M Buyers Guide
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BMW X5 M F85

BMW X5 M F85

2015 to 2018SUVM car

Guide Score 57Specialist$3,927 a year to ownAbout 52nd of 69
Best year
2015
Example asking
$17k to $40k
Prices near you
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Photo: Jsslee, CC BY-SA 4.0, plate blurred, via Wikimedia Commons

The short answer

The F85 is the second X5 M, built in South Carolina and sold here from 2015 to 2018.

The score, part by part

57Guide Score for 2016Specialistabout $3,927 a year to own
Place among the 69 generations
About 52nd of 69, likely 33rd to 63rd
Likely score range
48 to 71
Confidence
Low
Acclaim
27 of 100
Chance of a bill over $10,000 in five years
3.9%
Best purposes
Tuning, 18th of 69

The seven parts and acclaim, 2016 model year

Heritage counts 14 of 100
1124% of it not measured
Engine counts 14 of 100
50
Drive feel counts 19 of 100
63
Analog connection counts 10 of 100
75
Weight counts 10 of 100
25
Long-term value not scored
not measured
Ownership counts 19 of 100
59
Acclaim counts 14 of 100
27

Each part is scored from 0 to 100 on a fixed outside scale. Acclaim comes from published expert lists, launch reviews and awards; the more acclaimed a car, the less its ownership cost counts in this all-time score (its dollars below are unchanged). A part marked not measured carries no weight for this car, and the others share its weight.

Long-term value, shown and not scored

No permitted price yet: we have not found three prices for this car from sources that allow this use.

Long-term value starts to count in the score once 75% of the 69 generations have permitted prices. Today 43 do.

The cost to own

About $3,927 a year to own ($2,235 to $6,333), about $18,902 over five years, bought at five years old or its own age if older, kept five years.

  1. Oil and coolant leaks around the hot vee (S63): about $700 over five years, common (source)
  2. Rod bearing wear (S63): about $500 over five years, rare (source)
  3. Carbon buildup on the intake valves: about $108 over five years, possible (source)

Expect about $2,200 to $6,300 a year; the bills that decide it are oil and coolant leaks around the hot vee, rod bearing wear and carbon buildup on the intake valves. Ownership risk: costly.

Guide Score method v5-final.14, an editorial score built only from permitted, sourced data. How it works.

S63567 hpAWD8-speed automatic14 city, 19 hwy mpg

Colors it came in, most wanted first. Pick one to see the page in it.

Routine service a year, estimate
$600 to $1,200

Best year to buy

2015The best year to buy, reading 57 of 100, about $3,927 a year to own.

No logged change between model years sets it apart; every year reads within 2 points of it, so buy on condition and records.

No year to think twice about: none reads 3 or more points below the 2015, and no logged fault separates them.

  1. 201557best year
  2. 201657$3,927 a year
  3. 201756$3,927 a year
  4. 201856$3,927 a year

From our log of the changes between model years, each with its source. Only changes the score reads count as reasons; recalls BMW fixes for free, options and tuning notes do not. The cost a year is for a car bought at five years old, or its own age if older, kept five years. How the score works.

The longer answer

It has the updated S63 twin-turbo V8, now with Valvetronic, making 567 hp and 553 lb-ft, an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic, rear-biased xDrive all-wheel drive with a torque-vectoring rear axle, and self-leveling rear air suspension; BMW quoted 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds.

There was one version, plus the 2018 Black Fire Edition (Black Sapphire paint, black grille and wheels, carbon mirror caps, black and Mugello Red Merino), of which BMW said about 200 would come to the US across the X5 M and X6 M.

This S63 has a much better record than the first one in the 2010 to 2013 X5 M, but it is still a hot-running twin-turbo V8: budget for oil and coolant leaks around the turbos, expensive tires and brakes, and oil changes on time or sooner.

What to look for. A complete service history with oil changes every 10,000 miles or sooner, no oil or coolant leaks on top of the engine or under the car, a clean fault-code scan, receipts for any gasket or coolant pipe work, a level stance with no air suspension warnings, tread and brake life left, and a VIN check for open recalls.

Holds value

  • The 2018 Black Fire Edition
  • Long Beach Blue and Donington Grey paint (the two colors only the M models got)
  • Mugello Red or Aragon Brown Full Merino leather
  • The Executive Package
  • Bang & Olufsen sound
  • The M Driver's Package
  • 2017 and 2018 cars
  • Low documented mileage
  • Unmodified cars

Hurts resale

  • Accident history
  • Which many of these have
  • High mileage with no records
  • Tunes and exhaust modifications
  • Oil or coolant leaks
  • Air suspension faults
  • Tires and brakes due soon

What to do next

Check a carFound one for sale? Paste the listing's link or its VIN, or enter its details, for a report on that one car.Compare it with a rivalSee where the X5 M F85 wins and loses, part by part.Take the checklistWhat to ask, look for and test before you pay.
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The M Index, once a month: any change to the X5 M's guide or score, with the reason, new recalls on M cars, and one thing to check before you buy.