BMW M3 vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Verdict
At RM837,800 against RM738,888, the BMW M3 asks RM98,912 more and answers with 503 hp, 650 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is slower at 5.2 seconds, but it is the far bigger luxury sedan: 5,289 mm long, 3,216 mm between the axles, with powered rear seats, rear entertainment and a 100 km electric range from its 28.6 kWh battery. Road tax is almost the same, RM2,113 versus RM2,128, so the real choice is driver focus or rear-seat comfort.
M3
Pick the BMW M3 if you want the quicker, lighter sedan with 503 hp, all-wheel drive and a larger 480-litre boot.
S-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz S-Class if rear-seat comfort, plug-in hybrid running and a 4-year warranty matter more than outright pace.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 RM837,800; Mercedes-Benz S-Class RM738,888
- Output: BMW M3 503 hp/650 Nm; Mercedes-Benz S-Class 362 hp/500 Nm plus 147 hp/440 Nm motor
- 0-100 km/h: BMW M3 3.5 seconds; Mercedes-Benz S-Class 5.2 seconds
- Size: BMW M3 4,794 mm long with 2,857 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz S-Class 5,289 mm long with 3,216 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: BMW M3 480 litres; Mercedes-Benz S-Class 350 litres
- Rated economy and CO2: BMW M3 10.1 L/100 km and 230 g/km; Mercedes-Benz S-Class 1 L/100 km and 22 g/km
M3
- Much quicker: 3.5 seconds to 100 km/h versus 5.2 seconds
- Higher petrol engine output at 503 hp and 650 Nm
- Larger boot at 480 litres versus 350 litres
- Costs RM98,912 more
- Far higher rated fuel use and CO2: 10.1 L/100 km and 230 g/km versus 1 L/100 km and 22 g/km
- Shorter manufacturer warranty: 2 years versus 4 years
S-Class
- 100 km electric range from a 28.6 kWh lithium-ion battery
- Much more rear-seat equipment, including powered outer rear seats with heating, ventilation, massage and left-side ottoman
- More advanced driver assistance on paper, with steering correction lane-keeping and adaptive cruise with steering assist
- Slower to 100 km/h: 5.2 seconds versus 3.5 seconds
- Heavier at 2,385 kg versus 1,855 kg
- Smaller boot at 350 litres versus 480 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 837,800 | RM 738,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 24-valve DOHC with Electric Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 503 hp✓ | 362 hp |
| Torque | 650 Nm✓ | 500 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 84 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 147 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 440 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 28.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 100 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 60 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic | 9G-TRONIC |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds✓ | 5.2 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 10.1 L/100 km | 1 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 230 g/km | 22 g/km✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,794 mm | 5,289 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 1,954 mm |
| Height | 1,433 mm | 1,503 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 3,216 mm |
| Weight | 1,855 kg | 2,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 350 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 255/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/30R20 | 285/35R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 ZP |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| 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" Twin 10-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 20" Twin 10-spoke Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Cross-drilled Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Cross-drilled Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| 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 Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Rear Passengers, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Left Cushion |
| 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 with Illumination and Rear Belt Bags |
| 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, 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 | 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 Memory, Heating and Massage Functions; Pillow Headrests; Passenger Seat Adjustment from Rear Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Power Adjustable Outer Rear Seats with Memory, Heating, Ventilation, Massage and One-touch Recline Functions; Folding Rear Pillow Headrests with Built-in Neck Warmers; Powered Ottoman and Leg Rest for Left Seat with Massage Function; Centre Load-through |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Air Balance Perfume System and Ioniser |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 4 Front USB-C, 6 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Double Sun Visors, Powered Rear Windscreen and Rear Door Window Sunshades |
| 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 | 12.8" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 11" Rear Entertainment Displays; 7" Rear Android Tablet; 15-speaker Burmester 3D Surround Sound System (710 Watts) |
| 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 with Pop-out Door Handles |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist, Stop and Go and Speed Limit Assist |
| 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, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| 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 | MBUX Interior Assistant, Fingerprint Scanner, Front and Rear Qi Wireless Chargers, Rear Wireless Headsets |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| 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 S-Class FAQ
Is the BMW M3 or Mercedes-Benz S-Class better?
For driving, the BMW M3 is better: it is quicker, lighter and has all-wheel drive. For being driven, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is better, with a longer wheelbase, richer rear-seat equipment and plug-in hybrid electric running.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 costs RM98,912 more than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The gap buys stronger performance, but not more rear-seat luxury or lower running costs.
Which car is more efficient in Malaysia?
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is rated at 1 L/100 km with 22 g/km CO2 and has 100 km electric range. The BMW M3 is rated at 10.1 L/100 km and 230 g/km CO2.