Verdict
The BMW i7 costs RM714,800, RM132,000 less than the RM846,800 BMW M3, and its 625-km electric range plus 195-kW DC charging make it the long-distance EV choice if charging suits your routes. It also has a 3,215-mm wheelbase, rear dual-zone climate control and a 525-litre boot. The M3 is the driver’s answer: 503 hp, 650 Nm and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time beat the i7’s 4.7 seconds, though its annual road tax is RM2,113 against RM1,015. Choose space and electric running, or outright pace.
Pick the BMW i7 if rear-seat accommodation, a 625-km EV range and lower annual road tax matter more than the quickest sprint time.
Pick the BMW M3 if you want 3.5-second 0-100 km/h performance, a 250-km/h top speed and a petrol inline-six.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i7 RM714,800; BMW M3 RM846,800.
- Power and torque: BMW i7 536 hp and 745 Nm; BMW M3 503 hp and 650 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i7 4.7 seconds; BMW M3 3.5 seconds.
- Range/fuel use: BMW i7 625 km EV range; BMW M3 10.1 L/100 km petrol consumption.
- Wheelbase and boot: BMW i7 3,215 mm and 525 litres; BMW M3 2,857 mm and 480 litres.
- Annual road tax: BMW i7 RM1,015; BMW M3 RM2,113.
i7
- 625-km EV range with 195-kW DC charging
- 525-litre boot and 3,215-mm wheelbase
- Rear dual-zone climate control and power rear seats
- 4.7-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.2 seconds behind the M3
- 240-km/h top speed is 10 km/h lower than the M3
- 2,715 kg kerb weight is 860 kg higher than the M3
M3
- 3.5-second 0-100 km/h acceleration
- 503-hp, 650-Nm twin-turbo inline-six
- Adaptive M suspension, Active M Differential and selectable 4WD/2WD modes
- Costs RM132,000 more than the i7
- RM2,113 annual road tax is RM1,098 higher
- 480-litre boot is 45 litres smaller, with single-zone rear air-con instead of dual-zone
What the i7 has over the M3
What the M3 has over the i7
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The i7's wheelbase is 358 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The i7 is 47 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the i7: 525 litres against 480.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM714,800✓ | RM846,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Luxury | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,015✓ | RM2,113 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM7,295/mo✓ | RM8,645/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM18,833✓ | RM22,363 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | — | RM4,020 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | — | RM20.10 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | — | RM142,479 |
| 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 | — | 503 hp at 6,250 rpm |
| Torque | — | 650 Nm at 2,750 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 84 mm × 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 9.3 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 536 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 745 Nm | — |
| EV Range | 625 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 195 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.7 seconds | 3.5 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 10.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 230 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,391 mm | 4,794 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,903 mm |
| Height | 1,544 mm | 1,433 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,215 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 2,715 kg | 1,855 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 275/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 285/30R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 26 inch | 24 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 19 inch | 19 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" M Aerodynamic style 909 M alloy wheels | 19" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" M Aerodynamic style 909 M alloy wheels | 20" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension, All-wheel steering | Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential, 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD Modes |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic 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 |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Attentiveness Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Prevention, Active Protection |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | Laser Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED combination | 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 Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | Power Adjustable Rear Seats with Power Adjustments | 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Sky Lounge Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (15 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 4 | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | 2x Side Shade, 1x Rear Shade | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 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 |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | 4 | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Smartphone Key and Proximity Auto Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist |
| 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 |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used i7 & M3 for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW i7
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i7 vs M3 FAQ
Is the BMW i7 or BMW M3 better?
The i7 is better for rear-seat space, a larger 525-litre boot and electric driving with 625 km of stated range. The M3 is better if performance is decisive, reaching 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds versus 4.7 seconds.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 costs RM132,000 more than the BMW i7: RM846,800 versus RM714,800.
Which is quicker, the BMW i7 or BMW M3?
The BMW M3 is quicker. Its 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.2 seconds ahead of the i7’s 4.7 seconds, and its 250-km/h top speed is 10 km/h higher.