Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, these cross-shopped BMW sedans pull in opposite directions. The 7 Series is the more rational long-distance luxury choice: its 18.7 kWh battery delivers 87 km of electric range, CO2 is just 22 g/km, and the 5,391 mm body brings a 3,215 mm wheelbase and 525-litre boot. The M3 is the driver’s car, with 503 hp, 650 Nm and 3.5 seconds to 100 km/h against the 7 Series’ 308 hp, 450 Nm and 4.9 seconds. Both are AWD, eight-speed automatics with 250 km/h top speeds.
7 Series
Pick the BMW 7 Series if rear-seat comfort, an 87 km electric range and a larger 525-litre boot matter more than outright pace.
M3
Pick the BMW M3 if 503 hp, 650 Nm, a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time and M-specific drive modes are the priority.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 7 Series RM685,800; BMW M3 RM846,800
- Power and torque: BMW 7 Series 308 hp and 450 Nm; BMW M3 503 hp and 650 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 7 Series 4.9 seconds; BMW M3 3.5 seconds
- Electrification and CO2: BMW 7 Series PHEV with 87 km EV range and 22 g/km; BMW M3 petrol with 230 g/km
- Length and wheelbase: BMW 7 Series 5,391 mm and 3,215 mm; BMW M3 4,794 mm and 2,857 mm
- Boot space: BMW 7 Series 525 litres; BMW M3 480 litres
7 Series
- 87 km EV range from an 18.7 kWh battery
- RM161,000 cheaper to buy
- Power-adjustable rear seats, rear dual-zone air-con and sunshades
- Slower 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time versus 3.5 seconds
- Lower 308 hp and 450 Nm outputs
- No listed Active M Differential or 2WD mode
M3
- 503 hp and 650 Nm with a 3.5-second century sprint
- Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential and selectable 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes
- Auto parking, pedestrian-detecting autonomous braking and rear cross traffic alert
- Costs RM161,000 more
- 230 g/km CO2 versus 22 g/km
- Smaller 480-litre boot and single-zone rear air-con
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM685,800✓ | RM846,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Luxury | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,125 | RM2,113✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 2,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 308 hp | 503 hp✓ |
| Torque | 450 Nm | 650 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 84 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 9.3 |
| Motor Horsepower | 194 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 280 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 18.7 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 87 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.4 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Automatic | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds | 3.5 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 10.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 22 g/km✓ | 230 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,391 mm | 4,794 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,903 mm |
| Height | 1,544 mm | 1,433 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,215 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,855 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | — | 275/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | — | 285/30R20 |
| Spare Tyre | No | — |
| Factory Tyres | — | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" M aerodynamic style 907 alloys | 19" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" M aerodynamic style 907 alloys | 20" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension | Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential, 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD Modes |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 Airbags (2 Front, 2 Side, 2 Curtain, 1 Driver's Knee) | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | — | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | — | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Attentiveness Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Prevention, Active Protection |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | Laser Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | Power Adjustable Rear Seats with Power Adjustments | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Sky Lounge Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (15 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 4 | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | 2x side sunshades, 1x rear sunshade | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Live Cockpit Professional system | BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Controller, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 12-speaker 360W Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | 4 | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Smartphone Key and Proximity Auto Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Yes | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | 5 years |
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 7 Series & M3 for sale
7 Series vs M3 FAQ
Is the BMW 7 Series or BMW M3 better?
The 7 Series is better for chauffeured comfort, rear-seat amenities and electric commuting. The M3 is better if performance is non-negotiable: it has 503 hp and reaches 100 km/h 1.4 seconds sooner.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 costs RM161,000 more than the BMW 7 Series, at RM846,800 versus RM685,800.
Which BMW has the better rear-seat setup?
The BMW 7 Series. It has power-adjustable rear seats, dual-zone rear climate control, two side sunshades and a rear sunshade; the M3 has a 40:20:40 split-folding rear bench and single-zone rear air-con.