Verdict
These cars sit far apart in Malaysia. At RM1,200,800, the BMW M5 costs RM756,912 more than the RM443,888 Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class, but brings a 591-hp 4.4-litre plug-in hybrid, a 194-hp motor, 67 km of EV range and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time. The Mercedes has 402 hp and takes 4.6 seconds, yet costs far less to tax annually at RM380 versus RM8,408 and carries a four-year warranty against two years. Its 4,751-mm body is also 345 mm shorter. The M5 is for maximum pace and electric commuting; the AMG C-Class is the more attainable performance sedan.
Pick the BMW M5 if you want 591 hp, 67 km of EV range and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h sprint despite the RM1,200,800 price and RM8,408 annual road tax.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class if RM443,888 pricing, RM380 annual road tax, Malaysian CKD assembly and a four-year warranty matter more than the M5’s extra performance.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M5 RM1,200,800; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class RM443,888.
- Power: BMW M5 591 hp; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class 402 hp.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW M5 3.5 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class 4.6 seconds.
- Battery and EV range: BMW M5 22.1 kWh and 67 km; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class no battery capacity or EV range stated.
- Length: BMW M5 5,096 mm; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class 4,751 mm.
- Annual road tax: BMW M5 RM8,408; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class RM380.
M5
- 591 hp and 750 Nm from a 4.4-litre plug-in hybrid
- 67 km EV range from a 22.1-kWh battery
- 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time and auto parking
- Costs RM756,912 more
- RM8,408 annual road tax versus RM380
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus four years
AMG C-Class
- RM443,888 price and Malaysian CKD assembly
- Four-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty
- Panoramic glass roof, head-up display and 15-speaker Burmester audio
- 402 hp versus 591 hp
- 4.6-second 0-100 km/h time versus 3.5 seconds
- No stated EV range, versus 67 km for the M5
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,200,800 | RM443,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM8,408 | RM380✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Mild Hybrid Assist |
| Capacity | 4,395 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 591 hp✓ | 402 hp |
| Torque | 750 Nm✓ | 500 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 194 hp✓ | 14 hp |
| Motor Torque | 280 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 22.1 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 67 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.4 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | M Steptronic | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds✓ | 4.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,096 mm | 4,751 mm |
| Width | 1,970 mm | 1,820 mm |
| Height | 1,510 mm | 1,437 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 2,510 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 466 litres✓ | 455 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/40R20 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/35R21 | 265/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook S1 evo Z | Continental SportContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" M Alloys | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" M Alloys | 19" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | M Adaptive Suspension | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 | Digital Light LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| 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 System |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear | 4x Front USB-C, 1x Wireless Charger |
| 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 | Panoramic Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-speaker Burmester Sound System |
| 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 | — |
| 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 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 M5 & AMG C-Class for sale
M5 vs AMG C-Class FAQ
Is the BMW M5 or Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class better?
The BMW M5 is better for outright pace and plug-in hybrid running, with 591 hp, 67 km EV range and 3.5-second acceleration. The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class is the better financial choice, costing far less to buy and tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM1,200,800 and the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class costs RM443,888, so the difference is RM756,912.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class has much lower annual road tax at RM380, compared with RM8,408 for the BMW M5.