Verdict
The RM1,200,800 BMW M5 costs RM832,912 more than the RM367,888 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and its RM8,408 annual road tax versus RM380 underlines the running-cost gulf. That outlay buys genuine pace: the M5’s 727 PS and 1,000 Nm plug-in hybrid system reaches 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, four seconds ahead of the E-Class. But the Mercedes is the more rational Malaysian executive sedan, with a 540-litre boot, 2,961 mm wheelbase, nine airbags and four-year warranty. The M5 is for buyers who will use its performance and 67 km EV range.
Pick the BMW M5 if 727 PS, 1,000 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than an RM832,912 saving.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you want the far lower-cost executive sedan with more boot space, a longer wheelbase and a four-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M5 RM1,200,800; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM367,888.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW M5 3.5 seconds; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 7.5 seconds.
- Road tax per year: BMW M5 RM8,408; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM380.
- Boot space: BMW M5 466 litres; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 540 litres.
- Wheelbase: BMW M5 2,857 mm; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2,961 mm.
- Airbags: BMW M5 seven; Mercedes-Benz E-Class nine.
M5
- 727 PS and 1,000 Nm plug-in hybrid powertrain
- 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time with all-wheel drive
- 22.1 kWh battery and 67 km EV range
- RM832,912 dearer to buy
- RM8,408 annual road tax versus RM380
- 466-litre boot is 74 litres smaller
E-Class
- RM832,912 cheaper to buy
- 540-litre boot and 2,961 mm wheelbase
- Nine airbags and a four-year warranty
- 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time is 4.0 seconds slower
- 201 hp and 320 Nm trail the M5 substantially
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,200,800 | RM367,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM8,408 | RM380✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 4,395 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 591 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 750 Nm at 1,800 rpm✓ | 320 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V 8 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 194 hp✓ | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | 280 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 22.1 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 67 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.4 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | M Steptronic | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Daimler AG |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds✓ | 7.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 240 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,096 mm | 4,949 mm |
| Width | 1,970 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,510 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 2,961 mm |
| Weight | 2,510 kg | 1,825 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 466 litres | 540 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/40R20 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/35R21 | 275/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook S1 evo Z | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" M Alloys | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" M Alloys | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | M Adaptive Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag) | 9 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Rear 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 for outer two rear passenger seats | Available for 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 Auto High Beam | Reflector LED with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear | — |
| 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 | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 14.4" MBUX Multimedia with Online Music Streaming, AI functionality built-in, Seven Speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 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 M5 & E-Class for sale
M5 vs E-Class FAQ
Is the BMW M5 or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
The BMW M5 is better for outright performance, with 727 PS, 1,000 Nm and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is better for most buyers, costing RM832,912 less while providing a larger boot, longer wheelbase and four-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM832,912 more than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Its annual road tax is also RM8,028 higher, at RM8,408 versus RM380.
Can the BMW M5 be driven on electric power?
Yes. The BMW M5 has a 22.1 kWh battery, one 194 hp electric motor, a claimed 67 km EV range and 7.4 kW AC charging. No battery capacity, EV range or charging rate is specified for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
