Verdict
These CKD, rear-wheel-drive sedans share a 1,998 cc turbocharged four-cylinder and eight-speed automatic layout, but they serve different briefs. The BMW 5 Series is 351 mm longer, has a 49 mm longer wheelbase and adds mild-hybrid assistance for 208 hp and 330 Nm. Yet the lighter 1,590 kg BMW 3 Series reaches 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, 0.1 seconds ahead of the 5 Series. For Malaysian buyers, the 5 Series’ 490-litre boot, rear dual-zone air-con and active cruise control make it the more accommodating long-distance car; the 3 Series is the more compact choice with stronger audio hardware.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the smaller 4,709 mm sedan, a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time and an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you need the 5,060 mm body, 490-litre boot, rear dual-zone climate control and active cruise control with Stop & Go.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; BMW 5 Series RM340,800.
- Output: BMW 3 Series 184 hp and 300 Nm; BMW 5 Series 208 hp and 330 Nm.
- Acceleration: BMW 3 Series 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds; BMW 5 Series in 7.5 seconds.
- Length: BMW 3 Series 4,709 mm; BMW 5 Series 5,060 mm.
- Wheelbase: BMW 3 Series 2,851 mm; BMW 5 Series 2,900 mm.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; BMW 5 Series 490 litres.
3 Series
- 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time, versus 7.5 seconds.
- 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
- Auto parking with parallel, perpendicular and reversing assistance.
- Less power and torque: 184 hp/300 Nm against 208 hp/330 Nm.
- Single-zone rear air-con instead of dual-zone rear climate control.
- No 360-degree camera or active cruise control with Stop & Go.
5 Series
- 208 hp and 330 Nm with mild-hybrid assistance.
- 490-litre boot and 2,900 mm wheelbase.
- Active cruise control with lane keeping assistant and Stop & Go.
- RM73,000 more expensive.
- 0-100 km/h takes 7.5 seconds, against 7.4 seconds.
- 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio, versus the 3 Series’ 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM340,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp at 5,000 rpm | 208 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,350 rpm | 330 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 82 mm × 94.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | Eight-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds✓ | 7.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 230 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 5,060 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,515 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,900 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 490 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/45R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" Style-934 Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" Style-934 Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | LED Projector with Adaptive 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-Speaker 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 |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Active Lane keeping assistant and Stop & Go function |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| 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 | — |
| 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 | 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 & 5 Series for sale
3 Series vs 5 Series FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW 5 Series better?
The BMW 5 Series is better for rear-passenger comfort, luggage capacity and driver assistance, with rear dual-zone air-con, a 490-litre boot and active cruise control. The BMW 3 Series is better if a smaller body, quicker 0-100 km/h time and 18-speaker audio matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 5 Series costs RM73,000 more than the BMW 3 Series: RM340,800 versus RM267,800.
Which is quicker, the BMW 3 Series or BMW 5 Series?
The BMW 3 Series is quicker to 100 km/h, recording 7.4 seconds against the BMW 5 Series’ 7.5 seconds, despite the 5 Series producing 208 hp and 330 Nm versus 184 hp and 300 Nm.
