The current generation of the BMW 5 Series is quite the milestone for the alphanumeric emblem, marking the first time the model is available in both internal combustion and electric form.
Recently, BMW Malaysia previewed the BMW 530i M Sport variant here on our shores, equalising the internal combustion and EV variants at two each. Priced from an estimated RM400,000, this virtually places it on level pegging with its electric sibling, the BMW i5 eDrive40, priced at RM399,800 (without the extended service & repair package).
If you’re in the market for a new 5 Series, that translates to having two options in that price bracket. You could opt for the traditional internal combustion 530i M Sport, albeit with some mild electric assistance, or the fully electric i5 eDrive40.
And to make the decision even more difficult, everything else on the spec sheet – from the M Sport bodykit down to the interior equipment – are also virtually identical to each other. Therefore, we end up at the crossroads of which form of propulsion best suits your needs. So, let us try and break it down for you.
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BMW 5 Series vs i5 performance compared – electric beats petrol, but at what cost?
The key differentiator between the two variants is really only their powertrain.
The latest addition to the 5 Serires family in Malaysia, the 530i M Sport, features the tried-and-tested B48 2.0 litre turbocharged inline-four petrol engine. Here, it’s combined with an integrated starter-generator (ISG) in the transmission as part of a 48-volt mild hybrid (MHEV) system with a high-voltage battery.
Altogether, the system produces 258 hp and 400 Nm of torque. The ISG is integrated within the eight-speed automatic that turns the rear wheels.
On the other hand, the i5 eDrive40 features a single electric motor on the rear axle. With the performance boost mode, it sends 340 hp and 430 Nm of torque via a single-ratio transmission to the rear wheels as well.
In terms of performance, each has an upper hand between the century sprint and top speed as you’ll see below:
BMW 530i M Sport
- 0-100 km/h – 6.2 seconds
- Top speed – 250 km/h
BMW i5 eDrive40
- 0-100 km/h – 6.0 seconds
- Top speed – 193 km/h
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While the BMW i5 eDrive40’s raw figures suggest a more potent driving experience, it’s only managed to beat the petrol-powered 530i in the century sprint race by just 0.2 seconds. The culprit, as you’d expect, is the added weight from the i5’s battery pack. Coming in at a hefty 2,205 kg, the BMW i5 eDrive40 is nearly 400 kg heavier than the top-dog petrol variant.
To be fair, BMW has worked its magic on managing the i5’s weight, making it certainly one of the better-driving EVs on the market today, dynamic wise. The standard fit adaptive dampers and integral active steering (rear-wheel steering system up to 2.5 degrees), which are standard on both variants, definitely help here.
But at the end of the day, there’s no beating good ol’ physics, so while the i5 is still quicker in a straight line, there won’t be any prizes for guessing which of the two will be faster around an actual racetrack.
BMW 5 Series – petrol vs electric range
Next up is the biggest concern for most potential EV owners, range anxiety. On paper, the BMW 530i M Sport will go way further on a single tank of fuel. Its WLTP range is quoted at 950 km. On the other hand, the i5 eDrive 40 has a WLTP-rated range of up to 582 km.
Both variants will see a lower range in real-world driving, but the i5 could possibly end up close to half of the petrol’s range – especially if you get addicted to the instant torque of the electric powertrain.
Now, the main question to ask yourself in deciding between the duo is the primary usage. Will there be plenty of interstate driving or will it be chiefly your main urban commuter with the occasional long-distance jaunt?
If there will be plenty of interstate travel as part of your annual driving, perhaps the 530i M Sport is the more convenient option. Not only does the BMW i5 eDrive40 already have a lower range from the get-go, EVs generally are also less efficient on the highways – a phenomenon that’s masked by an internal combustion engine’s atrocious fuel economy in start-stop traffic.
That said, with a real world range between 450-500 km, the i5 eDrive40 could still reach most major outstation destinations on a single charge.
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Furthermore, the nationwide charging network is growing rapidly and can easily support a long-distance drive to most corners of the country. The i5 eDrive40 has an 81.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that charges as below:
- AC charging up to 22 kW (three phase) – 0 to 100% in 4 hours and 15 minutes (estimated)
- DC charging up to 205 kW – 10 to 80% in around 30 minutes
BMW 530i vs i5 eDrive40 – virtually identical standard equipment
Aside from the powertrain differences, the rest of the spec sheet between the two are quite identical. From a styling perspective, both pack M Sport styling kit that also includes the following:
- Iconic Glow for the kidney grille
- LED headlights
- LED taillights
To tell the two apart, you’ll have to look out for the unique blue-trimmed BMW i logos and emblems around the outside of the electric i5. Both variants are equipped with similarly-sized 20-inch M light alloy wheels, although they do differ in design: the 530i gets the Style 938M design, while the i5 eDrive40 comes with Style 939M.
On the inside, it’s also pretty much identical with both cabins featuring:
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display
- BMW Operating System 8.5
- 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System with 655 W amplifier
- Interaction Bar
- Four-zone climate control
- Ambient lighting
The same applies to the safety tech with the following all standard equipment:
- Driving Assistant Plus with AAC and Stop & Go
- Steering and Lane Control Assistant
- Lane Departure with Lane Return
- Front collision warning with Pedestrian Warning
- Side Collision Warning
- Parking Assistant Plus package with BMW Drive Recorder
- Active Park Distance Control
- Remote 3D view
As we’ve mentioned before, the choice between the BMW i5 eDrive40 and 530i truly comes down to its powertrain. And to make that decision, it’ll depend on how you plan to use your car.
With all the basic differentiating factors between the two models laid out, we hope it’ll help with picking your new and right BMW 5 Series.
