BMW i7 vs BMW M3
Verdict
The BMW i7 is the cheaper car at RM714,800, yet it is also the bigger one: 5,391 mm long with a 3,215 mm wheelbase and 525-litre boot. The BMW M3 costs RM837,800 and flips the script on pace, doing 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds against the i7’s 4.7 seconds. For Malaysia, this is less a straight luxury-versus-performance call than a use-case split: the i7 gives 625 km of EV range and lower road tax, the M3 gives the quicker, petrol AWD sedan experience.
i7
Pick the BMW i7 if you want the larger luxury sedan, electric running and a 625 km EV range.
M3
Pick the BMW M3 if you want the quicker AWD petrol sedan and can accept the higher road tax.
Key differences
- Price gap: BMW i7 RM714,800; BMW M3 RM837,800
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i7 4.7 s; BMW M3 3.5 s
- Power: BMW i7 536 hp; BMW M3 503 hp
- Size: BMW i7 5,391 mm long; BMW M3 4,794 mm long
- Boot space: BMW i7 525 L; BMW M3 480 L
- Road tax/year: BMW i7 RM1,015; BMW M3 RM2,113
i7
- 625 km EV range
- Bigger 525-litre boot
- Lower RM1,015 annual road tax
- Slower 4.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Large 5,391 mm body to place in town
- Top speed is lower at 240 km/h
M3
- Quicker 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Higher 250 km/h top speed
- 650 Nm from its 2,993 cc petrol engine
- Higher RM2,113 annual road tax
- Smaller 480-litre boot
- 230 g/km CO₂ output
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 714,800✓ | RM 837,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Luxury | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,993 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 503 hp |
| Torque | — | 650 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 84 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 9.3 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 536 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 745 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-Ion | — |
| EV Range | 625 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS2 | — |
| 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) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| 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 |
| Front Brakes | — | Ventilated Cross-drilled Disc |
| Rear Brakes | — | Ventilated Cross-drilled Disc |
| 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 | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 1,015✓ | RM 2,113 |
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.
i7 vs M3 FAQ
Is the BMW i7 or BMW M3 better?
The BMW i7 is better for space, EV range and lower road tax. The BMW M3 is better for acceleration, with 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds versus the i7’s 4.7 seconds.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 costs RM123,000 more than the BMW i7, at RM837,800 versus RM714,800.
Which one is more spacious?
The BMW i7 is larger, with a 3,215 mm wheelbase and 525-litre boot. The BMW M3 has a 2,857 mm wheelbase and 480-litre boot.