Verdict
The BMW M3 is the driver’s choice, delivering 503 hp, 650 Nm and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time against the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe’s 416 hp, 500 Nm and 4.8 seconds. But the M3 costs RM837,800, RM338,912 more, and its RM2,113 annual road tax dwarfs the GLC Coupe’s RM440. The Mercedes brings five doors, a 545-litre boot, steering lane correction and a 360-degree camera; its 4.8-second pace is still quick. For Malaysian family use, the CKD GLC Coupe is the rational call; the M3 earns its price only if its performance and chassis modes are central.
M3
Pick the BMW M3 if 503 hp, a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h run and selectable 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes matter more than price and luggage space.
AMG GLC Coupe
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe if you want five-door SUV practicality, a 545-litre boot and more driver assistance for RM338,912 less.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 RM837,800; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe RM498,888.
- Output: BMW M3 503 hp and 650 Nm; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe 416 hp and 500 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW M3 3.5 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe 4.8 seconds.
- Boot space: BMW M3 480 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe 545 litres.
- Annual road tax: BMW M3 RM2,113; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe RM440.
- Manufacturer warranty: BMW M3 two years; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe four years.
M3
- 503 hp, 650 Nm and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential and selectable drive modes.
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus reversing assist.
- RM338,912 dearer, with RM2,113 annual road tax versus RM440.
- 480-litre boot and four doors versus 545 litres and five doors.
- Warning-only lane keeping rather than steering correction.
AMG GLC Coupe
- RM338,912 lower purchase price and RM440 annual road tax.
- 545-litre boot, five doors and a 2,888-mm wheelbase.
- Steering lane correction, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera.
- 87 hp and 150 Nm down on the M3, with a 4.8-second versus 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Lacks the M3’s selectable 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM837,800 | RM498,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Mild Hybrid Assist |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 503 hp✓ | 416 hp |
| Torque | 650 Nm✓ | 500 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 84 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 13 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 150 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Daimler |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds✓ | 4.8 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 | 4,763 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,433 mm | 1,699 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 2,888 mm |
| Weight | 1,855 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 62 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 545 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 265/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/30R20 | 275/35R21 |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat | Continental SportContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 20" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 20" AMG Multi-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 | — |
| 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 | 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 2 Outer Rear 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with 4-Way Lumbar and Memory Function for Driver, Heating Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:20 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 Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Windows, Sunroof Shade |
| 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 | 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 | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 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 | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,113 | RM440✓ |
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 GLC Coupe for sale
M3 vs AMG GLC Coupe FAQ
Is the BMW M3 or Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe better?
The BMW M3 is better for outright performance, reaching 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds with 503 hp. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe is better for family use, costing far less while adding five doors, a larger boot and steering lane correction.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 costs RM338,912 more than the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe.
Which is more practical for a family?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC Coupe is more practical, with five doors, a 545-litre boot and a 1,699-mm height. The BMW M3 is a four-door sedan with a 480-litre boot and measures 1,433 mm tall.