Electric SUVs
BMW M5 Electric: All 7 Generations, Specs and Buying Guide
The BMW M5 is a 717-hp plug in hybrid performance sedan that accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and starts at $123,300. The G90 M5 runs on electric power alone for up to 25 miles, making it the first M5 that can complete a daily commute without using any fuel.
But if you’re deciding between new and used, trying to figure out which generation suits your driving style, or wondering whether the M5 CS justifies its price, this guide covers it all.
I’ve tracked M5 values, owner reports, and independent test results across every generation so you don’t have to piece it together from ten different sites.
What the BMW M5 Does Differently
The M5 handles a 500 mile motorway journey in genuine comfort and posts sub four second 0-60 times on demand.
The BMW M5 design keeps things deliberately understated. Widened front and rear fenders, quad exhaust outlets, and the illuminated kidney grille are the visible differences from a standard 5 Series.
Step inside, and the BMW M5 interior tells a different story: an M-specific flat-bottom steering wheel with a red 12 o’clock marker, M shift paddles, M1 and M2 driver preset buttons, and BMW’s full curved display system with a 12.3-inch driver display and 14.9-inch infotainment screen.
From the outside, it looks like a well-dressed executive car. That tension between appearance and capability is the whole point.
2026 BMW M5 Specs and Performance Data
These specs come from BMW’s official US documents and are confirmed by Car and Driver and MotorTrend testing.
| Specification | Detail |
| Engine | 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 + Electric Motor (PHEV) |
| BMW M5 Horsepower | 717 hp combined (577 hp V8 + 194 hp electric) |
| Torque | 738 lb-ft / 1,000 Nm combined |
| BMW M5 0-60 | 3.4 sec (BMW) / 3.0 sec (Car and Driver tested) |
| BMW M5 Top Speed | 155 mph / 190 mph with M Driver’s Package |
| BMW M5 Weight | 5,390 lbs North American spec |
| BMW M5 Electric Range | 25 miles EPA / up to 30 miles real-world |
| BMW M5 Price | $123,300 sedan / $125,300 Touring |
| Drivetrain | M xDrive AWD, rear-biased, RWD drift mode |
| Transmission | 8-speed ZF automatic |
| Cargo Sedan | 16.5 cu-ft |
| Cargo Touring | 27.2 cu-ft / 57.6 cu-ft seats folded |
Does the Electric Range Actually Help?
The 25-mile electric range covers the average American’s round-trip commute on a single overnight charge.
Car and Driver’s real world testing recorded close to 30 miles at highway speeds. For 2026, BMW upgraded the onboard charger to 11 kW, up from 7.4 kW previously, which cuts home charge times noticeably.
For daily commuters who plug in regularly, the PHEV system genuinely pays off. For buyers who never charge, the battery hardware just adds weight to an already heavy car.
All Seven BMW M5 Generations: What Each One Is Like to Own
Understanding the generations is the most useful thing you can do before buying a used M5. Each generation has a distinct character, and the differences go far beyond horsepower numbers.
E28 M5: The Car That Started a 40-Year Legacy
The E28 M5 started everything. BMW assembled every unit by hand with a 3.5-liter inline six from the M1 sports car, producing 286 hp. At launch, it was the fastest production sedan in the world.
Only 2,241 units were built. Clean examples now sell for $74,000 and above. At that price this is a collector’s purchase, not a daily driver. Inspect the wheel arches and floor pans for rust before buying.
EE34 M5: When BMW Proved Wagons Could Be Savage
The S38 grew from 315 hp to 340 hp in 3.8-liter form. BMW also built the E34 M5 Touring estate, fewer than 1,000 units, one of the most sought-after BMW M cars ever made.
Parts are still available, and the inline-six is mechanically reliable. A Touring commands a serious premium over the sedan, and values have risen every year since 2019.
E39 M5: Still the Greatest M5 Ever Made?
Ask any long term enthusiast which generation is the best, and the BMW E39 M5 wins most arguments. It introduced a 4.9-liter naturally aspirated V8 producing 394 hp, stayed rear wheel drive, and paired everything with a six speed manual gearbox.
The official 0-60 was 4.8 seconds. If you’re looking for an E39 M5 for sale, expect to pay $25,000 to $75,000, depending on condition and history.
Values have risen every year for the past decade and show no signs of slowing. The subframe and cooling system need attention on high-mileage cars. Budget $1,500 to $3,000 for this work if the previous owner has not done it.
E60 M5 V10: The Most Insane Engine BMW Ever Put in a Sedan
The BMW M5 E60 is the most extreme M5 ever made. Its S85 V10 spun to 8,250 rpm and produced 500 hp, built in BMW’s F1 foundry. The E60 also came in an E61 Touring body for European markets.
Rod bearing failures and throttle actuator issues are well-documented. Budget $3,000 to $5,000 for preventative work. When properly maintained, nothing at its price point drives quite like it. Rod bearing replacement is recommended by 80,000 miles regardless of symptoms. SMG fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles.
F10 M5: Where Turbos Replaced Drama and Nobody Complained
The BMW M5 F10 replaced the screaming V10 with a twin turbo 4.4-liter S63 V8 producing 560 hp, rising to 575 hp in competition spec. This generation traded top end drama for massive low rpm torque, making it significantly easier to use in everyday driving.
The F10 offers the best combination of performance, reliability, and value in the used M5 market right now. Prices run $40,000 to $65,000 for clean examples. A six-speed manual was available in North America through 2016.
F90 M5: The Generation That Broke 35 Years of Tradition
The BMW M5 F90 broke 35 years of M5 tradition by introducing M xDrive all wheel drive. The launch car produced 600 hp and ran 0-60 in 3.4 seconds. The competition version pushed BMW M5 competition HP to 617 and cut that time to 3.1 seconds.
It lapped the Nurburgring in 7:35.90. Used F90 prices run from $62,000 to over $100,000 depending on specification and year.
G90 M5: 717 HP and a Battery — Smart Evolution or Betrayal?
The G90 is the most technically complex new BMW M5 ever produced. It combines the twin-turbo S68 V8 with an electric motor integrated into the 8-speed gearbox, producing 717 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque combined.
The G90 is the first time BMW has sold the M5 Touring in the United States. It weighs approximately 1,000 lbs more than the F90 due to the PHEV battery and hardware, which is its most debated characteristic among enthusiasts.
BMW M5 CS: The Lightweight Version Worth Knowing
The BMW M5 CS is not a special paint option. It’s a purpose built lightweight variant of the F90, produced from early 2021.
BMW M5 CS horsepower sits at 626 hp, ten more than the Competition, but the real story is the 116 kg stripped from the car through a carbon fiber hood, front splitter, mirror caps, rear spoiler, and diffuser, plus a lighter battery and reduced sound deadening.
The CS interior features four fixed bucket seats with the Nurburgring circuit layout printed on the headrests.
The CS runs 0-60 in 3.0 seconds and hits 190 mph with the M Driver’s Package. The BMW M5 CS price new was around $142,000 in the US.
Finding an M5 CS for sale today means paying above the original $142,000 MSRP. Clean low-mileage examples are trading between $155,000 and $180,000 on the used market.
The 2022 BMW M5 CS was the most commonly available production year. The CS delivers a noticeably sharper driving experience than any standard F90.
BMW M5 Touring: The Wagon America Finally Gets
BMW sold the M5 Touring exclusively in Europe for decades. American buyers got it for the first time as a 2025 model. This is the first time BMW has sold the M5 wagon in North America.
It carries all 717 hp, runs 0-60 in 3.5 seconds, and offers 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space that grows to 57.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. A standard Sky Lounge panoramic roof and a 40:20:40 split rear seat make it genuinely practical for family use.
The M5 Touring competes directly with the Audi RS6 Avant. Both cars bring supercar performance to a practical estate body. For buyers who need real daily utility without giving up any performance, the Touring is the most complete version you can buy.
BMW M5 vs the Competition
Car and Driver ranks the M5 fifth in the luxury performance sedan class, behind the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing in first place. That surprises people who see the M5’s 717 hp figure.
The honest explanation: the Blackwing starts at $102,795, weighs significantly less, comes with a manual transmission option, and feels more connected and communicative on technical roads.
The 5,390 lb weight is the most consistent criticism from every independent reviewer, and it’s a fair one on tight and twisty roads.
What the M5 returns is equally real. Genuine electric driving range, a more luxurious interior, better long-distance comfort, more technology, and the Touring wagon option that no direct competitor offers.
Against the Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid at over $200,000, the M5 represents outstanding value. Choose the Blackwing if pure driving feel is your priority. Choose the M5 if you want the most complete all-around performance sedan on sale today.
Two other comparisons come up regularly. The BMW 540i xDrive starts around $64,000 with 335 hp and suits buyers who want executive comfort without M5 running costs. They aren’t really competing.
On the SUV side, the BMW M5 SUV comparison leads to the X5 M, which uses the same V8 family and M xDrive system but suits buyers needing ride height and cargo room.
Some buyers also ask about a coupe version. The closest BMW offers is the BMW M5 coupe equivalent, the M8 Gran Coupe.
BMW M5 Modifications and M Performance Parts
F90 owners looking for more power have two main routes. A JB4 piggyback tune sits around $600 and works without touching the factory ECU.
If you want deeper results, a full flash from tuners like BM3 or VR Tuned costs $700 to $900 and typically pulls 80 to 100 extra horsepower from the stock turbos.
BMW’s own M Performance catalog covers carbon fiber aero pieces, exhaust upgrades, and brake hardware for buyers who want to stay within warranty.
Older generations tell a different story. E39 and E60 owners generally spend their money on cooling upgrades and mechanical reliability rather than chasing power. Both engines were built with enough headroom that stock output rarely feels like the limitation.
Used BMW M5 Buying Guide
Most reviews ignore used buyers entirely. Here is the breakdown by generation for anyone shopping the used M5 market.
Best for Daily Use: F10 M5 (2012-2016)
The F10 is the strongest value in the used M5 market right now. Twin turbo V8, dual clutch gearbox, good parts availability, and prices between $40,000 and $65,000.
The 2013 BMW M5 is a solid entry point with mature software and a proven reliability record. Easy to live with every day and fast enough to embarrass newer sports cars.
Best Driving Experience: E39 M5 (1998-2003)
If pure driving feels matter more than anything else, the E39 M5 is the answer. Manual gearbox, rear wheel drive, naturally aspirated V8, and a chassis that communicates everything through the steering wheel. Values have risen every year. Buy sooner rather than later.
Best Modern Used M5: F90 (2018-2023)
The used M5 F90 gives you AWD, 600-plus hp, and current technology on a proven platform. The 2022 BMW M5 and 2023 BMW M5 are the cleanest examples on the market. Prices start around $62,000 for higher mileage cars and climb past $100,000 for low mileage competition models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How fast is the BMW M5 0-60?
A: BMW claims 3.4 seconds for the current G90. Car and Driver independently recorded 3.0 seconds. MotorTrend got 3.2 seconds. The F90 Competition was quicker at 2.8 seconds. The M5 CS runs 0-60 in 3.0 seconds.
Q: What is the BMW M5 price?
A: The 2026 BMW M5 starts at $123,300 for the sedan and $125,300 for the Touring. With popular options like carbon ceramic brakes and the M Driver’s Package, real-world prices commonly reach $140,000 to $150,000.
Q: What is BMW M5 CS horsepower?
A: The BMW M5 CS produces 626 horsepower. What makes the performance advantage even greater than a mere addition of 10 HP is the reduction of 116 kgs in weight compared to the standard F90 Competition.
The maximum speed of the M5 CS is 190 mph (306 km/h) when optioned with the M Driver’s Package.
Q: Is the BMW M5 available as a wagon?
A: Yes. The M5 Touring, also called the M5 wagon, arrived in the US for the first time as a 2025 model. It delivers the same 717 hp with 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space, rising to 57.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
Q: Which used BMW M5 should I buy?
A: For daily reliability and value, the F10 (2012-2016). For the best driving experience, the E39 (1998-2003). For modern AWD technology, the F90 (2018-2023). The 2022 and 2023 models are the cleanest F90s available right now.
