Verdict
These two take very different routes for a Malaysian buyer. At RM368,800, the BMW i5 costs RM631,088 less, seats five and carries 490 litres, while its 83.9-kWh battery delivers a quoted 627 km and can DC-charge at up to 205 kW. The AMG SL is the faster, more focused open-top choice: 0-100 km/h takes 4.9 seconds against 6.0 seconds, and its 275-km/h top speed dwarfs the i5’s 193 km/h. But the Mercedes has two doors, four seats and a 240-litre boot. For daily family use, the i5 is the clear fit.
i5
Pick the BMW i5 if you want a five-seat electric executive sedan with 627 km of quoted range, a 490-litre boot and a far lower entry price.
AMG SL
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL if you want the convertible body, 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time and 275-km/h top speed more than rear-seat and boot space.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM999,888.
- Performance: BMW i5 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and 193 km/h; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 4.9 seconds and 275 km/h.
- Practicality: BMW i5 has 5 seats and a 490-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL has 4 seats and a 240-litre boot.
- Powertrain: BMW i5 has one 335-hp, 430-Nm electric motor and an 83.
- Dimensions: BMW i5 is 5,060 mm long with a 2,995-mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL is 4,705 mm long with a 2,700-mm wheelbase.
- Warranty: BMW i5 has a two-year vehicle warranty plus an eight-year/160,000-km battery warranty; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL has a four-year vehicle warranty.
i5
- 627 km quoted EV range from an 83.9-kWh battery
- Five seats, four doors and a 490-litre boot
- 205-kW DC charging and RM631,088 lower purchase price
- Slower 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time versus 4.9 seconds
- 193-km/h top speed is 82 km/h below the AMG SL
- Two-year vehicle warranty versus four years
AMG SL
- Convertible body with 4.9-second 0-100 km/h pace
- 375 hp and 480 Nm from the 1,991-cc turbo engine
- Four-year vehicle warranty
- RM631,088 more expensive
- Only 4 seats and a 240-litre boot, versus 5 seats and 490 litres
- No quoted EV range or AC/DC charging capability
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800✓ | RM999,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Convertible |
| Segment | Executive | Grand Tourer |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395 | RM376✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Mild Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 375 hp at 6,750 rpm |
| Torque | — | 480 Nm at 3,250 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp✓ | 13 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 | Single Ratio Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Daimler |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 4.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h | 275 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,705 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,915 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,359 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | 1,810 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 70 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 240 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 275/35R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 305/30R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sports Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 5 (Driver and Front Passenger, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three Point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer rear seats | Available on Front Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Both Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | Digital Light LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED | Full LED with Dynamic Light Design and Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Windscreen Sun Shade & Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (655W) | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two Windows, Driver Side Auto Up & Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Pop-out Door Handles |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | 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 | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 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 i5 & AMG SL for sale
i5 vs AMG SL FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Mercedes-Benz AMG SL better?
The BMW i5 is better for everyday Malaysian use, with five seats, four doors, a 490-litre boot and 627 km of quoted electric range. The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL is better if convertible driving and its 4.9-second sprint are the priority.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL costs RM631,088 more than the BMW i5.
Which is quicker, the BMW i5 or Mercedes-Benz AMG SL?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and 275 km/h flat out. The BMW i5 takes 6.0 seconds to 100 km/h and has a 193-km/h top speed.
