Overview & Reviews

There are sport sedans, and then there's the BMW M5. No other car in recent memory has been able to represent the ideal for this segment as strongly as the Bimmer. For each of its five generations, the M5 has impressively blended sports car performance, sedan utility and luxury ambience.

The M5 is a product of BMW's performance-tuning M Division. It's based on the 5 Series sedan, and historical calling cards include a unique and more powerful engine, a sport-tuned suspension, more powerful brakes, special wheels and tires, and aerodynamically enhanced bodywork. Though the most recent BMW M5 is the fleetest of the group, any M5 still represents a fantastic choice for a luxury sport sedan. Even M5s from the 1980s and '90s were significant performers in their day, and the rare well-kept specimen still holds great appeal for enthusiasts.

Current BMW M5
The current M5 packs a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 good for 560 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. The optional Competition package bumps the power up to 575. Rear-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual are standard, while a six-speed conventional manual is available as a no-cost option. Unlike the rev-happy naturally aspirated engines that came before it, this turbocharged mill provides a mountain of low-end torque that seemingly never lets up. This is an astonishingly quick car.

How the M5 drives is largely determined by which of the myriad drive settings you choose. Steering weight, suspension firmness, throttle response, transmission shift programming and stability control parameters can all be adjusted to your exact preferences. On an ordinary BMW, the adjustable settings consist of three or four preset combinations, so this M5 represents a new level of customizable performance.

The overall result is a car that can function equally well as a docile commuter or a vicious, corner-attacking machine. There are several other cars that pull off a similar double-duty trick, but the M5 is the car that arguably inspired them all. Its engine may be a departure from past models, and its size may make it seem a bit unwieldy at times, but there's no denying that the latest M5 maintains its high-performance street cred.

Used BMW M5 Models
The current, fifth-generation M5 debuted for 2013 after a two-year hiatus for the nameplate. Like the 5 Series on which it's based, this M5 is larger than its predecessor, with an improved interior and more traditional BMW styling. In addition to swapping out the old V10 for a twin-turbo V8, it gains a superior dual-clutch automated manual transmission, a more capable torque-vectoring rear differential, upgraded brakes and enhanced adjustable drive settings. Unlike the regular 5 Series, the M5 sticks with more responsive and communicative hydraulic power steering rather than electric.

The current M5 received a handful of updates for 2014, including minor styling tweaks, a new steering wheel, a revised iDrive interface, a few additional options and the optional Competition package (comprising 15 extra hp, a sport exhaust, 20-inch wheels and sharper steering and suspension calibrations).

The previous, fourth-generation BMW M5 was produced for the 2006-'10 model years. It was powered by a screaming 5.0-liter V10 capable of 500 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. The only transmission at first was a single-clutch automated manual called SMG that sent power to the rear wheels. Drivers could either leave the transmission in automatic mode or perform exceptionally quick gearshifts via steering-wheel-mounted paddles. The downside was unrefined, herky-jerky upshifts, which were particularly unwelcome in ordinary driving. BMW offered an optional six-speed conventional manual starting in 2007.

The fourth-gen M5's suspension took more of a back-to-basics approach. Unlike the standard-issue 5 Series of that era, the M5 lacked active roll bars and run-flat tires. The major pieces were electronically controlled dampers, lightweight 19-inch wheels, performance tires and massive brakes. Our quibbles here mostly concerned the unnatural-feeling steering system with its variable ratio and effort. Otherwise, this M5 was a track-ready ninja with uncommonly precise handling.

Like previous M5s, the fourth generation didn't sacrifice much comfort to achieve its high-performance abilities -- just about every luxury feature came standard. Whether it's utilized for daily commuting, impressing clients or blasts on empty canyon roads, a used M5 from this generation will be up to the task. Be wary of maintenance costs, however, as BMW forums are rife with tales of eye-wateringly expensive repair bills.

Besides the addition of the six-speed manual, there were only subtle changes made throughout the fourth-generation M5's life. Most notably, model years prior to 2010 featured older versions of iDrive that made even the simplest stereo or climate control functions complicated to use. Extensive changes for 2010 made it far more user-friendly.

For some die-hard BMW enthusiasts, the third-generation M5 is still the best. Offered from 2000-'03, this M5 featured a 4.9-liter V8 good for 394 hp. At the time of the car's debut, the engine's output was considered quite outrageous for a midsize luxury sedan, as was its 0-60 time of 4.8 seconds. The sole transmission choice was a six-speed manual. Eighteen-inch wheels and the requisite suspension and braking upgrades were part of the package, though some say it never quite equaled the raw athleticism of the previous M5. Numerous new technology features found their way into this generation, including an electronic "drive-by-wire" throttle with adjustable response and an early navigation system. It will no doubt be a future classic.

Prior to this there were two M5 generations, and both are rare sights on U.S. roads today. The second-generation M5 was available from 1991-'93. It had a straight-6 engine that displaced 3.6 liters and made 310 hp, a then-remarkable output that actually trailed the European-spec engine by 30 hp. This M5 was prominently featured in the 1998 Robert De Niro car chase classic Ronin. At the time, the only sedan capable of matching the M5 was the Mercedes-Benz 500E, which had a V8 engine.

The original BMW M5 was available for the 1988 model year only and was based on the second-generation 535i. For power, it had a version of the 3.5-liter straight six-cylinder found in the legendary M1 exotic sports car. In the United States, it made 256 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. The sole transmission was a five-speed manual, and the cars were offered with a black paint job only. Highly collectible now, it's said that only 500 were brought to the United States.

User Reviews:

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  The Ultimate Driving Machine - 2003 BMW M5
  By The Knight - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive always wanted the best, so I purchased my M5. Its the best of luxury and sport. Capable of being a family sedan as well as a weekend sportster.

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  things - 2003 BMW M5
  By ikel - August 19 - 2:00 am

  there are lot of helpful little things that make the car nicer

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  street legal road racer - 2003 BMW M5
  By racecar - August 14 - 2:00 am

  this is a true racecar for the street. last year,as a benefit of buying the M5,i attended the performance track day in south carolina where we got to thrash M5s around the rack and skid pad for a day. these cars just keep giving and giving....power and control at the same time. i love this car it doesnt turn heads like a ferrari would, but it elicits appreciative glances and thumbs up from knowlegeable car folk. and it ran nose to nose with a ferrari 360 one sunday morning on interstate 95 from the entrance ramp to well north of 150mph. the ferrari quit

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  Wonderful Car - 2003 BMW M5
  By alost - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Far better than I expected. The nicest car I have owned. I have a 90s M3 and an 80s M5, but this exceeded my expectations. Most impressive is that it offers confidence-inspiring road feel while still providing a ride that is not jarring to passengers (unlike my Honda S2000 which can occasionally tire both driver and passenger).The engineers at BMW have achieved a suspension that provides appropriate feedback without undue harshness. The engine winds up like a turbine with an exhaust note that only hints of the power available. The interior is beautiful and uses leather on every surface save the cieling.

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  the M5 rocks - 2003 BMW M5
  By clayton__ - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I love my BMW M5. It is so fast. It also looks hot. I do not want to have any other besides the BMW M5.

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  happy - 2003 BMW M5
  By ru - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Its like driving a porsche with the interior of a jaguar. It makes you feel powerfully rich....

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  a great car - 2003 BMW M5
  By m5lover - July 31 - 2:00 am

  it is a great car. it is powerful strong and fast as hell. it has got a greate start time and a even more impressive top speed.

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  As close to perfect as you can get - 2003 BMW M5
  By ram montinola - July 13 - 2:00 am

  If youve never owned a high-end high performance car before, the M5 with its knock-your-socks-off power and vast, comfortable interior will far exceed your expectations. If you have owned high performance supercars, this is your daily driver.

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  Scary Fast - 2001 BMW M5
  By SJ_Sharkie - June 16 - 2:00 am

  Great car all the way around, excellent quality and phenominal performance. This is my first BMW and now I understand all the great things the car mags say about the 5 series. Best car that I have ever owned and I would highly recommend the car to others. Im very interested in how they will improve on this car in upcoming new model.

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  Awesome Car - 2003 BMW M5
  By Kev50027 - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I love my new M5!! it is so incredibly fast and looks awesome. The navigation system is easy to use and helps me get where im going.