Verdict
At RM267,800, the locally assembled 3 Series is RM111,000 cheaper and carries RM379 annual road tax, against RM765 for the CBU iX3. It is also 695 kg lighter and reaches a higher 235 km/h, but the iX3 is the far quicker machine: its two motors make 463 hp and 645 Nm for 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, versus 184 hp, 300 Nm and 7.4 seconds. Malaysian buyers who can charge will appreciate the iX3’s 726 km range, 400 kW DC charging and 520-litre boot; the 3 Series remains the less costly sedan choice.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if RM111,000 in upfront savings, lower RM379 road tax and a lighter rear-wheel-drive sedan matter more than EV pace and charging.
Pick the BMW iX3 if you can charge regularly and want 463 hp, 726 km range, all-wheel drive and a roomier 520-litre SUV boot.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; BMW iX3 RM378,800.
- Performance: 3 Series 184 hp, 300 Nm and 7.4 seconds to 100 km/h; iX3 463 hp, 645 Nm and 4.9 seconds.
- Running tax: 3 Series road tax is RM379 per year; iX3 road tax is RM765 per year.
- Energy and range: 3 Series has a 59-litre petrol tank; iX3 has a 113.4 kWh battery and 726 km range.
- Charging: 3 Series has no charging provision; iX3 supports 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC charging.
- Practicality: 3 Series boot is 480 litres; iX3 boot is 520 litres.
3 Series
- RM111,000 cheaper to buy.
- 695 kg lighter at 1,590 kg.
- Higher 235 km/h top speed.
- Slower 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time versus 4.9 seconds.
- Smaller 480-litre boot versus 520 litres.
- No all-wheel drive, panoramic sunroof or 360-degree camera.
iX3
- 463 hp and 645 Nm from two motors.
- 726 km claimed range with 400 kW DC charging.
- 520-litre boot, active cruise control with Stop&Go and 360-degree camera.
- RM111,000 dearer to buy.
- RM765 annual road tax, versus RM379.
- At 2,285 kg, it is 695 kg heavier and its top speed is 210 km/h.
What the 3 Series has over the iX3
What the iX3 has over the 3 Series
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The iX3 is 68 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the iX3: 520 litres against 480.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM378,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM765 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM2,735/mo✓ | RM3,865/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM7,276✓ | RM10,097 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | — | RM1,388 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | — | RM6.94 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | — | RM61,248 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | — | 5.2 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | — | 20 min |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 6th-generation BMW eDrive, 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 184 hp at 5,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,350 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 463 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 645 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 113.4 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 726 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 400 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.7 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 4.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,782 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,895 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,897 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 2,285 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 520 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 255/35R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 275/35R22 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | — |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 24 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 19 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Hungary (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 22" Alloys (9J) |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 22" Alloys (9.5J) |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger 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, with High-beam Assistant |
| 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 | M Sport Seats, Power Adjustable with Driver Memory |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | 3-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, with Climate Comfort Glazing |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Ambient Light |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | Harman Kardon 13 Speakers (430W); 17.9" Central Display + 43.3" Panoramic Vision, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wireless Charging |
| 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 (Comfort Access) |
| 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 Stop&Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | Yes |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | Yes |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes, Parking Assistant Professional with Remote Control Parking |
| 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 | — | Flexible Fast Charger (Mode 2) included; Drive Recorder and Remote Theft Recorder; Intelligent Personal Assistant |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | RM399,800 with 5-year extended warranty and service package |
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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used 3 Series & iX3 for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW 3 Series
BMW iX3
3 Series vs iX3 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW iX3 better?
The iX3 is better for outright performance, EV range, SUV practicality and charging capability: 463 hp, 4.9 seconds to 100 km/h and 726 km range. The 3 Series is the better-value choice at RM111,000 less, with lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX3 costs RM378,800 and the BMW 3 Series costs RM267,800, so the iX3 is RM111,000 more expensive.
Which is faster, the BMW 3 Series or BMW iX3?
The BMW iX3 is faster, reaching 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds versus 7.4 seconds for the BMW 3 Series. It also produces 463 hp and 645 Nm, against 184 hp and 300 Nm.
How long does charging take?
The iX3's 113.4 kWh battery takes about 5.2 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 20 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 400 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The 3 Series is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the iX3 is fully imported (CBU) from Hungary. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.
