Verdict
The BMW i4 is the rational Malaysian choice at RM294,800: its 282 hp rear motor, 70.3-kWh battery and 500-km range still make a properly usable five-door executive EV. The BMW i4 M50 costs RM136,000 more, but the money buys a second motor, all-wheel drive and a huge jump to 537 hp and 795 Nm; 0-100 km/h falls from 6.0 to 3.9 seconds. Its 83.9-kWh battery only adds 10 km of claimed range, however, while annual road tax rises from RM305 to RM1,065. Fast, but expensive.
i4
Pick the BMW i4 if you want 500 km of claimed range, a 470-litre boot and lower running costs without paying RM136,000 for M50 pace.
i4 M50
Pick the BMW i4 M50 if 537 hp, 795 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than the RM136,000 premium.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; BMW i4 M50 RM430,800.
- Motors and output: BMW i4 has one motor with 282 hp and 400 Nm; BMW i4 M50 has two motors with 537 hp and 795 Nm.
- Driveline and acceleration: BMW i4 is rear-wheel drive and does 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds; BMW i4 M50 is all-wheel drive and takes 3.9 seconds.
- Battery and range: BMW i4 has a 70.3-kWh battery and 500 km range; BMW i4 M50 has an 83.9-kWh battery and 510 km range.
- DC charging and road tax: BMW i4 supports 180 kW and costs RM305 yearly; BMW i4 M50 supports 200 kW and costs RM1,065 yearly.
- Weight and wheels: BMW i4 weighs 2,075 kg on 19-inch wheels; BMW i4 M50 weighs 2,290 kg on 20-inch wheels.
i4
- RM136,000 cheaper to buy.
- 500-km claimed EV range.
- Lower RM305 annual road tax and 215 kg less weight.
- 282 hp and 400 Nm trail the M50's 537 hp and 795 Nm.
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
- Slower 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
i4 M50
- 537 hp, 795 Nm and dual-motor all-wheel drive.
- 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time and 225 km/h top speed.
- 200-kW DC charging, adaptive M suspension and variable sport steering.
- Costs RM136,000 more.
- RM1,065 annual road tax versus RM305.
- Its stated battery warranty is 8 years/100,000 km, versus 8 years/160,000 km for the i4.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800✓ | RM430,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| 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 |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305✓ | RM1,065 |
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 is better for cost-conscious ownership, with 500 km claimed range for RM294,800. The BMW i4 M50 is better if outright performance is the priority: it has 537 hp, all-wheel drive and reaches 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 M50 costs RM136,000 more than the BMW i4, at RM430,800 against RM294,800.
Which BMW i4 has the longer range and faster charging?
The BMW i4 M50 claims 510 km of range and 200-kW DC charging, against the BMW i4's 500 km and 180 kW. Both have 11-kW AC charging.