Verdict
The RM38,000 step from the BMW 3 Series M at RM392,800 to the BMW i4 M50 at RM430,800 buys markedly stronger electric performance: 537 hp, 795 Nm and 3.9 seconds to 100 km/h versus 387 hp, 500 Nm and 4.4 seconds. It also halves annual road tax to RM1,065 and brings a 510-km claimed range, but needs charging access. The 3 Series M is 490 kg lighter, reaches 250 km/h and has a 480-litre boot, so it remains the more straightforward petrol performance sedan for long-distance use.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want the lower RM392,800 entry price, a 250 km/h top speed and petrol refuelling convenience.
i4 M50
Pick the BMW i4 M50 if you can charge regularly and want 537 hp, 795 Nm, a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time and lower RM1,065 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM392,800; BMW i4 M50 RM430,800.
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp and 500 Nm; BMW i4 M50 537 hp and 795 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series M 4.4 seconds; BMW i4 M50 3.9 seconds.
- Top speed: BMW 3 Series M 250 km/h; BMW i4 M50 225 km/h.
- Kerb weight: BMW 3 Series M 1,800 kg; BMW i4 M50 2,290 kg.
- Annual road tax: BMW 3 Series M RM2,125; BMW i4 M50 RM1,065.
3 Series M
- RM38,000 cheaper to buy.
- 490 kg lighter.
- 250 km/h top speed and 480-litre boot.
- Slower to 100 km/h: 4.4 seconds versus 3.9 seconds.
- Produces 387 hp and 500 Nm, against the i4 M50's 537 hp and 795 Nm.
- Annual road tax is RM2,125, RM1,060 higher.
i4 M50
- 537 hp and 795 Nm from two motors.
- 510-km EV range, with 11 kW AC and 200 kW DC charging.
- RM1,065 annual road tax and an eight-year/100,000 km battery warranty.
- Costs RM38,000 more.
- 490 kg heavier at 2,290 kg.
- 225 km/h top speed and 470-litre boot trail the 3 Series M's 250 km/h and 480 litres.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM392,800✓ | RM430,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,125 | RM1,065✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 387 hp at 5,800 rpm | — |
| Torque | 500 Nm at 1,900 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 6 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 537 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 795 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 83.9 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 510 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11.0 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 200.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | eDrive |
| Gears | 8 | 1 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | BMW AG |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds | 3.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 225 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,783 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,448 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,856 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 2,290 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 245/35R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 255/35R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multilink |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering, M Sport Differential | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian, Cyclist and Cross Traffic Detection (5 km/h to 250 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Exterior Loudspeaker for Pedestrians, Active Protection |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | LED Projector with Adaptive Laser 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 and Bolster Adjustment | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| 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 | Rear AC Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Yes | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (6 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) |
| 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 |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular, with Reversing Assist |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW IconicSounds Electric |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 6-year/100,000 km Free Service Package, 8-year/100,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 3 Series M & i4 M50 for sale
3 Series M vs i4 M50 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or BMW i4 M50 better?
The i4 M50 is better for outright pace and lower annual road tax, with 537 hp, 795 Nm and a 3.9-second sprint. Choose the 3 Series M for the lower purchase price, lighter 1,800-kg weight and petrol refuelling convenience.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 M50 costs RM430,800, which is RM38,000 more than the RM392,800 BMW 3 Series M.
How far can the BMW i4 M50 travel and how quickly can it charge?
The i4 M50 has an 83.9-kWh battery and a claimed 510-km range. It supports AC charging at up to 11 kW and DC charging at up to 200 kW.
