Verdict
At RM898,800, the BMW M3 Touring costs RM611,890 more than the RM286,910 Volvo V60, and its RM2,113 annual road tax is far above the Volvo’s RM365. That money buys 523 hp, 650 Nm and a 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time, versus 316 hp, 400 Nm and 4.6 seconds. The V60 makes the more rational Malaysian wagon: its plug-in hybrid system has a 49-km EV range, it carries 529 litres and comes with a five-year/120,000-km warranty. The BMW is the choice for outright pace and its 500-litre wagon body, not running-cost restraint.
M3 Touring
Pick the BMW M3 Touring if 523 hp, 650 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 3.6-second 0-100 km/h sprint matter more than a RM611,890 saving.
V60
Pick the Volvo V60 if you want the RM286,910 plug-in hybrid wagon with 49 km of EV range, a larger 529-litre boot and five-year warranty cover.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 Touring RM898,800; Volvo V60 RM286,910.
- Output: BMW M3 Touring 523 hp and 650 Nm; Volvo V60 316 hp and 400 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW M3 Touring 3.6 seconds; Volvo V60 4.6 seconds.
- EV driving: BMW M3 Touring has no EV range; Volvo V60 has a 49-km EV range from an 11.6-kWh battery.
- Boot space: BMW M3 Touring 500 litres; Volvo V60 529 litres.
- Warranty: BMW M3 Touring two years with unlimited mileage; Volvo V60 five years/120,000 km.
M3 Touring
- 523 hp and 650 Nm
- 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- 14.9-inch display and 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- Costs RM611,890 more
- RM2,113 annual road tax versus RM365
- Smaller 500-litre boot and only a two-year warranty
V60
- 49-km EV range from its 11.6-kWh battery
- 529-litre boot and contactless powered tailgate
- Five-year/120,000-km warranty
- 4.6 seconds to 100 km/h versus 3.6 seconds
- 316 hp and 400 Nm trail the BMW’s 523 hp and 650 Nm
- Rear air-conditioning is limited to vents, versus the BMW’s single-zone rear climate control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM898,800 | RM286,910✓ |
| Body type | Wagon | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,113 | RM365✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, supercharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 523 hp✓ | 316 hp |
| Torque | 650 Nm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | — | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 86 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 240 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 11.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 49 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 3.7 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission | 8-Speed Geartronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.6 seconds✓ | 4.6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 2 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 46 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,801 mm | 4,761 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,446 mm | 1,432 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 2,872 mm |
| Weight | 1,925 kg | 2,041 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres | 529 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 235/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/30R20 | 235/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour | 19" 5-multi-spoke Two-Tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour | 19" 5-multi-spoke Two-Tone Alloy |
| 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 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian, Cyclist, Oncoming Vehicle and Large Animal Detection (4 to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Blind Spot Collision Mitigation, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Mitigation, Run-off Road Protection |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors with High Beam Assist | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| 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 Driver's Memory Function |
| 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 Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB-C |
| 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 | 9" Touchscreen Sensus Connect Infotainment System with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 16-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (600 W) |
| 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 Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Park Assist Pilot with Parallel and Perpendicular Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Boot Grocery Bag Holder |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 120,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 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 & V60 for sale
M3 Touring vs V60 FAQ
Is the BMW M3 Touring or Volvo V60 better?
The Volvo V60 is the better-value Malaysian wagon, with plug-in hybrid capability, 49 km of EV range, more boot space and longer warranty cover. Choose the BMW M3 Touring only if its 523 hp and 3.6-second sprint are central to the brief.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 Touring costs RM611,890 more than the Volvo V60.
Which wagon has more luggage space?
The Volvo V60 has the larger boot at 529 litres, 29 litres more than the BMW M3 Touring’s 500 litres. Both have five seats and five doors.