Verdict
At RM294,800, the BMW i4 is the rational Malaysian entry point: its 282 hp, 400 Nm rear motor reaches 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and claims 500 km of range. The BMW i4 M50 costs RM136,000 more, yet its 510 km range is only 10 km further. What that money chiefly buys is serious pace—537 hp, 795 Nm and 3.9 seconds to 100 km/h—plus all-wheel drive, adaptive M suspension and richer cabin kit. Factor in RM1,065 annual road tax for the M50 against RM305 for the i4. The M50 is a performance purchase, not a range-led one.
Pick the BMW i4 if 500 km of claimed range, rear-wheel drive and a far lower RM305 annual road-tax bill matter more than sub-four-second acceleration.
Pick the BMW i4 M50 if you want 537 hp, 795 Nm, all-wheel drive and 3.9-second 0-100 km/h pace.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; BMW i4 M50 RM430,800.
- Motors and output: BMW i4 one motor, 282 hp and 400 Nm; BMW i4 M50 two motors, 537 hp and 795 Nm.
- Driveline and 0-100 km/h: BMW i4 rear-wheel drive and 6.0 seconds; BMW i4 M50 all-wheel drive and 3.9 seconds.
- Battery and range: BMW i4 70.3 kWh and 500 km; BMW i4 M50 83.9 kWh and 510 km.
- DC charging and top speed: BMW i4 180 kW and 190 km/h; BMW i4 M50 200 kW and 225 km/h.
- Annual road tax: BMW i4 RM305; BMW i4 M50 RM1,065.
i4
- RM136,000 less expensive.
- 500 km claimed range, just 10 km behind the M50.
- 215 kg lighter, with a tyre repair kit included.
- 282 hp, 400 Nm and 6.0-second acceleration are well behind the M50's 537 hp, 795 Nm and 3.9 seconds.
- Rear-wheel drive lacks the M50's all-wheel drive, adaptive M suspension and variable sport steering.
- Misses the M50's Harman Kardon 17-speaker audio, sunroof and contactless boot operation.
i4 M50
- 537 hp and 795 Nm from two motors.
- All-wheel drive, adaptive M suspension and variable sport steering.
- 200 kW DC charging, 17-speaker Harman Kardon audio and adaptive laser high beam headlamps.
- RM136,000 more expensive and RM760 per year costlier in road tax.
- Only 10 km more claimed range despite its 83.9 kWh battery versus 70.3 kWh.
- 215 kg heavier, and it has no spare tyre or tyre repair kit listed.
| 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 | 5 years | 5 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 a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time. The BMW i4 is the smarter choice if 500 km claimed range is enough, because it costs far less and has lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 M50 costs RM136,000 more than the BMW i4: RM430,800 versus RM294,800.
Does the BMW i4 M50 have much more range?
No. The BMW i4 M50 claims 510 km from an 83.9 kWh battery, while the BMW i4 claims 500 km from a 70.3 kWh battery. The M50's extra battery capacity mainly supports its much higher performance.