Verdict
The BMW i7 costs RM714,800 against RM846,800 for the BMW M3, leaving RM132,000 for a buyer who prioritises electric running. Its annual road tax is RM1,015 rather than RM2,113, and its twin motors produce 745 Nm with 625 km of stated range. The M3 responds with a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time, 1.2 seconds ahead, from its 503-hp 3.0-litre six. Choose by use: the i7 brings a 3,215-mm wheelbase, air suspension and powered rear seats; the M3 is 860 kg lighter and far shorter.
i7
Pick the BMW i7 if rear-seat comfort, a 625-km EV range and lower annual road tax matter more than outright acceleration.
M3
Pick the BMW M3 if you want the 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time, 250 km/h top speed and a much smaller, lighter sedan.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i7 RM714,800; BMW M3 RM846,800.
- Road tax per year: BMW i7 RM1,015; BMW M3 RM2,113.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i7 4.7 seconds; BMW M3 3.5 seconds.
- Power and torque: BMW i7 536 hp and 745 Nm; BMW M3 503 hp and 650 Nm.
- Length and weight: BMW i7 5,391 mm and 2,715 kg; BMW M3 4,794 mm and 1,855 kg.
- Boot space: BMW i7 525 litres; BMW M3 480 litres.
i7
- 625 km EV range with 11 kW AC and 195 kW DC charging.
- Powered rear seats, rear dual-zone climate control and rear sun shades.
- Adaptive air suspension, all-wheel steering and seven airbags.
- Slower to 100 km/h at 4.7 seconds versus 3.5 seconds.
- 860 kg heavier and 597 mm longer than the M3.
- Top speed is 240 km/h, 10 km/h below the M3.
M3
- 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time and 250 km/h top speed.
- 1,855-kg kerb weight, 860 kg below the i7.
- Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential and selectable 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes.
- Costs RM132,000 more than the i7.
- Annual road tax is RM2,113, versus RM1,015 for the i7.
- Rear climate control is single-zone and it lacks the i7's powered rear seats and rear sun shades.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM714,800✓ | RM846,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Luxury | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,015✓ | RM2,113 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,993 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 503 hp at 6,250 rpm |
| Torque | — | 650 Nm at 2,750 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 84 mm × 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 9.3 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 536 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 745 Nm | — |
| EV Range | 625 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 195 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.7 seconds | 3.5 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 10.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 230 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,391 mm | 4,794 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,903 mm |
| Height | 1,544 mm | 1,433 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,215 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 2,715 kg | 1,855 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 275/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 285/30R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" M Aerodynamic style 909 M alloy wheels | 19" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" M Aerodynamic style 909 M alloy wheels | 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 Air Suspension, All-wheel steering | Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential, 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD Modes |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 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 | — | Attentiveness Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Prevention, Active Protection |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | Laser Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED combination | 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 | Power Adjustable Rear Seats with Power Adjustments | 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Sky Lounge Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (15 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 4 | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | 2x Side Shade, 1x Rear Shade | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 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 | 4 | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | 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 Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Yes | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 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 | 3 years | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 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 i7 & M3 for sale
i7 vs M3 FAQ
Is the BMW i7 or BMW M3 better?
The BMW i7 is the better choice for rear passengers, electric range and lower annual road tax. The BMW M3 is better if acceleration and lower weight are the priority, reaching 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds versus 4.7 seconds.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 costs RM132,000 more than the BMW i7: RM846,800 against RM714,800.
Which one is faster, the BMW i7 or BMW M3?
The BMW M3 is faster. It reaches 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and tops out at 250 km/h, while the BMW i7 records 4.7 seconds and 240 km/h.
