Verdict
The BMW i5 is the stronger performer: its 335 hp and 430 Nm motor cuts the 0-100 km/h sprint to 6.0 seconds, against the BMW 5 Series’ 208 hp, 330 Nm and 7.5 seconds. It also gives Malaysian buyers an 83.9 kWh battery, 22 kW AC and 205 kW DC charging, plus a 95 mm longer 2,995 mm wheelbase. The petrol mild hybrid counters with a 230 km/h top speed versus 193 km/h and RM379 annual road tax, RM16 below the i5. Both retain a 490-litre boot and rear-wheel drive.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the lower RM340,800 entry price, 230 km/h top speed and petrol refuelling familiarity.
Pick the BMW i5 if you can charge regularly and want 335 hp, 430 Nm, a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time and richer cabin equipment.
Key differences
- Price: RM340,800 vs RM368,800
- Power and torque: 208 hp/330 Nm vs 335 hp/430 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: 7.5 seconds vs 6.0 seconds
- Top speed: 230 km/h vs 193 km/h
- Wheelbase: 2,900 mm vs 2,995 mm
- Wheels: 19-inch alloys with 245/45R19 tyres front and rear vs 20-inch alloys with 245/40R20 front and 275/35R20 rear tyres
5 Series
- RM28,000 lower purchase price
- 230 km/h top speed
- 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats
- 208 hp and 330 Nm trail the i5’s 335 hp and 430 Nm
- No panoramic glass roof or auto parking
- 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.5 seconds slower
i5
- 335 hp, 430 Nm and a 6.0-second sprint
- 83.9 kWh battery with 22 kW AC and 205 kW DC charging
- Panoramic glass roof, auto parking and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio
- Costs RM28,000 more
- 193 km/h top speed is 37 km/h lower
- RM395 annual road tax is RM16 higher
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800✓ | RM368,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM395 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 208 hp at 5,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 330 Nm at 1,500 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 335 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 430 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 83.9 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 627 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 205 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h✓ | 193 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,060 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,515 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,205 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 490 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 275/35R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Pirelli P Zero Elekt |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on outer 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 Adaptive High Beam | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split Fold |
| 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 | — | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Powered Rear Windscreen Sun Shade & Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (655W) |
| 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 | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Active Lane keeping assistant and Stop & Go function | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery |
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 5 Series & i5 for sale
5 Series vs i5 FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or BMW i5 better?
The BMW i5 is better for buyers with dependable charging who want substantially stronger performance and more equipment. The BMW 5 Series makes more sense if lower upfront cost, petrol refuelling and its 230 km/h top speed matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i5 costs RM28,000 more than the BMW 5 Series: RM368,800 against RM340,800.
Which is quicker, the BMW 5 Series or BMW i5?
The BMW i5 is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds. The BMW 5 Series takes 7.5 seconds, a 1.5-second deficit.
