Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the BMW i4 M50 costs RM430,800, a RM137,912 step above the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and its RM1,065 annual road tax dwarfs RM90. That outlay brings fierce 3.9-second 0-100 km/h pace, all-wheel drive and a 510 km EV range from an 83.9 kWh battery. The C-Class is the rational alternative: 6.6 L/100 km fuel use, a 50-litre tank and 246 km/h top speed suit buyers who do not want to plan charging. The BMW is far quicker; the Mercedes is far cheaper to run on paper.
i4 M50
Pick the BMW i4 M50 if you want 537 hp, 795 Nm, all-wheel drive and 510 km of electric range over the C-Class’s lower upfront and road-tax costs.
C-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz C-Class if RM137,912 saved, RM90 annual road tax and 6.6 L/100 km matter more than 3.9-second EV acceleration.
Key differences
- Acceleration: BMW i4 M50 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds; Mercedes-Benz C-Class in 7.3 seconds.
- Motor output: BMW i4 M50 has 2 motors producing 537 hp and 795 Nm; Mercedes-Benz C-Class has 1 motor producing 20 hp and 200 Nm.
- Top speed: BMW i4 M50 reaches 225 km/h; Mercedes-Benz C-Class reaches 246 km/h.
- Energy storage and use: BMW i4 M50 has an 83.9 kWh battery and 510 km range; Mercedes-Benz C-Class has a 50-litre tank and is rated at 6.6 L/100 km.
- Road tax: BMW i4 M50 costs RM1,065 per year; Mercedes-Benz C-Class costs RM90 per year.
- Infotainment and audio: BMW i4 M50 gets a 14.9-inch screen and 17 speakers; Mercedes-Benz C-Class has an 11.4-inch screen and 8 speakers.
i4 M50
- 3.9-second 0-100 km/h sprint and all-wheel drive
- 510 km EV range with 200 kW DC charging
- 470-litre boot, 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control with steering assist
- RM137,912 higher purchase price and RM1,065 annual road tax versus RM90
- 640 kg heavier at 2,290 kg versus 1,650 kg
- 225 km/h top speed trails the C-Class’s 246 km/h
C-Class
- RM137,912 lower purchase price and RM90 annual road tax
- 6.6 L/100 km rated economy with a 50-litre tank
- 246 km/h top speed, plus rear sun shades and 64-colour ambient lighting
- 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.4 seconds behind the i4 M50
- No EV range or AC/DC charging capability against the BMW’s 510 km range and 11 kW/200 kW charging
- Reverse camera only, where the BMW adds a 360-degree camera and Reversing Assist
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM430,800 | RM292,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,065 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 201 hp |
| Torque | — | 300 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 78 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 537 hp✓ | 20 hp |
| Motor Torque | 795 Nm✓ | 200 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 | 9G-TRONIC |
| Gears | 1 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BMW AG | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.9 seconds✓ | 7.3 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 225 km/h | 246 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 151 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,751 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,820 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,437 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 2,290 kg | 1,650 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres✓ | 455 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/35R20 | 225/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R20 | 245/40R18 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Pirelli Cinturato P7 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-Link |
| Rear Suspension | Multilink | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering | Agility Control Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, 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 (7 to 250 km/h), with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (7 to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Exterior Loudspeaker for Pedestrians, Active Protection | Blind Spot Collision Prevention, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Prevention, Active Bonnet |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive Laser High Beam | LED Projector 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 Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar |
| 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 | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (6 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Sun Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Sun 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) | 11.4" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto 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 Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot, 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 |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular, with Reversing Assist | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW IconicSounds Electric | Auto-dimming Mirrors, Qi Wireless Charger, Fingerprint Scanner |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years✓ | 2 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 & C-Class for sale
i4 M50 vs C-Class FAQ
Is the BMW i4 M50 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class better?
The BMW i4 M50 is better for outright performance and electric driving, with 537 hp, 795 Nm and a 3.9-second sprint. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the better cost-conscious choice, with a far lower price, RM90 road tax and 6.6 L/100 km economy.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 M50 costs RM137,912 more than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. That gap also comes with a yearly road-tax difference of RM975 in favour of the C-Class.
Which car is quicker?
The BMW i4 M50 is substantially quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds versus 7.3 seconds for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The C-Class has the higher top speed, however: 246 km/h against 225 km/h.