cyberster FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or MG Cyberster better?
The BMW 3 Series is better for daily use, carrying passengers and luggage, with five seats and a 480-litre boot. The MG Cyberster is better for outright pace and electric driving, reaching 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds with 508 km of EV range.
What is the price difference?
The MG Cyberster costs RM32,100 more than the BMW 3 Series.
Which car is more practical for a family?
The BMW 3 Series is decisively more practical. It has five seats, rear ISOFIX, 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats, rear air-conditioning and a 480-litre boot; the Cyberster has two seats and 249 litres of luggage space.