VS
At a Glance
Power
442 kW
390 kW
Torque
820 Nm
650 Nm
Fuel
18.2-20.6 kWh/100km l/100km
10.4 l/100km
Towing
2000 Kg
—
0-100 km/h
3.8 s
3.6 s
Engine
electric cc
2993 cc
Choosing between the BMW i5 and the BMW M3 is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BMW i5 delivers 442 kW while the BMW M3 produces 390 kW. On fuel, the i5 returns 18.2-20.6 kWh/100km l/100km while the M3 uses 10.4 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R2 080 000 for the i5 and R2 233 506 for the M3. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
442 kW
390 kW
Torque
820 Nm
650 Nm
0-100 kph
3.8 s
3.6 s
Top Speed
230 Km/h
280 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
electric cc
2993 cc
Engine Layout
—
inline
Cylinders
—
6
Fuel Type
electric
petrol
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
8
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
18.2-20.6 kWh/100km l/100km
10.4 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
81.2 kWh l
59 l
CO2 Emissions
—
235 g/km
Dimensions
Length
5060 mm
4801 mm
Width
1900-2156 mm
1903-2068 mm
Height
1505 mm
1446 mm
Wheelbase
2995 mm
2857 mm
Ground Clearance
136 mm
122 mm
Kerb Weight
2305 DIN / 2380 EU Kg
1865 DIN / 1940 EU Kg
Doors
4
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
490 l
500-1510 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
2000 Kg
—
Load Capacity
590 l
505 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
Optional
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
Optional
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
Optional
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
2 vehicle / 8 battery
2
Warranty Distance
unlimited vehicle / 100000 battery Km
unlimited Km
Service Intervals
service interval indicator
service interval indicator / 20000 km
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
BMW i5
3 / 4 categories
Performance
i5
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
i5
Practicality
i5
Pros & Cons
BMW i5
More powerful engine (442 kW)
Lower starting price (R2 080 000)
Higher towing capacity (2000 Kg)
Few notable weaknesses
BMW M3
Quicker 0-100 km/h (3.6 ss)
Less power than rival (390 kW vs 442 kW)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the i5 or M3?
The i5 uses 18.2-20.6 kWh/100km l/100km and the M3 uses 10.4 l/100km on the combined cycle. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the i5 or M3?
The i5 produces 442 kW and 820 Nm of torque while the M3 delivers 390 kW and 650 Nm of torque. The i5 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the i5 and M3?
The i5 starts from R2 080 000 and the M3 from R2 233 506. The i5 is cheaper by R153 506 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the i5 or M3?
The i5 has a braked towing capacity of 2000 Kg and the M3 can tow 0 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the i5 or the M3?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.