Verdict
At RM325,800, the BMW X3 costs RM6,912 more than the RM318,888 MINI Convertible, but it makes the stronger case for a Malaysian household: five seats, five doors and a 570-litre boot against four, two and 215 litres. Its all-wheel drive, 310 Nm and lane-keeping steering correction suit long-distance duty, although the MINI is the sharper straight-line choice at 6.9 seconds to 100 km/h. Choose carefully: this is practicality against a smaller, faster convertible, not two versions of the same car.
Pick the BMW X3 if you need five seats, a 570-litre boot, all-wheel drive and rear air-conditioning for regular family use.
Pick the MINI Convertible if you want the quicker 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time in a far smaller two-door convertible.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X3 RM325,800; MINI Convertible RM318,888.
- Performance: BMW X3 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and 215 km/h; MINI Convertible 6.9 seconds and 237 km/h.
- Practicality: BMW X3 has five seats and a 570-litre boot; MINI Convertible has four seats and a 215-litre boot.
- Dimensions: BMW X3 is 4,755 mm long and 1,920 mm wide; MINI Convertible is 3,879 mm long and 1,744 mm wide.
- Driveline: BMW X3 uses all-wheel drive; MINI Convertible uses front-wheel drive.
- Driver assistance: BMW X3 has lane-keeping steering correction; MINI Convertible provides lane-departure warning only.
X3
- 570-litre boot and five-seat, five-door layout.
- All-wheel drive with 310 Nm from 1,500 rpm.
- Powered front seats, rear air-conditioning and 40:20:40 rear seat folding.
- Slower than the MINI Convertible, taking 8.5 seconds to 100 km/h versus 6.9 seconds.
- Costs RM6,912 more and has RM60 higher annual road tax.
- Its 4,755 mm length is 876 mm longer than the MINI Convertible.
Convertible
- 204 hp delivers a 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 3,879 mm length is easier to place than the 4,755 mm X3.
- Harman Kardon audio plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- 215-litre boot is 355 litres smaller than the X3's.
- Four seats and two doors, versus the X3's five seats and five doors.
- Front-wheel drive and lane-departure warning only, where the X3 has all-wheel drive and steering correction.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM325,800 | RM318,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Convertible |
| Segment | Compact Executive | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM379✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 16 valve, DOHC, variable intake and exhaust cam timing, variable intake valve lift, twin-scroll turbo |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp at 4,400 rpm | 204 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 310 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ | 300 Nm at 1,450 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Steptronic | 7-speed Steptronic Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds | 6.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 215 km/h | 237 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,755 mm | 3,879 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,744 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,431 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,495 mm |
| Fuel Tank | — | 44 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 570 litres✓ | 215 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | United Kingdom (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 18" Night Flash Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 18" Night Flash Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) | 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 | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Front Passenger and Outer Two Rear Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | Manual Adjustable |
| 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, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 6 Speaker | 9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 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 Flip Switch |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 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 | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | Repair Inclusive extendable up to 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 X3 & Convertible for sale
X3 vs Convertible FAQ
Is the BMW X3 or MINI Convertible better?
The BMW X3 is better for family and luggage duty with five seats, five doors and a 570-litre boot. The MINI Convertible is better if faster acceleration and a compact convertible body matter more than carrying capacity.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X3 costs RM6,912 more than the MINI Convertible. It also carries RM439 annual road tax, compared with RM379 for the MINI.
Which one is easier to park in town?
The MINI Convertible is 876 mm shorter and 176 mm narrower than the BMW X3, so it will be easier to fit into tight urban parking spaces. Both get front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera and auto parking.
