Used BMW M5 cars

The BMW M5 is a high-performance four-door sports saloon within the BMW 5 Series line-up. It is widely acclaimed for its best-in-class petrol engine, the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, sporty handling and luxurious features. It is a roomy option compared to its competitors like the Range Rover Sport and Audi RS E-Tron GT.

The M5 was launched in 1985 with its first model variant, the E28 535i chassis.

In 2018, The M5 earned the title of World Performance Car at the World Car Awards by the New York International Auto Show.

BMW M5 updates and facelifts

Throughout its history, the BMW M5 has undergone numerous facelifts and body type configurations.

This includes the M 535i, which marked the debut of BMW Motorsport GmbH in road car production. Another significant milestone was the BMW M5 (F90) from 2017 to 2020, which debuted the iconic M xDrive – an all-wheel-drive system.

From 2020, the BMW M5 Competition (F90 LCI) was the first M5 to offer the M xDrive. The BMW M5 CS in 2021 came with BMW’s notorious 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that delivered an impressive 635bhp.

The M5 uses petrol engines with automatic, manual and semi-automatic gearbox types. You also have the option of a DCT transmission system.

Practicality and style of the car

The BMW M5 provides a spacious 520-litre boot space, which expands to 1,650 litres when the rear seats are folded down. It offers a larger boot capacity than some of its competitors, like the Range Rover Sport, which offers 1,491 litres of space with the rear seats folded and the Audi E-Tron GT, which provides 405 litres when the seats are upright.

The BMW M5 can tow up to 2,000kg, making it practical for transporting items like trailers, boats, recreational vehicles and other heavy loads.

Running costs

The BMW M5 falls between insurance groups 49 and 50It sits in similar groups to its competitors, with the Audi E-Tron GT in group 50 and the Range Rover Sport falling between insurance groups 47 and 50.

The annual road tax for the 2018 M5 stands at a flat rate of £180 across all engine variants. This makes the M5 an enticing choice for drivers seeking high-performance capabilities and affordability.

How a used BMW M5 drives

The standard 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine delivers an impressive 616bhp, paired with a rapid eight-speed automatic gearbox and the traction of its M xDrive four-wheel system. The M5 accelerates from 0 to 62mph in a swift 3.3 seconds. Its top speed is 155mph and has a fuel efficiency of 28mpg with CO2 emissions ranging between 239g/km and 242g/km.

The M5’s Competition trim has an additional 24bhp compared to the standard engine, while torque remains unchanged at 750Nm. This added power boosts the car from 0 to 60mph in 3.2 seconds. It reaches a top speed of 190mph with a slightly lower 21mpg.

The M xDrive powertrain sets the M5 apart from its predecessors. The system distributes power between front and rear wheels for better traction and stability.

Some used vehicles include a DCT transmission system, which improves shifting speed and precision while delivering seamless gear changes.

Engines and official MPG

Please refer to the table below for a comprehensive list of engines and their official MPG figures.

2018 - onwards

Features you can expect in a BMW M5

Interior

The M5's interior features a convenient centre console cup holder and a 12.3-inch iDrive infotainment system. This system includes a generously sized touchscreen display, a user-friendly rotary controller, voice command capabilities and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Competition trim comes with a Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system. For added convenience, many smartphones can be charged wirelessly with a 12V power socket.

The M5 Competition trim features leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. . The interior includes ambient mood lighting for a welcoming atmosphere. The controls on the multi-function heated steering wheel allow easy access to audio and navigation functions.

The M5 typically offers seating for five occupants, making it a roomy choice among its class.

Technology

The BMW M5 is equipped with advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking.

BMW's ConnectedDrive services offer a range of features, including remote vehicle control and remote locking and unlocking.

The GPS navigation system has real-time traffic updates and a user-friendly interface, making it a convenient choice for long drives and everyday navigation and route planning.

In the Competition trim, the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system features adaptive suspension and multiple drive modes that allow you to tailor the car's performance to your preferences.

Safety

The BMW M5 is based on the BMW 5 Series, which was awarded an NCAP rating of five stars. It achieved an adult occupant score of 91% and a child occupant score of 85%. Child seats can be securely installed in the BMW M5 using either the car's seat belt system or the ISOFIX system, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children during travel.

The BMW M5 has advanced safety features including frontal collision warning and city collision mitigation systems, as well as lane departure warning and blind spot detection. A rear-view camera and parking assistance means you can park your BMW M5 with confidence and precision.

The M5 has a comprehensive airbag system to ensure occupant safety. This includes front, side impact, and side curtain airbags for the driver and front passenger, that provide protection in the event of a collision.

Trims available on the BMW M5

BMW M5 Competition

The Competition trim is the exclusive trim option available for the BMW M5. Its high gloss exterior features a modern BMW kidney grille, signature M gills on the front side panels, body-coloured bumpers, a boot spoiler, 20-inch alloy wheels and a heated windscreen washer. This trim also comes with dynamic brake lights, BMW laser lights featuring eyebrow-styled indicators and cornering lights, all using LED technology.

The service interval indicator helps track when maintenance is due. The automated high-beam assist manages the vehicle's high-beam for night-time driving safety.

The M5 interior is fitted with high-quality Merino leather upholstery. It includes a large cockpit display and a head-up display for improved visibility. The interior ambience is elevated by floor lighting, adjustable front head restraints and steering wheel reach adjustment for more comfort.

This trim includes entertainment features like an audio remote control for convenient adjustment of audio settings, gesture control for media functions, DAB radio and a third-party sound system with high-quality speaker systems.

The Competition includes the V8 engine with various modes like EFFICIENT, SPORT and SPORT+. The rear-wheel bias of the car ensures respectable on-road dynamics that adjust the power distribution between the front and rear wheels to suit different driving conditions.

Search our stock of used BMW M5 cars for sale.