Celebrating the success of the BMW 5-Series

The BMW 5-Series, one of the more important model lines of the German automaker, has been sold in Malaysia from the very first generation (the E12) which debuted in 1972. It was a completely built-up (CBU) initially, and the second generation was then assembled locally at the Sarawak Motor Industries plant in Kuching in 1983.

Assembled in Malaysia
Since then, every generation of the model has been assembled locally at the AMI plant (no longer operational) in Shah Alam, Selangor until the fourth generation (E39) and at the Inokom plant in Kulim, Kedah from the fifth generation (E60) in 2004.

It was with the fifth generation 5-Series that BMW Group Malaysia became directly involved in the local production of its vehicles as the subsidiary had been set up a year earlier to manage all the business activities in Malaysia.

Leading executive sedan
“The BMW 5-Series has long held a celebrated position within the BMW Group portfolio, both around the world and in Malaysia. Since its debut in 1972, the BMW 5-Series has established itself as a leader in the premium executive sedan segment,” said Benjamin Nagel, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia, at an event celebrating the successful model line.

“Today, with the locally assembled BMW 520i M Sport standing alongside the fully-electric BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport, we are pleased to be able to tell the successful story of the evolution of the BMW 5-Series in Malaysia,” he said.

BMW 520i M Sport
The new 520i M Sport adds a sporty image to the already dynamic appeal of the latest G60 generation. Standard equipment includes adaptive LED headlights and the signature kidney grille with BMW Iconic Glow, as well as 19-inch M light alloy wheels in Double-spoke style 935 M Bicolour.

The overall look of the exterior is accentuated with the addition of the M high gloss shadowline trim, with customers having a choice of Black Sapphire Metallic, Mineral White Metallic, Oxide Grey Metallic and Cape York Green Metallic as body colours.

Inside, the 520i M Sport’s cabin has been enhanced with an M anthracite headliner, M accents in dark chrome as well as aluminium rhombicle trim. The driver gets an M Sport design 3-spoke leather steering wheel and as with other 5-Series versions, there is the BMW Curved Display.

The 520i M Sport is powered by the well-proven BMW B48 4-cylinder engine (also assembled at a factory in Kedah) with an integrated 48V mild hybrid system. The total output of the powertrain is 208 bhp/330 Nm which can take the car from standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 7.5 seconds and the top speed is limited to 230 km/h.

BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport
The fully electric BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport, launched in November 2023, can now be ordered with optional M Performance Parts demonstrates BMW Group Malaysia’s initiative to offer more powertrain choices as well as bespoke options for customers to personalise their 5-Series.

The optional M Performance Parts include the Front Splitter, Side Skirts, Rear Diffuser, Rear Spoiler, exterior mirror caps and a 21-inch M Performance light alloy wheel Cross-spoke style 943 M Bicolour (Jet Black, gloss-milled) wheel set.

Complete premium ownership experience
As with other new BMW models sold by authorised dealers, every will also receive the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience. This includes• BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline, BMW Service Online, and Complimentary 2-Year replacement car (terms & conditions apply). With the i5 eDrive40 M Sport, the battery warranty is 8 years/160,000 kms.

Recommended retail pricing (without insurance) for the 520i M Sport is RM349,800 and for the i5 eDrive40 M Sport, it is RM399,800. Customers can also add the BMW Service & Repair Inclusive for RM26,900 for the former and RM20,300 for the latter. This consists of a 5-Year Extended Warranty and Service Package.

20 years of BMW Group in Malaysia