Verdict
The BMW M4 Coupe is the vastly quicker, more practical machine: 530 hp and 650 Nm send its 1,800 kg body to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, while its 440-litre boot nearly doubles the Subaru BRZ’s 226 litres. But the RM629,555 gap is enormous, and the BMW’s RM2,113 annual road tax is RM1,346 higher. The 1,289 kg BRZ trades outright pace for a six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and far lower entry cost. For Malaysian buyers, this is a budget-and-purpose decision, not a close numerical contest.
Pick the BMW M4 Coupe if you need 3.5-second 0-100 km/h pace, all-wheel drive, a 440-litre boot and active safety including pedestrian-detecting autonomous braking.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if a 1,289 kg rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual matters more than the M4’s huge performance advantage and extra equipment.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M4 Coupe RM878,800; Subaru BRZ RM249,245.
- Output: BMW M4 Coupe 530 hp and 650 Nm; Subaru BRZ 234 hp and 250 Nm.
- Acceleration: BMW M4 Coupe 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds; Subaru BRZ in 6.3 seconds.
- Kerb weight: BMW M4 Coupe 1,800 kg; Subaru BRZ 1,289 kg.
- Boot space: BMW M4 Coupe 440 litres; Subaru BRZ 226 litres.
- Driver assistance: BMW M4 Coupe has pedestrian-detecting autonomous braking from 5-80 km/h and lane-keeping steering correction; Subaru BRZ has no autonomous…
M4 Coupe
- 530 hp, 650 Nm and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- All-wheel drive and eight-speed M Steptronic automatic.
- 440-litre boot, 360-degree camera and 14.9-inch display with 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- RM878,800 costs RM629,555 more than the BRZ.
- 1,800 kg is 511 kg heavier than the BRZ.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus the BRZ’s five years.
BRZ
- 1,289 kg kerb weight with rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual.
- RM767 annual road tax, against RM2,113 for the M4 Coupe.
- Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
- 234 hp and 250 Nm fall far short of the M4 Coupe’s 530 hp and 650 Nm.
- 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.8 seconds behind the M4 Coupe.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM878,800 | RM249,245✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,113 | RM767✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 530 hp✓ | 234 hp |
| Torque | 650 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic | — |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds✓ | 6.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 226 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,794 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,887 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,393 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 1,289 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 440 litres✓ | 226 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/35R20 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Forged Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" M Forged Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | M Adaptive Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Front Passenger Door | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Laserlight | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 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 M4 Coupe & BRZ for sale
M4 Coupe vs BRZ FAQ
Is the BMW M4 Coupe or Subaru BRZ better?
The BMW M4 Coupe is better for outright speed, boot space, all-wheel drive and active safety. The Subaru BRZ is the better fit if you want a much lighter rear-wheel-drive coupe with a manual gearbox and substantially lower ownership costs.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M4 Coupe costs RM629,555 more than the Subaru BRZ: RM878,800 against RM249,245.
Which coupe has more luggage space?
The BMW M4 Coupe has a 440-litre boot, compared with 226 litres in the Subaru BRZ. Both have four seats and folding rear seatbacks, but the BMW’s 40:20:40 split is more flexible than the BRZ’s 60:40 arrangement.