Carbon buildup (direct injection)
Intake valve carbon accumulates over mileage; walnut blasting eventually needed.
How to check
Ask about mileage and whether blasting has been done.
$800est. repairMedium severity
BMW M5 F90
2018 to 2023SedanM car
81Guide Score 81Excellent$3,231 a year to ownAbout 20th of 69
- Best year
- 2023
Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The short answer
The F90 is the sixth-gen M5, sold in the US as 2018 to 2023 models with the most refined version of the 4.4L twin-turbo S63 V8, 600 hp standard and 617 hp in Competition.
The score, part by part
81Guide Score for 2023Excellentabout $3,231 a year to own
- Place among the 69 generations
- About 20th of 69, likely 9th to 33rd
- Likely score range
- 73 to 88
- Confidence
- Medium
- Acclaim
- 65 of 100
- Chance of a bill over $10,000 in five years
- 3.3%
- Best purposes
- Family performance, 1st of 22; Grand tourer and luxury, 2nd of 20
The seven parts and acclaim, 2023 model year
- Heritage counts 15 of 100
- 3824% of it not measured
- Engine counts 15 of 100
- 53
- Drive feel counts 20 of 100
- 73
- Analog connection counts 10 of 100
- 69
- Weight counts 10 of 100
- 55
- Long-term value not scored
- not measured
- Ownership counts 14 of 100
- 61
- Acclaim counts 15 of 100
- 65
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
5 prices from sources that allow this use (classiccars.com, driveway.com), read October 27, 2026: the middle one is $72,444, about 70% of the price new (55% once the price new is put in today's dollars). Asking prices sit above what cars sell for.
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 $3,231 a year to own ($2,100 to $4,976), about $15,182 over five years, bought at five years old or its own age if older, kept five years.
Expect about $2,100 to $5,000 a year; the bills that decide it are rod bearing wear, carbon buildup and transfer case / xDrive components. Ownership risk: moderate.
Guide Score method v5-final.14, an editorial score built only from permitted, sourced data. How it works.
S63 4.4L V8600 hpAWD8-speed automatic15 city, 21 hwy mpg
Colors it came in, most wanted first. Pick one to see the page in it.
- Routine service a year, estimate
- $500 to $1,000
Best year to buy
2023The best year to buy, reading 81 of 100, about $3,231 a year to own.
The 2022 reads 82, a point higher on this scale; the model scores the two years level and names the 2023 as the year to buy.
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 2023, and no logged fault separates them.
- 201881$3,250 a year
- 201981$3,250 a year
- 202081$3,250 a year
- 202181$3,231 a year
- 202282$3,231 a year
- 202381best 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 is the first M5 with M xDrive all-wheel drive, including a pure RWD mode, paired exclusively with an 8-speed ZF automatic.
The 2022 M5 CS, a one-year 627 hp special best known in Frozen Deep Green, is the collectible halo. A very fast, usable super sedan that is now a strong used value, except for the CS.
What to look for
- Full service history, cooling and xDrive health, tune clarity, clean accident record, and desirable specs and colors
- Decide between a value Competition and a premium CS
- Confirm Competition package contents if value depends on it
- Check by VIN that recalls and BMW's coolant expansion tank campaign (SIB 17 03 24) are done; cars built from December 2017 to July 1, 2021 have 15-year, 150,000-mile cover for injectors damaged by coolant (SI B01 17 24; BMW confirms eligibility by VIN)
- For 2019 and 2020 the M5 Competition was its own model; from 2021 it was a package
Holds value
- M5 CS (Frozen Deep Green hero, strong value retention)
- Competition Package
- Carbon ceramic brakes
- Signature colors like Marina Bay Blue, BMW Individual San Remo Green, and Frozen finishes
- BMW Individual interiors such as Tartufo, Smoke White/Black, and Caramel/Black
- Aragon Brown Full Merino
- Low documented mileage
- Full records
Hurts resale
- High mileage
- Accident or salvage history
- Undocumented heavy tuning
- Common colors
- Missing records
- Unresolved cooling or xDrive issues
Known issues to check
What goes wrong on this generation, roughly what a fix costs at an independent shop, and how to spot it before you buy. Every M5 generation compared.
Engine on the 2023 car
- Rod bearing wear (S63)Medium$5,000
Review oil analysis and tune history, factor in driving style.
- Carbon buildup (direct injection)Medium$800
Ask about mileage and whether blasting has been done.
6known issues
6NHTSA recalls filed as the M5, 2018 to 2023
18owner complaints to NHTSA
NHTSA files some of this car’s recalls under the 5 Series, so they are missing here. Check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Electronics / iDrive quirks
Occasional infotainment and sensor faults reported.
How to check
Scan for stored fault codes and test all electronics.
$250est. repairLow severity
Transfer case / xDrive components
Driveline shudder is the documented complaint: BMW's bulletin SIB 27 02 20 blames mismatched or unevenly worn tires or out-of-spec factory transfer case oil, and the fix is usually new transfer case oil.
How to check
Test all xDrive modes and listen for driveline noise on the test drive.
$500est. repairMedium severity
Rod bearing wear (S63)
No BMW bulletin, but hard-driven or heavily tuned cars still warrant attention; some owners replace the bearings as a precaution.
If a bearing spins: a used S63 is $8k to $10k before fitting ($15k to $16k for the F90 M5's). Source: used-engine asking prices on eBay, October 18, 2026.
How to check
Review oil analysis and tune history, factor in driving style.
$5,000to prevent itMedium severity
Cooling system / heat management
The twin-turbo V8 produces serious heat, and cooling parts age out with mileage; the plastic coolant expansion tank can leak onto the injectors below it, and BMW replaces it under campaign SIB 17 03 24.
How to check
Check records for cooling work and monitor temperatures, more important on tracked or tuned cars.
$2,000est. repairMedium severity
Fuel injectors damaged by coolant (S63)
BMW's bulletins say the plastic coolant expansion tank can leak over the car's life, and because it sits almost directly above the fuel injectors on cylinders 5 to 8, the coolant can corrode them until they fail, bringing rough running, misfires or limp mode. About half of the 16 complaints F90 owners have filed with NHTSA describe it, three of them about tanks that leaked again after replacement, and some describe damaged ignition coils and spark plugs too. Under an emissions recall (24E-A01, SIB 17 03 24) on M5s built through September 9, 2022, a dealer checks the tank's part number, replaces an early or leaking tank and replaces any contaminated injectors, free; a coverage program pays for injectors that fail from this corrosion for 15 years or 150,000 miles on cars built from December 8, 2017 to July 1, 2021 (SI B01 17 24). Out of coverage, a new tank costs about $210 and each injector about $150 to $500 before labor.
How to check
Have a BMW dealer check the VIN for the open tank recall and the injector coverage, look for dried coolant around the tank and the top of the engine, and scan for misfire codes on cylinders 5 to 8.
$2,000est. repairMedium severity
Ownership and safety
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 M5 and 2020 M8 Gran Coupe, M8 Coupe, and M8 Convertible vehicles. The transmission wiring harness can become damaged, resulting in an electrical short circuit.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 750i xDrive, 2019 M850i xDrive Coupe, M850i xDrive Convertible, X5 xDrive50i, X7 xDrive50i, and M5 vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may not have been properly attached to the engine, which may cause the fuel pump flange to crack, resulting in a fuel leak.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW M5 vehicles. The fuel level sensor in the fuel tank may become stuck against an in-tank fuel line, causing the fuel gauge to display an inaccurate and possibly larger amount of fuel than is actually available.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW M5 vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the engine control unit software may cause the fuel pump to stop.
NHTSA files some of this car’s recalls under the 5 Series, so they are missing here. Check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Live from NHTSA, across the 2018 to 2023 model years.
What it costs to run
Our estimates at an independent shop, parts and labor; fuel from the EPA.
Fuel a yearEPA
~$1,880
At about 6,000 miles a year, our estimate for an M coupe, sedan or convertible, the two-year budget's miles; 17 mpg combined, premium gasoline
Factory tiresEstimate
$1,700 to $2,300
19in staggered summer (20in optional; standard on Competition and CS)
Brakes, front and rearEstimate
$1,800 to $3,500
Pads and rotors, independent shop
Annual serviceEstimate
$500 to $1,000
Oil and inspections
Pricing tires for this car? Compare the factory sizes at Discount Tire, and ask a local shop to match it.
Maintenance schedule
- Oil serviceyearly or 10k mi~$250
- Brake fluidevery 2 yrs~$120
- Cabin microfilterevery 2 yrs~$90
- Spark plugsevery 30k mi~$500
- Tire set, wear itemevery 15k to 25k mi~$1,850
- Brake job, wear itemevery 25k to 40k mi~$2,300
Sources and methodwhat each figure covers
Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov: its yearly cost is for 15,000 miles with 55% city driving, moved here to the miles a year the two-year budget uses. The rest are our estimates at independent-shop and retail prices from September 2026. Service is a year of routine maintenance at 10,000 miles: one or two oil changes, brake fluid, filters, and spark plugs spread over their interval. Repairs are separate. Tires are a mounted set of summer tires; brakes are pads and rotors on both axles. Prices vary by region and shop.
Prices near you
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Set your ZIP and this page shows the asking prices of M5 F90 cars listed for sale within 100 miles of you today, with the cars themselves.
What they sell for
$34,000lowest example
$145,000highest example
3listings tracked
2022 BMW M5
Frozen Deep Green (matte, CS hero) · 14,000 mi · 8AT · AWD
$145,000listing score 71
2019 BMW M5
Marina Bay Blue · 31,000 mi · 8AT · AWD
$65,000listing score 74
2018 BMW M5
Black Sapphire · 58,000 mi · 8AT · AWD
$34,000listing score 60
Representative listings, last reviewed September 2026. Examples chosen by us, not a live feed.
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The cars this one gets weighed against, by lineage and by price.
BMW E39 M5
86Guide Score for 2000Excellentabout $3,685 a year to own
BMW E28 M593Guide Score for 1988Exceptionalabout $3,332 a year to own
BMW G90 M551Guide Score for 2026Specialistabout $4,266 a year to own
Replaced
F10 M5First turbo M5 and the last manual M5. The rare manual+Competition combo is the collector pick.
This car
F90 M5Sixth M5, S63 V8 at 600 hp (617 on Competition). First M5 with M xDrive, 8-speed auto only. The 2022 M5 CS is the 627 hp halo, best known in Frozen Deep Green.
Then came
G90 M5Seventh M5 (2025 on), a V8 plug-in hybrid at 717 hp, and the first M5 Touring sold here.
Platform history, the BMW M5
The M5 began with the E28 in 1985, the first super sedan, hand-built with the M88 six. Every M5 since has been an executive sedan first, a missile second.
- 1985E28 M5The original super sedan, hand-built M88/3 six, the template for the segment.
- 1989E34 M5S38 six, also hand-built, as a sedan and, in Europe only, a wagon.
- 1998E39 M5S62 4.9 V8, the first V8 M5 and the all-time enthusiast favorite.
- 2005E60 M5S85 5.0 V10 from F1-era engineering, with SMG or, in North America, a six-speed manual. The most extreme M5.
- 2011F10 M5First turbo M5, S63 4.4 V8. Last manual M5 (North America only, 577 built).
- 2018F90 M5This carFirst M5 with M xDrive, 8-speed auto only, 627 hp CS as the halo.
- 2025G90 M5Plug-in hybrid S68 V8 at 717 hp with M xDrive; the G99 M5 Touring is the first M5 wagon sold in the US.
Head to head: M550i vs M5, M8 vs M5.
Follow the M5
The M Index, once a month: any change to the M5's guide or score, with the reason, new recalls on M cars, and one thing to check before you buy.