Verdict
At RM846,800, the BMW M3 is RM52,000 cheaper, 70 kg lighter at 1,855 kg and reaches 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, despite giving away 20 hp to the 523-hp BMW M3 Touring. The Touring answers with five doors, a 500-litre boot against 480 litres, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. For a Malaysian buyer who wants the quicker 0-100 km/h figure and a sunroof, the sedan is clear. Pay up only if the wagon body, extra boot space, 14.9-inch display and 16-speaker audio matter more.
Pick the BMW M3 if you want the RM52,000 saving, a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time and a 1,855-kg kerb weight.
Pick the BMW M3 Touring if five-door wagon access, a 500-litre boot, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera are non-negotiable.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 RM846,800; BMW M3 Touring RM898,800.
- Body and doors: BMW M3 four-door sedan; BMW M3 Touring five-door wagon.
- Power: BMW M3 503 hp; BMW M3 Touring 523 hp.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW M3 3.5 seconds; BMW M3 Touring 3.6 seconds.
- Weight: BMW M3 1,855 kg; BMW M3 Touring 1,925 kg.
- Boot space: BMW M3 480 litres; BMW M3 Touring 500 litres.
M3
- Quicker 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 70 kg lighter than the Touring.
- Laser projectors and a tilt-and-slide sunroof.
- 503 hp versus the Touring's 523 hp.
- 480-litre boot versus 500 litres.
- Passive cruise control rather than adaptive cruise control.
M3 Touring
- 523 hp from the 2,993 cc twin-turbo petrol engine.
- Five doors and a 500-litre boot.
- 14.9-inch curved display, 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio and 360-degree camera.
- 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time is 0.1 seconds slower.
- 1,925 kg kerb weight is 70 kg higher.
- No sunroof, while the M3 gets a tilt-and-slide unit.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM846,800✓ | RM898,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,113 | RM2,113 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 2,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 503 hp | 523 hp✓ |
| Torque | 650 Nm | 650 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 84 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds✓ | 3.6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 10.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 230 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,794 mm | 4,801 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 1,903 mm |
| Height | 1,433 mm | 1,446 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 1,855 kg | 1,925 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 500 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 275/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/30R20 | 295/30R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 19" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 20" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential, 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD Modes | Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 for 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 | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Attentiveness Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Prevention, Active Protection | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Laser Projectors with Auto High Beam | Adaptive LED Projectors with High Beam Assist |
| 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 Side Memory Function |
| 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 | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Controller, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 12-speaker 360W Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon 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 Smartphone Key and Proximity Auto 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes |
| 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 | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | 5 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 & M3 Touring for sale
M3 vs M3 Touring FAQ
Is the BMW M3 or BMW M3 Touring better?
The BMW M3 is the better choice for the quicker 3.5-second sprint, lower 1,855-kg weight and lower purchase price. Choose the BMW M3 Touring only if its five-door wagon body, 500-litre boot and extra equipment suit your daily use.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 Touring costs RM52,000 more than the BMW M3: RM898,800 versus RM846,800. That gap brings 20 hp more, five doors, 20 litres more boot space, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera.
Which BMW M3 is quicker?
The BMW M3 is quicker from 0-100 km/h, taking 3.5 seconds against 3.6 seconds for the BMW M3 Touring. Both use an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
