Verdict
The BMW M3 is the sharper all-round choice if the RM123,912 premium is within reach. Its 503 hp and 650 Nm cut the 0-100 km/h time to 3.5 seconds, 0.7 seconds ahead of the AMG CLE’s 443 hp, 560 Nm and 4.2 seconds. It also brings four doors, five seats and a 480-litre boot, versus the CLE’s two doors, four seats and 420 litres. The Mercedes counters with a 20 hp electric motor, adaptive cruise control, steering lane correction and a 360-degree camera. For Malaysian family use and outright pace, take the M3.
M3
Pick the BMW M3 if you need five seats and a 480-litre boot alongside 503 hp, 650 Nm and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
AMG CLE
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE if you want to spend less on a two-door coupe with a 20 hp electric motor, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 RM846,800; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE RM722,888.
- Power and torque: BMW M3 503 hp and 650 Nm; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 443 hp and 560 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW M3 3.5 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 4.2 seconds.
- Doors and seats: BMW M3 four doors and five seats; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE two doors and four seats.
- Boot space: BMW M3 480 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 420 litres.
- Kerb weight: BMW M3 1,855 kg; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 2,000 kg.
M3
- 503 hp and 650 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds.
- Four doors, five seats and a 480-litre boot.
- Adaptive M Suspension plus 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes.
- RM123,912 dearer.
- Lane-keeping gives warning only, versus the CLE’s steering correction.
- No 360-degree camera; the CLE has one.
AMG CLE
- RM123,912 lower entry price.
- Adaptive cruise control and steering lane correction.
- 20 hp electric motor, 15-speaker Burmester audio and 360-degree camera.
- 443 hp and 560 Nm trail the M3’s 503 hp and 650 Nm.
- 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time is 0.7 seconds slower.
- Two doors, four seats and a 420-litre boot are less practical.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM846,800 | RM722,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Coupe |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,113✓ | RM2,128 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 503 hp✓ | 443 hp |
| Torque | 650 Nm✓ | 560 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 84 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 20 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic | AMG Speedshift TCT 9G automatic transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds✓ | 4.2 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 | 4,853 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 2,042 mm |
| Height | 1,433 mm | 1,434 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 2,875 mm |
| Weight | 1,855 kg | 2,000 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 65 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 420 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 265/35R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/30R20 | 295/30R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat | Continental SportContact 7 |
| 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 | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys |
| 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 | AMG Ride Control Suspension with Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 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 | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Attentiveness Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Prevention, Active Protection | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Laser Projectors with Auto High Beam | 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 Memory Function | Powered Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 50:50 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 | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C 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 |
| 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 | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-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 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 |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| 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 | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 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 & AMG CLE for sale
M3 vs AMG CLE FAQ
Is the BMW M3 or Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE better?
The BMW M3 is better for pace and everyday utility: it has 503 hp, reaches 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, and carries five people with a 480-litre boot. The AMG CLE suits buyers prioritising lower cost and coupe style.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 costs RM123,912 more than the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE.
Which is more practical for passengers and luggage?
The BMW M3 is more practical, with four doors, five seats and 480 litres of boot space. The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE has two doors, four seats and a 420-litre boot.