Verdict
At RM340,800, the CKD BMW 5 Series is the sensible Malaysian executive sedan: its 208 hp, 330 Nm mild-hybrid four-cylinder and 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time are a long way from the M5, but it retains a 490-litre boot and costs RM860,000 less. The RM1,200,800 CBU BMW M5 is an entirely different proposition, combining a 591 hp V8 with a 194 hp motor for 727 PS and 1,000 Nm, plus 67 km of electric range. Its 3.5-second sprint is devastating, but annual road tax rises from RM379 to RM8,408.
The M5 AWD (RM1,200,800) sits above every 5 Series variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the far lower RM379 annual road tax, a 490-litre boot and a 7.5-second executive sedan without the M5’s RM860,000 price jump.
Pick the BMW M5 if 727 PS, 1,000 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than its RM1,200,800 price and RM8,408 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 5 Series RM340,800; BMW M5 RM1,200,800.
- Power and torque: BMW 5 Series 208 hp and 330 Nm; BMW M5 591 hp V8 plus a 194 hp motor, with 727 PS and 1,000 Nm combined.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 5 Series 7.5 seconds; BMW M5 3.5 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW 5 Series rear-wheel drive; BMW M5 all-wheel drive.
- Annual road tax: BMW 5 Series RM379; BMW M5 RM8,408.
- Boot space: BMW 5 Series 490 litres; BMW M5 466 litres.
5 Series
- RM860,000 cheaper to buy.
- RM379 annual road tax versus RM8,408.
- Larger 490-litre boot and head-up display.
- 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time trails the M5’s 3.5 seconds.
- 208 hp and 330 Nm are far below the M5’s 727 PS and 1,000 Nm combined output.
- Rear-wheel drive rather than the M5’s all-wheel drive.
M5
- 727 PS and 1,000 Nm combined output.
- 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time and all-wheel drive.
- 67 km EV range from a 22.1 kWh battery; 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio.
- RM1,200,800 price is RM860,000 higher.
- RM8,408 annual road tax versus RM379.
- 466-litre boot is 24 litres smaller and it lacks the 5 Series’ head-up display.
What the 5 Series has over the M5
What the M5 has over the 5 Series
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The M5 is 70 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800✓ | RM1,200,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM8,408 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM3,480/mo✓ | RM12,260/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM9,174✓ | RM31,664 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 4,395 cc |
| Horsepower | 208 hp at 5,000 rpm | 591 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 330 Nm at 1,500 rpm | 750 Nm at 1,800 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | V 8 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 194 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 280 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 22.1 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 67 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7.4 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | M Steptronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 3.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,096 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,970 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 466 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 265/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 295/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Hankook S1 evo Z |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 19 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 20" M Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 21" M Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | M Adaptive Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag) |
| 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 outer two rear passenger 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 | LED Projector with Auto 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 |
| 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 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 | 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, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins 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 Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| 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 with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | Yes |
| 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used 5 Series & M5 for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW 5 Series
BMW M5
5 Series vs M5 FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or BMW M5 better?
The BMW 5 Series is the better financial choice, with RM379 annual road tax and a 490-litre boot. The BMW M5 is decisively faster, hitting 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds versus 7.5 seconds, and adds all-wheel drive plus 67 km EV range.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM860,000 more than the BMW 5 Series: RM1,200,800 against RM340,800.
Can the BMW M5 be driven on electric power alone?
Yes. The M5 is a plug-in hybrid with one 194 hp electric motor, a 22.1 kWh battery and a stated 67 km EV range. Its AC charging rate is 7.4 kW.
Which one is locally assembled?
The 5 Series is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the M5 is fully imported (CBU) from Germany. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.