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Photo of a BMW M5

BMW M5

The E28 M5 put an M1-derived six in the world's fastest production sedan.12

Researched October 25, 2026 from 42 sources

At a glance

0400800
256–717 hpPower
0510
2.9–6.3 s0–60 mph
05001,000
330–1,000 N·mTorque
01,5003,000
1,410–2,550 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.21213151617

Engine
E28/E34: I6; E39: V8; E60/E61: V10; G90: 4.4 L twin-turbo V8 hybrid2313
Layout
Front engine; RWD (1984–2016), AWD (2017 onward)2
Gearbox
E34: 5/6-speed manual; E60: 7-speed SMG; F10: 7-speed DCT; F90: 8-speed auto2914
Built at
E28: mainly Munich/Garching, Germany; E39/F10/G90: Dingolfing, Germany2915
Units built
E28: 2,241; E34: 12,254; E39: 20,4822

The story

Built to hide serious speed in an ordinary-looking 5 Series, the E28 M5 paired an M1-derived six with hand assembly. It debuted in Amsterdam in 1985 as the world's fastest production sedan.12

1985: E28 M5 debuts in Amsterdam19851991: E28 owners sue over the 500-car promise19911992: E34 Touring: 891 built19921998: E39 swaps six cylinders for a V819982005: E60: 500 hp from an S85 V1020052011: F10 introduces twin-turbo power20112017: F90 adopts M xDrive20172021: M5 CS: 627 hp, 104 kg lighter2021 BMW M535i (E12) (E12): 1980–1981BMW M5 (E28) (E28): 1984–1988E28BMW M5 (E34) (E34): 1988–1995E34BMW M5 (E39) (E39): 1998–2003E39BMW M5 (E60/E61) (E60/E61): 2004–2010E60/E61BMW M5 (F10) (F10): 2011–2016F10 19801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones127924
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1980–1981BMW M535i (E12) (E12)
1984–1988BMW M5 (E28) (E28)
1988–1995BMW M5 (E34) (E34)
1998–2003BMW M5 (E39) (E39)
2004–2010BMW M5 (E60/E61) (E60/E61)
2011–2016BMW M5 (F10) (F10)
1985E28 M5 debuts in Amsterdam
1991E28 owners sue over the 500-car promise
1992E34 Touring: 891 built
1998E39 swaps six cylinders for a V8
2005E60: 500 hp from an S85 V10
2011F10 introduces twin-turbo power
2017F90 adopts M xDrive
2021M5 CS: 627 hp, 104 kg lighter
  1. 1985

    E28 M5 debuts in Amsterdam

    Hand-built from late 1984, the first M5 married the E28 535i chassis to an M1-derived engine and launched as the world's fastest production sedan.2

  2. 1991

    E28 owners sue over the 500-car promise

    BMW promised 500 US cars but built over 1,200. Owners sued in 1991; the settlement gave E28 M5 owners a transferable $4,000 new-BMW certificate.1

  3. 1992

    E34 Touring: 891 built

    The E34 gained a 335 hp 3.8 L six and a left-hand-drive Touring; 891 wagons were built. A six-speed manual followed in 1994.23

  4. 1998

    E39 swaps six cylinders for a V8

    The first V8 M5 launched at Geneva: a 394 hp S62 with individual throttles, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual in every car.245

  5. 2005

    E60: 500 hp from an S85 V10

    BMW's Formula 1 work inspired the 5.0 L V10. The sedan claimed 0–100 km/h in 4.7 seconds; North America also received a six-speed manual.2678

  6. 2011

    F10 introduces twin-turbo power

    A 560 hp 4.4 L V8 replaced the V10. The 2013 F10 reached 60 mph in a measured 3.7 seconds with its seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.910

  7. 2017

    F90 adopts M xDrive

    The F90 added M xDrive with a rear-drive mode. The 2021 Competition made 617 hp and paired 10% firmer springs with revised dampers.611

  8. 2021

    M5 CS: 627 hp, 104 kg lighter

    The US-market 2022 CS reached 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, had four individual seats and was offered for one model year.12

Every generation

  • BMW M535i (E12)
    E121980–1981
  • BMW M5 (E28)
    E281984–1988
  • BMW M5 (E34)
    E341988–1995
  • BMW M5 (E39)
    E391998–2003
  • BMW M5 (E60/E61)
    E60/E612004–2010
  • BMW M5 (F10)
    F102011–2016

Power over the years

From 282 hp to 717 hp in 41 years.

0200400600800 1990200020102020 hp 1984 · 282 hp · E28 European M88 3.5 L1986 · 256 hp · E28 US S38B351988 · 311 hp · E34 3.6 L S381992 · 335 hp · E34 3.8 L S381998 · 394 hp · E39 S62 V82005 · 500 hp · E60 S85 V102011 · 560 hp · F10 standard2013 · 575 hp · F10 Competition Package2015 · 600 hp · F10 30 Jahre M5 (US)2021 · 617 hp · F90 M5 Competition2022 · 627 hp · M5 CS (US model year)2025 · 717 hp · G90/G99 M Hybrid 717 hp G90/G99 M Hybrid 282 hp E28 European M88 3.5 L
2367911121318192021
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1984282E28 European M88 3.5 L
1986256E28 US S38B35
1988311E34 3.6 L S38
1992335E34 3.8 L S38
1998394E39 S62 V8
2005500E60 S85 V10
2011560F10 standard
2013575F10 Competition Package
2015600F10 30 Jahre M5 (US)
2021617F90 M5 Competition
2022627M5 CS (US model year)
2025717G90/G99 M Hybrid

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    E60/E61 M5

    2005–2010

    500 hp
  • G99 M5 Touring

    Standard

    G99 M5 Touring

    2025

    717 hp

  • Performance

    F90 M5 Competition (2021 US)

    2021

    617 hp

  • Limited

    M5 Competition Edition 35 Jahre

    2019

    350 built

  • Limited

    F10 M5 30 Jahre M5

    2015 (US)

    600 hp

    300 built

  • Performance

    F10 M5 Competition six-speed manual

    2013–2016

    575 hp

    118 built

  • Limited

    E34 M5 Winkelhock Edition

    1991

    51 built

  • Limited

    E34 M5 Cecotto Edition

    1991

    22 built

  • E34 M5 20 Jahre Motorsport Edition

    Limited

    E34 M5 20 Jahre Motorsport Edition

    1992

    20 built

  • Limited

    E34 M5 Touring Elekta

    1995

    20 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • North American E28 M5: black paint, four equal-size headlights and bumpers with side markers.1
  • E34: turbine or throwing-star wheel covers, plus its own front/rear bumpers and side skirts.23
  • E39: four exhaust tips, 18-inch wheels and small M5 badges on both black door moldings.4
  • E60 M5: flared front fenders with cooling vents, 19-inch wheels and four exhaust tips.2
  • G90: wide arches, extended side skirts and an embossed M5 logo by the C-pillar.15

Year by year

  1. 1992 (E34)

    Throwing-star wheel covers replace turbines on updated cars; the covers interchange, so wheel style alone cannot prove age.23

  2. 1993 (E34 North America)

    Throwing stars, M-Technic mirrors and Shadowline trim arrive; lower panels change from Sebring Grey to Granite Silver.3

  3. May 1994 (E34)

    Wider kidney grilles and 18-inch M Parallel wheels identify the late specification, which also brings a six-speed manual.3

  4. 2001 model year (E39)

    Corona-ring headlights and LED rear lights arrive; gray gauges and a thicker three-spoke steering wheel identify the updated cabin.24

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a BMW M5
    M5
    Photo of a BMW E28 M535i
    BMW E28 M535i

    BMW E28 M535i

    The M5 could wear the M535i's ribbed M-Technic kit. Grille and trunk M5 badges are clues, but were deletable.1

  • Photo of a BMW M5
    M5
    Photo of a BMW E28 535is
    BMW E28 535is

    BMW E28 535is

    Also has front/rear spoilers. The M5's 16-inch cross-spokes and grille/trunk badges offer further clues, rather than proof of identity.116

  • BMW E39 528i with M body kit

    Near-identical body styling can deceive; look for the M5's factory 18-inch wheels and four exhaust tips.45

Against its rivals

  • Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG (2012)

    M5 vs Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG (2012)

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    M53.7 s
    Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG (2012)3.8 s
    10
  • Audi S6 (2013)

    M5 vs Audi S6 (2013)

    Est. price as tested lower is better

    M5$97,000
    Audi S6 (2013)$79,000
    10
  • Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid

    M5 vs Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid

    0–100 km/h lower is better

    M53.5 s
    Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid3.2 s
    13

Prices

Value today $22.8K–$194.0K353637

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$50K$100K$150K$200K 1990200020102020 Value today: $22,750–$194,000 1988 · $48,270 · US base1991 · $56,600 · US base2021 · $103,500 · US base; destination extra2021 · $111,100 · US base, Competition; delivery extra2022 · $142,000 · US base, CS; destination extra2025 · $121,500 · US base, Touring; destination extra 1988 · $48,270 · US base price, 1988 model year 2018 · $176,000 · 2002 E39, under 500 miles; includes buyer's fee, Gooding & Company2023 · $63,000 · 2015 F10 Competition manual, 25k miles, Bring a Trailer2025 · $22,750 · 2000 E39 M5, 120k miles, BaT2025 · $45,750 · 1993 E34 M5 Touring, ~117k miles, BaT2025 · $33,000 · 1988 E28 M5, 188k miles, BaT2026 · $32,000 · 1988 E28, 156k miles; underside rust, Bring a Trailer2026 · $36,000 · 1991 E34, 108k miles; modified, corrosion, Bring a Trailer2026 · $28,000 · 2015 F10 M5 Competition, 72k miles, BaT2026 · $80,500 · 2022 F90 M5 Competition, 26k miles, BaT2026 · $22,750 · 2006 E60 M5 SMG, 68k miles, BaT2026 · $47,000 · 1991 E34 M5, 51k miles, BaT2026 · $194,000 · 2022 F90 M5 CS, 658 miles, BaT $194.0K BaT, 2026
1112172123313233343536373839404142
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1988Launch price$48,270US base price, 1988 model year
1988Price when new$48,270US base
1991Price when new$56,600US base
2021Price when new$103,500US base; destination extra
2021Price when new$111,100US base, Competition; delivery extra
2022Price when new$142,000US base, CS; destination extra
2025Price when new$121,500US base, Touring; destination extra
2018Auction sale$176,0002002 E39, under 500 miles; includes buyer's fee, Gooding & Company
2023Auction sale$63,0002015 F10 Competition manual, 25k miles, Bring a Trailer
2025Auction sale$22,7502000 E39 M5, 120k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$45,7501993 E34 M5 Touring, ~117k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$33,0001988 E28 M5, 188k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$32,0001988 E28, 156k miles; underside rust, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$36,0001991 E34, 108k miles; modified, corrosion, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$28,0002015 F10 M5 Competition, 72k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$80,5002022 F90 M5 Competition, 26k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$22,7502006 E60 M5 SMG, 68k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$47,0001991 E34 M5, 51k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$194,0002022 F90 M5 CS, 658 miles, BaT
2026Value today$22,750–$194,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “79.26 km in tandem on a wet skidpad”
    • “Four doors beat the sports cars twice”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 42 sources
  1. BMW M Registry - FAQ E28 M5 bmwmregistry.com
  2. BMW M5 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. BMW M Registry - FAQ E34 M5 bmwmregistry.com
  4. BMW M Registry - FAQ E39 M5 bmwmregistry.com
  5. BMW M5 (E39, 1998 - 2003): review, history and buying guide | evo evo.co.uk
  6. The new BMW M5 press.bmwgroup.com
  7. BMW M5 Touring (E61, 2007 - 2010): review, specs and buying guide | evo evo.co.uk
  8. Icon Buyer: 2004 BMW E60/E63M5 and M6 buyer’s guide whichcar.com.au
  9. BMW M Registry - FAQ F10 M5 bmwmregistry.com
  10. 2013 Audi S6 vs. 2013 BMW M5, 2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG caranddriver.com
  11. The New 2021 BMW M5 Sedan press.bmwgroup.com
  12. The new BMW M5 CS press.bmwgroup.com
  13. BMW M5 review – it’s more powerful but is the extra weight a problem? | evo evo.co.uk
  14. BMW M5 (F90, 2017 - 2023) review – a 600bhp saloon for £35k | evo evo.co.uk
  15. The all-new BMW M5. press.bmwgroup.com
  16. BMW 5 Series (E28) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  17. Tested: 1988 BMW M5 Takes Us to Church caranddriver.com
  18. The BMW E28 M5 Buying Guide - The super saloon journey begins here classic-trader.com
  19. BMW 5 Series (E34) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. BMW Indulges Motorsport Theme At Legends Of The Autobahn 2014 press.bmwgroup.com
  21. The All-New 2025 BMW M5 Touring. press.bmwgroup.com
  22. Alle speciale BMW M5 uitvoeringen op een rijtje autoblog.nl
  23. 2015 BMW M5 Competiion with a Six-Speed Manual on BaT caranddriver.com
  24. BMW 5 Series (E12) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  25. BMW NA 50th Anniversary | 50 Stories for 50 Years Chapter 27: “The Hire: BMW’s Revolutionary Brand Campaign”. press.bmwgroup.com
  26. Exclusive: F10 BMW M5 Ring Taxi First Photos bmwblog.com
  27. The new BMW M5. Expert dialogue with Maximilian Ahme. - BimmerFile bimmerfile.com
  28. BMW and EA Debut the All-new BMW M5 in Need for Speed Payback. press.bmwgroup.com
  29. Video: BMW sets two new records with help from amazing mid-drift refuelling system | Guinness World Records guinnessworldrecords.com
  30. Mission: Impossible – Fallout press.bmwgroup.com
  31. Someone Paid $176,000 for a 2002 BMW M5 at Monterey Car Week thedrive.com
  32. Tested: 1991 BMW M5 Is Almost Perfect caranddriver.com
  33. 1988 BMW M5 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $32,000 on June 9, 2026 (Lot #246,652) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. 1991 BMW M5 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $36,000 on September 4, 2026 (Lot #261,406) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. No Reserve: 2000 BMW M5 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $22,750 on November 12, 2025 (Lot #219,350) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. 2006 BMW M5 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $22,750 on September 2, 2026 (Lot #261,203) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. 658-Mile 2022 BMW M5 CS for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $194,000 on June 4, 2026 (Lot #245,967) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. 2015 BMW M5 Competition Package for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $28,000 on September 17, 2026 (Lot #263,554) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  39. 2022 BMW M5 Competition Package for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $80,500 on September 10, 2026 (Lot #262,596) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  40. 28-Years-Owned 1991 BMW M5 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $47,000 on June 23, 2026 (Lot #249,132) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  41. No Reserve: 1993 BMW M5 Touring for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $45,750 on October 23, 2025 (Lot #216,353) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  42. 1988 BMW M5 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $33,000 on September 3, 2025 (Lot #208,348) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • bmwmregistry.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • evo.co.uk
  • press.bmwgroup.com
  • whichcar.com.au
  • caranddriver.com
  • classic-trader.com
  • autoblog.nl
  • bmwblog.com
  • bimmerfile.com
  • guinnessworldrecords.com
  • thedrive.com
  • bringatrailer.com

Photo credits

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