BMW M5

BMW M5 at a glance

The M5 created the idea of a practical four-door saloon with sports-car performance. Each generation has been based on the current 5 Series, with an engine and chassis developed by BMW M. Like the BMW M3 and BMW M4, it is one of BMW's core M models, and its motorsport roots go back to cars such as the BMW M1. The brand's story is told in the history of BMW, and current models are in the BMW catalogue.

E28 (1984–1988)

The first M5 was launched in October 1984 with the M88/3 straight-six, producing 210 kW (286 PS) in Europe; North American cars used the S38B35 with 191 kW. Only 2,241 were built.

E34 (1988–1995)

The E34 M5 used the S38 straight-six, first as a 3.6 with 232 kW (315 PS) and 360 Nm and, from 1992, as a 3.8 with 250 kW (340 PS). It reached 97 km/h in 6.3 seconds (5.9 seconds for the 3.8) and was limited to 250 km/h. A six-speed Getrag gearbox arrived in 1994, and 891 M5 Touring estates were built. Total production was 12,254, including special editions such as the Cecotto (22 cars), Winkelhock (51), 20 Jahre (20) and UK Limited (50).

E39 (1998–2003)

The E39 introduced a V8: the 4.9-litre S62 with 294 kW (400 PS) and 500 Nm, combined with a six-speed manual gearbox. It accelerated to 97 km/h in 4.8 seconds, was limited to 250 km/h and lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 8:20. A total of 20,482 were built.

E60/E61 (2004–2010)

The E60 M5 used a 5.0-litre S85 V10 producing 373 kW (507 PS) and 520 Nm. Its seven-speed SMG III single-clutch automated gearbox was standard, with a six-speed manual offered in North America from October 2006. It reached 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and, with the M Driver's Package, 305 km/h. Of 20,589 built, 1,025 were E61 Touring estates.

F10 (2011–2016)

The F10 switched to a 4.4-litre twin-turbo S63 V8 with 412 kW (560 PS) and 680 Nm and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It reached 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and lapped the Nordschleife in 7:55. The Competition Package raised output to 423 kW in 2014 and to 441 kW (600 PS) with 700 Nm in 2015, and 300 "30 Jahre M5" cars marked the model's 30th anniversary. In total, 19,533 F10 M5s were built.

F90 (2017–2023)

The F90 was the first M5 with all-wheel drive, using a rear-biased M xDrive system. Its S63 V8 produces 441 kW (600 PS) and 750 Nm through an eight-speed automatic, giving 0–100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and 0–200 km/h in 11.1 seconds. The Competition (from August 2018) has 460 kW (625 PS), and the CS of 2021 has 467 kW (635 PS) and weighs 1,866 kg. Special editions included the First Edition (400 cars) and "35 Jahre M5" (350 cars).

G90/G99 (from 2024)

The seventh M5, built from July 2024, is a plug-in hybrid. Its 4.4-litre S68 twin-turbo V8 (430 kW, 750 Nm) works with a 145 kW electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic, for a system output of 535 kW (727 PS) and 1,000 Nm. An 18.6 kWh battery gives up to 67 km of electric range under WLTP and electric driving up to 140 km/h. The car weighs 2,435 kg in European specification and reaches 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds. The G99 Touring estate returns the M5 to the estate market.

Performance by generation

Rivals: how the M5 compares

The M5 has always competed with high-performance saloons such as the Mercedes-AMG E 63 and the Audi RS 6 and RS 7. Its strengths are a combination of everyday practicality, very high performance and engaging handling; its weaknesses are high running costs and, for the latest generation, weight. BMW M's racing side is represented by cars such as the BMW M3 GTR.