Verdict
The RM379,912 gap is substantial: the BMW M3 Touring costs RM898,800, but its 523 hp and 650 Nm cut the 0-100 km/h run to 3.6 seconds, against the Mercedes-Benz CLE’s 255 hp, 400 Nm and 6.2 seconds. The BMW is also the sensible performance-car choice for a family, with five seats, five doors and a 500-litre boot. The CLE counters with a 1 kWh hybrid battery, RM380 annual road tax and a four-year manufacturer warranty, while its RM518,888 price leaves a great deal of room in the budget.
Pick the BMW M3 Touring if 3.6-second pace, 523 hp and five-seat wagon practicality matter more than the RM379,912 price premium.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you want the far lower RM518,888 entry price, a coupe body and a four-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 Touring RM898,800; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888.
- Performance: BMW M3 Touring 523 hp, 650 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds; Mercedes-Benz CLE 255 hp, 400 Nm and 6.2 seconds.
- Practicality: BMW M3 Touring has five doors, five seats and a 500-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz CLE has two doors, four seats and a 460-litre boot.
- Annual road tax: BMW M3 Touring RM2,113; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM380.
- Manufacturer warranty: BMW M3 Touring two years; Mercedes-Benz CLE four years.
M3 Touring
- 523 hp and 650 Nm with a 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Five doors, five seats and a 500-litre boot.
- Adaptive M Suspension and M Sport Differential.
- Costs RM379,912 more.
- RM2,113 annual road tax versus RM380.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus four years.
CLE
- RM518,888 price and RM380 annual road tax.
- Four-year manufacturer warranty, extendable to six years.
- Heated and ventilated front seats, panoramic glass roof and 17-speaker Burmester audio.
- 255 hp and 400 Nm trail the BMW’s 523 hp and 650 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h takes 6.2 seconds, 2.6 seconds behind the BMW.
- Four seats and a 460-litre boot are less useful than the BMW’s five seats and 500 litres.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM898,800 | RM518,888✓ |
| 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 | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 523 hp✓ | 255 hp |
| Torque | 650 Nm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.6 seconds✓ | 6.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,801 mm | 4,850 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,446 mm | 1,428 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,925 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 460 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/30R20 | 275/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 Run-flat |
| 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 | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport Differential | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, 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 with Illumination and Front Belt Feeder |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for Rear 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 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 |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| 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, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| 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, 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 | Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| 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 | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | 6 years✓ |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,113 | RM380✓ |
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 & CLE for sale
M3 Touring vs CLE FAQ
Is the BMW M3 Touring or Mercedes-Benz CLE better?
The BMW M3 Touring is better for outright performance and carrying people or luggage, with 523 hp, a 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time, five seats and 500 litres of boot space. The CLE is the better lower-cost coupe.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 Touring costs RM898,800 and the Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM518,888, so the BMW commands a RM379,912 premium.
Which is more practical for family use?
The BMW M3 Touring is more practical. It has five doors, five seats, 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats and a 500-litre boot, while the CLE has two doors, four seats and 460 litres.