BMW M3 vs Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE
Verdict
The BMW M3 costs RM837,800 against the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE at RM722,888, so the RM114,912 gap buys a lot of hard performance: 503 hp versus 443 hp, and 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds rather than 4.2. Both have 650 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 250 km/h top speed, so the AMG CLE is not short on pace. The BMW is also the more practical car with five seats and a 480-litre boot; the Mercedes counters with coupe style, seven airbags and a 65-litre tank.
Pick the BMW M3 if you want the quicker, more powerful car and need five seats with the larger 480-litre boot.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE if you want to spend RM114,912 less, prefer a coupe body and can live with four seats and 420 litres of boot space.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 RM837,800; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE RM722,888
- Power and torque: BMW M3 503 hp/650 Nm; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 443 hp/650 Nm
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: BMW M3 3.5 s/250 km/h; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 4.2 s/250 km/h
- Body and seats: BMW M3 sedan/5 seats; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE coupe/4 seats
- Boot and fuel tank: BMW M3 480 L/59 L; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 420 L/65 L
- Size: BMW M3 4,794 mm long and 1,903 mm wide; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 4,853 mm long and 2,042 mm wide
M3
- 503 hp and 3.5-second 0-100 km/h run
- Five seats and a 480-litre boot
- Lower listed road tax at RM2,113 per year
- Costs RM114,912 more
- Six airbags versus seven in the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE
- Smaller 59-litre fuel tank
AMG CLE
- RM114,912 cheaper
- Seven airbags
- 65-litre fuel tank and 1.0 kWh hybrid battery
- Slower 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- Four seats and a smaller 420-litre boot
- No stated fuel economy or CO₂ figure against the BMW M3’s 10.1 L/100 km and 230 g/km
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 837,800 | RM 722,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Coupe |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Engine | 2,993 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Power | 503 hp✓ | 443 hp |
| Torque | 650 Nm | 650 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 3.5 s✓ | 4.2 s |
| Top speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 10.1 L/100km | — |
| Battery | — | 1.0 kWh |
| 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 |
| Boot space | 480 L✓ | 420 L |
| Fuel tank | 59 L | 65 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 7✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 2 |
| Road tax / year | RM 2,113✓ | RM 2,128 |
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 vs AMG CLE FAQ
Is the BMW M3 or Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE better?
The BMW M3 is better for performance and practicality: 503 hp, 3.5 seconds to 100 km/h, five seats and 480 litres. The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE is better if price, coupe styling and seven airbags matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE is RM114,912 cheaper than the BMW M3. That saving comes with less power, a slower 0-100 km/h time, four seats and a smaller boot.
Which car is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The BMW M3 is quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE takes 4.2 seconds. Both are all-wheel drive and both have a 250 km/h top speed.