Verdict
At RM430,800, the i4 M50 costs RM468,000 less than the RM898,800 M3 Touring, yet its two motors produce 537 hp and 795 Nm through all-wheel drive. It is not quite as quick: 0-100 km/h takes 3.9 seconds against 3.6 seconds, and it gives up 30 litres of boot space. For Malaysian ownership, the i4’s 510 km range, 200 kW DC charging and RM1,065 annual road tax make a strong practical case. The M3 Touring is the faster, roomier petrol choice, but its RM2,113 road tax is nearly double.
i4 M50
Pick the BMW i4 M50 if you want 510 km EV range, 795 Nm and a RM468,000 saving over the M3 Touring.
M3 Touring
Pick the BMW M3 Touring if you want the quicker 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time, 250 km/h top speed and 500-litre wagon boot.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 M50 RM430,800; BMW M3 Touring RM898,800.
- Powertrain: BMW i4 M50 has two electric motors with 537 hp and 795 Nm; BMW M3 Touring has a 2,993 cc twin-turbo petrol engine with 523 hp and 650 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i4 M50 3.9 seconds; BMW M3 Touring 3.6 seconds.
- Top speed: BMW i4 M50 225 km/h; BMW M3 Touring 250 km/h.
- Boot space: BMW i4 M50 470 litres; BMW M3 Touring 500 litres.
- Annual road tax: BMW i4 M50 RM1,065; BMW M3 Touring RM2,113.
i4 M50
- RM468,000 cheaper to buy.
- 795 Nm from two electric motors.
- 510 km range and 200 kW DC charging.
- Slower to 100 km/h: 3.9 seconds versus 3.6 seconds.
- 470-litre boot is 30 litres smaller.
- Heavier at 2,290 kg versus 1,925 kg.
M3 Touring
- Quicker 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 250 km/h top speed.
- 500-litre wagon boot.
- Costs RM468,000 more.
- Annual road tax is RM2,113 versus RM1,065.
- No sunroof, where the i4 M50 gets a tilt-and-slide unit.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM430,800✓ | RM898,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,993 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 523 hp |
| Torque | — | 650 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 537 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 795 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 510 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11.0 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 200.0 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | eDrive | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission |
| Gears | 1 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BMW AG | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.9 seconds | 3.6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 225 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,801 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,903 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,446 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 2,290 kg | 1,925 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 59 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 500 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/35R20 | 275/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R20 | 295/30R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multilink | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy | 19" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy | 20" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering | Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 on Two Outer Rear Passenger 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 | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Exterior Loudspeaker for Pedestrians, Active Protection | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive Laser High Beam | Adaptive LED Projectors with High Beam Assist |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory Function |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (6 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| 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" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon 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 |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| 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 | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,065✓ | RM2,113 |
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 & M3 Touring for sale
i4 M50 vs M3 Touring FAQ
Is the BMW i4 M50 or BMW M3 Touring better?
The i4 M50 is the better buy for lower upfront cost, 510 km electric range and lower RM1,065 road tax. Choose the M3 Touring for its 3.6-second sprint, 250 km/h top speed and 500-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 Touring costs RM898,800 and the BMW i4 M50 costs RM430,800, so the difference is RM468,000.
Which is more practical for carrying luggage?
The M3 Touring has the larger boot at 500 litres, 30 litres ahead of the i4 M50’s 470 litres. Both have five seats, five doors and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.