Verdict
At RM340,800, the BMW 5 Series is RM90,000 cheaper and its RM379 annual road tax is far lighter than the i4 M50’s RM1,065. It is also 277 mm longer, has a 490-litre boot and dual-zone rear air-con, making it the more straightforward executive sedan choice. The RM430,800 i4 M50 answers with two motors producing 537 hp and 795 Nm, slashing 0-100 km/h to 3.9 seconds versus 7.5 seconds, plus a 510 km EV range and 200 kW DC charging.
5 Series
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the lower RM340,800 entry price, more rear-cabin climate control and a larger 490-litre boot.
i4 M50
Pick the BMW i4 M50 if 537 hp, 795 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than the RM90,000 premium.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 5 Series RM340,800; BMW i4 M50 RM430,800.
- Powertrain output: BMW 5 Series 208 hp and 330 Nm; BMW i4 M50 537 hp and 795 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 5 Series 7.5 seconds; BMW i4 M50 3.9 seconds.
- Energy use: BMW 5 Series 1,998 cc petrol mild-hybrid; BMW i4 M50 83.9 kWh battery with 510 km range.
- Road tax: BMW 5 Series RM379 per year; BMW i4 M50 RM1,065 per year.
- Boot space: BMW 5 Series 490 litres; BMW i4 M50 470 litres.
5 Series
- RM90,000 less to buy
- 277 mm longer body and 490-litre boot
- Dual-zone rear air-con and head-up display
- 208 hp and 330 Nm trail the i4 M50’s 537 hp and 795 Nm
- 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.6 seconds slower
- Rear-wheel drive versus the i4 M50’s all-wheel drive
i4 M50
- 537 hp, 795 Nm and 3.9-second 0-100 km/h sprint
- 83.9 kWh battery, 510 km range and 200 kW DC charging
- Adaptive M Suspension, variable sport steering and 17-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- RM90,000 higher purchase price
- RM1,065 annual road tax versus RM379
- 20 litres less boot space and single-zone rear air-con
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800✓ | RM430,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM1,065 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 208 hp | — |
| Torque | 330 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| 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 | Eight-speed Automatic | eDrive |
| Gears | 8 | 1 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | BMW AG |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 3.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h✓ | 225 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,783 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,448 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,856 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,290 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/35R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 255/35R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | 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" Style-934 Alloys | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 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 |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, 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 on 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 Projector with Adaptive High Beam | 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (6 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-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 | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Active Lane keeping assistant and Stop & Go function | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | 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 | — | 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 5 Series & i4 M50 for sale
5 Series vs i4 M50 FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or BMW i4 M50 better?
The BMW i4 M50 is better for outright performance, with 537 hp, 795 Nm and 3.9 seconds to 100 km/h. The BMW 5 Series is the better executive buy if RM90,000 lower purchase cost, lower road tax and more rear comfort matter.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 M50 costs RM430,800, which is RM90,000 more than the BMW 5 Series at RM340,800.
Which BMW charges faster?
Only the BMW i4 M50 needs charging. Its 83.9 kWh battery supports 11 kW AC charging and up to 200 kW DC charging, with a stated EV range of 510 km.