Verdict
At RM714,800, the BMW i7 undercuts the RM846,800 BMW M3 by RM132,000 while bringing 625 km of EV range, a 525-litre boot and a 3,215 mm wheelbase. Its 536 hp/745 Nm dual-motor drivetrain is hardly slow, but the M3’s 503 hp, 650 Nm twin-turbo 3.0-litre petrol powertrain reaches 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds against 4.7 seconds. For Malaysian buyers, the i7 also carries RM1,015 annual road tax versus RM2,113. Choose the i7 for rear-seat luxury and electric running; choose the M3 for outright pace and a much smaller footprint.
Pick the BMW i7 if you want a five-seat luxury sedan with 625 km EV range, rear power seats and a RM132,000 lower purchase price.
Pick the BMW M3 if a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time, 250 km/h top speed and 4WD/4WD Sport/2WD driving modes matter more than rear-seat luxury.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i7 RM714,800; BMW M3 RM846,800.
- Power and torque: BMW i7 536 hp and 745 Nm; BMW M3 503 hp and 650 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i7 4.7 seconds; BMW M3 3.5 seconds.
- Annual road tax: BMW i7 RM1,015; BMW M3 RM2,113.
- Length and wheelbase: BMW i7 5,391 mm and 3,215 mm; BMW M3 4,794 mm and 2,857 mm.
- Boot space: BMW i7 525 litres; BMW M3 480 litres.
i7
- RM132,000 less expensive to buy.
- 625 km EV range with 195 kW DC charging.
- Rear power seats, rear dual-zone climate control and power doors.
- 0-100 km/h takes 4.7 seconds, 1.2 seconds behind the M3.
- At 2,715 kg, it weighs 860 kg more than the M3.
- Its 240 km/h top speed is 10 km/h lower.
M3
- 3.5-second 0-100 km/h sprint and 250 km/h top speed.
- 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes with an Active M Differential.
- 597 mm shorter and 860 kg lighter than the i7.
- Costs RM132,000 more and annual road tax is RM1,098 higher.
- 480-litre boot is 45 litres smaller than the i7's.
- Rear occupants get single-zone air-con and manual rear-door child locks rather than the i7's rear dual-zone system and electronic locks.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM714,800✓ | RM846,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Luxury | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,015✓ | RM2,113 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,993 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 503 hp |
| Torque | — | 650 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 84 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 9.3 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 536 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 745 Nm | — |
| EV Range | 625 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 195 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.7 seconds | 3.5 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 10.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 230 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,391 mm | 4,794 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,903 mm |
| Height | 1,544 mm | 1,433 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,215 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 2,715 kg | 1,855 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 275/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 285/30R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" M Aerodynamic style 909 M alloy wheels | 19" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" M Aerodynamic style 909 M alloy wheels | 20" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension, All-wheel steering | Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential, 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD Modes |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Attentiveness Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Prevention, Active Protection |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | Laser Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED combination | 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 Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | Power Adjustable Rear Seats with Power Adjustments | 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Sky Lounge Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (15 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 4 | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | 2x Side Shade, 1x Rear Shade | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Controller, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 12-speaker 360W Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | 4 | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Smartphone Key and Proximity Auto Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist |
| 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 |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service |
| 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 | — |
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 i7 & M3 for sale
i7 vs M3 FAQ
Is the BMW i7 or BMW M3 better?
The BMW i7 is better for a luxury-focused owner who wants 625 km electric range, more rear-seat provision and lower road tax. The BMW M3 is better if the priority is performance: it reaches 100 km/h 1.2 seconds sooner and has selectable 4WD and 2WD modes.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 costs RM132,000 more than the BMW i7. Its annual road tax is also RM1,098 higher.
Which one has more space for passengers and luggage?
The BMW i7 is the roomier choice on its 3,215 mm wheelbase, compared with 2,857 mm for the M3, and it has a 525-litre boot versus 480 litres. It also gets power-adjustable rear seats and rear dual-zone climate control.