Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the BMW i4 M50 costs RM430,800 to deliver 537 hp, 795 Nm and a 510 km EV range, while the BMW M3 asks RM846,800 for a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time and 250 km/h top speed. The M3 is 0.4 seconds quicker and gets a head-up display, but the i4 counters with five doors, 200 kW DC charging and autonomous braking that operates up to 250 km/h. Unless maximum pace is the priority, the i4’s RM416,000 saving is hard to ignore.
i4 M50
Pick the BMW i4 M50 if you want 510 km of electric range, 200 kW DC charging and five-door practicality for far less money.
M3
Pick the BMW M3 if you want the quicker 3.5-second 0-100 km/h run, 250 km/h top speed and a head-up display.
Key differences
- Performance: BMW i4 M50 has 537 hp and 795 Nm; BMW M3 has 503 hp and 650 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i4 M50 takes 3.9 seconds; BMW M3 takes 3.5 seconds.
- Top speed: BMW i4 M50 reaches 225 km/h; BMW M3 reaches 250 km/h.
- Weight: BMW i4 M50 weighs 2,290 kg; BMW M3 weighs 1,855 kg.
- Energy source: BMW i4 M50 uses an 83.9 kWh battery; BMW M3 has a 2,993 cc petrol engine.
- Autonomous braking: BMW i4 M50 operates from 5-250 km/h with pedestrian, cyclist and cross-traffic detection; BMW M3 operates from 5-80 km/h with pedestrian…
i4 M50
- 510 km EV range with 200 kW DC charging
- Five doors and a powered contactless boot
- Adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go
- 0.4 seconds slower from 0-100 km/h
- 435 kg heavier
- No head-up display and a 225 km/h top speed
M3
- 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time and 250 km/h top speed
- Head-up display, paddle shifts and eight-speed automatic
- Active M Differential with 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes
- Costs RM416,000 more
- Rated at 10.1 L/100 km and 230 g/km of CO2
- Autonomous braking only works from 5-80 km/h and lane assistance is warning-only
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM430,800✓ | RM846,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,065✓ | RM2,113 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,993 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 503 hp |
| Torque | — | 650 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 84 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 9.3 |
| 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 M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic |
| Gears | 1 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BMW AG | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.9 seconds | 3.5 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 10.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 225 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 230 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,794 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,903 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,433 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 2,290 kg | 1,855 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 59 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 480 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/35R20 | 275/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R20 | 285/30R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat |
| 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 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy | 20" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering | Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential, 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD Modes |
| 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian, Cyclist and Cross Traffic Detection (5 km/h to 250 km/h) | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Exterior Loudspeaker for Pedestrians, Active Protection | Attentiveness Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Prevention, Active Protection |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive Laser High Beam | Laser Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| 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 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 | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (6 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) |
| 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) | BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Controller, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 12-speaker 360W 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 with Smartphone Key and Proximity Auto Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular, with Reversing Assist | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist |
| 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 | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service |
| 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 | — |
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 for sale
i4 M50 vs M3 FAQ
Is the BMW i4 M50 or BMW M3 better?
The i4 M50 is the better buy for electric driving, five doors and a far lower purchase price. Choose the M3 if its 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time, 250 km/h top speed and head-up display matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 costs RM416,000 more than the BMW i4 M50.
Which is quicker, the BMW i4 M50 or BMW M3?
The BMW M3 is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds versus 3.9 seconds for the BMW i4 M50. It also has a 250 km/h top speed, 25 km/h higher than the i4 M50.