Verdict
At RM267,800, the BMW 3 Series costs RM17,000 more than the RM250,800 BMW iX1, but it is the quicker choice: 0-100 km/h takes 7.4 seconds against 8.6 seconds, and rear-wheel drive suits the traditional sports-sedan brief. The iX1 answers with a 66.5 kWh battery, 475 km EV range and lower RM160 annual road tax versus RM379. It is also 209 mm taller and has a marginally larger 490-litre boot, so it makes more sense for buyers who need SUV access and can charge regularly.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the faster 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time, rear-wheel drive and a longer 2,851 mm wheelbase sedan.
Pick the BMW iX1 if you can charge at home or work and want 475 km of EV range, RM160 annual road tax and SUV height.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; BMW iX1 RM250,800
- Performance: BMW 3 Series 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds; BMW iX1 in 8.6 seconds
- Powertrain: BMW 3 Series 184 hp/300 Nm 1,998 cc turbo petrol; BMW iX1 204 hp/250 Nm electric motor
- Range/energy storage: BMW 3 Series 59-litre fuel tank; BMW iX1 66.5 kWh battery with 475 km EV range
- Road tax: BMW 3 Series RM379 per year; BMW iX1 RM160 per year
- Dimensions: BMW 3 Series 1,435 mm tall with 480-litre boot; BMW iX1 1,642 mm tall with 490-litre boot
3 Series
- Faster 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- Rear-wheel drive with an eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic
- Longer 2,851 mm wheelbase and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio
- Costs RM17,000 more
- Higher RM379 annual road tax
- No EV-only 475 km driving range or 11 kW/130 kW charging
iX1
- 475 km EV range from a 66.5 kWh battery
- RM160 annual road tax
- Adaptive M Suspension, active cruise control with Stop&Go and 360-degree camera
- Slower 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Front-wheel drive rather than rear-wheel drive
- Shorter 2,692 mm wheelbase
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800 | RM250,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM160✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | — |
| Torque | 300 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 204 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 250 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 66.5 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 475 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 130 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds✓ | 8.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 170 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,500 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,845 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,642 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,692 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 2,085 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 | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive M Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Front, front-side, rear |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | 2 on outer rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Front Collision Warning |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Yes |
| Safety Notes | — | Driving Assistant Plus |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Adaptive LED |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Electric Seat Adjustment with Memory for Driver |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 60/40 split |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | Front 12V, Qi Wireless charging tray |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | Dual front |
| Sun Shade | — | Yes |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Controller, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and 16-speaker, 464W Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Yes |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Electric |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes with 360 view |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Parking Assistant Plus |
| 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 | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | Add RM13,430 for 5 year warranty and service package, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 & iX1 for sale
3 Series vs iX1 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW iX1 better?
The 3 Series is better for outright pace and rear-wheel-drive sedan dynamics, reaching 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. The iX1 is better for lower road tax, EV driving and SUV practicality, with 475 km range and a 490-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series is RM17,000 dearer than the BMW iX1: RM267,800 against RM250,800.
Can the BMW iX1 handle regular longer journeys?
Its quoted EV range is 475 km, and it supports 11 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging. It suits longer trips if charging is available along the route; the 3 Series instead carries 59 litres of petrol.
