Verdict
The BMW M3 is the more useful Malaysian performance car: four doors, five seats and a 480-litre boot give it a clear everyday edge over the M4 Coupe’s two doors, four seats and 440 litres. It also brings blind-spot monitoring, laser projectors and a sunroof. The M4 Coupe costs RM32,000 more, yet its 530 hp and 55 kg weight advantage do not improve the shared 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time. Choose the M4 for its coupe body and extra power; choose the M3 for the fuller equipment and family-friendly layout.
M3
Pick the BMW M3 if you need five seats, four doors and the larger 480-litre boot without giving up a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
M4 Coupe
Pick the BMW M4 Coupe if you want the two-door body, 530 hp and a 1,800 kg kerb weight.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 RM846,800; BMW M4 Coupe RM878,800.
- Power: BMW M3 503 hp; BMW M4 Coupe 530 hp.
- Kerb weight: BMW M3 1,855 kg; BMW M4 Coupe 1,800 kg.
- Doors and seats: BMW M3 four doors and five seats; BMW M4 Coupe two doors and four seats.
- Boot space: BMW M3 480 litres; BMW M4 Coupe 440 litres.
- Width and height: BMW M3 1,903 mm and 1,433 mm; BMW M4 Coupe 1,887 mm and 1,393 mm.
M3
- Five seats, four doors and a 480-litre boot.
- Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.
- Laser projectors, sunroof and 11-colour ambient lighting.
- 503 hp trails the M4 Coupe's 530 hp.
- At 1,855 kg, it is 55 kg heavier.
- Lane-keeping gives warnings only, versus steering correction in the M4 Coupe.
M4 Coupe
- 530 hp from the 2,993 cc twin-turbo petrol engine.
- 55 kg lighter at 1,800 kg.
- Lane-keeping steering correction and a 360-degree view monitor.
- Two doors and four seats, against the M3's four doors and five seats.
- 440-litre boot is 40 litres smaller.
- Lacks the M3's blind-spot monitoring, sunroof and rear cross traffic alert.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM846,800✓ | RM878,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Coupe |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,113 | RM2,113 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 2,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 503 hp | 530 hp✓ |
| Torque | 650 Nm | 650 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 84 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds | 3.5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 10.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| 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 |
| Weight | 1,855 kg | 1,800 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 440 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 275/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/30R20 | 285/35R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 19" M Forged Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 20" M Forged Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential, 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD Modes | M Adaptive Suspension |
| 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 | Manual for Front Passenger Door |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Attentiveness Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Prevention, Active Protection | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Laser Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Laserlight |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Powered Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Controller, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 12-speaker 360W Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-Speaker Harman Kardon 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 with Smartphone Key and Proximity Auto Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | — |
| 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 | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | 3 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 & M4 Coupe for sale
M3 vs M4 Coupe FAQ
Is the BMW M3 or BMW M4 Coupe better?
The BMW M3 is better for most buyers because it has five seats, four doors and a 480-litre boot while matching the M4 Coupe’s 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time. The M4 Coupe suits buyers who specifically want its two-door body and 530 hp.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M4 Coupe costs RM32,000 more than the BMW M3: RM878,800 versus RM846,800.
Which is more practical, the BMW M3 or BMW M4 Coupe?
The BMW M3 is substantially more practical. It has four doors, five seats and a 480-litre boot, compared with the BMW M4 Coupe’s two doors, four seats and 440-litre boot.