Verdict
The BMW 3 Series M costs RM392,800, RM38,000 less than the BMW i4 M50, and is 490 kg lighter with a 480-litre boot. Its 387 hp, 500 Nm 3.0-litre turbo petrol engine reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and continues to 250 km/h. The i4 M50 counters with 537 hp and 795 Nm from two motors, cutting the sprint to 3.9 seconds while providing a claimed 510 km range from its 83.9 kWh battery. For Malaysian buyers with dependable charging, the EV’s pace and lower RM1,065 annual road tax are persuasive; the 3 Series M is the less costly, lighter choice.
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want the RM38,000 lower purchase price, a 250 km/h top speed and a 490 kg lighter sedan with a slightly larger 480-litre boot.
Pick the BMW i4 M50 if you can charge regularly and want 537 hp, 795 Nm, a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time and 510 km claimed EV range.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM392,800; BMW i4 M50 RM430,800.
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp and 500 Nm; BMW i4 M50 537 hp and 795 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series M 4.4 seconds; BMW i4 M50 3.9 seconds.
- Top speed: BMW 3 Series M 250 km/h; BMW i4 M50 225 km/h.
- Weight: BMW 3 Series M 1,800 kg; BMW i4 M50 2,290 kg.
- Annual road tax: BMW 3 Series M RM2,125; BMW i4 M50 RM1,065.
3 Series M
- RM38,000 lower purchase price
- 490 kg lighter than the i4 M50
- 250 km/h top speed and 480-litre boot
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 4.4 seconds versus 3.9 seconds
- Lower outputs: 387 hp and 500 Nm versus 537 hp and 795 Nm
- Higher annual road tax at RM2,125
i4 M50
- 537 hp and 795 Nm from two motors
- 510 km claimed range; 11 kW AC and 200 kW DC charging
- Five doors and contactless powered boot operation
- RM38,000 more expensive
- 490 kg heavier at 2,290 kg
- 225 km/h top speed is 25 km/h lower
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM392,800✓ | RM430,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,125 | RM1,065✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 387 hp | — |
| Torque | 500 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 537 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 795 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 83.9 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 510 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11.0 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 200.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | eDrive |
| Gears | 8 | 1 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | BMW AG |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds | 3.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 225 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,783 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,448 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,856 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 2,290 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 245/35R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 255/35R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multilink |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering, M Sport Differential | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian, Cyclist and Cross Traffic Detection (5 km/h to 250 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Exterior Loudspeaker for Pedestrians, Active Protection |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | LED Projector with Adaptive Laser High Beam |
| 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 and Bolster Adjustment | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's 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 | Rear AC Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Yes | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (6 Colours) |
| 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 | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) |
| 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular, 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 |
| Convenience Notes | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW IconicSounds Electric |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 6-year/100,000 km Free Service Package, 8-year/100,000 km 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 3 Series M & i4 M50 for sale
3 Series M vs i4 M50 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or BMW i4 M50 better?
The i4 M50 is better for outright acceleration, with 537 hp, 795 Nm and a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time. The 3 Series M suits buyers who prefer a 490 kg lighter petrol sedan, lower purchase cost and 250 km/h top speed.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 M50 costs RM38,000 more than the BMW 3 Series M: RM430,800 against RM392,800. Its annual road tax is RM1,060 lower, at RM1,065 versus RM2,125.
Which one is more practical for charging and luggage?
The i4 M50 needs access to AC or DC charging, supporting 11 kW AC and 200 kW DC charging. It has five doors, but the 3 Series M has a marginally larger boot at 480 litres versus 470 litres.