Verdict
The smart #5 costs RM58,000 less yet brings a 358 hp, 373 Nm rear motor, 100 kWh battery and 590 km range; it reaches 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds, against the BMW 3 Series’ 184 hp, 300 Nm petrol turbo and 7.4 seconds. Its 630-litre boot and 2,900 mm wheelbase suit family use, but it is 93 mm wider and 670 kg heavier. Choose the BMW for the lower RM379 annual road tax, 235 km/h top speed and CKD Malaysian assembly; the smart’s road tax is RM455.
3 Series
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want a CKD sedan with a 235 km/h top speed, lower RM379 road tax and a 1,590 kg kerb weight.
#5
Pick the smart #5 if you want the lower purchase price, 590 km EV range, quicker 6.5-second sprint and a 630-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; smart #5 RM209,800.
- Powertrain: BMW 3 Series 184 hp/300 Nm 1,998 cc petrol turbo; smart #5 358 hp/373 Nm single motor.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds; smart #5 6.5 seconds.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; smart #5 630 litres.
- Dimensions: BMW 3 Series 4,709 mm long, 1,827 mm wide and 1,435 mm tall; smart #5 4,705 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,705 mm tall.
- Annual road tax: BMW 3 Series RM379; smart #5 RM455.
3 Series
- Lower RM379 annual road tax.
- 235 km/h top speed.
- CKD Malaysian assembly and 1,590 kg kerb weight.
- RM58,000 more expensive.
- Slower 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.5 seconds.
- 480-litre boot is 150 litres smaller.
#5
- RM58,000 lower purchase price.
- 358 hp, 373 Nm motor and 590 km range.
- 630-litre boot, panoramic glass roof and 400 kW DC charging.
- Higher RM455 annual road tax.
- 200 km/h top speed is 35 km/h lower.
- 2,260 kg kerb weight is 670 kg heavier.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800 | RM209,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM455 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 800V 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 | — | 358 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 373 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 100 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 590 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 400 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 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 | 6.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,705 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,705 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,900 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 2,260 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 630 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 255/45R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Continental EcoContact 7 |
| 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 | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 20" 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 & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes, Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam & Auto Levelling |
| 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 2 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 13" Twin AMOLED Touchscreens with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Sennheiser 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 (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 with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Yes, Powered with Kick Sensor |
| 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 | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty & 8-year/150000 High Voltage Components 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 & #5 for sale
3 Series vs #5 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or smart #5 better?
The smart #5 is the stronger buy for acceleration, cargo room and electric range, while the BMW 3 Series suits buyers who prioritise lower road tax, a lighter sedan and a 235 km/h top speed.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series costs RM267,800 and the smart #5 costs RM209,800, so the BMW carries a RM58,000 premium.
Which has more boot space?
The smart #5 has the larger boot at 630 litres, exceeding the BMW 3 Series’ 480 litres by 150 litres. It also has a 2,900 mm wheelbase versus 2,851 mm.