What do you think of when you imagine going at speeds above 300 km/h or completing a Nurburgring hotlap under 7 minutes and 40 seconds? Well, certainly not of a 4-door sedan that weighs nearly 2 tons and can sit 4-5 with comfort, along with heated and cooled seats. The BMW M5, an iconic name, a number, and a letter that has represented the nightmares of supercars since 1984.
Legacy Of The Super Saloon
The BMW M5 was first introduced in 1985 at the Amsterdam Motor Show as a high-performance sedan. In a way, this is the vehicle that started the revolution of performance sedans and brought out the trends of recent days of saloon cars.
E28 M5: Fastest Sedan In 1985
At its launch, an instant hit. Fastest production sedan in the world. Originally based on the 5-series E28 platform, this new higher-performance 5-series came with a 3.5-litre inline six engine throwing 286 BHP at the crank at the time. In 1985, this was a big figure. Only 2130 examples of the E28 M5 were ever built, and these saloons did 0-100 in just 6.5 seconds and went to a total top speed of 245 Kmph.
This was an important vehicle for BMW, as this helped BMW focus on high-performance sedans, for which BMW is known and respected today.
M5 E34: A Better E28
Quite literally just a better E28 with slightly better performance. Featuring two engine options, a 3.6-litre and a 3.8-litre engine, with the higher power output of 340 BHP. Notably, this was the first time that the M5 came in station wagon format, along with a brilliant manual transmission and updated interiors.
With a brilliant chassis and a beautiful design, this M5 was heavily famous and popularised by fans worldwide, along with high engine performance produced from 1988 to 1997.
BMW M5 E39: Legendary Status, Legendary Performance
Produced from 1998 to 2003, this M5 is notably the highest and most fan-favourite. Considered to be the best M5 made by fans and even journalists, and also the best-looking M5. This was the first M5 to come with a big, bad, and bold 5.0-litre V8 engine, producing 394 BHP. Paired with an epic 6-speed manual transmission, meant that this was the ultimate driving experience on the road.
With Bold and charismatic looks and eyes that gave the lookers goosebumps, this M5 is still the most popular even to this day. With beautiful 18-inch BMW-M specific rims and one of the best interiors designed in any sedan, the resale value of the E39 has increased drastically.
0-100 in 4.8 seconds in 1998 was enough to embarrass any supercar at the stoplight. This was the ultimate revolution of the M5, the first V8 M5 ever, one of the best-looking sedans ever made, and widely regarded as one of the best M cars ever made.
BMW M5 E60: Controversial But Symphonious
The most controversial yet mind-blowing choices BMW has ever made on any of its cars in its entire running period. From a 5.0-litre V8 to a 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V10 engine. Launched in 2005, widely regarded as the ugly M5, yet this monstrosity of a saloon car was so incredibly quick that it could compete with a Lamborghini Gallardo in acceleration at 4.1 seconds from 0 to 100 Kmph.
This symphonius V10 was paired with either a 7-speed SMG III transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission, which was a very rare option. This 500 BHP sounded incredible anywhere it went or revved. Unfortunately, the fans recognised the greatness of this vehicle much later, and now it’s seeing some recognition.
F10 M5: Luxurious And Top Of The Speed Tree
This M5 generation marked the shift of the M5 towards turbocharging and a more luxurious character to the M5’s charm. Along with that, BMW reduced 2 cylinders from the outgoing model but managed to get 100 BHP extra. Paired with a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine making 600 BHP, the F10 became the world’s fastest 4-door super saloon that could eat almost any supercar for lunch. The transmission also got a mighty upgrade, with launch control, the 7-speed Dual-clutch transmission helped the F10 to reach 100 kmph from a standstill in just under 3.9 Seconds.
Along with that came extremely sleek lines and a design that caught the eyes of whoever passed by. The interior was leathered heavily, and the tech was mind-blowing. Many consider the F10 to be the peak of the M5. Along with that, a few special editions came with a very rare manual transmission, which are now extremely valuable.
Even by replacing an iconic V10 engine that sounded beautiful, the F10 M5 was respected by everyone and loved by many. This generation of the M5 was produced from 2011 to 2016, and during its period, it remained the fastest production sedan in the world.
BMW M5 F90: CS Enters, Supercars Exit
The fastest production BMW ever made, even to this day in 2025. The BMW M5 F90 was revealed in 2017 in a very epic Frozen Dark Red colour, and the public had lost their mind due to the sole reason of how beautiful this sedan was to look at. Along with that, the same 4.4-litre V8 motor was retained but now with 625 BHP and 750 Nm of Torque. With the addition of the M5 CS into the lineup, the M5 now had truly gone berserk, 635 BHP , the most powerful non-electric assisted BMW ever made, even to this day. The M5 CS was the fear of tons of supercars as it had a blisteringly quick 0-100 time of just 2.8 seconds, in many cases even beating the Lamborghini Aventador SV in drag races because of a brilliant BMW X-drive AWD system that could decouple the front axles and become a pure RWD for “some not so disciplined driving maneuvers”.
This marks the most popular M5 ever made, even today, the fastest M5 ever made, one of the fastest and quickest 4-door Petrol saloon cars, and certainly a very beautiful one to look at. The M5 F90 was so good at doing what it does that, on paper, the M5 CS is the best BMW sports car ever made. Even the interior of this saloon was perfect, driver-focused screen, high-quality leather, and carbon fibre bucket seats, making the interior an amazing experience.
BMW M5 G90: Fat And Fast Was Never Bad
“A fat whale”, “Boat on wheels”, “heavier than a Maybach,” and much more are such comments when the G90 was first launched with the same 4.4-litre S63 V8 engine but now with Hybrid technology. Weighing almost 2500 Kgs, the weight figure is impossible to believe. Launched recently in November 2024, this behemoth-sized vehicle has taken a different step in the M5 legacy.
The new G90 M5 may not be as tossable, as quick, or as fun to drive as the outgoing M5CS model. But this new M5 is the definition of what the F10 started. The F10 started the recipe of luxurious power and comfort, and this G90 generation of the M5 is the peak of just that. Being a brilliant daily driver, still able to drift and burn rubber, and now even saving fuel? That may sound like a dream come true. But dreams often have harsh realities, and so does this car.
The G90 is a brilliant all-rounder, A super-fast saloon, a 4.4L Hybrid V8 that can also drive in pure EV mode, a new modern tech-loaded interior, and a fresh, controversial design as expected from BMW. But this is simply not an M5. This is more like what an M7 would look like if BMW ever made one. A heavy, luxurious fast machine.
BMW M5 Verdict: Legends Never Die
The BMW M5 lives on, still offering a powerful V8 engine and still scaring supercars at stoplights. The super saloon today costs 110,000 USD starting, and may still be a bargain for what it offers. Customers and enthusiasts will soon quickly adapt to the new G90 and start to love it as usual. Hopefully, BMW keeps giving us products like this to enjoy.
