Verdict
The BMW 5 Series costs RM340,800 against the Mercedes-Benz C-Class at RM292,888, a RM47,912 step into a much larger sedan: it is 309 mm longer and carries 490 litres versus 455 litres. The C-Class is the sharper numbers choice, reaching 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and 246 km/h, against 7.5 seconds and 230 km/h. But the BMW’s 360-degree camera, head-up display, active cruise control with Stop & Go and rear dual-zone climate control make a tangible difference on Malaysian motorway and city runs. Pick size and long-distance assistance, or save the money for the quicker C-Class.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you need the 5,060-mm body, 490-litre boot and active cruise control with Stop & Go for regular long-distance use.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz C-Class if you want to save RM47,912, get to 100 km/h 0.2 seconds sooner and have automatic parking.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 5 Series RM340,800; Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM292,888.
- Length: BMW 5 Series 5,060 mm; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4,751 mm.
- Boot space: BMW 5 Series 490 litres; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 455 litres.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 5 Series 7.5 seconds; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 7.3 seconds.
- Top speed: BMW 5 Series 230 km/h; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 246 km/h.
- Airbags: BMW 5 Series 6; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 7.
5 Series
- 309 mm longer body with a 35-litre larger boot
- 360-degree camera and head-up display
- Active cruise control with Stop & Go and active lane keeping
- RM47,912 more expensive
- Slower 0-100 km/h time and lower top speed
- No automatic parking listed
C-Class
- RM47,912 lower purchase price
- 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time and 246 km/h top speed
- Seven airbags, automatic parking and pedestrian/cyclist detection
- 309 mm shorter with a 455-litre boot
- Reverse camera rather than a 360-degree camera
- Passive cruise control and rear air-con vents rather than rear dual-zone climate control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800 | RM292,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 208 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 330 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ | 300 Nm at 1,800 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 78 mm × 78.3 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 20 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 200 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | 9G-TRONIC |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 7.3 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h | 246 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 151 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,751 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,820 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,437 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,650 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 455 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 225/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Pirelli Cinturato P7 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Agility Control Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes (7 to 250 km/h), with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (7 to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Blind Spot Collision Prevention, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Prevention, Active Bonnet |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar |
| 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 | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear | 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Powered Rear Sun Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Sun Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 11.4" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers |
| 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| 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 | — | Auto-dimming Mirrors, Qi Wireless Charger, Fingerprint Scanner |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years✓ | 2 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 5 Series & C-Class for sale
5 Series vs C-Class FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class better?
The BMW 5 Series is better for cabin and luggage space plus motorway assistance, with 5,060 mm of length, a 490-litre boot and Stop & Go cruise control. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is better for a lower outlay, quicker acceleration and automatic parking.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 5 Series costs RM47,912 more than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. That gap brings the larger 5,060-mm body, a 490-litre boot, 360-degree camera, head-up display and active cruise control with Stop & Go.
Which car is quicker, the BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is quicker, completing 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds versus 7.5 seconds for the BMW 5 Series. Its 246 km/h top speed also exceeds the BMW’s 230 km/h.
