Verdict
At RM340,800, the BMW 5 Series is the rational Malaysian executive sedan, with a 208 hp 2.0-litre mild-hybrid four-cylinder, rear-wheel drive and a 490-litre boot. The RM1,200,800 BMW M5 asks RM860,000 more, but its 591 hp 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, 194 hp electric motor and all-wheel drive cut the 0-100 km/h time from 7.5 to 3.5 seconds. It also brings 67 km of EV range, yet annual road tax rises sharply from RM379 to RM8,408. Choose the M5 for its huge performance margin, not thrift.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the RM860,000 saving, lower RM379 annual road tax and a larger 490-litre boot.
Pick the BMW M5 if a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time, all-wheel drive and 67 km of electric range justify RM8,408 yearly road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 5 Series RM340,800; BMW M5 RM1,200,800.
- Power and torque: BMW 5 Series 208 hp and 330 Nm; BMW M5 591 hp and 750 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 5 Series 7.5 seconds; BMW M5 3.5 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW 5 Series rear-wheel drive; BMW M5 all-wheel drive.
- Road tax per year: BMW 5 Series RM379; BMW M5 RM8,408.
- Boot space: BMW 5 Series 490 litres; BMW M5 466 litres.
5 Series
- RM860,000 cheaper to buy.
- Much lower RM379 annual road tax.
- Larger 490-litre boot.
- 208 hp and 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time trail the M5's 591 hp and 3.5 seconds.
- Rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive.
- No electric-only range listed.
M5
- 591 hp V8 and 750 Nm.
- 3.5-second 0-100 km/h sprint with all-wheel drive.
- 67 km EV range from a 22.1-kWh battery, plus M Adaptive Suspension.
- RM1,200,800 price is RM860,000 higher.
- RM8,408 annual road tax versus RM379.
- 466-litre boot is 24 litres smaller.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800✓ | RM1,200,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM8,408 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 4,395 cc |
| Horsepower | 208 hp at 5,000 rpm | 591 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 330 Nm at 1,500 rpm | 750 Nm at 1,800 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | V 8 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 194 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 280 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 22.1 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 67 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7.4 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | M Steptronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 3.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,096 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,970 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 466 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 265/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 295/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Hankook S1 evo Z |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 20" M Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 21" M Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | M Adaptive Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag) |
| 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 outer two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System |
| 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 Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Active Lane keeping assistant and Stop & Go function | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | 3 years |
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 5 Series & M5 for sale
5 Series vs M5 FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or BMW M5 better?
The BMW M5 is decisively quicker, with 591 hp, all-wheel drive and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time. The BMW 5 Series is the better financial choice, costing RM860,000 less with RM8,029 lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM860,000 more than the BMW 5 Series: RM1,200,800 versus RM340,800.
Can the BMW M5 be driven on electric power?
Yes. The BMW M5 is a plug-in hybrid with one 194 hp electric motor, a 22.1-kWh battery, 67 km of EV range and 7.4 kW AC charging. The BMW 5 Series is a mild hybrid with no EV range listed.
