Verdict
The BMW M3 Touring costs RM898,800, RM175,912 more than the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE at RM722,888, but it is the more useful fast car for Malaysia: five doors, five seats and a 500-litre boot versus the CLE’s two doors, four seats and 420 litres. Its 523 hp also cuts the 0-100 km/h time to 3.6 seconds, 0.6 seconds ahead, while both deliver 650 Nm and all-wheel drive. The CLE counters with a 1 kWh hybrid battery and 20 hp motor, plus Digital Light Matrix LEDs. For a family who needs one car to do it all, the M3 Touring earns its premium.
Pick the BMW M3 Touring if you need five seats, a 500-litre boot and a 523 hp, 3.6-second performance car.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE if you prefer to save RM175,912 for a four-seat coupe with a 1 kWh hybrid system and Digital Light Matrix LEDs.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 Touring RM898,800; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE RM722,888.
- Performance: BMW M3 Touring 523 hp and 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 443 hp and 4.2 seconds.
- Practicality: BMW M3 Touring has 5 doors, 5 seats and a 500-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE has 2 doors, 4 seats and a 420-litre boot.
- Hybrid hardware: BMW M3 Touring has no motor or battery; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE has one 20 hp/205 Nm motor and a 1 kWh battery.
- Dimensions and mass: BMW M3 Touring is 4,801 mm long and 1,925 kg; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE is 4,853 mm long and 2,000 kg.
- Fuel tank: BMW M3 Touring 59 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 65 litres.
M3 Touring
- 523 hp and 650 Nm with all-wheel drive
- Five seats, five doors and 500-litre boot
- Auto parking and a five-year extended warranty
- RM175,912 dearer
- No hybrid motor or battery system
- No electrically adjustable steering column
AMG CLE
- RM175,912 lower purchase price
- 1 kWh hybrid battery with 20 hp electric motor
- Digital Light Matrix LEDs and electrically adjustable steering
- 443 hp is 80 hp down on the BMW
- 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time is 0.6 seconds slower
- Two doors, four seats and a 420-litre boot are less practical
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM898,800 | RM722,888✓ |
| Body type | Wagon | Coupe |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 523 hp✓ | 443 hp |
| Torque | 650 Nm | 650 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 20 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission | AMG Speedshift TCT 9G automatic transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.6 seconds✓ | 4.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,801 mm | 4,853 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 2,042 mm |
| Height | 1,446 mm | 1,434 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 2,875 mm |
| Weight | 1,925 kg | 2,000 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 65 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 420 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 265/35R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/30R20 | 295/30R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Continental SportContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport Differential | AMG Ride Control Suspension with Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, 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 | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors with High Beam Assist | Digital Light Matrix LEDs |
| 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 Side Memory Function | Powered Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | 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 | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,113✓ | RM2,128 |
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 & AMG CLE for sale
M3 Touring vs AMG CLE FAQ
Is the BMW M3 Touring or Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE better?
The BMW M3 Touring is better for outright performance and daily usability, with 523 hp, five seats and a 500-litre boot. The AMG CLE makes more sense if its RM175,912 lower price and coupe format matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 Touring costs RM898,800 and the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE costs RM722,888, so the BMW is RM175,912 more expensive.
Which is quicker, the BMW M3 Touring or Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE?
The BMW M3 Touring is quicker, reaching 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds versus 4.2 seconds for the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE. Both have a 250 km/h top speed and all-wheel drive.