Verdict
The BMW M3 is the sharper financial case at RM846,800: it matches the BMW M5’s 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time, 250 km/h top speed and 2,857 mm wheelbase while weighing 655 kg less. The RM354,000 gap is substantial before annual road tax, which is RM2,113 for the M3 versus RM8,408 for the M5. The M5 counters with a 727 PS/1,000 Nm plug-in hybrid powertrain, 67 km of EV range and a more lavish cabin, but its nearly 2.5-tonne kerb weight makes it a very different proposition.
M3
Pick the BMW M3 if you want the same 3.5-second sprint and 250 km/h top speed for RM354,000 less, with 480 litres of boot space and 655 kg less mass.
M5
Pick the BMW M5 if you want 727 PS and 1,000 Nm, 67 km of electric range, rear dual-zone climate control and the larger 14.9-inch display.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 RM846,800; BMW M5 RM1,200,800.
- Powertrain output: BMW M3 503 hp and 650 Nm; BMW M5 727 PS and 1,000 Nm.
- Kerb weight: BMW M3 1,855 kg; BMW M5 2,510 kg.
- Electric running: BMW M3 has no battery or EV range; BMW M5 has a 22.1 kWh battery and 67 km EV range.
- Dimensions: BMW M3 is 4,794 mm long and 1,903 mm wide; BMW M5 is 5,096 mm long and 1,970 mm wide.
- Boot space: BMW M3 480 litres; BMW M5 466 litres.
M3
- RM354,000 less expensive while matching the 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 655 kg lighter than the M5.
- 480-litre boot is 14 litres larger.
- 503 hp and 650 Nm trail the M5’s 727 PS and 1,000 Nm.
- No 67 km EV range or 22.1 kWh plug-in hybrid battery.
- Smaller 10.25-inch touchscreen and 12-speaker 360W Harman Kardon system.
M5
- 727 PS and 1,000 Nm from its plug-in hybrid powertrain.
- 22.1 kWh battery provides 67 km of EV range.
- 14.9-inch curved display, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio and 360-degree camera.
- Costs RM354,000 more and annual road tax is RM6,295 higher.
- At 2,510 kg, it is 655 kg heavier than the M3.
- 466-litre boot is 14 litres smaller than the M3’s.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM846,800✓ | RM1,200,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,113✓ | RM8,408 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 4,395 cc |
| Horsepower | 503 hp | 591 hp✓ |
| Torque | 650 Nm | 750 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 84 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 194 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 280 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 22.1 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 67 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7.4 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic | M Steptronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds | 3.5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 10.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 230 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,794 mm | 5,096 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 1,970 mm |
| Height | 1,433 mm | 1,510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 1,855 kg | 2,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 466 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 265/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/30R20 | 295/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat | Hankook S1 evo Z |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 20" M Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 21" M Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential, 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD Modes | M Adaptive Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear 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 | Manual 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 | Available for outer two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Attentiveness Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Prevention, Active Protection | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Laser Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | 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 |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 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 | 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 with Smartphone Key and Proximity Auto Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | 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 |
| 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 | 3 years | 3 years |
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 M3 & M5 for sale
M3 vs M5 FAQ
Is the BMW M3 or BMW M5 better?
The BMW M3 is the better buy for performance per ringgit, matching the M5’s 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time for far less money. Choose the M5 for its 727 PS/1,000 Nm output, 67 km EV range and richer rear-seat amenities.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM354,000 more than the BMW M3. Its annual road tax is also RM8,408 versus RM2,113, a RM6,295 yearly difference.
Which has more practical luggage space?
The BMW M3 has the larger boot at 480 litres, beating the BMW M5’s 466 litres by 14 litres. Both are five-seat sedans with 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.