Verdict
The BMW M3 Touring is the more rationally rapid Malaysian choice: RM898,800 buys 523 hp, 650 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time, while its five seats and 500-litre boot make it far easier to use every day. The RM999,888 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL counters with open-top motoring, a 275 km/h top speed and markedly lower RM376 annual road tax against RM2,113. But its 375 hp, 4.9-second sprint, four seats and 240-litre boot make it the more specialised grand tourer.
M3 Touring
Pick the BMW M3 Touring if you need five seats, a 500-litre boot and 523 hp performance for RM101,088 less.
AMG SL
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL if open-top driving, a 275 km/h top speed and RM376 annual road tax matter more than rear-seat and luggage space.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 Touring RM898,800; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM999,888.
- Performance: BMW M3 Touring 523 hp, 650 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 375 hp, 480 Nm and 4.9 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW M3 Touring all-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL rear-wheel drive.
- Practicality: BMW M3 Touring has five seats and a 500-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL has four seats and a 240-litre boot.
- Annual road tax: BMW M3 Touring RM2,113; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM376.
- Warranty: BMW M3 Touring has a two-year manufacturer warranty; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL has four years.
M3 Touring
- 523 hp and 650 Nm with a 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Five seats, five doors and a 500-litre boot
- All-wheel drive and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats
- RM2,113 annual road tax versus the AMG SL's RM376
- 250 km/h top speed versus 275 km/h
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus four years
AMG SL
- 275 km/h top speed
- RM376 annual road tax
- Four-year manufacturer warranty and 17-speaker Burmester audio
- 375 hp and 480 Nm trail the M3 Touring's 523 hp and 650 Nm
- 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.3 seconds slower
- 240-litre boot and four seats fall well short of the BMW's 500 litres and five seats
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM898,800✓ | RM999,888 |
| Body type | Wagon | Convertible |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Grand Tourer |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,113 | RM376✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Mild Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | 523 hp at 6,250 rpm✓ | 375 hp at 6,750 rpm |
| Torque | 650 Nm at 2,750 rpm✓ | 480 Nm at 3,250 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 6 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 13 hp |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Daimler |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.6 seconds✓ | 4.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 275 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,801 mm | 4,705 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 1,915 mm |
| Height | 1,446 mm | 1,359 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,925 kg | 1,810 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 240 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 275/35R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/30R20 | 305/30R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport Differential | Sports Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 5 (Driver and Front Passenger, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Front Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | Both Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors with High Beam Assist | Digital Light LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Dynamic Light Design and Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory Function | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Driver Side Auto Up & Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Pop-out Door Handles |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 4 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 M3 Touring & AMG SL for sale
M3 Touring vs AMG SL FAQ
Is the BMW M3 Touring or Mercedes-Benz AMG SL better?
The BMW M3 Touring is better for performance and daily use, with 523 hp, all-wheel drive, five seats and a 500-litre boot. Choose the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL for its convertible body, 275 km/h top speed and much lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL costs RM999,888, which is RM101,088 more than the BMW M3 Touring at RM898,800.
Which has lower running tax in Malaysia?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL has the lower annual road tax at RM376. The BMW M3 Touring is listed at RM2,113 per year, a RM1,737 difference.
