Verdict
At RM325,800, the BMW X3 is only RM6,912 dearer than the RM318,888 MINI Convertible, but they solve very different jobs. The X3 gives Malaysian families five doors, five seats, AWD, a 570-litre boot and a 2,865 mm wheelbase. The MINI hits back hard on pace: 204 hp, 6.9 seconds to 100 km/h and 237 km/h, against the BMW’s 188 hp, 8.5 seconds and 215 km/h. Buy space or buy open-top speed.
Pick the BMW X3 if you need five-seat SUV practicality, AWD traction, a much bigger boot and stronger rear-seat usability.
Pick the MINI Convertible if you want the quicker, smaller, two-door car with open-top character and stronger on-paper performance.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X3 RM325,800; MINI Convertible RM318,888
- Power and torque: BMW X3 188 hp/310 Nm; MINI Convertible 204 hp/300 Nm
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: BMW X3 8.5 seconds/215 km/h; MINI Convertible 6.9 seconds/237 km/h
- Driveline and gearbox: BMW X3 AWD with 8-speed automatic; MINI Convertible FWD with 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
- Size and seating: BMW X3 4,755 mm long with 5 seats; MINI Convertible 3,879 mm long with 4 seats
- Boot space: BMW X3 570 litres; MINI Convertible 215 litres
X3
- Far more practical: five doors, five seats and 570 litres of boot space
- AWD and 310 Nm give it the stronger traction-and-torque brief
- Rear air-con, powered front seats and contactless powered boot add daily-use convenience
- Slower: 8.5 seconds to 100 km/h versus 6.9 seconds
- Costs RM6,912 more to buy and RM60 more per year in road tax
- Only 188 hp, while the MINI Convertible has 204 hp
Convertible
- Quicker on paper, with 6.9 seconds to 100 km/h and 237 km/h top speed
- More power from the same 1,998 cc capacity: 204 hp versus 188 hp
- Harman Kardon audio and a 9.4-inch OLED display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Much less practical: two doors, four seats and a 215-litre boot
- Front-wheel drive only, while the BMW X3 has AWD
- Lane-keeping is warning only, while the BMW X3 has steering correction
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM325,800 | RM318,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Convertible |
| Segment | Compact Executive | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM379✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 16 valve, DOHC, variable intake and exhaust cam timing, variable intake valve lift, twin-scroll turbo |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp | 204 hp✓ |
| Torque | 310 Nm✓ | 300 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Steptronic | 7-speed Steptronic Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds | 6.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 215 km/h | 237 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,755 mm | 3,879 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,744 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,431 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,495 mm |
| Fuel Tank | — | 44 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 570 litres✓ | 215 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | United Kingdom (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 18" Night Flash Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 18" Night Flash Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags | Driver and Passenger, 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 Front Passenger and Outer Two Rear Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | Manual Adjustable |
| 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 | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 6 Speaker | 9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon 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 Flip Switch |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 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 X3 & Convertible for sale
X3 vs Convertible FAQ
Is the BMW X3 or MINI Convertible better?
The BMW X3 is better for daily family use: five seats, AWD and 570 litres of boot space. The MINI Convertible is better if performance and open-top driving matter more, with 204 hp and a 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X3 costs RM6,912 more than the MINI Convertible. It also has higher annual road tax, at RM439 versus RM379.
Which car is faster, the BMW X3 or MINI Convertible?
The MINI Convertible is faster. It does 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and reaches 237 km/h, while the BMW X3 takes 8.5 seconds and tops out at 215 km/h.