Verdict
The BMW i4 M50 makes the rationally fast case: 537 hp, 795 Nm, a claimed 510 km range and 200 kW DC charging for RM416,000 less. Its 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time is still serious, and annual road tax is RM1,065 against the M3's RM2,113. The BMW M3 is 0.4 seconds quicker to 100 km/h, reaches 250 km/h and brings 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes, but costs RM846,800. For a Malaysian buyer with dependable charging, the i4 is the more sensible performance sedan; the M3 is the harder-edged choice.
i4 M50
Pick the BMW i4 M50 if you want 537 hp, 795 Nm, 510 km of EV range and 200 kW DC charging while keeping RM416,000 in your pocket.
M3
Pick the BMW M3 if you want the quicker 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time, 250 km/h top speed and selectable 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 M50 RM430,800; BMW M3 RM846,800.
- Powertrain: BMW i4 M50 has two motors producing 537 hp and 795 Nm; BMW M3 has a 2,993 cc twin-turbo petrol engine producing 503 hp and 650 Nm.
- Performance: BMW i4 M50 does 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and tops out at 225 km/h; BMW M3 does 3.5 seconds and 250 km/h.
- Energy use: BMW i4 M50 has an 83.9 kWh battery, 510 km range, 11 kW AC and 200 kW DC charging; BMW M3 uses petrol at 10.1 L/100 km with a 59-litre tank.
- Weight: BMW i4 M50 weighs 2,290 kg; BMW M3 weighs 1,855 kg.
- Practicality: BMW i4 M50 has five doors and a 470-litre boot; BMW M3 has four doors and a 480-litre boot.
i4 M50
- RM416,000 cheaper to buy.
- 537 hp and 795 Nm from two motors.
- 510 km range, 200 kW DC charging and RM1,065 annual road tax.
- 0-100 km/h is 3.9 seconds versus the M3's 3.5 seconds.
- 435 kg heavier than the M3.
- No head-up display, and its 470-litre boot is 10 litres smaller.
M3
- Quicker 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time and 250 km/h top speed.
- Active M Differential with 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes.
- Head-up display, alarm and smartphone key with proximity auto lock/unlock.
- Costs RM416,000 more than the i4 M50.
- Uses 10.1 L/100 km of petrol and has RM2,113 annual road tax.
- Produces less power and torque: 503 hp and 650 Nm versus 537 hp and 795 Nm.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM430,800✓ | RM846,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,065✓ | RM2,113 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,993 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 503 hp |
| Torque | — | 650 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 84 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 9.3 |
| 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 | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | eDrive | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic |
| Gears | 1 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BMW AG | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.9 seconds | 3.5 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 10.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 225 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 230 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,794 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,903 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,433 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 2,290 kg | 1,855 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 59 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 480 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/35R20 | 275/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R20 | 285/30R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multilink | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy | 19" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy | 20" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering | Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential, 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD Modes |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, 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, with Pedestrian, Cyclist and Cross Traffic Detection (5 km/h to 250 km/h) | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Exterior Loudspeaker for Pedestrians, Active Protection | Attentiveness Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Prevention, Active Protection |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive Laser High Beam | Laser Projectors with Auto 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 | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (6 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) | BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Controller, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 12-speaker 360W Harman Kardon Sound System |
| 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 with Smartphone Key and Proximity Auto Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular, with Reversing Assist | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, 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 | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | 5 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 i4 M50 & M3 for sale
i4 M50 vs M3 FAQ
Is the BMW i4 M50 or BMW M3 better?
The i4 M50 is the better buy for buyers who can charge regularly: it costs far less, has 510 km claimed range and is only 0.4 seconds slower to 100 km/h. Choose the M3 for its 3.5-second sprint and selectable drivetrain modes.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 M50 costs RM430,800 and the BMW M3 costs RM846,800, so the M3 is RM416,000 more expensive.
How quickly can the BMW i4 M50 charge?
The i4 M50 supports 11 kW AC charging and up to 200 kW DC charging. It has an 83.9 kWh battery and a claimed EV range of 510 km.
