Verdict
At RM368,690, the Denza Z9 GT undercuts the RM898,800 BMW M3 Touring by RM530,110, while delivering 1,140 hp, 1,210 Nm and a 2.7-second 0-100 km/h time. Its 122.49-kWh battery, 600-km range and 1,500-kW DC charging figure suit buyers ready for an EV, although annual road tax is a steep RM9,140. The BMW costs far more but weighs 970 kg less, reaches 250 km/h and brings a 523-hp 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six with an eight-speed automatic. Choose the M3 for its petrol performance character; the Denza is the far roomier, better-equipped financial proposition.
Pick the BMW M3 Touring if you want a 1,925-kg petrol wagon with a 523-hp twin-turbo straight-six, 250-km/h top speed and RM2,113 annual road tax.
Pick the Denza Z9 GT if you want 1,140 hp, a 600-km EV range, 2.7-second acceleration and much more rear-seat equipment for RM530,110 less.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 Touring RM898,800; Denza Z9 GT RM368,690.
- Power and torque: BMW 523 hp and 650 Nm; Denza 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3.6 seconds; Denza 2.7 seconds.
- Size: BMW 4,801 mm long with a 2,857-mm wheelbase; Denza 5,180 mm long with a 3,125-mm wheelbase.
- Kerb weight: BMW 1,925 kg; Denza 2,895 kg.
- Annual road tax: BMW RM2,113; Denza RM9,140.
M3 Touring
- 523-hp 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six and eight-speed automatic.
- 970 kg lighter than the Denza Z9 GT.
- 250-km/h top speed and 500-litre boot.
- RM530,110 more expensive than the Denza Z9 GT.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 3.6 seconds versus 2.7 seconds.
- No ventilated or massaging front seats, powered rear seats or panoramic sunroof.
Z9 GT
- 1,140 hp, 1,210 Nm and 2.7-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
- 122.49-kWh battery, 600-km range, 11-kW AC and 1,500-kW DC charging.
- Powered rear seats with leg rests, front-seat ventilation and massage, plus front and rear fridges.
- 970 kg heavier than the BMW M3 Touring.
- 240-km/h top speed is 10 km/h lower than the BMW's 250 km/h.
- 495-litre boot is 5 litres smaller than the BMW's.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM898,800 | RM368,690✓ |
| Body type | Wagon | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,113✓ | RM9,140 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 1,000V architecture (e3 Platform) |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 523 hp at 6,250 rpm | — |
| Torque | 650 Nm at 2,750 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 6 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Number of Motors | — | 3 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 1,140 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 1,210 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 122.49 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 600 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 1,500 kW |
| V2L | — | 4 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.6 seconds | 2.7 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 240 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,801 mm | 5,180 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 1,990 mm |
| Height | 1,446 mm | 1,490 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | 1,925 kg | 2,895 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 495 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 225/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/30R20 | 225/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Continental EcoContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour | 20" Y-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour | 20" Y-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport Differential | DiSus-A Intelligent Dual Chamber Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 9 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors with High Beam Assist | LED Projectors |
| 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 Side Memory Function | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation, Memory and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Powered Rear Seats with Extendable Leg Rests |
| 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 |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 Wireless Charger Front, 1 Wireless Chargers Rear, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 17.3" Touchscreen with Google Automotive Services Built-in, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Devialet Sound System, 13.2" Front Passenger Touchscreen |
| 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 | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes, e3 Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Front and Rear Fridges |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 6 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-years/160,000 km Drivetrain and High Voltage 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 M3 Touring & Z9 GT for sale
M3 Touring vs Z9 GT FAQ
Is the BMW M3 Touring or Denza Z9 GT better?
The Denza Z9 GT is the better buy on numbers: it costs RM530,110 less, accelerates to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds and has a 600-km EV range. The BMW M3 Touring suits buyers who specifically want its 523-hp petrol straight-six and lower RM2,113 road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 Touring costs RM898,800 and the Denza Z9 GT costs RM368,690, so the BMW is RM530,110 more expensive.
Which has more space and rear-seat equipment?
The Denza Z9 GT is 379 mm longer and has a 268-mm longer wheelbase. It also gets powered rear seats with extendable leg rests, dual-zone rear air-conditioning and rear fridges; the BMW has 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
