Verdict
The BMW i5 costs RM24,000 less at RM368,800, yet brings executive-car room: its 2,995 mm wheelbase is 144 mm longer and its boot is 10 litres larger. For Malaysian daily use, the 83.9 kWh battery, 627 km claimed range and 205 kW DC charging make a strong case, while RM395 annual road tax is far below the 3 Series M’s RM2,125. The 3 Series M is the driver’s choice, though: 387 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.4-second century sprint decisively beat the i5’s 335 hp, 430 Nm, rear-wheel drive and 6.0 seconds.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if 4.4-second 0-100 km/h pace, all-wheel drive and the 250 km/h top speed matter more than lower running tax and rear-seat space.
i5
Pick the BMW i5 if you want the cheaper RM368,800 entry price, 627 km EV range, RM395 annual road tax and a roomier executive sedan.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM392,800; BMW i5 RM368,800.
- Powertrain: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp/500 Nm 2,998 cc turbo petrol; BMW i5 335 hp/430 Nm single motor with an 83.9 kWh battery.
- Performance: BMW 3 Series M 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and 250 km/h; BMW i5 6.0 seconds and 193 km/h.
- Driveline and weight: BMW 3 Series M all-wheel drive and 1,800 kg; BMW i5 rear-wheel drive and 2,205 kg.
- Size and boot: BMW 3 Series M is 4,714 mm long with a 2,851 mm wheelbase and 480-litre boot; BMW i5 is 5,060 mm, 2,995 mm and 490 litres.
- Road tax: BMW 3 Series M RM2,125 per year; BMW i5 RM395 per year.
3 Series M
- 387 hp and 500 Nm with all-wheel drive.
- 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time and 250 km/h top speed.
- Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering and M Sport Differential.
- RM2,125 annual road tax versus RM395.
- 144 mm shorter wheelbase and 10 litres less boot space.
- Rear air-con is limited to vents, versus dual-zone rear climate control.
i5
- 627 km EV range from an 83.9 kWh battery; DC charging at up to 205 kW.
- RM24,000 lower purchase price and RM395 annual road tax.
- Longer 2,995 mm wheelbase, dual-zone rear air-con and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio.
- 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time trails the 3 Series M's 4.4 seconds.
- 335 hp and 430 Nm are down on 387 hp and 500 Nm.
- Rear-wheel drive and 2,205 kg, against all-wheel drive and 1,800 kg.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM392,800 | RM368,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,125 | RM395✓ |
| 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 | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 335 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 430 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 83.9 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 627 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 205 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 193 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 5,060 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,515 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 2,205 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 490 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 245/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 275/35R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Pirelli P Zero Elekt |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering, M Sport Differential | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on outer rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Yes | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Powered Rear Windscreen Sun Shade & Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Shades |
| 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 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (655W) |
| 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 |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| 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 | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| 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 | — | 8 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery |
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 & i5 for sale
3 Series M vs i5 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or BMW i5 better?
The i5 is the stronger daily executive sedan: it costs less, has a 627 km claimed range, much lower road tax and more rear-seat-focused equipment. Choose the 3 Series M for markedly quicker acceleration, all-wheel drive and its M chassis hardware.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i5 costs RM368,800 and the BMW 3 Series M costs RM392,800, so the i5 is RM24,000 cheaper.
Which one is quicker, the BMW 3 Series M or BMW i5?
The BMW 3 Series M is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds versus 6.0 seconds for the i5. Its 250 km/h top speed also exceeds the i5’s 193 km/h.