Verdict
The RM46,000 gap is substantial: the BMW 3 Series buys rear-wheel drive, 300 Nm from 1,350 rpm and a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time, against the Camry’s 246 Nm at 4,200 rpm and 8.9 seconds. It also gets a 14.9-inch display, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio and automated parking. But the Toyota brings a larger 524-litre boot, seven airbags, adaptive cruise control and a five-year warranty, while annual road tax is RM488 higher. For a Malaysian buyer, the BMW is the faster, more feature-led choice; the Camry is the more practical long-warranty sedan.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want rear-wheel drive, 300 Nm turbo torque and a quicker 7.4-second 0-100 km/h run.
Pick the Toyota Camry if you need the 524-litre boot, seven airbags, adaptive cruise control and five years of warranty cover.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; Toyota Camry RM221,800.
- Performance: BMW 3 Series 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and 235 km/h; Toyota Camry 8.9 seconds and 210 km/h.
- Torque: BMW 3 Series 300 Nm at 1,350 rpm; Toyota Camry 246 Nm at 4,200 rpm.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; Toyota Camry 524 litres.
- Safety warranty: BMW 3 Series has 6 airbags and a 2-year warranty; Toyota Camry has 7 airbags and a 5-year warranty.
- Road tax: BMW 3 Series RM379 per year; Toyota Camry RM867 per year.
3 Series
- 300 Nm turbo torque from 1,350 rpm and 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Rear-wheel drive and 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic.
- 14.9-inch BMW Curved Display, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio and auto parking.
- RM46,000 dearer to buy.
- 480-litre boot is 44 litres smaller.
- Six airbags versus the Camry’s seven, with a shorter two-year warranty.
Camry
- 524-litre boot and 7 airbags.
- Adaptive cruise control and 360-degree camera.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time trails the BMW’s 7.4 seconds.
- 246 Nm arrives at 4,200 rpm, versus 300 Nm at 1,350 rpm in the BMW.
- RM867 annual road tax is RM488 more.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800 | RM221,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM867 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with dual variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp at 5,000 rpm | 201 hp at 6,600 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,350 rpm✓ | 246 Nm at 4,200 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 87.5 mm × 103.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | Direct Shift 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds✓ | 8.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,920 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,825 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 1,565 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 524 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 235/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | Space Saver |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| 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) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, 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 two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full 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 | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Power Adjustable 4-way Ottoman Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | Fixed Rear Seats |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Rear Sun Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 12.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 9-speaker JBL 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 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 | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 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 & Camry for sale
3 Series vs Camry FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or Toyota Camry better?
The BMW 3 Series is better for outright pace, rear-wheel drive and higher-end cabin equipment. The Toyota Camry is better for boot capacity, airbag count, adaptive cruise control and its five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series costs RM267,800 and the Toyota Camry costs RM221,800, so the BMW costs RM46,000 more.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The BMW 3 Series has lower annual road tax at RM379. The Toyota Camry costs RM867 per year, a RM488 difference.
