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BMW 5-Series M5 (2011-2016) review

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Parkers overall rating: 4.8 out of 54.8

At a glance

Price new £72,665 - £94,325
Used prices £8,977 - £26,628
Road tax cost £710
Insurance group 47 - 50
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Fuel economy Not tested to latest standards
Range 493 miles
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Available fuel types

Petrol

Pros & cons

PROS

Breathtaking performance, superb handling, comfortable, excellent equipment levels

CONS

Very thirsty, high emissions

Written by Parkers Updated: 21 February 2023

Overview

The Holy Grail, if you like, is for BMW to outstrip its own very high standards and build the best ‘M’ car ever. They probably achieved that with the 1 M Coupe launched in early 2011 but now this, the fifth generation of the M5, is seeking to take that title and there’s no doubting it is a class act. The M5 may no longer have a thirsty screaming V10 engine chucking out bucketloads of emissions but the truth is, it doesn’t need one.

The new, muscular V8 that sits under the bonnet of this latest iteration packs an even bigger punch than the previous generation, yet it’s cleaner and more frugal. The M stable of cars from BMW has reached new heights with this model and there’s possibly not enough superlatives to describe it because it really is that good. Rivals including the Audi RS6, the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and the Maserati Quattroporte GTS are good cars, but it’s the M5 that’s king.

Read on to find out why the M5 is so good