BMW M3 vs BMW M4 Coupe
Verdict
The BMW M3 is the pragmatic buy for Malaysia: it costs RM41,000 less, yet matches the BMW M4 Coupe’s 650 Nm, all-wheel drive, 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time and 250 km/h top speed. The M4 Coupe gets the bigger number on paper with 530 hp against 503 hp, but that does not change the quoted sprint time. The M3 also seats five and has a 480-litre boot, while the M4 Coupe is a four-seater with 440 litres.
Pick the BMW M3 if you want the same quoted acceleration and top speed with five seats, a 480-litre boot and the lower price.
Pick the BMW M4 Coupe if you want the coupe body and 530 hp, and can live with four seats and 440 litres of boot space.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 RM 837,800; BMW M4 Coupe RM 878,800
- Body and seats: BMW M3 sedan with 5 seats; BMW M4 Coupe coupe with 4 seats
- Power: BMW M3 503 hp; BMW M4 Coupe 530 hp
- Dimensions: BMW M3 1,903 mm wide and 1,433 mm tall; BMW M4 Coupe 1,887 mm wide and 1,393 mm tall
- Boot space: BMW M3 480 litres; BMW M4 Coupe 440 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 837,800✓ | RM 878,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Coupe |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 2,993 cc | 2,993 cc |
| Power | 503 hp | 530 hp✓ |
| Torque | 650 Nm | 650 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 3.5 s | 3.5 s |
| Top speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 10.1 L/100km | — |
| CO₂ | 230 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,794 mm | 4,794 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 1,887 mm |
| Height | 1,433 mm | 1,393 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Boot space | 480 L✓ | 440 L |
| Fuel tank | 59 L | 59 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 2 |
| Road tax / year | RM 2,113 | RM 2,113 |
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.
M3
- Five-seat cabin
- Larger 480-litre boot
- Same 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time as the M4 Coupe
- Lower output at 503 hp
- Wider and taller than the M4 Coupe
- Sedan body, not a coupe
M4 Coupe
- Higher 530 hp output
- Coupe body style
- Same 650 Nm and all-wheel drive as the M3
- Four seats only
- Smaller 440-litre boot
- Costs RM41,000 more
M3 vs M4 Coupe FAQ
Is the BMW M3 or BMW M4 Coupe better?
For most buyers, the BMW M3 is better. It matches the M4 Coupe’s 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time, 250 km/h top speed, 650 Nm and all-wheel drive, while adding five seats and a larger boot for less money.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M4 Coupe costs RM41,000 more than the BMW M3, at RM878,800 versus RM837,800.
Which one is quicker?
Neither is quicker on the quoted figures. Both do 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and both have a 250 km/h top speed, although the BMW M4 Coupe has more power at 530 hp versus 503 hp.