Verdict
The Tesla Model 3 is the sharper financial and straight-line case: RM149,000 buys 279 hp, 420 Nm and 6.2 seconds to 100 km/h, against the BMW 3 Series' RM267,800, 184 hp, 300 Nm and 7.4 seconds. It also brings a 62.5-kWh battery, 534-km range and 594-litre boot. The BMW fights back with a 235-km/h top speed, rear climate control, a head-up display and an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system. For Malaysian buyers able to charge, Tesla's RM118,800 saving is difficult to ignore.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the 235-km/h top speed, head-up display, rear climate control and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you want to spend RM118,800 less for 279 hp, 420 Nm, a 534-km EV range and a larger boot.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; Tesla Model 3 RM149,000.
- Output: BMW 3 Series 184 hp and 300 Nm; Tesla Model 3 motor 279 hp and 420 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds; Tesla Model 3 6.2 seconds.
- Top speed: BMW 3 Series 235 km/h; Tesla Model 3 201 km/h.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; Tesla Model 3 594 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: BMW 3 Series two years unlimited mileage; Tesla Model 3 four years/80,000 km.
3 Series
- 235-km/h top speed, against 201 km/h.
- Head-up display and auto parking with reversing assist.
- 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system and rear single-zone climate control.
- Costs RM118,800 more.
- Slower to 100 km/h at 7.4 seconds versus 6.2 seconds.
- 480-litre boot is 114 litres smaller.
Model 3
- RM149,000 price is RM118,800 lower.
- 279 hp and 420 Nm deliver a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 594-litre boot, 534-km range and 170-kW DC charging.
- 201-km/h top speed is 34 km/h below the BMW's.
- No head-up display or listed auto-parking system.
- Seven-speaker audio trails the BMW's 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800 | RM149,000✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM280✓ |
| 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 | — | 279 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 420 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 62.5 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 534 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 170 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | Single-ratio Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Tesla |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 6.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 201 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | — |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 594 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 255/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 255/45R18 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV |
| 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 | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| 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 Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger 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 | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| 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 |
| 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 with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map 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 | 15.4" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 7 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 (Depress Brake to Start) |
| 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 | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Dual Wireless Qi Chargers |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery and Drive Unit Warranty, No fixed service schedule (condition-based maintenance) |
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 & Model 3 for sale
3 Series vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is the better buy on price, acceleration, boot space and running tax, with 279 hp, 420 Nm and a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time. Choose the BMW 3 Series for its higher 235-km/h top speed and richer cabin equipment.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series costs RM267,800 and the Tesla Model 3 costs RM149,000, so the BMW is RM118,800 more expensive.
Which is quicker, the BMW 3 Series or Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 is quicker from 0-100 km/h, taking 6.2 seconds versus 7.4 seconds for the BMW 3 Series. The BMW has the higher top speed, however, at 235 km/h against 201 km/h.