Verdict
The BMW M3 is in another performance bracket: 503 hp and 650 Nm cut the 0-100 km/h run to 3.5 seconds, versus 387 hp, 500 Nm and 4.4 seconds for the BMW 3 Series M. Its 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes also give the driver more scope than the BMW 3 Series M’s all-wheel-drive setup. But the BMW 3 Series M remains the more sensible Malaysian daily, with adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera and a 480-litre boot matching the M3’s capacity. The M3’s extra pace comes with a much heavier financial commitment.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want 387 hp performance with adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree monitor for easier daily driving.
M3
Pick the BMW M3 if you want 503 hp, a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time and selectable 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes.
Key differences
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp and 500 Nm; BMW M3 503 hp and 650 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series M 4.4 seconds; BMW M3 3.5 seconds.
- Dimensions: BMW 3 Series M 4,714 mm long and 1,827 mm wide; BMW M3 4,794 mm long and 1,903 mm wide.
- Kerb weight: BMW 3 Series M 1,800 kg; BMW M3 1,855 kg.
- Tyres: BMW 3 Series M uses 225/40R19 front and 255/35R19 rear tyres; BMW M3 uses 275/35R19 front and 285/30R20 rear tyres.
- Cruise control: BMW 3 Series M has adaptive cruise control; BMW M3 has passive cruise control.
3 Series M
- Adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree monitor.
- 14.9-inch BMW Curved Display and 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- 85 kg lighter than the BMW M3.
- 387 hp and 500 Nm trail the BMW M3’s 503 hp and 650 Nm.
- 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time is 0.9 seconds slower.
- No selectable 4WD Sport or 2WD driving modes.
M3
- 503 hp, 650 Nm and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes with an Active M Differential.
- Laser projector headlamps, rear cross traffic alert and rear collision prevention.
- Costs RM454,000 more than the BMW 3 Series M.
- 85 kg heavier and 76 mm wider, which matters in tight car parks.
- Passive cruise control rather than adaptive cruise control.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM392,800✓ | RM846,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,125 | RM2,113✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 2,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 387 hp | 503 hp✓ |
| Torque | 500 Nm | 650 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 84 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | 9.3 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds | 3.5 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 10.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 230 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,794 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,903 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,433 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 1,855 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 275/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 285/30R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 19" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 20" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering, M Sport Differential | Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential, 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD Modes |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 | 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 | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Attentiveness Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Prevention, Active Protection |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Laser Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| 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 and Bolster Adjustment | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| 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 | Rear AC Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Yes | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 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 |
| 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 Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation with Smartphone Key and Proximity Auto Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist |
| 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 | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | 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 3 Series M & M3 for sale
3 Series M vs M3 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or BMW M3 better?
The BMW M3 is better for outright performance, with 503 hp, 650 Nm and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h sprint. The BMW 3 Series M is the better daily-use choice if adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 costs RM846,800 and the BMW 3 Series M costs RM392,800, so the gap is RM454,000.
Which is easier to use every day in Malaysia?
The BMW 3 Series M is easier to live with on paper. It is 76 mm narrower, 85 kg lighter, and has adaptive cruise control plus a 360-degree monitor. Both have five seats and a 480-litre boot.
