When you consider the BMW M5, your thoughts may first leap to the thrilling M5 Touring, which will probably be accessible later this 12 months or early subsequent 12 months. Then you definately may recall the unique M5 Touring—the E34 – a rear-wheel drive wagon marvel that provided a handbook transmission, crisp S38 3.8-liter inline-six, and rear-wheel drive. Someplace in between, you’ll discover the F10 BMW M5. It might appear onerous to imagine, however the youngest F10 M5 sedans within the States at the moment are nearing ten years outdated. Produced from 2011 till 2016 worldwide, it debuted as a 2012 mannequin within the US. Globally, 19,533 examples of the tremendous sedan rolled out of BMW Plant Dingolfing. For reference, BMW made 20,482 examples of the E39 M5.

So, it’s (kinda) uncommon. It’s quick, too. It isn’t hampered by an terrible transmission like its predecessor, the E60. It even has hydraulic energy steering, making it one of many final BMW fashions ever made with Servotronic. The perfect information? It’s not too late to scoop one up at an honest worth.

Why You Ought to Positively Purchase an F10 M5

Maybe the obvious promoting level and daunting possession side of the F10 M5 is its twin-turbo V8 engine. The S63B44 TU below the hood makes 560 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. Later fashions that got here outfitted with the Competitors Package deal upped the ante to 575 horsepower, and some particular editions received a pleasant spherical 600 horsepower. Because the F10 M5 solely got here in rear-wheel drive configuration, the automotive is prepared and keen to step the rear finish out with only a feather of the throttle within the right conditions.

Nevertheless it will get higher: the F10 M5 can also be accessible with a handbook transmission in North America. Solely 577 have been produced, 17 of which have been pre-production automobiles, leaving 560 for public consumption. And it ain’t the anemic Getrag field that accompanies the V8-powered M3, both—it’s the notchier, slicker ZF six-speed field, much like what you discover in a brand new BMW immediately.

The perfect of one of the best examples get the Competitors Package deal. This fascinating addition added a faster steering rack, 20-inch wheels, a sport exhaust, revised and usually stiffer suspension tuning, and the aforementioned horsepower bump to 575. 2,606 examples have been produced for the North American market, whereas round 1900 made it to the remainder of the world.

Present F10 M5 Pricing

Pricing for the F10 M5 presently falls between a brand new Mitsubishi Mirage ($16,695) and a brand new M3 ($76,000). That’s not dangerous for a automotive that debuted with an MSRP of round $92,000. The candy spot is absolutely the $25K—$35K mark—much less in the event you’re not afraid to get your fingers soiled and DIY deferred upkeep.

Handbook transmission vehicles will price extra and maintain worth higher, nevertheless it’s value it. The identical goes for vehicles outfitted with the Competitors Package deal. With quite a few enhancements over the usual automotive, it goes a protracted technique to making the F10 M5 extra of a driver’s automotive. There are additionally just a few particular editions of the F10 M5 – just like the 30 Jahre Version and Pure Steel Silver Version. All of them include Comp Package deal goodies and also will command premiums that you must see if it comes time to resell.

What’s the Catch?

Whereas the automobile’s efficiency capabilities are spectacular, the F10 M5 is just not with out issues. The automotive is heavy, tipping the scales at round 4,350 kilos. That’s 300ish greater than its predecessor and solely 50 or so lower than the outgoing F90 M5. It’s additionally only a huge automobile general – it’s not a sports activities automotive, and you’ll’t actually drive it like one. Fortunately, loads of energy and good steering (and good transmission choices) nonetheless make it really feel particular when behind the wheel. It’s additionally, typically, extra comfy to drive than each of these different M5s.

The F10 M5 is the whole BMW possession expertise. What which means is dear elements and time-consuming jobs that may rapidly run uncontrolled. The automotive (engine, actually) is infamous for defective valve stem seals, which is usually a $10K+ job in the event you’re not doing the work your self. VANOS solenoids, spark plugs, ignition coils, a leaky PCV system, and gasoline pumps are gadgets that usually will want substitute – no manner round it. Some rod bearing points persist, too, although it isn’t one thing I’d take into account to be a typical problem.

The F10 M5 is Value Checking Out

So, it’s huge and heavy and costly to maintain operating like new. Nevertheless it feels nice from behind the wheel and places some severe energy down. The know-how is an efficient stability of latest and outdated, too – so that you gained’t wrestle to pair up your telephone or need to take care of notably clumsy iDrive controls.

So long as you don’t let the automobile’s low price of entry hoodwink you into believing it’s a “low-cost” automotive, the F10 M5 is certainly value contemplating. Whereas it probably gained’t ascend to legendary standing just like the E39 M5 and doesn’t have the zero-to-60 cred of the F90 M5, the F10 is a good automotive with its personal excessive factors. And, fortunately, its flaws have continued to maintain costs low – thus far. Get one earlier than you’ll be able to’t.