Verdict
The BMW i4 is the rational Malaysian pick at RM294,800: its 282 hp, 400 Nm rear motor reaches 100 km/h in six seconds, yet its 70.3 kWh battery is only 10 km shy of the M50’s 510 km range. The RM136,000 gap to the BMW i4 M50 buys a second motor, all-wheel drive, 537 hp, 795 Nm and a 3.9-second sprint, plus a larger 83.9 kWh battery and 200 kW DC charging. Be prepared for RM1,065 annual road tax on the M50 against RM305 for the i4.
Pick the BMW i4 if you want 500 km range, a lower RM305 annual road-tax bill and a 215 kg lighter rear-wheel-drive EV for RM136,000 less.
Pick the BMW i4 M50 if 537 hp, 795 Nm, all-wheel drive and 3.9-second 0-100 km/h pace matter more than its RM136,000 premium and higher road tax.
Key differences
- Price: RM294,800 vs RM430,800
- Motors and output: 1 motor, 282 hp and 400 Nm vs 2 motors, 537 hp and 795 Nm
- Battery and range: 70.3 kWh and 500 km vs 83.9 kWh and 510 km
- Driveline and 0-100 km/h: rear-wheel drive, 6.0 seconds vs all-wheel drive, 3.9 seconds
- DC charging and weight: 180 kW, 2,075 kg vs 200 kW, 2,290 kg
- Annual road tax: RM305 vs RM1,065
i4
- RM136,000 cheaper to buy
- 215 kg lighter
- Gets a head-up display and alarm
- Slower 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time versus 3.9 seconds
- Single-motor rear-wheel drive rather than dual-motor all-wheel drive
- 180 kW DC charging and 500 km range trail the M50’s 200 kW and 510 km
i4 M50
- 537 hp and 795 Nm from two motors
- All-wheel drive and 3.9-second 0-100 km/h
- Adaptive M Suspension, variable sport steering and 200 kW DC charging
- Costs RM136,000 more
- Annual road tax is RM760 higher
- At 2,290 kg, it is 215 kg heavier and lacks the i4’s head-up display
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800✓ | RM430,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305✓ | RM1,065 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 282 hp | 537 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 400 Nm | 795 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 70.3 kWh | 83.9 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 500 km | 510 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 11.0 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 180 kW | 200.0 kW✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | eDrive |
| Gears | — | 1 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | BMW AG |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 3.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | 225 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,783 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,448 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,856 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | 2,290 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 245/35R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 255/35R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multilink |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front 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 for 2nd Row Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian, Cyclist and Cross Traffic Detection (5 km/h to 250 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Exterior Loudspeaker for Pedestrians, Active Protection |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Projector with Adaptive Laser High Beam |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory | 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 | Rear AC Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (6 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered 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, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular, 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 |
| 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 | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 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 & i4 M50 for sale
i4 vs i4 M50 FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or BMW i4 M50 better?
The BMW i4 M50 is better for outright performance, with 537 hp, all-wheel drive and 3.9-second 0-100 km/h acceleration. The regular BMW i4 is the better-cost choice, retaining 500 km range for RM136,000 less and with RM305 annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 M50 costs RM430,800, which is RM136,000 more than the RM294,800 BMW i4.
Does the BMW i4 M50 have much more range than the BMW i4?
No. The BMW i4 M50 is rated for 510 km from its 83.9 kWh battery, only 10 km beyond the BMW i4’s 500 km rating from a 70.3 kWh battery. The M50 does charge faster on DC power: 200 kW versus 180 kW.