Verdict
The BMW 5 Series costs RM340,800, RM46,000 more than the RM294,800 i4, and brings a 5,060-mm body, 490-litre boot and dual-zone rear climate control. It is also the long-distance choice if 230 km/h capability and an eight-speed automatic matter. But the i4’s 282 hp and 400 Nm motor cuts 0-100 km/h to 6.0 seconds, against 7.5 seconds, while its 70.3-kWh battery claims 500 km of range. For Malaysian buyers with dependable charging, the i4’s RM305 annual road tax undercuts the 5 Series’ RM379.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you need the larger 5,060-mm sedan, 490-litre boot and proper dual-zone rear air-conditioning.
Pick the BMW i4 if you can charge regularly and want 400 Nm, a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time and 500 km of stated EV range.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 5 Series RM340,800; BMW i4 RM294,800.
- Performance: BMW 5 Series 208 hp/330 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds; BMW i4 282 hp/400 Nm and 6.0 seconds.
- Energy system: BMW 5 Series 1,998-cc mild-hybrid petrol engine; BMW i4 70.3-kWh battery with 500 km range.
- Charging: BMW 5 Series has no charging rate; BMW i4 accepts 11 kW AC and 180 kW DC.
- Size and boot: BMW 5 Series is 5,060 mm long with a 490-litre boot; BMW i4 is 4,783 mm long with a 470-litre boot.
- Road tax: BMW 5 Series RM379 per year; BMW i4 RM305 per year.
5 Series
- Larger 5,060-mm executive-sedan body
- 490-litre boot and 40:20:40 rear seat
- Dual-zone rear climate control and 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- RM46,000 dearer to buy
- Slower 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.0 seconds
- Lower 208 hp and 330 Nm versus 282 hp and 400 Nm
i4
- 500 km stated range from a 70.3-kWh battery
- 180 kW DC charging capability
- Auto parking, laser LED tail lamps and rear curtain airbags
- Smaller 4,783-mm body and 470-litre boot
- Rear occupants get air vents rather than dual-zone climate control
- 190 km/h top speed versus 230 km/h
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800 | RM294,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM305✓ |
| 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 | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 282 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 70.3 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 500 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 180 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h✓ | 190 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 | — | 2,075 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 255/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Front 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 for 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | Adaptive LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | BMW Laser LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory |
| 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 | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and 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, 12-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 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 for sale
5 Series vs i4 FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or BMW i4 better?
The i4 is the sharper choice if home or destination charging is available: it has 400 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and claims 500 km of range. Choose the 5 Series for its longer body, bigger boot and rear dual-zone climate control.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 5 Series costs RM46,000 more: RM340,800 against RM294,800 for the BMW i4. Annual road tax is also RM74 higher for the 5 Series, at RM379 versus RM305.
Can the BMW i4 charge quickly on a road trip?
Yes. The i4 supports DC charging at up to 180 kW and AC charging at up to 11 kW. Its 70.3-kWh battery has a stated range of 500 km, while the petrol mild-hybrid 5 Series does not require charging.