Verdict
The BMW i4 M50 is the rationally priced performance sedan at RM430,800, undercutting the RM846,800 BMW M3 by RM416,000 while bringing 537 hp, 795 Nm and a claimed 510 km EV range. Its 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time is only 0.4 seconds behind, and its 200 kW DC charging matters if home and public charging fit your Malaysian routine. The M3 is quicker at 3.5 seconds, reaches 250 km/h and is 435 kg lighter, but its 10.1 L/100 km rating and RM2,113 annual road tax demand a far bigger running budget.
The M3 M3 Competition M xDrive Pro Pack (RM846,800) sits above every i4 M50 variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the BMW i4 M50 if you want 537 hp, 795 Nm, 510 km of EV range and far more advanced driver assistance for RM416,000 less.
Pick the BMW M3 if you want the quicker 3.5-second sprint, 250 km/h top speed, a 435 kg weight advantage and 2WD mode.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 M50 RM430,800; BMW M3 RM846,800.
- Power and torque: BMW i4 M50 has 537 hp and 795 Nm from two motors; BMW M3 has 503 hp and 650 Nm from a 2,993 cc inline-six.
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: BMW i4 M50 does 3.9 seconds and 225 km/h; BMW M3 does 3.5 seconds and 250 km/h.
- Weight: BMW i4 M50 weighs 2,290 kg; BMW M3 weighs 1,855 kg.
- Energy use: BMW i4 M50 has an 83.9 kWh battery and 510 km range; BMW M3 is rated at 10.1 L/100 km and emits 230 g/km.
- Driver assistance: BMW i4 M50 has steering lane correction and braking from 5-250 km/h with pedestrian, cyclist and cross-traffic detection; BMW M3 has lane…
i4 M50
- RM416,000 cheaper to buy.
- 537 hp, 795 Nm and 510 km claimed range.
- 200 kW DC charging, adaptive cruise with steering assist and 360-degree camera.
- 0.4 seconds slower to 100 km/h and limited to 225 km/h versus 250 km/h.
- 435 kg heavier than the M3.
- No head-up display, alarm or smartphone key.
M3
- 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time and 250 km/h top speed.
- 435 kg lighter, with Active M Differential and selectable 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes.
- Head-up display, alarm and smartphone key with proximity locking.
- Costs RM416,000 more.
- Rated at 10.1 L/100 km and 230 g/km, versus the i4 M50's electric drive and 510 km claimed range.
- Passive cruise control and lane warning only, where the i4 M50 gets steering assistance and broader autonomous-braking detection.
What the M3 has over the i4 M50
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The M3 is 51 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays.
| 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 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM4,400/mo✓ | RM8,645/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM11,449✓ | RM22,363 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,462✓ | RM4,020 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM7.31✓ | RM20.10 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM69,877✓ | RM142,479 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 7.6 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 30 min | — |
| 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 at 6,250 rpm |
| Torque | — | 650 Nm at 2,750 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 84 mm × 90 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 |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 24 inch | 24 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 19 inch | 19 inch |
| 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 | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (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 | 3 years | 3 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used i4 M50 & M3 for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW M3
i4 M50 vs M3 FAQ
Is the BMW i4 M50 or BMW M3 better?
The i4 M50 is the better buy for EV running and equipment, delivering 537 hp, 795 Nm and 510 km claimed range. Choose the M3 for the sharper performance numbers: 3.5 seconds to 100 km/h, 250 km/h and 435 kg less weight.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 costs RM416,000 more than the BMW i4 M50. That is a major gap for a 0.4-second advantage in the 0-100 km/h sprint and a 25 km/h higher top speed.
Which has better driver assistance?
The i4 M50 has the stronger suite: adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go, plus autonomous braking that detects pedestrians, cyclists and cross traffic from 5-250 km/h. The M3 uses passive cruise control, lane warning and pedestrian detection from 5-80 km/h.
How long does charging take?
The i4 M50's 83.9 kWh battery takes about 7.6 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 30 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 200 kW peak.