• To be had for £40,000
• 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 petrol, all-wheel force
• Supercar efficiency for 5 folks immediately 
• Switchable AWD/RWD = highest of each international
• Spectacular cabin tech
• Turns out very dependable, only one attainable susceptible hyperlink 

Nowadays we’re shopping on the 2017-on F90 M5, the 6th era of BMW’s majestic dynasty of wearing saloons. The F90 used to be introduced on the Frankfurt display in 2017, during which level the proliferation of protection programs and era had moved ‘weight’ properly up the desk of issues confronted by way of greater automobiles with wearing objectives. In that appreciate BMW did properly to deliver the F90 in at 1,930kg, 15kg beneath the gen-five F10 M5 of 2011, taking into consideration the truth that the older rear-wheel force automotive had part as a lot driveshaft {hardware} to lug round. 

The F90 M5 used necessarily the similar S63 4.4 V8 engine because the F10, the automobile that introduced twin-scroll turbocharging to the M5 for the primary time. One key distinction used to be that the powered-up F90 needed to run an 8-speed ZF torque converter computerized as an alternative of the F10’s 7-speed double-clutch auto. The F10’s torque band used to be in truth wider than the F90’s, however its decrease top energy and torque figures (560hp/502lb feet as opposed to 600hp/533lb feet) and diminished traction off the road made it a complete 2nd slower than the F90 over the 0-62mph sprint in spite of having a faster-changing DCT transmission. For comparability, the 1,830kg gen-four E60 M5 with its 5.0 litre 500hp/384lb feet naturally aspirated V10, two-wheel force and 7-speed auto wanted 4.7 seconds for the 0-62. The F10 and F90 best speeds have been equivalent at 155mph, or getting on for 190mph with the M Motive force’s Bundle. 

The F90 used to be the primary M5 to be bought and not using a guide gearbox possibility. It used to be additionally the primary non-rear-wheel force M5, even if it used to be as as regards to RWD as BMW may get it, the XDrive machine with Energetic M diff being set as much as stay the entrance finish transparent of energy for as a lot of the time as imaginable. There have been 3 DSC modes: four wheel drive, which gave most traction whilst permitting some rear slip; four wheel drive Recreation, which despatched extra torque to the rear and allowed extra oversteer; and 2WD, which as it’s possible you’ll bet used to be (reportedly no less than) natural rear-wheel force. To get the F90 M5 off with a bang, the 400 First Version automobiles introduced at Frankfurt ’17 have been launched in spring 2018. They have been all in Frozen (matte) Darkish Crimson with black 20-inch wheels, black accents in and out and black ‘game’ exhausts. 

In overdue 2018 the M5 Festival used to be introduced. It had the similar torque because the directly M5 however an influence hike to 617hp, giving it a 0-62mph time of three.3 seconds. At the chassis facet, there have been 3 designs of 20-inch wheels and a 7mm drop within the journey top. Black changed glossy steel within the kidney grille surrounds, tailpipes, rear diffuser and badges. There used to be an M Recreation exhaust that used to be claimed to be louder than the usual one. Anyway, it went properly sufficient, one German automotive magazine chucking a Festival across the Nordschleife in 7mins 35.9sec. 

The Festival changed the usual M5 in BMW GB’s catalogue on the time of the fashion’s LCI refresh in 2020. This facelift introduced tweaks to the entrance and rear styling, a larger (12.3-inch) contact display with iDrive 7.0, herbal speech reputation, wi-fi Android Auto compatibility (prior to now it used to be handiest Apple CarPlay), cloud-based BMW Maps navigation and the virtual sprint from the G80 M3. Brake calipers got here in high-gloss black or pink and there have been new frame color choices together with Manufacturers Hatch Gray and Motegi Crimson. Tanzanite Blue II, Aventurine II and Matte Frozen Bluestone joined the Person palette. There have been new M and Monitor modes, new shocks, and a brand new adaptive damper machine. Shoppers had the chance to buy manually adjustable coilovers that might drop the journey top by way of as much as 20mm over the volume supplied by way of the usual adaptive association. Other leather-based/Alcantara seat alternatives have been introduced too, nevertheless it all got here at a value: £100,850 sooner than choices. 

A CS (Membership Recreation) version gave the impression in 2021. With manufacturing restricted by way of time (twelve months) somewhat than numbers, the CS had a brand new aero equipment that includes quite a few ‘uncooked’ carbonfibre. A CFRP bonnet, 20-inch solid wheels, and same old carbon ceramic brakes all helped to cut back weight by way of a claimed 70kg over the Festival’s. As well as, there used to be revised suspension, a 7mm decrease journey top, 635hp courtesy of revised turbos and better gasoline injection stress (once more the 553lb feet of torque used to be unchanged), with a freer-revving best finish. There used to be additionally a brand new inside glance too with an Alcantara steerage wheel, the moderately ordinary however without a doubt unique Nürburgring-graphicked M Carbon light-weight entrance seats from the G80 M3, particular person bucket seats within the again, posh new ‘gold bronze’ wheels and brightwork surroundings off its gray (metal or frozen) or frozen deep inexperienced paint, P 0 Corsa PZC4 tyres as a no-cost possibility, and a UK price ticket of £140,780, which used to be as close to as dammit £40k greater than the Festival. 

Relatively a value, but additionally rather a gadget. It used to be probably the most robust street automotive ever produced by way of the M Department, dispatching the 0-62 in 3.0 seconds and offering a superb mixture of dealing with and luxury as well. The United Kingdom allocation of CSs – an unspecified quantity – used to be straight away taken up, however as we went to press in early September 2023 you might want to make up for misplaced time by way of purchasing a wonderful low-miler from PH Classifieds. We’ll hyperlink you to that one within the Verdict on the finish, which additionally incorporates a snippet of probably fascinating information for fanatics of speedy estates. 

By way of mid-2023 a forestall were placed on M5 orders in readiness for the startup of the brand new G60 5 Collection line in October ’23, so there’ll be no new F90 M5s to shop for until you to find an unregistered one floating about in some far-flung Hedridean BMW dealership, if there’s any such factor. The excellent news, particularly in case you’ve naughtily skipped to the tip and feature observed the cost of that CS, is that you’ll be able to get into an F90 M5 at a a lot more on a regular basis charge, to whit £40,000 for a high-miles (70-100k) instance. Upload £5k to our finances and your variety will develop to incorporate automobiles with lower than part that mileage. Costs get started from round £47k for a 50,000-miler. 

Engine: 4,395cc V8 32v dual turbo
Transmission: 8-speed auto, all-wheel force
Energy (hp): 592@5,700-6,600rpm
Torque (lb feet): 553@1,800-5,700rpm
0-62mph (secs): 3.4
Most sensible pace (mph): 155 (189 with M Motive force’s Bundle)
Weight (kg): 1,930
MPG (reputable mixed): 26.9
CO2 (g/km): 241
Wheels (in): 9.5 x 19 (f), 10.5 x 19 (r)
Tyres: 275/40 (f), 285/40 (r)
On sale: 2017 – 2023
Value new: £88,880
Value now: from £40,000

Notice for reference: automotive weight and gear information is difficult to pin down with absolute walk in the park. For consistency, we use the similar supply for all our guides. We are hoping the knowledge we use is correct extra incessantly than it’s fallacious. Our recommendation is to regard it as relative somewhat than definitive.  

As you’d be expecting, the newest M5 used to be probably the most robust of the style in relation to sheer horsepower however the top torque used to be arguably much more impressive. No longer simply the volume of it, however the unfold of it: 553lb feet from 1,800rpm the entire method as much as 5,700rpm, at which level the engine’s 900rpm-wide 600hp top energy band kicked in. Hooked as much as the greater than first rate 8-speed ZF computerized gearbox and all-wheel force it used to be in all probability hardly ever unexpected that, in spite of its 1,930kg weight, the F90 stormed the 0-62mph run in 3.4 seconds or much less. That’s Ferrari V12 and Lamborghini Huracan territory. The BMW tramped on easily from there to hide the 0-100mph in 7.3 seconds and the 0-124mph in 11.1 seconds, which used to be a freaky enjoy in a four-door luxurious automotive.  

Exhaust flap openings have been made up our minds by way of your number of riding mode, Environment friendly, Recreation or Recreation Plus, or by way of a new-for-the-M5 M Sound Keep watch over button, however the sound, although extra crackly at the overrun within the sportier surroundings, used to be come what may by no means hair-raisingly thrilling or emotive. The M Recreation exhaust discussed previous used to be a well-liked possibility because it gave the M5 an additional dose of personality that helped bond it to homeowners. Extra spectacular in many ways alternatively used to be the limo-like peace that you might want to enjoy in an M5 while you weren’t ground it. Some likened it to an S-Elegance. This tourability side used to be the M5’s ace within the hollow. With a good-sized 530-litre boot brief weekend ski journeys to the Alps have been totally possible.  

For some explanation why, rather numerous F90 M5 categorised commercials have ‘DCT’ within the description, however as discussed previous, not like the previous F10 this automotive used to be too grunty to take a twin-clutch field. It’s some distance from a motive for melancholy although. A couple of serial M5 proprietor has rated the F90’s clean ZF trans upper in standard riding than the F10’s slightly ‘jerky’ and every now and then difficult DCT unit. In guide mode, the F90’s field remained in tools on the rev limiter and a Drivelogic transfer allowed the driving force to regulate the shift mapping. At the Festival fashion the LCI-on Monitor mode disabled no longer handiest the driving force aids but additionally the infotainment machine to take away all distractions.

Typically talking, the F90 M5’s mechanical reliability document has been superb. There have been remembers in 2018 and 2019 to proper imaginable shorting within the transmission wiring harness (which we expect will have affected US automobiles handiest) and to type out the high-pressure gasoline pump which used to be no longer at all times correctly hooked up to the engine, resulting in cracks and leaks. The low-pressure pump advanced faults for some homeowners too, inflicting their engines to die on a restart after a force. Videoing this tournament used to be a good suggestion if you might want to catch it as sellers weren’t at all times in a position to duplicate the problem while you took the automobile in, and even supposing they did they most often sought after to stay the automobile in in a single day for exams which might be inconvenient in the event that they didn’t have any courtesy automobiles. Changing the pump fastened the problem and there have been some a hit guaranty claims for that.  

The upkeep agenda used to be annually or 10,000 miles for an engine oil alternate, each different oil alternate or 20k miles for a cabin air filter out alternate, each 3rd oil alternate or 30k miles for the engine air filter out and spark plugs, and each 5th oil alternate or 50k miles for diff fluid adjustments. The oxygen sensor must be modified at 150k and the days for the brake fluid flush, new pads and various different pieces could be indicated at the display. It is advisable purchase a Provider Inclusive package deal from BMW to hide the primary 4 years’ products and services for round £2,000. 

But even so M-specific double-wishbone entrance and multi-link rear suspension, the F90 M5 had wider tracks than the ones of the usual 5 Collection in conjunction with staggered measurement wheels, 9.5 entrance and 10.5 rear. It additionally had a surprisingly subtle digital chassis keep watch over machine with three-mode Servotronic and Variable Damper Keep watch over programs and the xDrive all-wheel force setup with an Energetic M e-differential at the again axle. It added as much as an unlikely-sounding mix of face-distorting efficiency and rear-wheel force sensations coupled with a sense that not anything would ever pass horribly fallacious, virtually regardless of stipulations.   

You needed to put some effort into understanding the most productive mode and surroundings mixtures. There have been no lively roll bars or four-wheel steerage, and the journey may without a doubt really feel somewhat uneven on British roads, however the adaptive suspension within the LCI-on automobiles got rid of numerous angst for UK homeowners. In comparison to one thing like a C7 Audi S6 4.0-litre quattro some felt that the M5 had a weightier really feel, a better sense of safety in crosswinds and a extra planted feeling going into speedy corners even with out the additional pushed axle. The steerage used to be fast by way of any requirements, and remarkably so for any such giant automotive. Comp automobiles may really feel somewhat too nobbly on British roads, alternatively. The CS used to be a step above each the common M5 and the Festival in relation to its frame keep watch over and talent to hold giant speeds not off course, and simply ranks among the easiest modern day tremendous saloons.

Carbon ceramic brakes that have been same old at the CS gave the impression at the M5 choices checklist. Pilot Recreation 4 or Cup 2 tyres have been really helpful by way of and for homeowners shopping no longer handiest to extract the utmost efficiency from their automobiles but additionally to reach a comfier journey than that supplied by way of the factory-fit P Zeroes. The extraordinary tyre stress tracking machine has conked out however that’s no longer unique to the M5 and even BMW. Some homeowners have heard extraordinary clunks from M5 entrance ends, very similar to the ones heard on some F85 X5Ms. Improperly torqued subframe bolts have been suspected by way of some homeowners however we couldn’t observe that one all the way down to a definitive conclusion. From time to time those noises would disappear of their very own accord. 

You’ll wish to do a little diligent analysis on any F90 M5 you’re considering of shopping for. They could be slightly new nevertheless it handiest takes a 2nd to crash one and judging by way of the Cat N and S automobiles within the classifieds a couple of proprietor has completed simply that. 

Did the F90 M5 glance higher than the F10 M5? That’s at all times going to be a question of opinion. There used to be without a doubt technical attractiveness within the F90’s frame in relation to each development and fabrics. The bonnet used to be fabricated from aluminium and for the primary time in an M5, the roof used to be fabricated from carbon fibre strengthened plastic. 

The addition of driveshaft {hardware} on the again imposed a discount within the measurement of the gasoline tank from the F10’s 83 litres (over 18 gallons) to 68 litres (beneath 15 gallons). That appeared disappointing for patrons making plans giant continental trips because it perceived to scale back the possible between-fills vary to 300 miles or much less in case you have been urgent on, however those that have had each the F10 and the F90 M5 reckon that BMW’s ongoing enhancements to ‘environment friendly dynamics’ greater than compensated for the F90 tank’s smaller capability.   

The adaptive cruise gubbins on the entrance of the automobile used to be heated to stay it unfastened from snow and ice. The boot lid opening used to be foot-operated. The adaptive LED headlights have been very cool simply to take a look at close-ups. 

For some, the F90 M5’s inside used to be an enormous growth over the F10’s. For others, it used to be making an attempt somewhat too exhausting, however there used to be no denying the smartness or the sheer quantity of the tech in there. It is advisable spend a complete week operating throughout the guide and nonetheless fail to find the whole lot that used to be to be had. 

Prolonged leather-based used to be same old as have been race-style multifunction seats with illuminated M5 emblems. Seats have been heated entrance and rear, with air flow (however no longer air-conditioning) at the fronts, and an automated on-and-off serve as when preset temperatures have been reached. The wheel used to be heated too. 

The top-up show carried over from the F10 had shift lighting fixtures and a load of different configurable options. Different pretty touches have been the velocity caution serve as that created a pink band at the speedo face appearing simply how some distance over the restrict you have been going, and the mystically indifferent exterior digicam view of the automobile that may be circled by the use of gesture keep watch over. Audio quantity might be raised or diminished the usage of the program by way of twirling your finger round in entrance of the display. 

The large pink M1 and M2 mode-memory buttons have been a boon for many who didn’t need to have to keep in mind their favorite settings, however the buttons themselves have been somewhat urgent-looking and in all probability no longer consistent with the traditionally understated M5 genre. Bowers & Wilkins audio with its illuminated ‘cyclone’ metal-mesh audio system used to be any other flashy possibility in case you felt the wish to provoke your passengers. 

A recall used to be completed in 2018 to mend over-reading gasoline gauges. In 2019, F90 M5s have been introduced in to deal with the loss of a picture from the rear digicam. That used to be a tool downside. The four-zone LCD panel may expand undesirable ‘strains’.

Bemoaning the secure erosion of the M badge’s sanctity has been a well-liked game amongst BMW purists for a nice whilst now. With particular connection with the F90, some idea that previous M5 engines had had more potent connections to motorsport: the E38 and E34 have been hand-built motors descended from the M1 supercar, the E39 installed quite a few racetrack time, the E60 V10 connected again to BMW’s F1 exploits and so forth. All that used to be true, nevertheless it used to be hardly ever the F90’s or BMW’s fault that international law put a miles larger distance between street and observe than used to be the case in ‘the nice outdated days’. 

But even so, in case you weren’t unduly involved by way of such perceptions of badge erosion you have been possibly going to be extraordinarily happy along with your F90 M5. It used to be an excellent force that used to be simply as useable on a shuttle because it used to be on a chicane. Preferably, that shuttle wouldn’t contain too many slender lanes because it used to be a bodily beefy automobile, however the M5’s girth used to be one thing you might want to get used to over the years. 

The versatile all-wheel force that may be defaulted to rear-wheel force added a precious new size to the M5 enjoy. Few different automobiles of any type would go away it at the back of. Should you factored within the collection of seats and the bags capability it supplied, the collection of automobiles that might beat its total package deal changed into very small certainly. Gas pump problems aside, reliability appears superb. It’s early days but and who is aware of what may occur with the cabin tech over the years but when all is going in line with plan an M5 might be the entire automotive that any folks would ever want. 

Particularly while you issue within the costs you’ll be able to get them at. As famous previous it’s imaginable to select one up for £40k however probably the most reasonably priced F90 M5 on PH Classifieds on the time of writing used to be this 48,000-mile 2018 specimen in gray with white leather-based at £46,000. The most affordable Festival used to be this 33,000-mile 2018 automotive at a fiver beneath £55k, however for 1000 extra we’d even be shopping at this two-owner 21,000-miler from 2019.

‘Final’ post-LCI Comp automobiles are extremely rated by way of their homeowners however for probably the most barnstorming F90 M5 enjoy you’ll be in need of to take a squint at this 4,000-mile Membership Recreation with £6k’s price of Akrapovic slip-on exhaust amping up the noise. Yours for £147,500, which is just about the brand new checklist value of the CS plus the price of the zorst. 

Or, in case you don’t thoughts ready and are suitably well-endowed within the pockets division, how about an M5 Traveling? Sure, we all know there isn’t an F90 M5 Traveling and we all know there hasn’t been an M5 property because the E60/61 model used to be canned again in 2010 with only one,009 automobiles bought, however the wunderwagen is about to make a go back subsequent yr (2024) with a plug-in hybridised model of the similar S63 twin-turbo 4.4 V8 that’s powered the closing two M5s. Rumours no longer contradicted by way of BMW M department’s head of building Dirk Hacker counsel that this might be hanging out 790hp and 737lb feet. We must all purchase one if handiest to have a good time his title.