Is the S85 reliable?
We rate the S85 55 of 100 for reliability: mixed. The rating is one of the inputs to every Guide Score below, and it is argued for on the method page with the others.
Why that rating
The lit mark is the S85; each grey mark is another engine on the engines page.
The E60 M5 and E63 M6's V10 revs past 8,000 rpm and is the most expensive engine here to keep: rod bearings that wear early, widely blamed on tight factory clearances, which many owners replace preventively, throttle actuators that many cars have needed rebuilt, and VANOS pumps.
A well-kept S85 is special; a failed one can cost more than the car is worth.
Cars in this guide with the S85
| Car | Years with this engine | Reliability | Guide Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| M5 E60 | 2006 to 2010 | 51 to 52 | 62 (2010) |
| M6 E63 | 2006 to 2010 | 53 | 60 (2010) |
Reliability is each car's score out of 100 for the years it had this engine: the engine rating plus that car's own known problems, service costs and age. The Guide Score is for the car's best year to buy.
Known problems on the S85
| Problem | Named in the guides for | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|
| Rod bearing wear | M5 E60, M6 E63 | $5,000 |
| VANOS pump and solenoids | M6 E63 | $4,000 |
| Throttle actuator failure | M5 E60, M6 E63 | $900 |
Bills are the guides' estimates, not quotes; each car's guide says which model years a problem hits and how to check for it. The bars share one scale, up to the costliest bill here.
Other engines
Every engine we rate, from the most reliable down, is on the engines page.