Verdict
At RM340,800 versus RM364,800, the BMW 5 Series 520i is the rational Malaysian buy. Both use the same 208 hp/330 Nm 2.0-litre mild-hybrid turbo, eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel-drive layout, reaching 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds. Safety and cabin equipment are also matched, including adaptive high beam LED headlamps, active cruise control with Stop & Go, a 360-degree camera and Harman Kardon audio. The RM24,000 gap buys 19-inch Style-935 M bi-colour alloys rather than Style-934 alloys. That is a steep surcharge for appearance alone.
Pick the BMW 5 Series 520i if you want the identical 208 hp drivetrain, safety kit and cabin equipment while keeping RM24,000 in hand.
Pick the BMW 5 Series 520i M Sport if the 19-inch Style-935 M bi-colour alloys are important enough to justify the RM24,000 premium.
Key differences
- List price: BMW 5 Series 520i RM340,800; BMW 5 Series 520i M Sport RM364,800.
- Price premium over the 520i: BMW 5 Series 520i RM0; BMW 5 Series 520i M Sport RM24,000.
- Front wheel design: BMW 5 Series 520i 19-inch Style-934 alloys; BMW 5 Series 520i M Sport 19-inch Style-935 M bi-colour alloys.
- Rear wheel design: BMW 5 Series 520i 19-inch Style-934 alloys; BMW 5 Series 520i M Sport 19-inch Style-935 M bi-colour alloys.
520i
- RM24,000 less expensive.
- Same 208 hp and 330 Nm mild-hybrid turbo powertrain.
- Same 360-degree camera, head-up display and 12-speaker Harman Kardon system.
- Gets Style-934 alloys instead of the M Sport's Style-935 M bi-colour alloys.
520i M Sport
- Gets 19-inch Style-935 M bi-colour alloys.
- Same 208 hp, 330 Nm and 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time as the 520i.
- Same active cruise control with Stop & Go, lane keeping and autonomous braking.
- Costs RM24,000 more.
- No extra power, torque, acceleration or safety equipment over the 520i.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800✓ | RM364,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 208 hp at 5,000 rpm | 208 hp at 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 330 Nm at 1,500 rpm | 330 Nm at 1,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 82 mm × 94.6 mm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | Eight-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 7.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h | 230 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,060 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,515 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,900 mm |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 490 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/45R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 19" Style-935 M Bi-colour Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 19" Style-935 M Bi-colour Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear 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 Adaptive 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| 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 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and 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, 12-Speaker Harman Kardon 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 |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Active Lane keeping assistant and Stop & Go function | Active Cruise Control with Active Lane keeping assistant and Stop & Go function |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| 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 | 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 cars for sale
520i vs 520i M Sport FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series 520i or BMW 5 Series 520i M Sport better?
The 520i is the better buy. It matches the M Sport's 208 hp, 330 Nm, 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time, safety systems and cabin equipment, while the M Sport's stated gain is its Style-935 M bi-colour alloys.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 5 Series 520i M Sport costs RM24,000 more than the 520i: RM364,800 against RM340,800.
Does the BMW 5 Series 520i M Sport go faster?
No. Both variants have 208 hp and 330 Nm, use an eight-speed automatic with rear-wheel drive, reach 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds and have a 230 km/h top speed.
