5 Best And Worst Years For The BMW M5

BMW M5 is the perfect sedan with four doors and five spacious and comfortable seats for many.

This vehicle has six-generation models in which they introduced the best styling, performance and safety features.

Many BMW M5 sedans are known for their extremely powerful engines that produce great horsepower and torque, which allows the vehicle to go at a decent speed.

But do keep in mind that this was not the case for all generation models as some were quite troubling for drivers.

This is why before you purchase this vehicle, going through this article is essential.

Now you’re perhaps wondering, what are the best and worst years for BMW M5 and does this vehicle hold its value?

According to many, unfortunately, the BMW M5 vehicles will depreciate around 53% after five years. And here are some of the best and worst years.

Best Years for BMW M5:

1. 1998
2. 2005
3. 2011
4. 2017
5. 2020

Worst Years for BMW M5:

1. 2012
2. 2013
3. 2014
4. 2015
5. 2019

Now just make sure to read through everything carefully and stick around until the end of this article, as I will also be including a buyer’s guide at the bottom, which will surely be helpful for you.

List Of The Best Years For The BMW M5: What Years To Buy

Here I will be listing down the most reliable years of BMW M5 because they have no mistakes in the manufacturing. These models also have a long lifespan.

Now, if you are interested in a model like that, then here are the best years of BMW M5 that you should buy.

#1 Best Year: 1998 BMW M5

The 1998 BMW M5, as well as other models that are from this generation, were all entirely handmade.

Ever since this vehicle was launched, it was one of the most popular sedans because people loved the driving aspects.

This was said to be one of the fastest vehicles to drive in and was the first to be introduced with the V8 engine, which could produce about 400 horsepower and remarkably 500-pound-feet of torque in Newton meters.

Another great aspect of this vehicle was that it could accelerate pretty fast in just a couple of seconds.

This vehicle was well known for how efficiently it was tuned and how it had the ability of a sports car because of high performance.

And the head product marketing of BMW, Alexander Hildebrandt, said that “whoever has one loves it.” so it is certainly a great choice.

However, keep in mind that this is an old vehicle that can be quite costly to maintain, but when looking at the driving dynamics, it is one of the best vehicles, mostly preferred by elderly people.

#2 Best Year: 2005 BMW M5

Now coming to the fourth generation, 2005 BMW M5 model, this vehicle comes with a V10 engine that was said to generate the maximum speed level, which many users admired.

The great thing about this engine is that it can produce 510 horsepower, which is rare in most sedans.

According to various users of this car, it felt like they were driving a sports car since it is one of the high-performing models with 6000 RPMs with the maximum speed engine.

You will also be happy to know that ever since this vehicle was launched, it was sold more than 19,523 times, and the touring was said to be 1025 times more than their competitors.

Overall, it is a great comfortable sedan with barely any problems and provides the best driving experience, and you can get all that at such an affordable price.

#3 Best Year: 2011 BMW M5

Now you have the 2011 BMW M5 with a V8 turbocharged powerful engine. It is also a really popular sedan to drive in.

This was said to be the best model and better than most of their competitors because it can produce 575 horsepower at around 6000 to 7000 RPMs.

It is also worth mentioning that this vehicle could sprint from 0 to 100 in just 4.4 seconds, which is rare for various sedans.

According to BMW, they have increased about 10 percent in performance and 40 percent increase in the torque power so people can have the smoothest yet most efficient driving experience.

Moreover, they also worked to reduce around 30 percent of the fuel consumption so the vehicle would not have issues with the fuel economy.

Now, this was great from a driving perspective and had the most comfortable luxurious interior design with the leather steering wheel and standard M-specific head-up display, and so much more that works all the time perfectly.

#4 Best Year: 2017 BMW M5

Another high-performance vehicle, the 2017 BMW M5, gives the business vehicle and sports feeling that many people like about it.

This can only be done with its powerful engine, a 4.4 V8 engine and BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology. This outstanding engine can produce around 600 horsepower and 441 kW.

Moreover, it is built so much better than the previous models since it can accelerate at around 100 km per hour in just 3.3 seconds and is also said to be so much better than its competitors.

Besides that, whether you buy a new or a used version of this vehicle, it will still perform efficiently if you take proper care of it.

Just make sure to provide regular maintenance, plus the maintenance cost of this vehicle is also low since there are fewer chances for it to get serious issues.

#5 Best Year: 2020 BMW M5

This is the last model on this list, the sixth-generation model.

The 2020 BMW M5 has been updated with outstanding unique features that make it more desirable and loved by many people who drive it.

It is worth mentioning that this vehicle has the most powerful motor manufactured by BMW in the M5 series.

You will be happy to drive this vehicle because, with the 4.4 liters of the power unit, it can easily produce around 625 horsepower and 725-pound-feet of torque in Newton meters.

Besides that, it also has various tech features that work efficiently, such as high-quality iDrive, standard BMW intelligent personal assistant, gesture control system, touchscreen controls, and so much more.

It is also said to have the most reliable handling and acceleration that will not give out on you in taking turns.

The 2020 model surely is a great choice for those looking for a model that performs well and has various other features that add to the driving experience.

List Of The Worst Years For The BMW M5: What Years To Avoid

Although the BMW M5 had reliable years, some of them were quite problematic for many people.

This is because not all models are designed equally, and they can easily develop various faults in the components.

Make sure to avoid these worst years of BMW M5.

#1 Worst Year: 2012 BMW M5

Starting with the first model in this list, the 2012 BMW M5 is one of the most problematic vehicles that had some serious issues.

The most common issue found in this vehicle is the faulty vacuum pump. This is the main reason why this model was recalled multiple times.

The main reason why the vacuum pump may fail is because of the absence of lubrication.

If this is why the vacuum pump fails, then the power brake boost unit would not be able to get an accurate and efficient vacuum force.

As a result, this would be why there will be a reduction in the usefulness of the brake assistance function.

This can also be quite dangerous, especially while driving on the road in traffic, as it can risk the life of the drivers as well as other people driving.

It can also cost a lot of money to fix the issue, but that mainly depends on its seriousness. In some cases, people are paid more than $400 to fix it completely.

#2 Worst Year: 2013 BMW M5

The 2013 BMW M5 had many safety issues and was recalled multiple times. The main reason you should avoid this vehicle is that it can risk your life.

This vehicle was also included in the Takata Airbags recall. The main concern with the airbags was that they could absorb moisture.

This means that during an accident, the airbag deployment there would be excessive internal pressure which can be quite dangerous.

This is because it can make the metal inflator housing placed inside the airbag rupture easily.

To add on, the metallic fragments as well can be projected through the cushion and hit the driver.

This problem is not something to take lightly in this vehicle because it causes variously serious injuries to the head, neck, and chest.

In severe cases, it can also kill drivers. This happened with the 2013 model and with the 2016 model as well.

#3 Worst Year: 2014 BMW M5

The 2014 BMW M5 is also one of the worst models since many people dealt with engine issues.

The most common issues that were developed in this vehicle were with the indicator light illuminating the “Service Engine Soon”, drivetrain malfunctioning, and VANOS issues.

These problems were so serious because the engine would lose its power randomly, which would display the Drivetrain Malfunction message on the board while driving.

Moreover, the main cause of the VANOS problem was the camshaft position, the intake or the exhaust system.

It also happened due to the camshaft getting stuck and the camshaft angle offset.

It is worth mentioning that the main reason why all of these problems might happen is due to Engine Position Management (EPM) parameters which are placed inside the DME software.

Besides that, the engine also tends to overheat a lot.

People hear rattling sounds coming from the engine, steering wheels, paddles that might not work properly, vibrating speed motor, and so much more.

#4 Worst Year: 2015 BMW M5

Now coming to the 2015 BMW M5, this model had many issues with the engine, which is why it is the worst model to drive in.

Engine problems cannot be taken lightly because they can ruin the performance of the vehicle while driving.

The main concern with this vehicle was that the engine tends to lose power frequently, and the charging pressure was also way too high.

It is said that it also cannot accelerate well in particular conditions.

This is also the cause of the engine losing its power which would eventually highlight the Check Control Module (CCM) “Drive Faulty: Drive at moderate speed” displayed.

Other than that, the charging pressure can be too high for many reasons, but mainly in this 2014 model, it happened and was stored in the DME because of a faulty exhaust camshaft sensor and charging pressure control if it’s turned off, which can cause blockage.

#5 Worst Year: 2019 BMW M5

The last model in this list is the 2019 BMW M5 which was developed with serious problems that BMW has to stop sales.

The concerning issue found in this vehicle was with the transmission wiring.

This problem was so serious that it could cause serious damage to the vehicle and cause a short circuit, which would eventually make the vehicle stop working completely and leave you stranded on the road.

It can be quite dangerous on the road, though, especially when driving in traffic.

The car randomly shutting down can cause serious accidents which can injure you or other drivers on the road. It can also cost a lot of money to fix this problem.

It is highly recommended to avoid this vehicle and if you are someone who owns this car, then make sure to get it fixed immediately.

Related: What Was The First BMW M Car?

What Are The Most Common Problem With The BMW M5?

These common problems with the BMW M5 are not something you can ignore since they were all serious.

Many disappointed drivers report these problems since it also costs them a lot for maintenance.

With that being said, here are the common problems that you should know about.

1. Rod Bearing Problems

You will notice something is wrong with the rod bearing if you hear ticking while idling, metal shavings on oil or the engine fail.

The rod bearings tend to wear out easily in the S85 engine and the S65 V8 engine. They need to work efficiently since they are connected to the vehicle’s crankshaft.

If they do wear out, it can make the engine fail immediately.

It is also important for you to know that if the bearings are working for too long, it can cause the rod to knock, making the rods bent a lot.

It can also cost a lot of money to fix this problem, such as more than $2000 plus labor.

2. Throttle Body Issues

This is most commonly found in many BMW M5 models and happened with the V8 engines.

The throttle actuator on the throttle bodies might cause certain issues which ruin the engine performance. This happens when the gears inside the actuators wear and tear or fail.

If the gears have probes, it can cause the electrics to overheat a lot, leading to people replacing the gears or the actuator so the throttle body can get its power back.

This problem does not show any signs at all. If the vehicle goes to limp mode, it is easy to tell there are throttle body issues.

3. Transmission Problems

It is said that the BMW M5 SMG problems are not easy to repair at all. This mainly happens due to the hydraulic pump motor included in the SMG automatic transmission.

It mainly happens when the vehicle reaches around 60,000 miles to 80,000 miles and will require about $400 or more to fix the issues.

Due to this issue, many people recommended going for manual transmission in the S85 M5 model.

4. Valve Cover Gasket Problems

This mainly happens with the old engines in the BMW M5. By the time, the vehicle will also have low mileage, and it can cause the rubber gasket to overheat, and cooling cycles are poor.

The cable cover gaskets can easily crack and cause the oil to leak a lot. It needs to be looked at immediately since it can cause damage to a lot of vehicle components.

5. Engine Problems

This problem is one of the most serious issues found in the BMW M5. It happened with almost all the models, sometimes early and sometimes after a couple of years.

The engine tends to shut down randomly, there will also be issues with the electrical system and many leakage problems.

This problem can be quite serious due to excessive oil consumption since it overheats the engine. It also has a high repair cost, around $4000 but needs to be fixed instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What Year Is The Fastest M5?

The fastest BMW is the 2022 BMW M5 CS.

This vehicle can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds which is quite surprising and better than their competitors. It can also deliver a speed of 190 mph.

Q2. Do BMW M5 Hold Their Value?

Unfortunately, the BMW M5 is said to depreciate around 53 percent after five years. Keep in mind that it will also have a five-year resale value of about $54,032.

Q3. Is An M5 Faster Than A Ferrari?

Unfortunately, Ferrari is a lot faster than the BMW M5. The main reason why it is faster is because of the quarter-mile time, which is about four-tenths quicker than the Bavarians.

However, it is said that the BMW M3 and M4 are faster than the BMW M5.

Q4. How Long Does The BMW M5 Last?

The BMW M5 is said to last up to 150,000 miles easily.

According to the research done by the automotive analytics firm iSeeCars, the BMW M5 is ranked in fifth place for sports cars since it is fast and lasts for a long period.

Q5. Is BMW M5 Expensive To Maintain?

These have a maintenance cost and repair cost of about $14,667, which is for the ten years of service. It is said to be more than the average cost of $2963 for luxury sedan vehicle models.

It is also worth mentioning that it will have a 40.39% chance of having a major repair cost during that period.

Conclusion

The BMW M5 is a luxury sedan car that works like a sports car with its incredibly powerful engine that allows it to go at the fastest speed whenever needed.

Besides that, it is also comfortable to sit in five people and has a reliable and high-quality interior which will be easy to use and makes the driving experience even better.

With the information provided about the best and worst years for BMW M5, you can find the right model which is best suitable to your taste and style.