Verdict
At RM294,800, the rear-wheel-drive BMW i4 is the sensible Malaysian choice: its 282 hp, 400 Nm motor reaches 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds, yet its 70.3-kWh battery still claims 500 km. The RM430,800 BMW i4 M50 costs RM136,000 more, but brings AWD, 537 hp, 795 Nm and a 3.9-second sprint. Its 83.9-kWh battery adds only 10 km of claimed range, while annual road tax rises from RM305 to RM1,065. Choose the M50 for its pace and chassis kit, not its range.
Pick the BMW i4 if you want 500 km of claimed range, lower running costs and a far lower entry price without giving up a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
Pick the BMW i4 M50 if 537 hp, 795 Nm, AWD and a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h sprint matter more than the RM136,000 premium.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; BMW i4 M50 RM430,800.
- Motor output: BMW i4 282 hp and 400 Nm; BMW i4 M50 537 hp and 795 Nm.
- Battery and range: BMW i4 70.3 kWh and 500 km; BMW i4 M50 83.9 kWh and 510 km.
- Driveline and acceleration: BMW i4 rear-wheel drive and 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds; BMW i4 M50 all-wheel drive and 3.9 seconds.
- DC charging: BMW i4 180 kW; BMW i4 M50 200 kW.
- Annual road tax: BMW i4 RM305; BMW i4 M50 RM1,065.
i4
- 500-km claimed range from a 70.3-kWh battery.
- Head-up display and alarm, neither listed for the M50.
- 8-year/160,000-km battery warranty.
- 282 hp and 400 Nm versus the M50's 537 hp and 795 Nm.
- 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time versus 3.9 seconds.
- 180-kW DC charging versus 200 kW, and no adaptive M suspension.
i4 M50
- Two motors produce 537 hp and 795 Nm.
- AWD and a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Adaptive M suspension, variable sport steering and a 17-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
- RM136,000 higher purchase price and RM1,065 annual road tax versus RM305.
- 215 kg heavier at 2,290 kg versus 2,075 kg.
- No head-up display, which the BMW i4 gets.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800✓ | RM430,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305✓ | RM1,065 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 282 hp | 537 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 400 Nm | 795 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 70.3 kWh | 83.9 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 500 km | 510 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 11.0 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 180 kW | 200.0 kW✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | eDrive |
| Gears | — | 1 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | BMW AG |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 3.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | 225 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,783 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,448 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,856 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | 2,290 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 245/35R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 255/35R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multilink |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (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 for 2nd Row Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | 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 | Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Projector with Adaptive Laser High Beam |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory | 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 | Rear AC Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 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, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker 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 & 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered 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, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | 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 | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 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 & i4 M50 for sale
i4 vs i4 M50 FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or BMW i4 M50 better?
The BMW i4 is better for most buyers because it delivers 500 km of claimed range at a much lower price and road-tax cost. Choose the BMW i4 M50 only if its 537 hp, AWD and 3.9-second sprint are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 M50 costs RM136,000 more than the BMW i4. Its annual road tax is also RM760 higher, at RM1,065 against RM305.
Does the BMW i4 M50 have more range?
Yes, but only marginally: the BMW i4 M50 claims 510 km from its 83.9-kWh battery, while the BMW i4 claims 500 km from 70.3 kWh. The M50 also supports 200-kW DC charging versus 180 kW.
