Verdict
At RM340,800, the BMW 5 Series is RM90,000 cheaper and its RM379 annual road tax is far easier to swallow than the BMW i4 M50’s RM1,065. It is also the more accommodating saloon, measuring 5,060 mm long with a 490-litre boot, rear dual-zone climate control and a head-up display. The i4 M50 answers with drastic performance: 537 hp, 795 Nm and 3.9 seconds to 100 km/h, versus 208 hp, 330 Nm and 7.5 seconds. Its 83.9-kWh battery, 510-km range and 200-kW DC charging suit buyers able to charge regularly.
5 Series
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the lower RM379 road tax, a larger 490-litre boot and more rear-seat climate control for RM90,000 less.
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 its higher purchase price and road tax.
Key differences
- Price — BMW 5 Series: RM340,800; BMW i4 M50: RM430,800.
- Annual road tax — BMW 5 Series: RM379; BMW i4 M50: RM1,065.
- Power and torque — 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.
- Length and boot space — BMW 5 Series: 5,060 mm and 490 litres; BMW i4 M50: 4,783 mm and 470 litres.
- Driveline — BMW 5 Series: rear-wheel drive; BMW i4 M50: all-wheel drive.
5 Series
- RM90,000 lower purchase price and RM379 annual road tax
- Longer 5,060-mm body with a 490-litre boot
- Rear dual-zone climate control 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 behind
- No all-wheel drive, adaptive M suspension or auto parking
i4 M50
- 537 hp, 795 Nm and 3.9-second 0-100 km/h pace
- 83.9-kWh battery, 510-km range and 200-kW DC charging
- All-wheel drive, adaptive M suspension and auto parking
- RM90,000 higher purchase price and RM1,065 annual road tax
- 470-litre boot is 20 litres smaller
- Single-zone rear climate control and no head-up display
| 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 | 3 years | 3 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 pace, all-wheel drive and EV driving, with 537 hp and a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time. The BMW 5 Series is better for lower ownership tax, a larger boot and rear-seat comfort features.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 M50 costs RM90,000 more than the BMW 5 Series: RM430,800 versus RM340,800.
How far can the BMW i4 M50 travel on one charge?
The BMW i4 M50 has an 83.9-kWh battery and a stated EV range of 510 km. It supports AC charging at up to 11 kW and DC charging at up to 200 kW.