Verdict
The BMW 3 Series M is the rational Malaysian pick at RM392,800, leaving RM454,000 in hand while still delivering 387 hp, 500 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The BMW M3 earns its far higher RM846,800 asking with 503 hp, 650 Nm and a 3.5-second sprint, plus 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes. But both have five seats, a 480-litre boot and the same 250 km/h top speed. Choose the M3 for its much harder performance edge; choose the 3 Series M for the far smaller outlay and stronger driver-assistance kit.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want 387 hp, all-wheel drive and adaptive cruise control without stepping up to RM846,800.
M3
Pick the BMW M3 if 503 hp, 650 Nm, a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time and selectable 4WD/2WD driving modes justify the RM454,000 gap.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM392,800; BMW M3 RM846,800
- Output: 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 and weight: BMW 3 Series M 4,714 mm long and 1,800 kg; BMW M3 4,794 mm long and 1,855 kg
- Driver assistance: BMW 3 Series M has adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping steering correction; BMW M3 has passive cruise control and lane-departure…
- Parking visibility: BMW 3 Series M gets a 360-degree monitor; BMW M3 gets a reverse camera
3 Series M
- RM454,000 less expensive
- Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping steering correction
- 360-degree parking monitor and 55 kg lower weight
- 387 hp and 500 Nm trail the M3's 503 hp and 650 Nm
- 0-100 km/h takes 4.4 seconds versus 3.5 seconds
- No selectable 4WD Sport or 2WD modes
M3
- 503 hp, 650 Nm and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes
- Laser projectors, pedestrian detection and rear cross-traffic alert
- Costs RM454,000 more
- Passive cruise control and lane-departure warning are less capable than adaptive cruise control with steering correction
- No 360-degree monitor; it has a reverse camera
| 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 at 5,800 rpm | 503 hp at 6,250 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 500 Nm at 1,900 rpm | 650 Nm at 2,750 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 6 | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 84 mm × 90 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 | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (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 | 3 years | 3 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 time. The BMW 3 Series M is the more sensible buy if its 387 hp and 4.4-second sprint are sufficient, because it costs far less.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 costs RM454,000 more than the BMW 3 Series M: RM846,800 against RM392,800.
Which is easier to live with in daily Malaysian driving?
The BMW 3 Series M has the stronger daily-use assistance package: adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping steering correction and a 360-degree monitor. The M3 is 80 mm longer, 76 mm wider and 55 kg heavier, although both retain five seats and a 480-litre boot.
