F90 BMW M5 2018–2023 F90

Overview

Engines

4.4L twin-turbo V8, 600 hp, 4.4L twin-turbo V8, 617 hp

Came as

• Sedan

On record

6 warnings, 6 recalls

The story

Built on the G30 5 Series, the F90 was the first M5 without rear-wheel drive, though its xDrive system favors the rear wheels and can drive them alone with stability control off. Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference

It was also the first M5 with a torque converter automatic, which BMW says it chose for durability, and the manual offered in North America was dropped. CarGurus says it was the first M5 with electric steering. CarGurus, a published reference

A Competition version came for 2019 and a facelift for 2021, with a larger touchscreen. The lighter CS followed for 2022. Edmunds, CarGurus

Rare and special

• M5 CS
• Edition 35 Years

Colors

• Rhodonite Silver Metallic2019
• Almandine Brown Metallic2019
• Champagne Quartz Metallic2019
• Singapore Gray Metallic2019
• Azurite Black Metallic2019

Interiors

• Aragon BrownLeather (Extended Merino), 2019–2022
• SilverstoneLeather (Extended Merino), 2019–2022
• SilverstoneLeather (Full Merino), 2019–2022
• Aragon BrownLeather (Full Merino), 2019–2022
• Smoke White and Black (BMW Individual)Leather (Full Merino), 2019–2022

Sources: Edmunds

Specs

Engines

• 4.4L twin-turbo V8, 600 hp S63 Edmunds, a published reference

  600 hp and 553 lb-ft

• 4.4L twin-turbo V8, 617 hp S63 Edmunds

  617 hp, in the Competition · 2019–2023

Transmissions

• Eight-speed M Steptronic automatic Edmunds, a published reference

Drivetrains

• M xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference

Body styles

• Sedan Edmunds

Trims

• M5 CS (2022) CarGurus, Edmunds, a published reference

Packages

• Competition (2019–2023) Edmunds
• Executive Package Edmunds
• Driving Assistance Plus Edmunds
• Driving Assistance Professional Package (2022) Edmunds
• M Driver's Package Edmunds, CarGurus
• Edition 35 Years (2020) Edmunds, CarGurus

Figures

• Built: Alongside the 5 Series at BMW's Dingolfing plant in Germany A published reference
• Gearbox: A ZF eight-speed, the first torque converter automatic in an M5 A published reference
• 0 to 60 mph: 2.8 seconds, by Wikipedia's figures A published reference
• Drift records: Set the Guinness records for the longest continuous drift and longest twin drift in December 2017 A published reference

Rare trims and options

• Rare

  M5 CS Trim

  A limited production run CarGurus, a published reference

• Rare

  Edition 35 Years Package

  Sold in very limited numbers Edmunds, CarGurus

Years and what changed

1. 2018

   The redesigned M5 arrives with 600 hp, an eight-speed automatic and adjustable all-wheel drive. Edmunds

2. 2019

   The Competition joins with more power and sportier handling, and Apple CarPlay becomes standard. Edmunds, CarGurus

3. 2020

   A digital instrument cluster and wireless charging become standard, the CD player goes, and the Edition 35 Years arrives in very limited numbers. Edmunds

4. 2021
   Refresh

   A facelift brings new front and rear styling, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and new dampers for the Competition. Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference

5. 2022

   The limited M5 CS joins the range. CarGurus, Edmunds

6. 2023

   San Remo Green and Skyscraper Grey paints arrive, and the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond sound system is no longer offered. Edmunds

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• Oil use All years

  One source so far

  Check: Check the oil level, and ask how often it needs topping up.

  Euro Premium Parts says the engine can use oil between services from about 40,000 miles, and that worn valve stem seals add to it. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Electric water pump and thermostat All years

  One source so far

  Check: Watch the temperature gauge, and ask whether the water pump has been replaced.

  Euro Premium Parts calls them common failure points, usually between 50,000 and 70,000 miles, and says a failing pump can overheat the engine with little warning. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Cracked charge pipes and boost hoses All years

  One source so far

  Check: Feel for a sudden loss of power under boost, and look for cracks at the pipe ends.

  Euro Premium Parts says they can crack or come apart between 30,000 and 60,000 miles. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Torque converter shudder All years

  One source so far

  Check: Feel for a shudder at low speed and light throttle.

  Euro Premium Parts says some owners report it between 40,000 and 70,000 miles, and that fresh fluid sometimes cures it. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Early 12-volt battery failure All years

  One source so far

  Check: Have the battery tested on a car over three years old.

  Euro Premium Parts says the always-on electronics can wear the battery out early, especially on cars that sit, and cause a cascade of electrical faults. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Fuel pump and transmission harness recalls All years

  Check: Make sure the fuel pump software, fuel pump and transmission harness recalls were done.

  NHTSA lists software that can stop the fuel pump on 2018 cars, a high-pressure fuel pump that can crack and leak on 2019 cars, and a transmission harness that can short on 2019 and 2020 cars. NHTSA

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 2020–2021 Recall 20V598000

  A small part of the rearview camera's picture may be obscured, so the car does not meet the federal rear visibility standard. Dealers inspect the camera and update its software if needed. NHTSA

• 2019–2020 Recall 19V883000

  The transmission wiring harness can be damaged and short circuit. Dealers replace any damaged harness and reroute and secure them all. NHTSA

• 2018–2020 Recall 19V684000

  The reversing camera's settings can be changed so its picture is no longer visible, and the car keeps that setting. Dealers update the camera software. NHTSA

• 2019 Recall 19V513000

  The high-pressure fuel pump may not have been attached properly, so its flange can crack and leak fuel. Dealers replace the pump. NHTSA

• 2018 Recall 18V473000

  The fuel level sensor can stick against a fuel line in the tank, so the gauge may show more fuel than there is. Dealers secure the fuel line away from the sensor. NHTSA

• 2018 Recall 18V323000

  In some driving conditions the engine control software can stop the fuel pump. Dealers update the software. NHTSA

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• Sought after

  The M5 Competition 2019–2023

  One source so far

  Euro Premium Parts says the Competition offers most buyers the best balance of power, chassis and supply, while the CS is the driver's choice and harder to find. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Sought after

  A 2021 car

  One source so far

  CarGurus recommends a 2021 model, for the improved iDrive with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto and the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond audio that was later dropped. CarGurus

• Avoid

  A neglected or home-tuned car All years

  Less sought after

  CarGurus advises avoiding cars with signs of neglect, abuse or do-it-yourself tuning, and Euro Premium Parts warns about cars past 60,000 miles with no service records. CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

Maintenance

• Engine oil and filter All years

  Replace every 5,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, and to check the level by hand rather than trust the car's reminders A seller's guide (unofficial)

  Ask the seller: Ask for oil change records.

• Automatic gearbox fluid All years

  Replace every 50,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 50,000 miles, though BMW calls it a lifetime fill A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Front and rear differential fluid All years

  Replace every 50,000 miles, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Coolant All years

  Replace every 50,000 miles or 4 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Spark plugs All years

  Replace every 30,000 miles, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Brake fluid All years

  Replace every 2 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

Warranty when new