Verdict
The BMW M5 costs RM99,200 less yet brings a 591 hp V8, a 194 hp electric motor and 3.5-second 0-100 km/h pace. Its 22.1 kWh battery can cover 67 km electrically, useful if charging at home or work, but the 2,510 kg kerb weight and RM8,408 annual road tax are serious Malaysian ownership considerations. The Porsche Panamera is 530 kg lighter, has a longer 2,950 mm wheelbase, 494-litre boot and air suspension, while its RM1,865 road tax softens the higher purchase price. Pick the M5 for outright shove and plug-in capability; take the Panamera for the more accommodating long-distance brief.
Pick the BMW M5 if you want 3.5-second 0-100 km/h performance, 67 km of EV range and a RM99,200 lower entry price.
Pick the Porsche Panamera if you prioritise its 1,980 kg weight, 2,950 mm wheelbase, air suspension and far lower RM1,865 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M5 RM1,200,800; Porsche Panamera RM1,300,000.
- Power and torque: BMW M5 591 hp/750 Nm; Porsche Panamera 348 hp/500 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: BMW M5 3.5 sec/250 km/h; Porsche Panamera 5.1 sec/272 km/h.
- Kerb weight: BMW M5 2,510 kg; Porsche Panamera 1,980 kg.
- Wheelbase and boot: BMW M5 2,857 mm/466 litres; Porsche Panamera 2,950 mm/494 litres.
- Road tax and EV range: BMW M5 RM8,408/67 km; Porsche Panamera RM1,865/no EV range.
M5
- RM99,200 cheaper to buy.
- 591 hp, 750 Nm and 3.5-second 0-100 km/h pace.
- 22.1 kWh battery with 67 km EV range.
- RM8,408 annual road tax versus RM1,865.
- 530 kg heavier at 2,510 kg.
- No panoramic glass roof or head-up display.
Panamera
- 530 kg lighter than the M5.
- 2,950 mm wheelbase, 494-litre boot and five doors.
- Adaptive two-chamber air suspension, plus front-seat memory, heating and ventilation.
- RM99,200 more expensive.
- 348 hp and 500 Nm trail the M5's 591 hp and 750 Nm.
- 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.6 seconds slower.
What the Panamera has over the M5
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The Panamera's wheelbase is 93 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,200,800✓ | RM1,300,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Grand Tourer |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM8,408 | RM1,865✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM12,260/mo✓ | RM13,270/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM31,664✓ | RM34,147 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance | 24-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, twin-turbo with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 4,395 cc | 2,894 cc |
| Horsepower | 591 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 348 hp at 6,800 rpm |
| Torque | 750 Nm at 1,800 rpm✓ | 500 Nm at 1,900 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V 8 | V 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 84.5 mm × 86 mm |
| 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 | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | M Steptronic | PDK |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Porsche |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds✓ | 5.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 272 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,096 mm | 5,052 mm |
| Width | 1,970 mm | 1,937 mm |
| Height | 1,510 mm | 1,423 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 2,950 mm |
| Weight | 2,510 kg | 1,980 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 466 litres | 494 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/40R20 | 265/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/35R21 | 295/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook S1 evo Z | — |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 26 inch | 24 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 19 inch | 21 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| 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 Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | M Adaptive Suspension | Porsche Active Suspension Management with Adaptive two-chamber air suspension and two-valve dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver and Front Passenger Knee, Front Side, Front Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for outer two rear passenger seats | Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Matrix LED Projectors |
| 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, Heating & Ventilation |
| 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 | 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 | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot; 2 USB-C Ports Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Side Window Sunshades, Panoramic Glass Roof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Porsche Communications Module, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| 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 | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used M5 & Panamera for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW M5
M5 vs Panamera FAQ
Is the BMW M5 or Porsche Panamera better?
The BMW M5 is the better choice for acceleration and plug-in driving, reaching 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds with 67 km EV range. The Porsche Panamera suits buyers who value lower road tax, less weight, air suspension and a larger boot.
What is the price difference?
The Porsche Panamera costs RM99,200 more than the BMW M5: RM1,300,000 versus RM1,200,800.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Porsche Panamera has much lower annual road tax at RM1,865, compared with RM8,408 for the BMW M5. That is a RM6,543 yearly difference.
Which has the better warranty?
The Panamera carries a 4-year manufacturer warranty against 2 years for the M5.