Verdict
For Malaysian buyers, the BMW M3 is the sharper financial and physical proposition: RM846,800 buys 503 hp, 650 Nm, a 1,855-kg kerb weight and the same 3.5-second 0-100 km/h claim as its larger sibling. The RM354,000 step to the BMW M5 brings 591 hp, 750 Nm, a 22.1-kWh battery and 67 km of EV range, plus a more accommodating executive-sized body. But it also weighs 2,510 kg and carries RM8,408 annual road tax against RM2,113. Pick the M5 for its PHEV capability and rear-seat-minded equipment; pick the M3 for the less cumbersome performance sedan.
M3
Pick the BMW M3 if you want identical 3.5-second 0-100 km/h performance in a 655-kg lighter, RM354,000 cheaper sedan with lower annual road tax.
M5
Pick the BMW M5 if you want 591 hp and 750 Nm, 67 km of EV range, adaptive cruise control and a more spacious executive-class body.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 RM846,800; BMW M5 RM1,200,800.
- Power and torque: BMW M3 503 hp and 650 Nm; BMW M5 591 hp and 750 Nm.
- Kerb weight: BMW M3 1,855 kg; BMW M5 2,510 kg.
- Electrification: BMW M3 petrol with no battery or EV range; BMW M5 PHEV with a 22.1-kWh battery and 67 km EV range.
- Dimensions: BMW M3 4,794 mm long and 1,903 mm wide; BMW M5 5,096 mm long and 1,970 mm wide.
- Annual road tax: BMW M3 RM2,113; BMW M5 RM8,408.
M3
- RM354,000 cheaper with the same 3.5-second 0-100 km/h claim.
- 655 kg lighter than the M5.
- Gets laser projectors, head-up display and selectable 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes.
- 503 hp and 650 Nm trail the M5's 591 hp and 750 Nm.
- No plug-in hybrid system, 22.1-kWh battery or 67 km EV range.
- Passive cruise control and lane-keeping warning only, versus adaptive cruise and steering correction.
M5
- 591 hp and 750 Nm, with the same 3.5-second 0-100 km/h claim.
- 22.1-kWh battery delivers 67 km of EV range; AC charging is rated at 7.4 kW.
- Gets adaptive cruise control, steering-correction lane keeping, rear window shades and a 360-degree camera.
- Costs RM354,000 more than the M3.
- At 2,510 kg, it is 655 kg heavier.
- Annual road tax is RM8,408, RM6,295 higher 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 | 5 years | 5 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 choice for outright value and lower mass: it matches the M5's 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time for RM354,000 less. The M5 is better if 67 km EV range, extra power and executive-class equipment matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM1,200,800 and the BMW M3 costs RM846,800, so the difference is RM354,000.
Which has the lower running tax in Malaysia?
The BMW M3 has much lower annual road tax at RM2,113. The BMW M5 is rated at RM8,408 per year, a RM6,295 difference.