BMW M5: Which Version Should You Buy?
The BMW M5 version to choose depends on whether you prioritize low weight, a manual gearbox, outright acceleration, or lower measured fuel consumption.
The BMW M5 version to choose depends on whether you prioritize low weight, a manual gearbox, outright acceleration, or lower measured fuel consumption. The earliest 3.5 MT is the lightest at 1,445 kg, the sixth-generation restyled 4.4 V8 xDrive CS is the quickest at 3.0 seconds from 0–100 km/h, and the seventh-generation 4.4 V8 Plug-in Hybrid M xDrive M Steptronic is the most powerful at 727 hp and 1,000 Nm. Buyers seeking a manual can choose among the first five generations, while the sixth and seventh generations pair an 8-speed Automatic transmission with AWD. The catalogue contains eight generation entries, including a sixth-generation restyling; treated correctly, these represent seven generations produced from February 1985 onward.
BMW M5 generations: what changed?
First generation, February 1985–December 1987: This Sedan has one version, the 3.5 MT. Its naturally aspirated 3,453 cc Inline 6 produces 286 hp and 340 Nm, drives the rear wheels through a 5-speed Manual transmission, and moves a 1,445 kg kerb weight. It reaches 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and has a 245 km/h top speed. Choose it for the lowest kerb weight in the data and a simple RWD, Manual configuration.
Second generation, October 1988–February 1994: Listed as an Estate 5-door, this generation has four versions: 3.5 MT, 3.8 MT, 3.8 MT6, and 3.8 MT5. All use naturally aspirated Inline 6 Gasoline engines and RWD. The 315 hp 3.5 MT has a 5-speed Manual, while the three 3.8-liter versions produce 340 hp and 400 Nm with either 5-speed or 6-speed Manual gearboxes. Relative to the first-generation car, the 3.8 MT6 adds 54 hp but its measured kerb weight rises by 205 kg, from 1,445 to 1,650 kg.
Third generation, March 1998–July 2003: This Sedan offers one 4.9 MT. Its naturally aspirated 4,941 cc V-shaped 8 develops 400 hp and 500 Nm, matched to a 6-speed Manual and RWD. At 1,720 kg, it has 4.30 kg per hp and reaches 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds. Compared with the second-generation 340 hp 3.8 MT6, it adds 60 hp and 100 Nm while cutting the acceleration time by 0.6 seconds.
Fourth generation, January 2005–July 2010: Listed as an Estate 5-door, it contains three versions: two 5.0 SMG entries producing 507 hp and one 5.0 MT producing 510 hp. Every version uses a naturally aspirated 4,999 cc V-shaped 10 and RWD. The 5.0 SMG uses a 7-speed Robotic gearbox and reaches 100 km/h in either 4.8 or 4.7 seconds; the 5.0 MT uses a 6-speed Manual and records 4.7 seconds. The 5.0 MT offers only 3 hp more than the 507 hp versions, so gearbox preference is the clearer distinction.
Fifth generation, November 2011–August 2016: This Sedan has four versions: 4.4 MT with 560 hp, plus three 4.4 DCT versions producing 560 hp, 575 hp, and 600 hp. All use a Turbo 4,395 cc V-shaped 8 and RWD. The 4.4 MT keeps a 6-speed Manual, while each 4.4 DCT uses a 7-speed Robotic gearbox. The 600 hp 4.4 DCT is the quickest at 3.9 seconds to 100 km/h; that is 0.5 seconds quicker than the 560 hp 4.4 DCT and 0.2 seconds quicker than the 560 hp 4.4 MT.
Sixth generation, February 2018–May 2020, with restyling from June 2020–January 2025: The original Sedan has two 4.4 AT xDrive versions, rated at 600 hp and 625 hp. The restyled Sedan adds four entries: 4.4 V8 xDrive with 600 hp, 625 hp, and 617 hp, plus the 635 hp 4.4 V8 xDrive CS. Every sixth-generation entry has a Turbo 4,395 cc V-shaped 8, an 8-speed Automatic, and AWD. Acceleration ranges from 3.4 seconds for the 600 hp versions to 3.0 seconds for the 635 hp 4.4 V8 xDrive CS.
Seventh generation, from June 2024: This Sedan has two database entries named 4.4 V8 Plug-in Hybrid M xDrive M Steptronic, both producing 727 hp and 1,000 Nm from a Turbo 4,395 cc V-shaped 8 with an 8-speed Automatic and AWD. One weighs 2,435 kg and reaches 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds; the other weighs 2,475 kg and records 3.6 seconds. This generation provides the highest power and torque, but not the quickest acceleration.
BMW M5 engine specs and drivetrains
| Generation and exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First: 3.5 MT | 286 hp | 340 Nm | 3,453 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second: 3.5 MT | 315 hp | 360 Nm | 3,535 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second: 3.8 MT | 340 hp | 400 Nm | 3,795 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second: 3.8 MT6 | 340 hp | 400 Nm | 3,795 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second: 3.8 MT5 | 340 hp | 400 Nm | 3,795 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third: 4.9 MT | 400 hp | 500 Nm | 4,941 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Fourth: 5.0 SMG, 1,955 kg | 507 hp | 520 Nm | 4,999 cc | Gasoline | 10, V-shaped | No | 7-speed Robotic | RWD |
| Fourth: 5.0 SMG, 1,855 kg | 507 hp | 520 Nm | 4,999 cc | Gasoline | 10, V-shaped | No | 7-speed Robotic | RWD |
| Fourth: 5.0 MT | 510 hp | 520 Nm | 4,999 cc | Gasoline | 10, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Fifth: 4.4 MT | 560 hp | 680 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Fifth: 4.4 DCT, 575 hp | 575 hp | 680 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | RWD |
| Fifth: 4.4 DCT, 600 hp | 600 hp | 700 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | RWD |
| Fifth: 4.4 DCT, 560 hp | 560 hp | 680 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | RWD |
| Sixth: 4.4 AT xDrive, 625 hp | 625 hp | 750 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Sixth: 4.4 AT xDrive, 600 hp | 600 hp | 764 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Sixth restyling: 4.4 V8 xDrive, 600 hp | 600 hp | 750 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Sixth restyling: 4.4 V8 xDrive, 625 hp | 625 hp | 750 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Sixth restyling: 4.4 V8 xDrive CS | 635 hp | 750 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Sixth restyling: 4.4 V8 xDrive, 617 hp | 617 hp | 750 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Seventh: 4.4 V8 Plug-in Hybrid M xDrive M Steptronic, 2,435 kg | 727 hp | 1,000 Nm | 4,395 cc | Plug-in | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Seventh: 4.4 V8 Plug-in Hybrid M xDrive M Steptronic, 2,475 kg | 727 hp | 1,000 Nm | 4,395 cc | Plug-in | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
Power per liter rises from about 82.8 hp/L in the first-generation 3.5 MT to about 144.5 hp/L in the 635 hp 4.4 V8 xDrive CS and about 165.4 hp/L in each 727 hp plug-in version. The best weight-per-power figure belongs to the 4.4 V8 xDrive CS at about 2.87 kg/hp. The two seventh-generation versions record about 3.35 and 3.40 kg/hp because their kerb weights are 2,435 and 2,475 kg.
BMW M5 performance, top speed, and fuel economy
Every version except the first-generation 3.5 MT has a listed top speed of 250 km/h; the 3.5 MT reaches 245 km/h. The quickest is the 4.4 V8 xDrive CS at 3.0 seconds to 100 km/h. It leads the 617 hp 4.4 V8 xDrive by 0.1 seconds, the 625 hp sixth-generation versions by 0.3 seconds, and the lighter seventh-generation plug-in by 0.5 seconds.
Measured combined consumption is 16.5 L/100 km for the first-generation 3.5 MT. In the second generation it is not measured for the 3.8 MT and 3.8 MT6, while the 3.5 MT records 11.9 L/100 km and the 3.8 MT5 records 12.5 L/100 km. The third-generation 4.9 MT records 13.9 L/100 km.
For the fourth generation, combined consumption is 14.6 L/100 km for the 1,955 kg 5.0 SMG, 14.4 L/100 km for the 1,855 kg 5.0 SMG, and 18.1 L/100 km for the 5.0 MT. The fifth-generation 575 hp and 560 hp 4.4 DCT versions record 9.9 L/100 km; consumption is not measured for the 600 hp 4.4 DCT or the 4.4 MT.
The original sixth-generation 4.4 AT xDrive records 10.8 L/100 km with 625 hp and 10.5 L/100 km with 600 hp. Among the restyled cars, the 600 hp, 625 hp, and 617 hp 4.4 V8 xDrive versions each record 10.5 L/100 km; the 4.4 V8 xDrive CS records 11.1 L/100 km. The seventh-generation 4.4 V8 Plug-in Hybrid M xDrive M Steptronic entries record 1.7 and 2.0 L/100 km. City and highway figures for both plug-in entries are not measured.
BMW M5 weight, clearance, tank, and wheel dimensions
The first-generation 3.5 MT has a kerb weight of 1,445 kg and gross weight of 1,900 kg; ground clearance and tank capacity are not measured. Its wheels are 245/40 R18 and 275/35 R18.
Second-generation kerb weights span 1,650–1,788 kg, with gross weights of 2,150–2,220 kg. Ground clearance, tank capacity, and wheel sizes are not measured. The third-generation 4.9 MT weighs 1,720 kg kerb and 2,290 kg gross, has 120 mm clearance, a 70 L tank, and 245/40 R18 and 275/35 R18 wheels.
Fourth-generation kerb weight ranges from 1,820 to 1,955 kg, gross weight from 2,300 to 2,415 kg, and clearance is 120 mm throughout. Each version has a 70 L tank. The 1,955 kg 5.0 SMG uses 255/40 R19 and 275/35 R19 wheels; the other two use 255/40 R19 and 285/35 R19.
The fifth-generation 4.4 MT has kerb weight and gross weight not measured, 117 mm clearance, an 80 L tank, and 265/40 R19 and 295/35 R19 wheels. Each 4.4 DCT weighs 1,870 kg kerb and 2,410 kg gross. Their clearance is 107 or 117 mm, their tanks hold 80 L, and wheel sizes are either not measured or 265/40 R19 and 295/35 R19.
Original sixth-generation cars weigh 1,930–1,940 kg kerb and 2,440 kg gross, with 128–132 mm clearance and a 68 L tank. Restyled 600 hp, 625 hp, and 617 hp 4.4 V8 xDrive versions weigh 1,895 kg kerb and 2,440 kg gross; the 4.4 V8 xDrive CS weighs 1,825 kg kerb and 2,290 kg gross. Clearance is 133 mm and tank capacity is 68 L. Standard restyled wheels are 275/40 R19 and 285/40 R19, while the CS uses 275/35 R20 and 285/35 R20.
The seventh-generation versions weigh 2,435 and 2,475 kg kerb, with gross weights of 2,940 and 3,050 kg. Both have 60 L tanks. Ground clearance and wheel sizes are not measured.
Which BMW M5 version should you choose?
For the quickest acceleration and strongest weight-per-power result, choose the 4.4 V8 xDrive CS. Its 635 hp, 1,825 kg kerb weight, and 3.0-second acceleration time outperform every other listed version on the 0–100 km/h measure.
For maximum output, choose either seventh-generation 4.4 V8 Plug-in Hybrid M xDrive M Steptronic. Both deliver 727 hp and 1,000 Nm, which is 92 hp and 250 Nm more than the CS. The trade-off shown by the data is weight: even the lighter plug-in is 610 kg heavier than the CS and takes 0.5 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h.
For a Manual RWD M5 with the strongest engine, choose the fourth-generation 5.0 MT. It combines 510 hp, 520 Nm, a naturally aspirated V-shaped 10, and a 6-speed Manual. For a newer Manual alternative, the fifth-generation 4.4 MT offers 560 hp and 680 Nm from a Turbo V-shaped 8, although its kerb and gross weights and fuel-consumption figures are not measured.
For an AWD car without plug-in weight, compare the sixth-generation versions. The restyled 625 hp 4.4 V8 xDrive reaches 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and records 10.5 L/100 km combined. The 600 hp version is 0.1 seconds slower with the same measured combined consumption. The CS adds 10 hp over the 625 hp car, removes 70 kg, and cuts another 0.3 seconds from the acceleration time, but its combined consumption rises by 0.6 L/100 km.
For the lowest kerb weight, choose the first-generation 3.5 MT at 1,445 kg. For the lowest measured combined fuel figure, choose the lighter seventh-generation plug-in entry at 1.7 L/100 km. For the strongest balance of acceleration, AWD, and moderate weight within the supplied figures, the 4.4 V8 xDrive CS is the numerical standout.