Verdict
The BMW M5 is the more useful plug-in hybrid day to day, with 67 km of EV range, 7.4 kW AC charging and a 466-litre boot. It is heavier and fractionally slower, though: 2,510 kg and 3.5 seconds to 100 km/h. The Mercedes-Benz AMG S-Class answers with 603 hp, 900 Nm, a 3.3-second sprint, 290 km/h top speed and a 3,216 mm wheelbase, so it feels like the richer rear-seat car on paper. This is performance saloon versus luxury limousine, not a walkover.
M5
Pick the BMW M5 if you want the lower-priced PHEV super saloon with longer EV range, faster AC charging and the bigger boot.
AMG S-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG S-Class if you want the quicker, longer-wheelbase luxury sedan with far more rear-seat equipment and stronger V8 torque.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M5 RM1,188,800; Mercedes-Benz AMG S-Class RM2,238,888
- 0-100 km/h: BMW M5 3.5 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG S-Class 3.3 seconds
- EV range: BMW M5 67 km; Mercedes-Benz AMG S-Class 31 km
- AC charging rate: BMW M5 7.4 kW; Mercedes-Benz AMG S-Class 3.7 kW
- Wheelbase: BMW M5 2,857 mm; Mercedes-Benz AMG S-Class 3,216 mm
- Boot space: BMW M5 466 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG S-Class 350 litres
M5
- 67 km EV range beats the AMG S-Class’ 31 km
- 7.4 kW AC charging is double the Mercedes-Benz’s 3.7 kW rate
- 466-litre boot is larger than the AMG S-Class’ 350 litres
- Slower to 100 km/h at 3.5 seconds versus 3.3 seconds
- Lower top speed at 250 km/h versus 290 km/h
- Shorter 2,857 mm wheelbase versus 3,216 mm
AMG S-Class
- Quicker 3.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- 603 hp and 900 Nm from the petrol V8, above the BMW’s 591 hp and 750 Nm
- Rear seats add power adjustment, memory, heating, ventilation, massage and one-touch recline
- Costs RM1,050,088 more
- Shorter 31 km EV range versus 67 km
- Smaller 350-litre boot versus 466 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 1,188,800✓ | RM 2,238,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance | 32-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, twin-turbo with variable valve timing and PHEV assistance |
| Capacity | 4,395 cc | 3,982 cc |
| Horsepower | 591 hp | 603 hp✓ |
| Torque | 750 Nm | 900 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V | V |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 194 hp✓ | 188 hp |
| Motor Torque | 280 Nm | 320 Nm✓ |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 22.1 kWh✓ | 13.1 kWh |
| EV Range | 67 km✓ | 31 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.4 kW✓ | 3.7 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | M Steptronic | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds | 3.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 290 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,096 mm | 5,289 mm |
| Width | 1,970 mm | 1,954 mm |
| Height | 1,510 mm | 1,503 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 3,216 mm |
| Weight | 2,510 kg | 2,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 466 litres✓ | 350 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/40R20 | 255/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/35R21 | 285/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook S1 evo Z | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" M Alloys | 21" AMG Cross-spoke Forged Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 21" M Alloys | 21" AMG Cross-spoke Forged Wheels |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc | Cross-drilled Carbon Ceramic Brakes |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc | Cross-drilled Carbon Ceramic Brakes |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | M Adaptive Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Rear Passengers, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Left Cushion |
| 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 outer two rear passenger seats | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam (Digital Light with Projection Function) |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory, Heating and Massage Functions; Pillow Headrests; Passenger Seat Adjustment from Rear Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Power Adjustable Outer Rear Seats with Memory, Heating, Ventilation, Massage and One-touch Recline Functions; Folding Rear Pillow Headrests with Built-in Neck Warmers; Powered Ottoman and Leg Rest for Left Seat with Massage Function; Centre Load-through |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Air Balance Perfume System and Ioniser |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear | 4 Front USB-C, 6 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Double Sun Visors, Powered Rear Windscreen and Rear Door Window Sunshades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 12.8" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 11" Rear Entertainment Displays; 7" Rear Android Tablet; 15-speaker Burmester 3D Surround Sound System (710 Watts) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Yes | Soft Close Function, All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 8,408 | RM 6,549✓ |
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.
M5 vs AMG S-Class FAQ
Is the BMW M5 or Mercedes-Benz AMG S-Class better?
For most Malaysian buyers, the BMW M5 is the sharper buy because it has longer EV range, faster AC charging and more boot space. The Mercedes-Benz AMG S-Class is better if rear-seat luxury and maximum straight-line numbers matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG S-Class costs RM2,238,888, while the BMW M5 costs RM1,188,800. That makes the Mercedes-Benz RM1,050,088 more expensive.
Which car is quicker?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG S-Class is quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds versus 3.5 seconds for the BMW M5. It also has the higher top speed, at 290 km/h against 250 km/h.