Verdict
The RM354,000 step from the BMW M3 to the BMW M5 buys a larger 4.4-litre V8 plug-in hybrid with a 194-hp motor, 22.1-kWh battery and 67 km EV range, plus a roomier executive-car footprint. Yet both reach 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and top out at 250 km/h. For Malaysian roads, the M3’s 1,855-kg kerb weight, 480-litre boot and RM2,113 annual road tax make it the sharper financial and physical fit. The 2,510-kg M5 is the better long-distance luxury machine, but its RM8,408 road tax demands commitment.
The M5 AWD (RM1,200,800) sits above every M3 variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the BMW M3 if you want the same 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time in a 655-kg lighter sedan with a RM354,000 lower price.
Pick the BMW M5 if you want V8 plug-in hybrid power, a 67-km EV range and more rear-seat climate and convenience equipment.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 RM846,800; BMW M5 RM1,200,800.
- Powertrain: BMW M3 503 hp/650 Nm 3.0-litre inline-six; BMW M5 591 hp/750 Nm 4.4-litre V8 plus 194-hp/280-Nm motor.
- Weight: BMW M3 1,855 kg; BMW M5 2,510 kg.
- Road tax: BMW M3 RM2,113 per year; BMW M5 RM8,408 per year.
- Length and boot: BMW M3 4,794 mm and 480 litres; BMW M5 5,096 mm and 466 litres.
- Electrified running: BMW M3 has no battery or EV range; BMW M5 has a 22.1-kWh battery and 67 km EV range.
M3
- 655 kg lighter at 1,855 kg
- 480-litre boot, 14 litres larger
- Laser headlamps, head-up display and 2WD mode
- 503 hp and 650 Nm trail the M5’s 591 hp and 750 Nm
- Passive cruise control versus adaptive cruise control
- Single-zone rear air-con versus dual-zone rear air-con
M5
- 4.4-litre V8 with 591 hp and 750 Nm
- 67 km EV range from a 22.1-kWh battery
- Adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera and rear window shades
- Costs RM354,000 more
- RM8,408 annual road tax versus RM2,113
- 655 kg heavier and 302 mm longer
What the M3 has over the M5
What the M5 has over the M3
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The M5 is 67 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM846,800✓ | RM1,200,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,113✓ | RM8,408 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM8,645/mo✓ | RM12,260/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM22,363✓ | RM31,664 |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM4,020 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM20.10 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM142,479 | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 4,395 cc |
| Horsepower | 503 hp at 6,250 rpm | 591 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 650 Nm at 2,750 rpm | 750 Nm at 1,800 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 6 | V 8 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore × Stroke | 84 mm × 90 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3 | — |
| 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 | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic | M Steptronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds | 3.5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 10.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 230 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,794 mm | 5,096 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 1,970 mm |
| Height | 1,433 mm | 1,510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 1,855 kg | 2,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 466 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 265/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/30R20 | 295/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat | Hankook S1 evo Z |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 24 inch | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 19 inch | 19 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 20" M Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 21" M Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential, 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD Modes | M Adaptive Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for outer two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Attentiveness Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Prevention, Active Protection | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Laser Projectors with Auto 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 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 | 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 with Smartphone Key and Proximity Auto Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | 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 |
| 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 |
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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used M3 & M5 for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW M3
BMW M5
M3 vs M5 FAQ
Is the BMW M3 or BMW M5 better?
The M3 is the better choice for buyers prioritising price, lower road tax, lower weight and boot space. Choose the M5 for its V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain, 67 km EV range, adaptive cruise control and more executive-oriented rear comfort.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM1,200,800, which is RM354,000 more than the RM846,800 BMW M3.
Do the BMW M3 and BMW M5 have different acceleration?
No. Despite their different powertrains and a 655-kg weight gap, both are rated to complete 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and have a 250 km/h top speed.
