Verdict
At RM837,800, the BMW M3 costs RM350,200 less yet brings 503 hp, 650 Nm and all-wheel drive for a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h sprint. It is the clear driver’s car, with Adaptive M Suspension, an Active M Differential and selectable 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes. The Lexus LS answers with a much longer 3,125 mm wheelbase, air suspension and serious rear-seat hardware: 18-way adjustment, heating, ventilation, touchscreen controls and sunshades. For Malaysian buyers who will be chauffeured, that cabin focus matters more than the LS’s 5.0-second sprint.
M3
Pick the BMW M3 if 503 hp, 3.5-second acceleration, all-wheel-drive traction and a RM350,200 lower purchase price matter more than rear-seat luxury.
LS
Pick the Lexus LS if you want the longer-wheelbase limousine experience, air suspension, massaging ventilated seats and a five-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 RM837,800; Lexus LS RM1,188,000.
- Performance: BMW M3 503 hp, 650 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds; Lexus LS 415 hp, 600 Nm and 5.0 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW M3 all-wheel drive with 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes; Lexus LS rear-wheel drive.
- Wheelbase: BMW M3 2,857 mm; Lexus LS 3,125 mm.
- Fuel economy: BMW M3 10.1 L/100 km; Lexus LS 9.5 L/100 km.
- Warranty: BMW M3 two years manufacturer warranty; Lexus LS five years manufacturer warranty.
M3
- 503 hp and 650 Nm with a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- All-wheel drive, Active M Differential and selectable drive modes.
- RM350,200 cheaper with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Rear seats lack the LS’s power adjustment, heating, ventilation, touchscreen and sunshades.
- 10.1 L/100 km rated economy versus the LS’s 9.5 L/100 km.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years.
LS
- 3,125 mm wheelbase and air suspension.
- 28-way front seats with heating, ventilation and massage.
- Rear occupants get 18-way seats, heating, ventilation, touchscreen controls and powered shades.
- RM350,200 more expensive.
- 415 hp and 600 Nm trail the M3’s 503 hp and 650 Nm, with 0-100 km/h taking 5.0 seconds instead of 3.5 seconds.
- RM4,133 annual road tax versus RM2,113.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM837,800✓ | RM1,188,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 24-valve DOHC, twin-turbocharged with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 3,445 cc |
| Horsepower | 503 hp✓ | 415 hp |
| Torque | 650 Nm✓ | 600 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 84 mm | 85.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3 | 10.476 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic | 10-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 10 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds✓ | 5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 10.1 L/100 km | 9.5 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 230 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,794 mm | 5,235 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,433 mm | 1,450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | 1,855 kg | 2,155 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 82 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 245/45RF20 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/30R20 | 245/45RF20 |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 20" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 20" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential, 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD Modes | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Attentiveness Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Prevention, Active Protection | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) with Auto Brake and Rear Pedestrian Detection with Auto Brake |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Laser Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| 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 Memory Function | 28-way Power Adjustable Seats with Memory, Heating, Ventilation and Massage |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 18-way Power Adjustable Seats with Centre Armrest, Rear Touchscreen, Heating and Ventilation |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 2 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Sun Shade and Rear Door Window Shades |
| 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 | 12.3" Display with Lexus Remote Touch Controller, Navigation, USB, Bluetooth, WiFi and Pioneer 12-speaker Sound System |
| 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 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Soft close function, all doors |
| 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 | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,113✓ | RM4,133 |
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 & LS for sale
M3 vs LS FAQ
Is the BMW M3 or Lexus LS better?
The BMW M3 is better for outright pace and driver-focused hardware, reaching 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds. The Lexus LS is better as a chauffeur-oriented luxury sedan, with air suspension and far more elaborate rear-seat equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LS costs RM350,200 more than the BMW M3: RM1,188,000 against RM837,800.
Which is better for rear passengers?
The Lexus LS. Its rear seats have 18-way power adjustment, heating, ventilation, a centre-armrest touchscreen and powered rear and rear-door sunshades; the M3 has a 40:20:40 split-folding rear bench.