Verdict
The BMW 5 Series is the rational Malaysian choice: its RM340,800 price is RM558,000 below the M3 Touring’s, while annual road tax is only RM379 versus RM2,113. It is also 259 mm longer, has a 43 mm longer wheelbase and dual-zone rear climate control. The BMW M3 Touring answers with extreme performance—523 hp, 650 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds against 208 hp, 330 Nm and 7.5 seconds—plus all-wheel drive and a slightly larger 500-litre boot. Buy the 5 Series unless that pace is central to the brief.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the far lower purchase and road-tax bills, a longer executive sedan and dual-zone rear air-conditioning.
Pick the BMW M3 Touring if you want 523 hp, 650 Nm, all-wheel drive, a 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time and wagon access.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 5 Series RM340,800; BMW M3 Touring RM898,800.
- Road tax per year: BMW 5 Series RM379; BMW M3 Touring RM2,113.
- Power and torque: BMW 5 Series 208 hp and 330 Nm; BMW M3 Touring 523 hp and 650 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 5 Series 7.5 seconds; BMW M3 Touring 3.6 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW 5 Series rear-wheel drive; BMW M3 Touring all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW 5 Series 490 litres; BMW M3 Touring 500 litres.
5 Series
- RM558,000 less expensive to buy.
- RM1,734 lower annual road tax.
- Longer 2,900 mm wheelbase and dual-zone rear climate control.
- 208 hp and 330 Nm trail the M3 Touring’s 523 hp and 650 Nm.
- 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.9 seconds slower.
- 490-litre boot is 10 litres smaller and the sedan has four doors to the Touring’s five.
M3 Touring
- 523 hp, 650 Nm and 3.6-second 0-100 km/h pace.
- All-wheel drive, Adaptive M Suspension and M Sport Differential.
- 500-litre five-door wagon boot and 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- Costs RM558,000 more to buy.
- RM2,113 annual road tax is RM1,734 higher.
- Single-zone rear climate control versus the 5 Series’ dual-zone rear system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800✓ | RM898,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Wagon |
| Segment | Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM2,113 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 208 hp | 523 hp✓ |
| Torque | 330 Nm | 650 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 3.6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,801 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,903 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,446 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,925 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 500 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 275/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 295/30R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 19" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 20" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport Differential |
| 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | Adaptive LED Projectors with High Beam Assist |
| 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 Side 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 |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| 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, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon 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 |
| 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 |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| 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 | 3 years | 3 years |
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 & M3 Touring for sale
5 Series vs M3 Touring FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or BMW M3 Touring better?
The BMW 5 Series is better for lower-cost executive motoring, with RM379 annual road tax and more rear climate-control adjustment. The M3 Touring is better if performance is decisive: 523 hp, all-wheel drive and 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 Touring costs RM558,000 more than the BMW 5 Series: RM898,800 versus RM340,800.
Which has the more practical boot?
The BMW M3 Touring has the larger boot at 500 litres, 10 litres ahead of the 5 Series’ 490 litres, and adds a five-door wagon body. Both seat five and have 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.