Verdict
The i4 M50 is 61% more powerful, while the 5 Series is about 21% cheaper. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 340,800✓ | RM 430,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | — |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 208 hp | — |
| Torque | 330 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 537 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 795 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 83.9 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 510 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11.0 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| 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) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| 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 |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| 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 |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 379✓ | RM 1,065 |
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.