Verdict
At RM898,800, the BMW M3 Touring costs RM263,000 more than the RM635,800 BMW X7, but it delivers 523 hp, 650 Nm and a 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time against 375 hp, 520 Nm and 5.8 seconds. It also carries 500 litres of luggage, versus 326 litres. The X7 answers with seven seats, a 3,105-mm wheelbase, air suspension and a 0.96-kWh hybrid battery. For Malaysian family use, its CKD assembly, lower RM1,637 annual road tax and extra two seats make more sense; buy the M3 Touring for its pace and wagon boot.
M3 Touring
Pick the BMW M3 Touring if 523 hp performance, a 3.6-second 0-100 km/h sprint and its 500-litre boot matter more than seven-seat practicality.
X7
Pick the BMW X7 if you need seven seats, air suspension and a lower purchase price with RM1,637 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 Touring RM898,800; BMW X7 RM635,800.
- Power and torque: BMW M3 Touring 523 hp and 650 Nm; BMW X7 375 hp and 520 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW M3 Touring 3.6 seconds; BMW X7 5.8 seconds.
- Seating and boot space: BMW M3 Touring 5 seats and 500 litres; BMW X7 7 seats and 326 litres.
- Length and wheelbase: BMW M3 Touring 4,801 mm and 2,857 mm; BMW X7 5,151 mm and 3,105 mm.
- Annual road tax: BMW M3 Touring RM2,113; BMW X7 RM1,637.
M3 Touring
- 523 hp, 650 Nm and 3.6-second 0-100 km/h performance.
- 500-litre boot, 174 litres larger than the X7's.
- Lane-keeping assistance provides steering correction.
- RM263,000 dearer to buy and RM476 dearer in annual road tax.
- Five seats versus the X7's seven.
- No air suspension, panoramic sunroof or ventilated front seats.
X7
- Seven seats with ISOFIX provision for the third row.
- Air suspension and Executive Drive Pro active roll stabilisation.
- Triple-zone climate control, ventilated front seats and a panoramic Sky Lounge sunroof.
- 375 hp and a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time trail the M3 Touring's 523 hp and 3.6 seconds.
- 326-litre boot is 174 litres smaller than the M3 Touring's.
- Lane-keeping assistance gives warnings only rather than steering correction.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM898,800 | RM635,800✓ |
| Body type | Wagon | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,113 | RM1,637✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 24-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 523 hp✓ | 375 hp |
| Torque | 650 Nm✓ | 520 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 11 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 12 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 200 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 0.96 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission | 8 Speed Automatic with Steptronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.6 seconds✓ | 5.8 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 9.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 217 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,801 mm | 5,151 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 2,000 mm |
| Height | 1,446 mm | 1,805 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 3,105 mm |
| Weight | 1,925 kg | 2,320 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 83 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 326 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 275/40R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/30R20 | 315/35R22 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour | 22" V-Spoke Style 756 Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour | 22" V-Spoke Style 756 Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport Differential | Executive Drive Pro (Active Roll Stabilisation) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Second Row Passenger Seats and Third Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Automatic Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors with High Beam Assist | Adaptive Laser Projectors with High Beam Assist |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Power Adjustable Middle Row 40:20:40 Split-Folding, Third Row 50:50 Split Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Triple-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide, Sky Lounge with 6 Colours |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights with Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, iDrive Touch Controller, 16-speaker 600W 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 Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Active Lane Keeping Assistant and Stop & Go Function |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Soft Close Function, All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Wireless Qi Charger, BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service, BMW Live Cockpit Professional |
| 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 M3 Touring & X7 for sale
M3 Touring vs X7 FAQ
Is the BMW M3 Touring or BMW X7 better?
The BMW X7 is better for a seven-seat family, lower annual road tax and comfort equipment including air suspension. The BMW M3 Touring is the better choice for outright pace, with 523 hp and a 3.6-second 0-100 km/h sprint.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 Touring costs RM263,000 more than the BMW X7.
Which has more luggage space?
The BMW M3 Touring has the larger listed boot at 500 litres, compared with 326 litres for the BMW X7. That is a 174-litre advantage for the wagon.