BMW 3 Series vs MINI Countryman
Verdict
The BMW 3 Series asks RM6,912 more, and mechanically these two are closer than their body styles suggest: both use 1,998 cc turbo petrol engines, 8-speed automatics, 300 Nm and do 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. The BMW is the longer, lower rear-wheel-drive sedan, with a 2,851 mm wheelbase and 480-litre boot. The MINI Countryman is the taller all-wheel-drive SUV, gets 201 hp, a 360-degree camera, active cruise control, massage seat and powered tailgate. For Malaysia, it is sedan poise versus SUV convenience.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the longer-wheelbase sedan, a bigger boot, higher top speed and the longer 5-year extended warranty.
Pick the MINI Countryman if you want all-wheel drive, more power, taller SUV packaging and the stronger convenience kit for slightly less money.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM265,800; MINI Countryman RM258,888
- Output: BMW 3 Series 184 hp/300 Nm; MINI Countryman 201 hp/300 Nm
- Drive layout: BMW 3 Series rear-wheel drive; MINI Countryman all-wheel drive
- Size: BMW 3 Series 4,709 mm long/1,435 mm tall; MINI Countryman 4,433 mm long/1,656 mm tall
- Boot and tank: BMW 3 Series 480 litres/59 litres; MINI Countryman 460 litres/54 litres
- Warranty and road tax: BMW 3 Series 5-year extended/RM379; MINI Countryman 4-year extended/RM439
3 Series
- Longer 2,851 mm wheelbase than the MINI’s 2,692 mm
- Bigger 480-litre boot and 59-litre fuel tank
- Higher 235 km/h top speed and ventilated rear discs
- Costs RM6,912 more
- Less power: 184 hp versus 201 hp
- Misses the MINI’s all-wheel drive, 360-degree camera, active cruise control and powered tailgate
Countryman
- More power at 201 hp with the same 300 Nm torque
- All-wheel drive versus the BMW’s rear-wheel drive
- Adds 360-degree view monitor, active cruise control, massage function and contactless powered tailgate
- Smaller 460-litre boot and 54-litre fuel tank
- Shorter 2,692 mm wheelbase than the BMW’s 2,851 mm
- Lower 228 km/h top speed and solid rear discs
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 265,800 | RM 258,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | 201 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 300 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 8-Speed Steptronic Sports Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 7.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 228 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,433 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,843 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,656 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,692 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 54 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 460 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/40R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Pirelli P Zero, Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| 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 Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point belts |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, Front Passenger Seat |
| 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 | Adaptive LED Projector with High Beam Assist |
| 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 with Driver's Side Memory and Massage Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Manual Recline |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 2 USB C, 1 Wireless Charger, 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 | 9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon 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 Flip Switch |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Tailgate, with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor |
| 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 | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 379✓ | RM 439 |
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 vs Countryman FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or MINI Countryman better?
The BMW 3 Series is better if you want a longer, lower sedan with more boot space and a longer extended warranty. The MINI Countryman is better if you want SUV height, all-wheel drive and more comfort and driver-assist kit.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series costs RM6,912 more than the MINI Countryman, before looking at road tax. Annual road tax is RM379 for the BMW and RM439 for the MINI.
Which one is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
Neither has an advantage on paper. Both cars do 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, despite the MINI making more power at 201 hp versus the BMW’s 184 hp.