Verdict
The BMW M3 Touring is the more rational fast car for Malaysia: RM101,088 less buys 523 hp, 650 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time, against the AMG SL’s 375 hp, 480 Nm, rear-wheel drive and 4.9 seconds. Its five seats and 500-litre boot also make it far easier to use beyond a weekend. The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL answers with convertible motoring, a 275 km/h top speed and a four-year warranty, but its 240-litre boot and four-seat layout demand bigger compromises. The BMW’s RM2,113 annual road tax is its painful Malaysian drawback.
Pick the BMW M3 Touring if you need five seats, a 500-litre boot and the quicker 3.6-second sprint for less money.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL if an open-top four-seat grand tourer, 275 km/h top speed and lower annual road tax matter more than outright pace and luggage room.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 Touring RM898,800; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM999,888.
- Performance: BMW 523 hp, 650 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds; Mercedes 375 hp, 480 Nm and 4.9 seconds.
- Layout: BMW is a five-door, five-seat wagon; Mercedes is a two-door, four-seat convertible.
- Boot space: BMW 500 litres; Mercedes 240 litres.
- Driveline: BMW all-wheel drive; Mercedes rear-wheel drive.
- Annual road tax: BMW RM2,113; Mercedes RM376.
M3 Touring
- 523 hp and 650 Nm, with a 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Five seats, five doors and a 500-litre boot.
- RM101,088 lower purchase price.
- RM2,113 annual road tax versus RM376.
- 250 km/h top speed versus 275 km/h.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus four years.
AMG SL
- Convertible body and 275 km/h top speed.
- Four-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty.
- RM376 annual road tax.
- 375 hp and 480 Nm trail the BMW’s 523 hp and 650 Nm.
- 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.3 seconds behind the BMW.
- 240-litre boot and four seats versus 500 litres and five seats.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM898,800✓ | RM999,888 |
| Body type | Wagon | Convertible |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Grand Tourer |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Mild Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | 523 hp✓ | 375 hp |
| Torque | 650 Nm✓ | 480 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 13 hp |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Daimler |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.6 seconds✓ | 4.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 275 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,801 mm | 4,705 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 1,915 mm |
| Height | 1,446 mm | 1,359 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,925 kg | 1,810 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 240 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 275/35R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/30R20 | 305/30R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport Differential | Sports Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag |
| 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 Front Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | Both Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors with High Beam Assist | Digital Light LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Dynamic Light Design and Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory Function | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| 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 | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Driver Side Auto Up & Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Pop-out Door Handles |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | 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 | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,113 | RM376✓ |
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 SL for sale
M3 Touring vs AMG SL FAQ
Is the BMW M3 Touring or Mercedes-Benz AMG SL better?
The BMW M3 Touring is better for most buyers because it is quicker, more powerful, cheaper and vastly more practical with five seats and a 500-litre boot. Choose the AMG SL for convertible motoring, a higher top speed and lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL costs RM101,088 more than the BMW M3 Touring.
Which is cheaper to tax and own on Malaysian roads?
The AMG SL has the lower annual road tax at RM376, compared with RM2,113 for the M3 Touring. It also carries a four-year manufacturer warranty, while the BMW has two years; both have unlimited mileage coverage.