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BMW X5 M50i and M60i G05

BMW X5 M50i and M60i G05

2020 to 2026SUVM Performance

Guide Score 47Not for most buyers$3,383 a year to ownAbout 57th of 69
Best year
2020
Example asking
$26k to $69k
Prices near you
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Photo: HJUdall, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The short answer

The X5 M50i and M60i are the V8 versions of the fourth-generation X5, built in South Carolina and sold here from 2020 to 2026 with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic.

The score, part by part

47Guide Score for 2024Not for most buyersabout $3,383 a year to own
Place among the 69 generations
About 57th of 69, likely 45th to 67th
Likely score range
42 to 62
Confidence
Low
Acclaim
27 of 100
Chance of a bill over $10,000 in five years
under 0.1%

The seven parts and acclaim, 2024 model year

Heritage counts 14 of 100
524% of it not measured
Engine counts 14 of 100
50
Drive feel counts 19 of 100
63
Analog connection counts 10 of 100
37
Weight counts 10 of 100
22
Long-term value not scored
not measured
Ownership counts 19 of 100
58
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

14 prices from sources that allow this use (driveway.com), read October 27, 2026: the middle one is $60,700, about 70% of the price new (60% 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 $3,383 a year to own ($2,149 to $5,403), about $15,810 over five years, bought at five years old or its own age if older, kept five years.

  1. Front differential and transfer case failure: about $1,080 over five years, possible (source)
  2. Carbon buildup on the intake valves (S68): about $120 over five years, possible (source)
  3. Air suspension leaks and compressor wear: about $0 over five years, possible (source)

Expect about $2,100 to $5,400 a year; the bills that decide it are front differential and transfer case failure and carbon buildup on the intake valves. Ownership risk: moderate.

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

N63 V8 (TU3), then S68 from 2024523 hpAWD8-speed automatic16 city, 22 hwy mpg

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

Routine service a year, estimate
$600 to $1,100

Best year to buy

2020The best year to buy, reading 49 of 100, about $3,439 a year to own.

The 2021 to 2023 read 50, a point higher on this scale; the model scores these years level and names the 2020 as the year to buy.

Why the 2020

  • Spared a downgrade of the 2024 to 2026 cars: Facelift: Curved Display, fewer buttons (source, read October 27, 2026)
  • Spared a downgrade of the 2024 to 2026 cars: M60i with S68 V8 and 48V mild hybrid replaces the M50i (N63) (source, read October 27, 2026)

Years to think twice about

  • 2024 to 2026: 47, 2 points below the 2020. Facelift: Curved Display, fewer buttons. (source, read October 27, 2026) M60i with S68 V8 and 48V mild hybrid replaces the M50i (N63). (source, read October 27, 2026) About $3,383 a year to own against $3,439, with carbon buildup on the intake valves (S68) (about $120 over five years, price source) and air suspension leaks and compressor wear (about $0 over five years, price source) among the bills that decide it; chance of a bill over $10,000 in five years under 0.1%.
  1. 202049best year
  2. 202150$3,420 a year
  3. 202250$3,420 a year
  4. 202350$3,420 a year
  5. 202447think twice
  6. 202547think twice
  7. 202647think twice

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

The 2020 to 2023 M50i uses the N63 twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8, and the facelifted 2024 to 2026 M60i uses the newer S68, which adds a 48-volt mild-hybrid motor in the gearbox; both make 523 hp and 553 lb-ft, enough for 60 mph in about 4.1 seconds.

They lose value quickly, so a used one costs a fraction of its base price new, which started at $82,150 for the 2020 M50i and $89,300 for the 2024 M60i. The costliest common fault is the front differential, which owners report failing at around 45,000 to 65,000 miles, so a car with BMW Certified cover or proof of the repair is worth paying more for.

What to look for
  • A clean recall check by VIN, records of any front differential or transfer case work (proposed class actions over both are pending), no whine from the front axle and no shudder in slow full-lock turns, oil use and leaks on 2020 to 2023 M50i engines (turbo oil lines, coolant), a car that sits level overnight if it has air suspension, and BMW Certified cover (up to five years old and under 60,000 miles) or a service contract on any car near 50,000 miles
  • On 2020 cars BMW covers the engine coolant thermostat for 15 years or 150,000 miles (SI B01 01 21), and on cars built to October 2021 the lower active air flap in the front grille (SI B01 03 25); not every car is included, so check by VIN

Holds value

  • The 2024 to 2026 M60i
  • BMW Certified cars with low documented mileage
  • The Dynamic Handling Package
  • Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound
  • The Executive Package
  • Marina Bay Blue or a BMW Individual paint (Tanzanite Blue II, Frozen Pure Grey, Ametrin, Dravit Grey)
  • Tartufo or Ivory White Merino leather

Hurts resale

  • A failed or noisy front differential
  • High mileage past the warranty with no records
  • An M50i that uses oil or leaks
  • Accident history
  • Air suspension faults
  • Open recalls

What to do next

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The M Index, once a month: any change to the X5 M50i and M60i's guide or score, with the reason, new recalls on M cars, and one thing to check before you buy.