Verdict
The BMW 3 Series is the sane Malaysian sedan buy at RM265,800, with 184 hp, 300 Nm and a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time that already covers daily use while keeping road tax to RM379 a year. The BMW M5 is a different animal: RM1,188,800, 591 hp from its V8 before the 194 hp motor is counted, 750 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds. But it is also 920 kg heavier, longer and far costlier to tax at RM8,408 a year.
3 Series
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the lighter, cheaper rear-drive sedan with the bigger boot and much lower annual road tax.
M5
Pick the BMW M5 if you want huge performance, all-wheel drive and plug-in hybrid running with a 22.1 kWh battery and 67 km EV range.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM265,800; BMW M5 RM1,188,800
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series 184 hp/300 Nm; BMW M5 591 hp/750 Nm plus a 194 hp/280 Nm motor
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds; BMW M5 3.5 seconds
- Weight: BMW 3 Series 1,590 kg; BMW M5 2,510 kg
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; BMW M5 466 litres
- Road tax: BMW 3 Series RM379/year; BMW M5 RM8,408/year
3 Series
- Costs RM923,000 less to buy
- Lighter by 920 kg
- Larger 480-litre boot
- Much slower to 100 km/h: 7.4 seconds versus 3.5 seconds
- Rear-wheel drive only versus the M5’s all-wheel drive
- No plug-in hybrid battery, motor or 67 km EV range
M5
- Far quicker, with 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds
- Plug-in hybrid system adds a 22.1 kWh battery and 67 km EV range
- Gets adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera and powered contactless boot
- Costs RM923,000 more to buy
- Road tax is RM8,408 a year versus RM379
- Smaller 466-litre boot despite the larger body
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 265,800✓ | RM 1,188,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 4,395 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | 591 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 750 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | V |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 194 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 280 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 22.1 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 67 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7.4 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | M Steptronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 3.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 5,096 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,970 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 2,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 466 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 265/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 295/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Hankook S1 evo Z |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 20" M Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 21" M Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | M Adaptive Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for outer two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | 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 Auto 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins 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 Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | 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 | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | Yes |
| 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 | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 379✓ | RM 8,408 |
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.
3 Series vs M5 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW M5 better?
The BMW M5 is better for outright pace and equipment, with 3.5-second acceleration and plug-in hybrid hardware. The BMW 3 Series is the better buy for most Malaysians because it is far cheaper, lighter and has lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM923,000 more than the BMW 3 Series.
Which is quicker, the BMW 3 Series or BMW M5?
The BMW M5 is much quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds. The BMW 3 Series takes 7.4 seconds.