Verdict
The BMW i5 is the more rational Malaysian buy: it costs RM368,800, RM62,000 less than the BMW i4 M50, yet carries the same 83.9-kWh battery, stretches range to 627 km and cuts annual road tax to RM395. Its 2,995-mm wheelbase, 490-litre boot and rear-seat sunshades suit chauffeur and family duty better. The i4 M50 answers with 537 hp, 795 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time. That is serious performance, but its 510-km range and RM1,065 road tax make it the emotional choice.
i4 M50
Pick the BMW i4 M50 if 537 hp, 795 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h sprint matter more than range, space and running costs.
i5
Pick the BMW i5 if you want 627 km of range, a 2,995-mm wheelbase and a RM62,000 lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 M50 RM430,800; BMW i5 RM368,800.
- Motors and output: BMW i4 M50 has two motors with 537 hp and 795 Nm; BMW i5 has one motor with 335 hp and 430 Nm.
- Range: BMW i4 M50 510 km; BMW i5 627 km.
- Performance: BMW i4 M50 reaches 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and 225 km/h; BMW i5 does 6.0 seconds and 193 km/h.
- Charging: BMW i4 M50 AC/DC rates are 11 kW/200 kW; BMW i5 manages 22 kW/205 kW.
- Size and boot: BMW i4 M50 is 4,783 mm long with a 2,856-mm wheelbase and 470-litre boot; BMW i5 is 5,060 mm, 2,995 mm and 490 litres.
i4 M50
- 537 hp and 795 Nm from two motors
- All-wheel drive and 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- Adaptive M Suspension and Variable Sport Steering
- RM62,000 pricier
- 510-km range trails the i5's 627 km
- 11-kW AC charging is half the i5's 22 kW rate
i5
- 627-km range from the same 83.9-kWh battery
- 22-kW AC and 205-kW DC charging
- Longer wheelbase, 490-litre boot and rear sunshades
- 335 hp and 430 Nm are well down on the i4 M50
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.1 seconds slower
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM430,800 | RM368,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,065 | RM395✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 537 hp✓ | 335 hp |
| Motor Torque | 795 Nm✓ | 430 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | 83.9 kWh |
| EV Range | 510 km | 627 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11.0 kW | 22 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 200.0 kW | 205 kW✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | eDrive | — |
| Gears | 1 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BMW AG | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.9 seconds✓ | 6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 225 km/h✓ | 193 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 5,060 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,515 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | 2,290 kg | 2,205 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 490 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/35R20 | 245/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R20 | 275/35R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Pirelli P Zero Elekt |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multilink | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three Point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on outer rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian, Cyclist and Cross Traffic Detection (5 km/h to 250 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Exterior Loudspeaker for Pedestrians, Active Protection | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive Laser High Beam | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (6 Colours) | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Windscreen Sun Shade & Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (655W) |
| 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular, with Reversing Assist | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW IconicSounds Electric | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 6-year/100,000 km Free Service Package, 8-year/100,000 km Battery Warranty | 8 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery |
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 i4 M50 & i5 for sale
i4 M50 vs i5 FAQ
Is the BMW i4 M50 or BMW i5 better?
The BMW i5 is better for most buyers because it costs RM62,000 less, travels 117 km farther and has more rear-seat-oriented equipment. Choose the BMW i4 M50 only if its 537 hp, all-wheel drive and 3.9-second sprint are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 M50 costs RM430,800 and the BMW i5 costs RM368,800, so the i4 M50 carries a RM62,000 premium.
Which BMW EV is cheaper to run on road tax?
The BMW i5 has annual road tax of RM395, versus RM1,065 for the BMW i4 M50. The i5 therefore saves RM670 each year on road tax.