BMW 3 Series: F30 vs G20 LCI 2
Verdict
The BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 is the stronger drive on paper: 184 hp and 300 Nm cut 0-100 km/h to 7.4 seconds, against the BMW 3 Series F30’s 136 hp, 220 Nm and 9.2 seconds. The RM57,000 gap buys pace, a longer body and auto emergency braking. But the F30 is cheaper to tax at RM90 a year, gets a five-year warranty against two, and has a quoted 5.9 L/100 km figure that the G20 LCI 2 does not list.
Pick the BMW 3 Series F30 if you want the lower buy-in, RM90 road tax and five-year warranty, and can live with 136 hp and no listed AEB.
Pick the BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 if you want the quicker, larger sedan with 184 hp, 300 Nm and auto emergency braking.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series F30 RM208,800; BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 RM265,800
- Engine and output: 1,598 cc, 136 hp, 220 Nm vs 1,998 cc, 184 hp, 300 Nm
- Performance: 0-100 km/h in 9.2 s and 210 km/h vs 7.4 s and 235 km/h
- Size: 4,624 mm length and 2,810 mm wheelbase vs 4,709 mm and 2,851 mm
- Boot and tank: 480 L and 60 L vs 480 L and 59 L
- Safety and ownership: no listed AEB, 6 airbags, 5-year warranty vs AEB, 6 airbags, 2-year warranty
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 208,800✓ | RM 265,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,598 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Power | 136 hp | 184 hp✓ |
| Torque | 220 Nm | 300 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 9.2 s | 7.4 s✓ |
| Top speed | 210 km/h | 235 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 5.9 L/100km | — |
| EV range | 0 km | — |
| CO₂ | 137 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,624 mm | 4,709 mm |
| Width | 1,811 mm | 1,827 mm |
| Height | 1,429 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,810 mm | 2,851 mm |
| Boot space | 480 L | 480 L |
| Fuel tank | 60 L | 59 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | — | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5✓ | 2 |
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 379 |
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.
F30
- Lower annual road tax at RM90
- Five-year warranty
- Quoted 5.9 L/100 km fuel economy
- Slower 9.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- No auto emergency braking listed
- Lower outputs at 136 hp and 220 Nm
G20 LCI 2
- Stronger 184 hp and 300 Nm outputs
- Quicker 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- Auto emergency braking listed
- Higher RM379 annual road tax
- Shorter two-year warranty
- Less user-friendly interior controls
F30 vs G20 LCI 2 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series F30 or BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 better?
The BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 is better for performance and safety kit, with 184 hp, 300 Nm, 7.4 seconds to 100 km/h and AEB. The BMW 3 Series F30 is better for lower road tax and its five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The gap is RM57,000: the BMW 3 Series F30 is RM208,800, while the BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 is RM265,800.
Which one is more practical?
Boot space is identical at 480 litres. The BMW 3 Series G20 LCI 2 is larger outside, measuring 4,709 mm long with a 2,851 mm wheelbase, versus 4,624 mm and 2,810 mm for the BMW 3 Series F30.