BMW 7 Series vs BMW M5
Verdict
The BMW M5 is the blunt instrument here: RM1,188,800 buys 591 hp, 750 Nm and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time, but it also means RM511,000 more than the BMW 7 Series and RM8,408 road tax. The BMW 7 Series is slower at 4.9 seconds, yet its 87 km EV range, 3,215 mm wheelbase and 525-litre boot make more sense if rear-seat comfort and daily plug-in running matter in Malaysia. Both are all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid sedans with 8-speed automatics.
Pick the BMW 7 Series if you want the roomier, longer-range plug-in hybrid luxury sedan with lower purchase price and road tax.
Pick the BMW M5 if you want the harder-hitting plug-in hybrid sedan with 591 hp, 750 Nm and a 3.5-second century sprint.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 7 Series RM677,800; BMW M5 RM1,188,800
- Output: BMW 7 Series 308 hp/450 Nm; BMW M5 591 hp/750 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 7 Series 4.9 seconds; BMW M5 3.5 seconds
- EV range: BMW 7 Series 87 km; BMW M5 67 km
- Wheelbase: BMW 7 Series 3,215 mm; BMW M5 2,857 mm
- Boot space: BMW 7 Series 525 litres; BMW M5 466 litres
7 Series
- RM511,000 cheaper to buy
- Longer 87 km EV range
- Longer wheelbase, powered rear seats and larger 525-litre boot
- Slower 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- Much lower engine output at 308 hp and 450 Nm
- No auto parking listed
M5
- Far stronger 591 hp and 750 Nm output
- Quicker 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Gets M Adaptive Suspension and staggered 20-/21-inch M alloys
- RM511,000 more expensive
- RM8,408 annual road tax versus RM2,125
- Shorter 67 km EV range and smaller 466-litre boot
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 677,800✓ | RM 1,188,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Luxury | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 4,395 cc |
| Horsepower | 308 hp | 591 hp✓ |
| Torque | 450 Nm | 750 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | V |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 194 hp | 194 hp |
| Motor Torque | 280 Nm | 280 Nm |
| Battery Type | Lithium-Ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 18.7 kWh | 22.1 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 87 km✓ | 67 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.4 kW | 7.4 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Automatic | M Steptronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds | 3.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 22 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,391 mm | 5,096 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,970 mm |
| Height | 1,544 mm | 1,510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,215 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 466 litres |
| Front Tyre | — | 265/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | — | 295/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | No | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Hankook S1 evo Z |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Chassis | — | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" M aerodynamic style 907 alloys | 20" M Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" M aerodynamic style 907 alloys | 21" M Alloys |
| Front Brakes | — | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc |
| Rear Brakes | — | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension | M Adaptive Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 Airbags (2 Front, 2 Side, 2 Curtain, 1 Driver's Knee) | 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 |
| Seat Belts | — | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for outer two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | Power Adjustable Rear Seats with Power Adjustments | 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 |
| Sunroof | Sky Lounge Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (15 Colours) | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 4 | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | 2x side sunshades, 1x rear sunshade | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Live Cockpit Professional system | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | 4 | 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | Yes | 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 | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,125✓ | RM 8,408 |
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.
7 Series vs M5 FAQ
Is the BMW 7 Series or BMW M5 better?
The BMW 7 Series is better for chauffeured comfort, EV range and cost. The BMW M5 is better for performance, with 591 hp, 750 Nm and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM1,188,800, while the BMW 7 Series costs RM677,800. That makes the BMW M5 RM511,000 more expensive before considering its higher RM8,408 annual road tax.
Which one has the better plug-in hybrid electric range?
The BMW 7 Series has the better EV range at 87 km. The BMW M5 manages 67 km, despite having the larger 22.1 kWh battery against the 7 Series’ 18.7 kWh pack.