Verdict
At RM846,800, the BMW M3 is RM47,912 dearer yet reaches 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, 0.3 seconds ahead of the AMG EQS. Its 503 hp 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol powertrain, 8-speed transmission and selectable 4WD/2WD modes suit the buyer who wants a compact executive sedan with a performance-led mechanical package. The Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS counters with 649 hp, 950 Nm, a 571-km EV range and 200-kW DC charging, plus 610 litres of boot space. For Malaysian daily use, its lower RM1,840 annual road tax also helps.
M3
Pick the BMW M3 if you want the quicker 3.5-second 0-100 km/h sprint, 250-km/h top speed and 4WD Sport or 2WD driving modes.
AMG EQS
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS if you want EV running, 571 km of stated range, a bigger cabin footprint and substantially richer rear-seat and driver-assistance equipment.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 RM846,800; Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS RM798,888.
- Power and torque: BMW M3 503 hp/650 Nm; Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS dual motors 649 hp/950 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: BMW M3 3.5 seconds/250 km/h; Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS 3.8 seconds/220 km/h.
- Length and wheelbase: BMW M3 4,794 mm/2,857 mm; Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS 5,216 mm/3,210 mm.
- Weight and boot space: BMW M3 1,855 kg/480 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS 2,700 kg/610 litres.
- Warranty: BMW M3 two years; Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS four years, plus a 10-year/250,000-km traction-battery warranty.
M3
- 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, 0.3 seconds quicker.
- 250-km/h top speed and 845 kg lighter kerb weight.
- Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential and selectable 4WD/2WD modes.
- 480-litre boot is 130 litres smaller.
- Lane keeping only warns, where the EQS provides steering correction.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty trails the EQS's four years.
AMG EQS
- 649 hp and 950 Nm from two electric motors.
- 108.4-kWh battery, 571-km range and 200-kW DC charging.
- Ventilated, heated and massage front seats, plus rear side airbags and a 360-degree camera.
- 3.8-second 0-100 km/h time is 0.3 seconds slower.
- 220-km/h top speed is 30 km/h lower.
- At 2,700 kg, it is 845 kg heavier.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM846,800 | RM798,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,113 | RM1,840✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 503 hp | — |
| Torque | 650 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 84 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 649 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 950 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 108.4 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 571 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 200 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds✓ | 3.8 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 10.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 220 km/h |
| Co2 | 230 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,794 mm | 5,216 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 1,926 mm |
| Height | 1,433 mm | 1,512 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 3,210 mm |
| Weight | 1,855 kg | 2,700 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 610 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 275/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/30R20 | 275/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat | Michelin Pilot Sport EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (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 | 21" AMG Cross-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 21" AMG Cross-spoke Light-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 | AIRMATIC with Adaptive Damping System (ADS Plus) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side, Rear Seat Belt Bag |
| 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 for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (up to 130 km/h) and Evasive Steering Assist (up to 108 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 | Pre-Safe, Pre-Safe Impulse Side, Driver Attention Monitor with Eye Tracking |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Laser Projectors with Auto High Beam | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam (Digital Light with Projection Function) |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power-adjustable Front Seats with Ventilation, Heating, Massage and Memory Functions |
| 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 6 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| 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 | 17.7" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 12.3" OLED Touchscreen for Front Passenger; 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmester 3D Surround 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 with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes |
| 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 | Front MBUX Interior Assistant, Fingerprint Scanner, Front Qi Wireless Charger, Front Wireless Headset |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 10 Years/250,000 km Warranty for Traction Battery |
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 EQS for sale
M3 vs AMG EQS FAQ
Is the BMW M3 or Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS better?
The AMG EQS is the stronger daily-use choice with 571 km of EV range, a 610-litre boot and more advanced assistance systems. Choose the M3 for its 3.5-second sprint, 250-km/h top speed and selectable 2WD mode.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS costs RM47,912 less, at RM798,888 versus RM846,800 for the BMW M3.
Which has the better warranty and lower annual road tax?
The AMG EQS has a four-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty and a 10-year/250,000-km battery warranty, versus two years for the M3. Its annual road tax is also lower at RM1,840 against RM2,113.