The BMW M5 is one of the most powerful sedans on the market. It is also elegantly constructed with a nice and luxurious interior. Nonetheless, it also has several issues and it is expensive to maintain. With that said, is the BMW M5 a good car?
Yes, the BMW M5 is a good car but it also comes with several shortcomings. Some of the things that stand out about the BMW M5 are its exceptional performance, cool ride, great looks, safety, and powerful engines. On the contrary, its cons include high maintenance cost, less reliability, and high initial cost.
History of the BMW M5
The BMW M5 is part of the BMW GmbH or BMW M, which is the performance division of BMW. It is also part of the BMW 5-Series, which features several exceptional luxury midsize cars. The majority of the M5s come in the sedan body style, while a few come in the estate body style.
The first BMW M5 was hand-made in 1985 on the E28 535i chassis with an improved engine from the M1. After its production, it was the fastest sedan on the market. From 1984 to 2016, the BMW M5 was fitted with a rear-wheel-drive system, while this changed to an all-wheel-drive system in 2017 to date.
Features of the BMW M5
Appearance
When it comes to looks, the BMW M5 is one of the best-looking BMW sedans on the market. This car comes with an elegant exterior and a cool and luxurious interior. Some of the features that stand out are larger kidney grilles, daytime running lights, LED headlights, and 19-inch M double-spoke bi-color wheels.
The interior of the latest BMW M5 is the size of an old BMW 7-Series. On top of that, it is fitted with lovely, power-adjustable front bucket seats and other basic BMW features. The M5 comes with a wheelbase of 117.4-inches, a length of 196.4-inches, a width of 74.9-inches, and a height of 57.8-inches.
Performance
If speed and performance are your priorities, then the BMW M5 is a perfect car for you. This car comes with two trims versions that are both fast and perform outstandingly. The base trim is the BMW M5 sedan that features a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with an AWD and 8-speed automatic transmission. The competition trim also comes with the same engine, transmission, and powertrain.
The BMW M5 base trim’s engine produces up to 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the Competition trim delivers up to 627 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Besides, the competition trim is also fast as it can accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 3.1 seconds and it has a top speed of 190 mph.
Comfort and cargo space
The BMW M5 comes with a nice and luxurious cabin. It is also spacious as it can accommodate up to five people comfortably. Furthermore, it has ample trunk space that will accommodate lots of luggage, making it a nice car for a weekend picnic or hike.
Fuel-efficiency
Like most luxury sedans, the BMW M5 has poor fuel efficiency as it uses a lot of fuel. This car has an EPA rating of 15 mpg in the city, 21 mpg on the highway, and a combined 17 mpg. This is quite low compared to most of its competitors. So, if you want to purchase this car, you should be ready to spend more cash on fuel than on an average car.
Price
The BMW M5 is one of the most expensive midsize luxury sedans on the market. It has a base price of about $103,700, with the competition trim going for over $140,000. But if you’re looking for a quality used M5, you can get it for about $40,000, depending on the model year and its condition.
FAQ
How fast is the BMW M5?
The BMW M5 is one of the fastest BMW sedans on the market. Its competition trim is faster than the base trim, with an acceleration of 3.1 seconds from 0 to 60 mph. Besides, it also comes with a top speed of 190 mph. The base trim takes 3.2 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 and has a top speed of 155 mph.
What is the least reliable BMW M5 model year?
The least reliable BMW M5 model year is the 2012 BMW M5. This car had several problems and BMW even had to issue some recalls. The most annoying problem of the 2012 BMW M5 is a failed vacuum pump. Due to the absence of lubrication, the vacuum pump became bad after covering several miles.
Aside from the 2012 BMW M5, there are also other model years that had serious problems and they include 2013, 2014, and 2019 BMW M5 model years.
How long does the BMW M5 last?
The BMW M5 is among the least reliable BMW models on the market. While most BMW models or series clock over 250,000 miles, the BMW M5 usually lasts up to 200,000 miles. On average, most BMW M5 models last between 150,000 and 200,000 miles. But with proper care and maintenance, the BMW M5 can last over 200,000 miles.
What are the common problems with the BMW M5?
Before you invest in the BMW M5, it is vital to know some of the issues that you will have to deal with during the ownership of the car. Common problems with the BMW M5 are failed electric seat, excessive oil consumption, electrical issues, engine problems, tailgate window failure, poor engine idling, and transmission issues.
Which car is better – BMW M5 or Audi RS7?
The BMW M5 and Audi RS7 Sportback are some of the most outstanding luxury sports sedans on the market. Nonetheless, the BMW M5 is the better car for individuals looking for a high-performance and faster car. On the other hand, the Audi RS7 offers more luxury, cabin space, and trunk space.
Bottom line
Generally, the BMW M5 is a dream car for sports car enthusiasts. It is fast, luxurious, stylish, advanced, safe, and spacious. However, it also has several issues that users should know about, such as high oil consumption, engine problems, transmission issues, electrical challenges, and low reliability.
Despite having several problems, the BMW M5 is an exceptional ride with exceptional high-performance trims. Nonetheless, it is expensive to maintain and doesn’t last as long as most of its competitors.