Verdict
The BMW M5 is the harder-edged choice: its 591 hp V8, 194 hp motor and all-wheel drive cut the 0-100 km/h sprint to 3.5 seconds, 1.7 seconds ahead of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. But it costs RM461,912 more and carries RM8,408 annual road tax against RM2,128. For Malaysian owners who can charge regularly, the S-Class’s 28.6 kWh battery, 100 km EV range and 60 kW DC charging make more sense than the M5’s 22.1 kWh, 67 km and AC-only charging. The M5 counters with a larger 466-litre boot and much quicker pace.
M5
Pick the BMW M5 if a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time, all-wheel drive and a 466-litre boot matter more than purchase cost, road tax and EV range.
S-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz S-Class if you want the RM738,888 luxury sedan with 100 km EV range, DC charging and genuinely lavish rear-seat equipment.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M5 RM1,200,800; Mercedes-Benz S-Class RM738,888.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW M5 3.5 seconds; Mercedes-Benz S-Class 5.2 seconds.
- Battery and EV range: BMW M5 22.1 kWh and 67 km; Mercedes-Benz S-Class 28.6 kWh and 100 km.
- Charging: BMW M5 7.4 kW AC and no DC rate; Mercedes-Benz S-Class 11 kW AC and 60 kW DC.
- Wheelbase: BMW M5 2,857 mm; Mercedes-Benz S-Class 3,216 mm.
- Boot space: BMW M5 466 litres; Mercedes-Benz S-Class 350 litres.
M5
- 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time with all-wheel drive.
- 591 hp V8 plus a 194 hp motor.
- 466-litre boot, 116 litres larger.
- Costs RM461,912 more and annual road tax is RM6,280 higher.
- 67 km EV range trails the S-Class by 33 km, with no DC charging rate.
- Its rear-seat specification lacks the S-Class’s ventilation, massage, recline and ottoman.
S-Class
- 100 km EV range from a 28.6 kWh battery.
- 11 kW AC and 60 kW DC charging.
- Rear seats get heating, ventilation, massage, one-touch recline and a left-side ottoman.
- Its 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.7 seconds behind the M5.
- 350-litre boot is 116 litres smaller.
- Rear-wheel drive rather than the M5’s all-wheel drive.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,200,800 | RM738,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM8,408 | RM2,128✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance | 24-valve DOHC with Electric Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 4,395 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 591 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 362 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 750 Nm at 1,800 rpm✓ | 500 Nm at 1,600 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V 8 | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 194 hp✓ | 147 hp |
| Motor Torque | 280 Nm | 440 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 22.1 kWh | 28.6 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 67 km | 100 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.4 kW | 11 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 60 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | M Steptronic | 9G-TRONIC |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds✓ | 5.2 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 22 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,096 mm | 5,289 mm |
| Width | 1,970 mm | 1,954 mm |
| Height | 1,510 mm | 1,503 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 3,216 mm |
| Weight | 2,510 kg | 2,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 466 litres✓ | 350 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/40R20 | 255/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/35R21 | 285/35R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook S1 evo Z | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 ZP |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" M Alloys | 20" Twin 10-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" M Alloys | 20" Twin 10-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | M Adaptive Suspension | Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag) | 14 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Rear Passengers, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Left Cushion) |
| 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 with Illumination and Rear Belt Bags |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for outer two rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (up to 130 km/h) and Evasive Steering Assist (up to 108 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Pre-Safe, Pre-Safe Impulse Side, Driver Attention Monitor with Eye Tracking |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam (Digital Light with Projection Function) |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory, Heating and Massage Functions; Pillow Headrests; Passenger Seat Adjustment from Rear Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Power Adjustable Outer Rear Seats with Memory, Heating, Ventilation, Massage and One-touch Recline Functions; Folding Rear Pillow Headrests with Built-in Neck Warmers; Powered Ottoman and Leg Rest for Left Seat with Massage Function; Centre Load-through |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Air Balance Perfume System and Ioniser |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear | 4 Front USB-C, 6 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Double Sun Visors, Powered Rear Windscreen and Rear Door Window Sunshades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 12.8" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 11" Rear Entertainment Displays; 7" Rear Android Tablet; 15-speaker Burmester 3D Surround Sound System (710 Watts) |
| 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 Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | 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, Stop and Go and Speed Limit Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Yes | Soft Close Function, All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | MBUX Interior Assistant, Fingerprint Scanner, Front and Rear Qi Wireless Chargers, Rear Wireless Headsets |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 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 M5 & S-Class for sale
M5 vs S-Class FAQ
Is the BMW M5 or Mercedes-Benz S-Class better?
The BMW M5 is better for outright performance, reaching 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and providing a 466-litre boot. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is better for chauffeured comfort and plug-in usability, with 100 km EV range, 60 kW DC charging and far richer rear accommodation.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM1,200,800 and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class costs RM738,888, so the difference is RM461,912. The M5 also has RM8,408 annual road tax, compared with RM2,128 for the S-Class.
Which has the better plug-in hybrid system for daily charging?
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the easier PHEV to use daily: its 28.6 kWh battery gives 100 km of EV range, it charges at 11 kW AC and accepts 60 kW DC charging. The BMW M5 manages 67 km from 22.1 kWh and lists 7.4 kW AC charging only.
