Verdict
The i4 M50 is 55% more powerful, while the IS is about 5% cheaper. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
What the i4 M50 has over the IS
What the IS 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 i4 M50's wheelbase is 56 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The i4 M50 is 42 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM430,800 | RM409,000✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,065 | RM379✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM4,400/mo | RM4,175/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM11,449 | RM10,947✓ |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,462✓ | RM2,786 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM7.31✓ | RM13.93 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM69,877✓ | RM70,561 |
| 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 | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 241 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | — | 350 Nm at 1,650 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 86 mm × 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| 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 Sports Direct Shift |
| Gears | 1 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BMW AG | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.9 seconds✓ | 7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 225 km/h | 230 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,665 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,810 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,430 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,800 mm |
| Weight | 2,290 kg | 1,620 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 66 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 480 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/35R20 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R20 | 225/45R17 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multilink | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 10 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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) | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| 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 | Bi-Xenon Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 10-way Power Adjustable Seats, Heated and Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front |
| 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) | 7" Lexus Premium Audio with DVD/MP3 Player and 8 Speakers |
| 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | — |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular, with Reversing Assist | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW IconicSounds Electric | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited✓ | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 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 October 2026.
Used i4 M50 & IS for sale
Our reviews & guides
i4 M50 vs IS FAQ
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.
Which has the better warranty?
The IS carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty against 2 years for the i4 M50. i4 M50: 6-year/100,000 km Free Service Package, 8-year/100,000 km Battery Warranty.