Verdict
At RM685,800 versus RM1,200,800, the BMW 7 Series is the rational Malaysian luxury sedan: it costs far less, has an 87 km EV range and a 525-litre boot. Its 3,215 mm wheelbase is also 358 mm longer than the BMW M5’s. The M5 answers with 591 hp, 750 Nm and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time, against 308 hp, 450 Nm and 4.9 seconds. But its RM8,408 annual road tax is RM6,283 higher, while electric range falls to 67 km.
Pick the BMW 7 Series if rear-seat space, a 525-litre boot and the longer 87 km EV range matter more than outright acceleration.
Pick the BMW M5 if you want 591 hp, 750 Nm and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h sprint despite the much higher purchase and road-tax costs.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 7 Series RM685,800; BMW M5 RM1,200,800.
- Power and torque: BMW 7 Series 308 hp and 450 Nm; BMW M5 591 hp and 750 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 7 Series 4.9 seconds; BMW M5 3.5 seconds.
- Battery and EV range: BMW 7 Series 18.7 kWh and 87 km; BMW M5 22.1 kWh and 67 km.
- Length and wheelbase: BMW 7 Series 5,391 mm and 3,215 mm; BMW M5 5,096 mm and 2,857 mm.
- Boot space and annual road tax: BMW 7 Series 525 litres and RM2,125; BMW M5 466 litres and RM8,408.
7 Series
- 87 km EV range, 20 km farther than the M5.
- 525-litre boot and 3,215 mm wheelbase.
- Power-adjustable rear seats, side and rear sunshades.
- 308 hp and 450 Nm trail the M5’s 591 hp and 750 Nm.
- 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.4 seconds slower.
- 18.7 kWh battery is smaller than the M5’s 22.1 kWh unit.
M5
- 591 hp and 750 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds.
- 22.1 kWh battery and 194 hp electric motor.
- 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
- 67 km EV range is 20 km shorter than the 7 Series.
- 466-litre boot is 59 litres smaller than the 7 Series’.
- RM8,408 annual road tax versus RM2,125.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM685,800✓ | RM1,200,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Luxury | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,125✓ | RM8,408 |
| 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✓ |
| 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 Capacity | 18.7 kWh | 22.1 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 87 km✓ | 67 km |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 7 Series & M5 for sale
7 Series vs M5 FAQ
Is the BMW 7 Series or BMW M5 better?
The BMW 7 Series is better for luxury-sedan duties, with the longer wheelbase, larger boot and 87 km EV range. Choose the BMW M5 only if its 591 hp, 750 Nm and 3.5-second sprint are central to the brief.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM515,000 more than the BMW 7 Series. Its annual road tax is also RM6,283 higher.
Which has the longer electric range?
The BMW 7 Series goes farther on electric power, with an 87 km EV range against the BMW M5’s 67 km. The M5 has the larger 22.1 kWh battery, but its stated range is 20 km shorter.