Verdict
The BMW 3 Series is the sharper financial call for Malaysian buyers: its RM267,800 price is RM139,000 below the BMW X4’s, while its annual road tax is RM379 versus RM439. The X4 answers with 249 hp, 350 Nm and all-wheel drive, cutting the 0-100 km/h time to 6.3 seconds against 7.4 seconds. It also brings a 525-litre boot, panoramic sunroof and adaptive suspension. But the 3 Series remains far lighter at 1,590 kg and gets an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system plus pedestrian braking operating to 80 km/h.
The X4 xDrive30i M Sport Pro (RM406,800) sits above every 3 Series variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want to save RM139,000, retain a 480-litre boot and get pedestrian braking rated from 5-80 km/h.
Pick the BMW X4 if you want 249 hp, all-wheel drive, a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time and a larger 525-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; BMW X4 RM406,800.
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series 184 hp and 300 Nm; BMW X4 249 hp and 350 Nm.
- Driveline and acceleration: BMW 3 Series rear-wheel drive and 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds; BMW X4 all-wheel drive and 6.3 seconds.
- Dimensions and weight: BMW 3 Series is 4,709 mm long and 1,590 kg; BMW X4 is 4,751 mm long and 1,890 kg.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; BMW X4 525 litres.
- Wheels: BMW 3 Series 18-inch alloys with 225/45R18 tyres front and rear; BMW X4 21-inch alloys with 245/40R21 front and 275/35R21 rear tyres.
3 Series
- RM139,000 less expensive.
- 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
- Pedestrian braking operates from 5-80 km/h.
- 184 hp and 300 Nm trail the X4’s 249 hp and 350 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h takes 7.4 seconds, 1.1 seconds behind the X4.
- 480-litre boot is 45 litres smaller and there is no sunroof.
X4
- 249 hp, 350 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- 525-litre boot and powered contactless boot operation.
- Panoramic sunroof and adaptive suspension.
- Costs RM139,000 more.
- At 1,890 kg, it is 300 kg heavier.
- Pedestrian braking is rated from 5-60 km/h, versus 5-80 km/h in the 3 Series.
What the 3 Series has over the X4
What the X4 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 X4 is 91 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the X4: 525 litres against 480.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM406,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM439 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM2,735/mo✓ | RM4,155/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM7,276✓ | RM10,890 |
| Fuel / year (est.) | — | RM3,383 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | — | RM16.92 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | — | RM73,561 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Twin-Scroll Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp at 5,000 rpm | 249 hp at 5,200 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,350 rpm | 350 Nm at 1,450 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 82 mm × 94.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 10.2 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 8 Speed Steptronic Sport Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 6.3 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 8.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 192 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,751 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,918 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,621 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,864 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 65 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 525 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 275/35R21 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Pirelli P Zero Run-flat |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 24 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 19 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 21" Style 726 M 2-tone Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 21" Style 726 M 2-tone Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 60 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Collision Prevention |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Adaptive LED Projector with Automatic 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting (6 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 12.3" Touchscreen BMW Operating System 7.0 with iDrive Touch Controller, Voice Control and 16-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (464 Watts) |
| 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 Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| 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 | — | Auto-dimming Mirrors |
| 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used 3 Series & X4 for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW 3 Series
3 Series vs X4 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW X4 better?
The BMW 3 Series is better for the lower outlay and its 5-80 km/h pedestrian braking range. Choose the BMW X4 for its 249 hp, all-wheel drive, quicker 6.3-second sprint, panoramic sunroof and 525-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X4 costs RM139,000 more than the BMW 3 Series. Its annual road tax is also RM60 higher, at RM439 against RM379.
Which has the larger boot?
The BMW X4 has the larger boot at 525 litres, which is 45 litres more than the BMW 3 Series’ 480 litres. Both seat five and have 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
