The BMW M5 is a high-performance four-door sports sedan that has been a favorite of automotive enthusiasts the world over for decades. With the prestige and comfort of the 5-Series plus significant performance upgrades, this German sports car offers performance a step above European production cars by Audi, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche. If you are looking for luxury styling as well as supercar-like performance, it's great option.
2025 - Present BMW M5 (7th Generation)
Big changes came for the M5 in 2025, the biggest of which was a complete switch to a plug-in hybrid powertrain and a new wagon version of the BMW M, called the BMW M5 Touring.
The new engine was a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 PHEV putting out 717 horsepower through an eight-speed automatic transmission with a top speed of around 190 miles per hour. It also had an AWD system that could be switched to RWD in certain situations.
The interior of the new M5 was very similar to that of the standard 5-Series, except for a flat-bottom steering wheel and gear shift paddles. There was a wide variety of options available for cabin materials, including wood, leather, and aluminum trim. Standard equipment included a panoramic sunroof and a Bowers & Wilkins stereo system.
2018 - 2023 BMW M5 (6th Generation)
In 2018, the latest the M5 got a more powerful version of the previous generation’s V8. This powertrain put out a whopping 600 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. It also had an upgraded eight-speed automatic transmission and an adjustable all-wheel drive system. This was the first instance of AWD being used in the M5, even though BMW had been using it in other vehicles up until this point.
This new version was also quite a bit lighter, despite its heftier power output, which improved handling and gave it more athletic handling.
There were very few changes until 2021 when the M5 got some exterior tweaks, with refreshed styling and a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Competition package also got new shock absorbers and an improved calibration for the suspension.
A big change came in 2022 with the introduction of the BMW M5 CS. This version was even lighter than the standard M5 and came with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, generating 627 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque.
For 2023, the CS was discontinued but the specs were rolled into a new equipment package that could be had with the standard M5.
2013 - 2016 BMW M5 (5th Generation)
The M5 was completely redesigned for 2013 after three years off, and came back with a bang with a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8. Aside from being twin-turbocharged for the first time, it also featured a power upgrade to 560 horsepower and 501 pound-feet of torque. This ran through a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, but a six-speed manual was still available in North America.
Inside, this M5 was packed with leather and aluminum and featured a sporty, spartan design. The back seats were exceptionally roomy, too, especially for such a high-performance vehicle.
In 2014, a new M5 Competition package was added, which increased power output to 575 and came with an improved exhaust system.
For the 2015 model year, a new Executive package was introduced. This version came with improved connectivity and ambient lighting. The only changes in 2016 were some new color options and light exterior tweaks.
2006 - 2010 BMW M5 (4th Generation)
The fourth-generation M5 came to North America in 2006 with a massive 5.0-liter V10 engine generating 500 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, running through rear-wheel drive and a seven-speed sequential manual gearbox (SMG). This allowed the driver to adjust shift points and fine-tune the driving experience. The interior was just as refined as you would expect, with a mix of luxury appointments and performance-oriented layouts while the exterior got a facelift with a new grille and a rounder, more aerodynamic look.
A six-speed manual transmission was added as a no-cost option in 2007, but other than that, the M5 remained unchanged through the end of the fourth generation, aside from some minor cosmetic adjustments here and there.
2000-2003 BMW M5 (3rd Generation)
The first new M5 in seven years became available in North America in the year 2000 in the form of the BMW M5 E39. This version was based on the 540i and featured a 5.0-liter V8 engine delivering 400 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque, running through a six-speed manual transmission. The ride height was slightly lower than the 540i, with aluminum suspension components and 18-inch wheels. It also featured a sport driving mode, which adjusted the dampers and provided a tighter driving feel.
Aside from a few subtle exterior tweaks and new colors, the E39 M5 remained unchanged until the end of the generation in 2003. That year, it got a new navigation system and rear-head protection airbags became standard.
1991-1993 BMW M5 (2nd generation)
The M5 performance sedan was reintroduced to North America in 1991 with the second-generation BMW M5 E34. This version came with a 310-horsepower 3.6-liter inline-six and a five-speed manual gearbox as well as a limited-slip differential. The interior featured power-adjustable leather seats. It remained more or less the same until the final model year of this generation, when it received new wheel designs and updated side mirrors.
1988 BMW M5 (1st generation)
The BMW M5 was available in Europe long before it was sold in the United States and other North American countries. However, just over 1,000 units of the 1988 M5 were sold in North America, which made it a highly sought-after collector’s item. This version of the M5 came with a 3.5-liter straight-six engine delivering 256 horsepower through a five-speed manual transmission. Unlike the traditional 5-Series, the M5 came with some significant exterior changes including side rocker panels that reduced drag and improved acceleration. After 1988, the M5 was not available in North America until 1991.
