Verdict
The BMW i4 M50 costs RM430,800, a substantial RM468,000 less than the RM898,800 BMW M3 Touring, while delivering 537 hp, 795 Nm and a 510-km electric range from its 83.9-kWh battery. The M3 Touring is quicker to 100 km/h by 0.3 seconds, reaches 250 km/h and carries 30 litres more luggage. For a Malaysian buyer, the i4’s RM1,065 annual road tax and 200-kW DC charging make far more financial sense; the M3 is the pick only if its petrol six-cylinder performance and wagon space justify the huge outlay.
i4 M50
Pick the BMW i4 M50 if you want 537 hp, 510 km of electric range and RM468,000 left over versus the M3 Touring.
M3 Touring
Pick the BMW M3 Touring if you want the quicker 3.6-second 0-100 km/h run, 250-km/h top speed and a 500-litre wagon boot.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 M50 RM430,800; BMW M3 Touring RM898,800.
- Power and torque: BMW i4 M50 has 537 hp and 795 Nm from two motors; BMW M3 Touring has 523 hp and 650 Nm from a 2,993-cc inline-six.
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: BMW i4 M50 3.9 seconds and 225 km/h; BMW M3 Touring 3.6 seconds and 250 km/h.
- Energy storage: BMW i4 M50 has an 83.9-kWh battery and 510-km range; BMW M3 Touring has a 59-litre petrol tank.
- Boot space: BMW i4 M50 470 litres; BMW M3 Touring 500 litres.
- Weight: BMW i4 M50 2,290 kg; BMW M3 Touring 1,925 kg.
i4 M50
- RM468,000 cheaper to buy
- 510-km electric range with 200-kW DC charging
- Lower RM1,065 annual road tax and sunroof
- 0.3 seconds slower from 0-100 km/h
- 225-km/h top speed is 25 km/h lower
- 470-litre boot is 30 litres smaller
M3 Touring
- Quicker 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- 500-litre wagon boot
- Head-up display and paddle shifts
- Costs RM468,000 more
- RM2,113 annual road tax is RM1,048 higher
- No sunroof
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM430,800✓ | RM898,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,065✓ | 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 | — | 523 hp at 6,250 rpm |
| Torque | — | 650 Nm at 2,750 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 537 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 795 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 510 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11.0 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 200.0 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | eDrive | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission |
| Gears | 1 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BMW AG | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.9 seconds | 3.6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 225 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,801 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,903 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,446 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 2,290 kg | 1,925 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 59 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 500 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/35R20 | 275/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R20 | 295/30R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multilink | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy | 19" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy | 20" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering | Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian, Cyclist and Cross Traffic Detection (5 km/h to 250 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Exterior Loudspeaker for Pedestrians, Active Protection | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive Laser High Beam | Adaptive LED Projectors with High Beam Assist |
| Taillamps | Full LED | 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 Side Memory Function |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (6 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular, with Reversing Assist | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW IconicSounds Electric | — |
| 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 | 6-year/100,000 km Free Service Package, 8-year/100,000 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 i4 M50 & M3 Touring for sale
i4 M50 vs M3 Touring FAQ
Is the BMW i4 M50 or BMW M3 Touring better?
The i4 M50 is the better buy for most Malaysian owners: it is RM468,000 cheaper, has a 510-km electric range and lower annual road tax. Choose the M3 Touring for its 3.6-second sprint, 250-km/h top speed and 500-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 Touring costs RM468,000 more than the BMW i4 M50: RM898,800 versus RM430,800.
Which is quicker, the BMW i4 M50 or BMW M3 Touring?
The BMW M3 Touring is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds against the i4 M50’s 3.9 seconds. It also has a 250-km/h top speed, 25 km/h above the i4 M50.
