Verdict
The BMW i4 M50 costs RM137,912 more than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, but its two motors produce 537 hp and 795 Nm, cutting 0-100 km/h to 3.9 seconds against 7.3 seconds. Its 83.9-kWh battery has a claimed 510-km range and accepts DC charging at up to 200 kW, but annual road tax is RM1,065 versus RM90. The C-Class is the rational Malaysian choice at RM292,888, with 6.6 L/100 km economy and a 50-litre fuel tank. Pick the BMW only if home or workplace charging and huge performance matter more than the extra outlay.
i4 M50
Pick the BMW i4 M50 if 3.9-second 0-100 km/h pace, 510 km of claimed EV range and 200-kW DC charging justify RM430,800 and RM1,065 yearly road tax.
C-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz C-Class if you want the RM292,888 price, 6.6 L/100 km rated economy and petrol refuelling without relying on charging access.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 M50 RM430,800; Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM292,888.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i4 M50 3.9 seconds; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 7.3 seconds.
- Top speed: BMW i4 M50 225 km/h; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 246 km/h.
- Annual road tax: BMW i4 M50 RM1,065; Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM90.
- Boot space: BMW i4 M50 470 litres; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 455 litres.
- Wheels: BMW i4 M50 20-inch alloys; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 18-inch alloys.
i4 M50
- 537 hp and 795 Nm from two motors
- 510-km claimed range and 200-kW DC charging
- 470-litre boot, 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control with steering assist
- RM137,912 dearer to buy
- RM975 higher annual road tax
- 225-km/h top speed is 21 km/h lower
C-Class
- RM292,888 price and RM90 annual road tax
- 6.6 L/100 km rated economy with a 50-litre fuel tank
- 246-km/h top speed and seven airbags
- 0-100 km/h takes 7.3 seconds, 3.4 seconds behind the BMW
- 455-litre boot is 15 litres smaller
- Gets a reverse camera rather than a 360-degree camera
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM430,800 | RM292,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,065 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | — | 300 Nm at 1,800 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 78 mm × 78.3 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 537 hp✓ | 20 hp |
| Motor Torque | 795 Nm✓ | 200 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 | 9G-TRONIC |
| Gears | 1 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BMW AG | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.9 seconds✓ | 7.3 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 225 km/h | 246 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 151 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,751 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,820 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,437 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 2,290 kg | 1,650 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres✓ | 455 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/35R20 | 225/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R20 | 245/40R18 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Pirelli Cinturato P7 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-Link |
| Rear Suspension | Multilink | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering | Agility Control Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear 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, with Pedestrian, Cyclist and Cross Traffic Detection (5 km/h to 250 km/h) | 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 | Exterior Loudspeaker for Pedestrians, Active Protection | Blind Spot Collision Prevention, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Prevention, Active Bonnet |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive Laser 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (6 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Sun Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Sun Shades |
| 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) | 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation |
| 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, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW IconicSounds Electric | 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 |
| 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 & C-Class for sale
i4 M50 vs C-Class FAQ
Is the BMW i4 M50 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class better?
The BMW is decisively quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, and has a claimed 510-km EV range. The C-Class is better for buyers prioritising a far lower purchase price, RM90 road tax and petrol refuelling.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 M50 costs RM430,800 and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class costs RM292,888, a difference of RM137,912.
Which has more practical luggage space?
The BMW i4 M50 has the larger boot at 470 litres, 15 litres more than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class at 455 litres. Both seat five, but the BMW also has five doors while the C-Class has four.
