Verdict
The RM267,800 BMW 3 Series is the sensible Malaysian buy: it costs RM163,000 less, carries RM379 annual road tax and still has a 480-litre boot. The BMW i4 M50 asks RM430,800 and RM1,065 in road tax, but its two motors deliver 537 hp and 795 Nm for a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h run, versus 184 hp, 300 Nm and 7.4 seconds. Choose it only if its 510 km EV range, 200 kW DC charging and far stronger pace justify the outlay.
3 Series
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the far lower RM267,800 entry price, RM379 road tax and a petrol sedan with a slightly larger 480-litre boot.
i4 M50
Pick the BMW i4 M50 if you want 537 hp, 795 Nm, all-wheel drive and a claimed 510 km EV range, and can accommodate its RM430,800 price.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; BMW i4 M50 RM430,800.
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series 184 hp and 300 Nm; BMW i4 M50 537 hp and 795 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds; BMW i4 M50 3.9 seconds.
- Road tax per year: BMW 3 Series RM379; BMW i4 M50 RM1,065.
- Range/fuel storage: BMW 3 Series 59-litre petrol tank; BMW i4 M50 83.9-kWh battery and 510 km EV range.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; BMW i4 M50 470 litres.
3 Series
- RM163,000 cheaper to buy.
- Lower RM379 annual road tax.
- 480-litre boot and 235 km/h top speed.
- 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.5 seconds slower.
- Rear-wheel drive, versus the i4 M50's all-wheel drive.
- Its autonomous braking detects pedestrians from 5-80 km/h, rather than pedestrians, cyclists and cross traffic from 5-250 km/h.
i4 M50
- 537 hp and 795 Nm from two motors.
- 510 km EV range, with 11 kW AC and 200 kW DC charging.
- Adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go, plus a 360-degree camera.
- Costs RM163,000 more.
- RM1,065 annual road tax is RM686 higher.
- 470-litre boot is 10 litres smaller and kerb weight is 2,290 kg versus 1,590 kg.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM430,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM1,065 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 184 hp at 5,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,350 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| 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 | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 3.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 225 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,783 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,448 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,856 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 2,290 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/35R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 255/35R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | 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 | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 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 |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | 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 | 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | 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 |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins 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 | Passive 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 | 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 | — | 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 & i4 M50 for sale
3 Series vs i4 M50 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or BMW i4 M50 better?
The BMW i4 M50 is better for outright performance and EV capability, with 537 hp, 795 Nm and a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time. The BMW 3 Series is the more rational purchase at RM163,000 less, with lower road tax and a larger boot.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 M50 costs RM430,800, while the BMW 3 Series costs RM267,800. The difference is RM163,000.
How far can the BMW i4 M50 travel and how quickly can it charge?
The BMW i4 M50 has an 83.9-kWh battery and a claimed 510 km EV range. It supports AC charging at up to 11 kW and DC charging at up to 200 kW.
