BMW M5 (F90) buying guide

The base M5 arrived for 2018 with 600 hp and 553 lb-ft. The Competition followed for 2019 with 617 hp, stiffer suspension tuning and no engine hardware changes. It sits 7mm lower and adds gloss black grilles, black chrome tailpipes and unique 20-inch wheels.

CarScout finds the Competition's stiffer chassis matters more near the limit than in daily driving, and a well-kept base car gives up little on the road. For What Breaks, the standard car is softer and the better all-rounder, while the Competition is noticeably firmer on bad asphalt.

The facelift came for 2021 with new headlights, LED taillights, revised bumpers, a 12.3-inch central display and a Track mode. The Competition got new shock absorbers with recalibrated damper control. Sources prefer post-facelift cars because the revised dampers make a real difference, and CarScout adds that the newer infotainment with wireless CarPlay is a genuine step up for everyday use. Those cars also command a premium.

The M5 CS was a one-year model, for 2022, with 627 hp, carbon-fiber bucket seats and bronze wheels and grille trim. CarScout warns that parts supply is thin and body shops know its carbon panels poorly. For 2023 the Competition became an option package and the CS was gone. A limited Edition 35 Years, based on the Competition, had 35 units for the US. Current CS cars are tracked on our CS market page. CarScout and What Breaks both say carbon-ceramic brakes only make sense on track, and cost a lot to replace if abused on the street.

The coolant tank has a recall behind it, so start there.

Coolant expansion tank

The plastic tank can split at the cap threads or seam, anywhere from 11,000 miles to past 100,000, according to CarScout. BMW issued emissions recall 24E-A01 to replace it on sedans built November 7, 2017 to September 9, 2022.

Fuel injector damage

A leaking tank can damage the injectors on cylinders 5 to 8, which sit directly beneath it. Replacing injectors costs $1,500 to $1,820 out of pocket, CarScout says.

Rod bearing wear

Wear is documented on the S63 V8 but is reduced on the F90 compared with the F10 M5, per several of the sources we read. CarScout cites injectors leaking fuel into the oil as a leading cause.

Oil use and valve stem seals

Smoke on start-up or on hard acceleration and deceleration, plus oil-fouled plugs, point to oil consumption and valve stem seal trouble, BimmerBench reports.

Front subframe clunk

Loose front subframe bolts produce a clunk from the front end.

Adaptive damper failure

The adaptive dampers can leak oil or fault and lock into their hardest setting, according to What Breaks.

CarScout puts preventive rod bearing replacement at about $4,500 at BMW specialist shops, and injector replacement at $1,500 to $1,820.

BimmerBench says owners paid $176 to $265 at an independent shop and $260 to $450 at a dealer for an M differential fluid service. Staggered wheel widths mean two different tire sizes, CarScout notes, and carbon-ceramic brakes are costly to replace.

Buy a 2021 or later Competition. Sources favor the post-facelift cars for their dampers and infotainment, and the Competition is the car that gets the recalibrated damper control. If you mostly drive on rough roads, the softer base M5 is the better all-rounder and gives up little on the road. Skip the CS unless you accept thin parts supply and body shops unfamiliar with its carbon panels. Our BMW M5 price guide shows where each version sits.

Insist on proof the coolant tank was replaced under the recall, plus an oil change record. If you are weighing older cars, see our F10 M5 buying guide and E60 M5 buying guide. Walk away from tuned examples.