Verdict
At RM368,800, the CKD BMW i5 costs RM832,000 less than the CBU BMW M5 and its RM395 annual road tax is far easier to absorb than RM8,408. The i5’s 83.9-kWh battery, 627-km EV range and 205-kW DC charging suit buyers who can charge regularly, while its 490-litre boot and 2,995-mm wheelbase help with daily family duty. The M5 is brutally quicker at 3.5 seconds to 100 km/h, with 727 PS and 1,000 Nm from its plug-in-hybrid V8 system, but its 67-km EV range and 2,510-kg weight make it a far more specialised choice.
Pick the BMW i5 if you want a long-range EV with 205-kW DC charging, lower ownership taxes and RM832,000 left in the bank.
Pick the BMW M5 if 3.5-second 0-100 km/h pace, all-wheel drive and its 727-PS plug-in-hybrid V8 system matter more than price and EV range.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; BMW M5 RM1,200,800.
- Road tax per year: BMW i5 RM395; BMW M5 RM8,408.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i5 6.0 seconds; BMW M5 3.5 seconds.
- EV range: BMW i5 627 km; BMW M5 67 km.
- Battery capacity: BMW i5 83.9 kWh; BMW M5 22.1 kWh.
- Boot space: BMW i5 490 litres; BMW M5 466 litres.
i5
- 627-km EV range and 205-kW DC charging
- RM832,000 lower purchase price
- 490-litre boot, head-up display and panoramic glass roof
- Slower 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time versus 3.5 seconds
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- No M Adaptive Suspension or paddle shifts
M5
- 3.5-second 0-100 km/h acceleration
- 727 PS and 1,000 Nm plug-in-hybrid V8 system
- All-wheel drive, M Adaptive Suspension and 21-inch rear wheels
- RM832,000 more expensive
- RM8,408 annual road tax versus RM395
- 67-km EV range and no DC charging rate listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800✓ | RM1,200,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395✓ | RM8,408 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | — | 4,395 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 591 hp |
| Torque | — | 750 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp✓ | 194 hp |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm✓ | 280 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh✓ | 22.1 kWh |
| EV Range | 627 km✓ | 67 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 7.4 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 205 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | M Steptronic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 3.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,096 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,970 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | 2,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 466 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 265/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 295/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | Hankook S1 evo Z |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 20" M Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" M Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | M Adaptive Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three Point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer rear seats | Available for outer two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Windscreen Sun Shade & Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Shades | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (655W) | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System |
| 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 Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | Yes |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| 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 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery | — |
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 i5 & M5 for sale
i5 vs M5 FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or BMW M5 better?
The BMW i5 is better for most Malaysian buyers: it costs RM832,000 less, has a 627-km EV range and attracts RM395 annual road tax. Choose the M5 only if its 3.5-second sprint, all-wheel drive and 727-PS hybrid V8 system are the priority.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM832,000 more than the BMW i5: RM1,200,800 versus RM368,800.
Which has the more useful electric driving range?
The BMW i5, by a huge margin. Its 83.9-kWh battery delivers a stated 627 km of EV range and accepts up to 205 kW DC charging, while the M5 has a 22.1-kWh battery and 67 km of EV range.