Verdict
At RM685,800, the BMW 7 Series costs RM317,912 more than the RM367,888 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and it is a materially bigger, quicker car rather than a lightly upgraded alternative. Its 308 hp, 450 Nm plug-in hybrid system reaches 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and has an 87 km EV range, while the E-Class makes 201 hp and 320 Nm and takes 7.5 seconds. The Mercedes counters with a 540-litre boot, 15 litres more than the BMW, plus a four-year warranty. For Malaysian buyers, the BMW’s RM2,125 annual road tax versus RM380 is a serious running-cost divide.
Pick the BMW 7 Series if you want 87 km of EV range, 4.9-second acceleration, all-wheel drive and a 3,215 mm-wheelbase luxury sedan.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you want to spend far less, pay RM380 annual road tax and still get a 540-litre boot plus a four-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 7 Series RM685,800; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM367,888.
- Performance: BMW 7 Series 308 hp, 450 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 201 hp, 320 Nm and 7.5 seconds.
- Electrification: BMW 7 Series has an 18.7 kWh battery and 87 km EV range; Mercedes-Benz E-Class lists no battery capacity or EV range.
- Size: BMW 7 Series is 5,391 mm long with a 3,215 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz E-Class is 4,949 mm long with a 2,961 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: BMW 7 Series 525 litres; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 540 litres.
- Annual road tax: BMW 7 Series RM2,125; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM380.
7 Series
- 87 km EV range from an 18.7 kWh battery
- 308 hp, 450 Nm and 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- All-wheel drive and rear air suspension
- RM317,912 dearer to buy
- RM2,125 annual road tax versus RM380
- 525-litre boot is 15 litres smaller
E-Class
- RM317,912 lower purchase price
- 540-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- Four-year manufacturer warranty and listed autonomous braking
- 201 hp and 320 Nm trail the BMW’s 308 hp and 450 Nm
- 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.6 seconds slower
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM685,800 | RM367,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Luxury | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,125 | RM380✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 308 hp✓ | 201 hp |
| Torque | 450 Nm✓ | 320 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 194 hp✓ | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | 280 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 18.7 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 87 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.4 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Automatic | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Daimler AG |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds✓ | 7.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 240 km/h |
| Co2 | 22 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,391 mm | 4,949 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,544 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,215 mm | 2,961 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,825 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 66 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres | 540 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | — | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | — | 275/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | No | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" M aerodynamic style 907 alloys | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" M aerodynamic style 907 alloys | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 Airbags (2 Front, 2 Side, 2 Curtain, 1 Driver's Knee) | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | Reflector LED with Adaptive 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | Power Adjustable Rear Seats with Power Adjustments | 60:40 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 |
| Sunroof | Sky Lounge Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (15 Colours) | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| 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 | 14.4" MBUX Multimedia with Online Music Streaming, AI functionality built-in, Seven Speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | 4 | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| 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 | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot 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 Camera |
| 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 | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 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 & E-Class for sale
7 Series vs E-Class FAQ
Is the BMW 7 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
The BMW 7 Series is better for outright performance, electric-only range, all-wheel drive and rear-seat-oriented luxury hardware. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the more rational choice if purchase price, road tax, boot capacity and warranty length matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 7 Series costs RM317,912 more than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Which has the lower annual road tax?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has the lower annual road tax at RM380, compared with RM2,125 for the BMW 7 Series.