Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Best BMW M5 Generations (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO Syndicate
Best BMW M5 Generations (Ranked)
The BMW M5 invented the super-sedan in 1985 and has defined the segment across seven generations, swinging from naturally aspirated inline-sixes to a screaming V10, then to twin-turbo V8s, and most recently to a plug-in hybrid. This ranking covers every M5 generation by its real engine and chassis, so you can match the right car to whether you want analog purity, peak drama, or modern brutality.
Every entry uses factory specifications — engine, output, transmission, and 0-60 — to keep the shopping honest.
Direct Answer
The best BMW M5 overall is the F90 (2018-2024), powered by the 4.4-liter twin-turbo S63 V8 making 600-627 hp, with the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system (switchable to rear-drive), an 8-speed automatic, and 0-60 in under 3.2 seconds. It is the fastest, most usable, and most complete M5 ever built.
For buyers chasing the best value, the E39 M5 (2000-2003) is the sweet spot — a 4.9-liter naturally aspirated S62 V8 making 394 hp with a 6-speed manual, widely regarded as the most beautifully balanced M5 of all and now a modern classic with strong but still attainable values.
The M5 story is a tradeoff between drama and capability. The older cars sing and steer; the newer cars annihilate. Buyers should be clear-eyed about what each era delivers before spending.
The naturally aspirated cars — the E28 and E34 sixes, the E39 V8, and the E60 V10 — are about throttle response, linear power delivery, and an emotional connection that no turbocharged engine has ever fully replicated. The turbocharged cars — the F10 and F90 — trade some of that character for enormous, accessible torque, all-weather traction in the F90's case, and the ability to humiliate dedicated sports cars in a straight line.
The hybrid G90 adds electric assistance and silent running at the cost of substantial weight. Knowing which of those tradeoffs you actually want is the single most important step before you start shopping. Below, all seven generations ranked, with three key sub-variants to round out the picks.
1. F90 M5 / Competition (2018-2024) 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The most complete M5 ever. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo S63 V8 makes 600 hp standard and 617-627 hp in Competition trim, with 553 lb-ft, an 8-speed automatic, and the first M5 with all-wheel drive (M xDrive, switchable to pure rear-drive). BMW quotes 0-60 in 3.1 seconds, and Competition cars feel quicker still.
It is brutally fast in any weather yet civil enough to daily. Best for the buyer who wants the ultimate modern super-sedan with zero compromises. Nothing else on this list combines this much speed, traction, and everyday comfort.
2. E39 M5 (2000-2003) 💎 BEST VALUE
The connoisseur's M5 and the value champion. The 4.9-liter naturally aspirated S62 V8 makes 394 hp and 369 lb-ft, sent through a 6-speed manual only, for 0-60 in about 4.8 seconds. Its hydraulic steering, perfect proportions, and analog feedback make it the M5 enthusiasts most often call the greatest.
Best value because it delivers a timeless driving experience and modern-classic status for a fraction of newer M5 money. Buy the best-maintained example you can find — these reward documented care.
3. E60/E61 M5 (2005-2010)
The wild one. The 5.0-liter S85 V10 makes 500 hp and 384 lb-ft at a stratospheric 7,750 rpm redline, the only V10 ever fitted to an M5, paired with a 7-speed SMG (or a later-offered 6-speed manual in the US). 0-60 in about 4.5 seconds and a soundtrack like nothing else.
Best for the driver who wants the most dramatic engine in M5 history. The SMG and rod-bearing concerns scare some buyers, which keeps prices reasonable — but a sorted car is unforgettable.
4. F10 M5 (2011-2016)
The first turbo M5 and a brilliant all-rounder. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo S63 V8 makes 552-575 hp and 502 lb-ft, with a 7-speed dual-clutch or, uniquely for the US, an available 6-speed manual. 0-60 in about 4.1 seconds. It introduced the modern M5 formula of effortless torque and luxury-grade comfort.
Best for buyers who want the manual-transmission turbo M5 — the F10 is the only twin-turbo M5 you can get with three pedals. It is the value pick among modern M5s.
5. E34 M5 (1988-1995)
The hand-built classic. The 3.6-liter (later 3.8-liter) S38 inline-six makes 311-340 hp, with a 5- or 6-speed manual, and 0-60 in about 5.9 seconds. Famous for being largely assembled by hand and for the iconic turbine-style "throwing star" wheels.
Best for collectors who want the last of the truly artisanal M5s. Clean examples have appreciated sharply and are firmly in classic territory.
6. E28 M5 (1985-1988)
The original super-sedan. The 3.5-liter S38 (M88-derived) inline-six makes 256 hp in Euro spec (around 256/256 lb-ft), a 5-speed manual, and 0-60 in about 6.5 seconds. As the first M5 — and the fastest production sedan in the world at launch — it is the historical cornerstone of the entire genre.
Best for the collector who wants where it all began. Rare, hand-built, and a blue-chip BMW.
7. G90 M5 (2025-)
The new hybrid heavyweight. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo S68 V8 plus an electric motor combine for a system output of 717 hp and 738 lb-ft, with M xDrive and an 8-speed automatic. It is the most powerful M5 ever, with 0-60 in about 3.4 seconds, but the plug-in hybrid system pushes curb weight well over 5,300 lb.
Best for buyers who want the newest tech and silent EV-only running. The weight is the catch, but the straight-line performance and electric range are genuinely new tricks for the nameplate.
8. F90 M5 CS (2021-2022)
The hardcore special. A lighter, sharper F90 with the S63 V8 dialed up to 627 hp, roughly 70 kg of weight savings via carbon and a stripped interior, retuned suspension, and gold-bronze accents. 0-60 in 2.9 seconds, making it the quickest-accelerating M5 ever sold.
Best for collectors who want the most focused and limited modern M5. It commands a premium over the standard F90, and rightly so.
9. E60 M5 Touring (2007-2010)
The unicorn wagon. The same 5.0-liter S85 V10 at 500 hp in a long-roof body, never officially sold in the US, with the SMG gearbox and 0-60 in about 4.7 seconds. It blends the most dramatic M5 engine with genuine load-hauling practicality.
Best for the enthusiast who wants a V10 family hauler and the rarity that comes with it. Import examples are coveted and increasingly hard to find.
10. F90 M5 (Base, pre-Competition, 2018)
The early standard F90. The 600 hp S63 V8 before the Competition became the only trim, with the full M xDrive system and 0-60 in 3.2 seconds. It rides slightly softer than the Competition while giving up almost nothing in real-world pace.
Best for buyers who want a modern M5 with a touch more comfort at the lowest F90 price. It rounds out the list as the everyday-friendly modern pick.
What to Watch For When Buying
Every M5 generation has signature items that separate a good example from a money pit, and knowing them is the difference between a smart purchase and a costly mistake. On the E28 and E34, the hand-built S38 inline-six is robust but parts and specialist labor are expensive, and originality drives value — matching numbers, documented timing-chain service, and a rust-free shell matter enormously.
On the E39, the S62 V8 is famous for VANOS wear and timing-chain guide issues, so demand records of those services; cooling systems and the cars' aluminum suspension components also need attention with age. The E60 V10 is the connoisseur's gamble: the S85 is legendary for rod-bearing wear and throttle-actuator failures, and the SMG pump and clutch are wear items, so a sorted, well-documented car is worth paying up for while a cheap one almost never is.
The F10 is the most trouble-free of the modern M5s, though the S63 can suffer from timing-chain and injector concerns over high mileage. The F90 is impressively durable, but watch for transfer-case and cooling items, and confirm the car has had its software kept current.
The G90 hybrid is too new for long-term patterns, but the battery and high-voltage system warranty status should be verified on any used example. Across every generation, a pre-purchase inspection by an M specialist is the cheapest insurance you can buy.
How to Choose
Decide whether you want drama or capability. The naturally aspirated cars — E39 V8 and E60 V10 — deliver sound, response, and steering feel the turbo cars cannot match, and the E39 is the value sweet spot while the E60 is the most theatrical. The turbo era — F10 and F90 — trades some soul for crushing real-world speed and all-weather usability, and the F10 manual is the unicorn for purists who still want three pedals with boost.
For the absolute best, the F90 Competition is unbeatable. Across all of them, service history rules: the V10 needs documented rod bearings, the V8s need clean cooling-system records, and any M5 lives or dies by maintenance.
Budget plays a large role too. The classic sixes (E28, E34) are firmly collectible and priced accordingly, so they suit buyers treating an M5 as an appreciating asset rather than a daily. The E39 remains attainable but is rising, making now a sensible time to buy the best one you can find.
The E60 V10 offers the most performance per dollar of any M5 precisely because its maintenance scares casual buyers — if you have a trusted specialist and a contingency fund, it is the bargain thrill of the lineup. The F10 is the value pick among modern cars and the only turbo M5 with a manual.
The F90 commands the highest used prices of the practical M5s, but delivers performance that still embarrasses far more expensive machinery. And the special editions — the F90 CS and the E60 Touring — are for collectors who want rarity and will hold value best of all. Match the car to how you will actually use it: track days, daily duty, family hauling, or weekend collecting each point to a different M5.
FAQ
Which BMW M5 is the best overall? The F90 (2018-2024), especially the Competition, with its 600-627 hp twin-turbo V8 and switchable M xDrive all-wheel drive. It is the fastest and most usable M5 ever built.
What is the best-value BMW M5? The E39 (2000-2003) with its 394 hp naturally aspirated S62 V8 and 6-speed manual. It offers modern-classic status and a sublime driving experience for far less than newer M5s.
Which M5 has a manual transmission? The E28, E34, E39, E60 (US manual offered), and F10 can be had with a manual. The F10 is the only twin-turbo M5 with a manual, and the F90 and G90 are automatic-only.
Which M5 has the V10 engine? Only the E60/E61 (2005-2010) used the 5.0-liter S85 V10, which revved to 7,750 rpm and made 500 hp — the only V10 in M5 history.
Bottom Line
Every M5 generation is great in its era, but the F90 Competition is the definitive best — fastest, most capable, and endlessly usable. The E39 is the value and purist's choice, the most balanced M5 ever and a guaranteed classic. The E60 V10 is the most dramatic, and the F10 manual is the rare bridge between old and new.
Buy on documented service history above all, decide whether you want analog feel or modern force, and you will be happy with whichever M5 you choose.
Sources
- BMW M5 generations and specifications — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M5
- BMW M division history — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M
- BMW S85 V10 engine — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_S85
- BMW S63 twin-turbo V8 engine — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_S63
- BMW S62 V8 engine — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_S62
- BMW 5 Series overview — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_5_Series