BMW F10 M5 vs F90 M5: Which Twin-Turbo V8 M5 to Buy?
F10 M5 vs F90 M5 is the modern M5 buying decision. F10 (2011 to 2016) is the analog V8 M5: RWD only, manual or DCT, 552 to 597 bhp, traditional M5 character. F90 (2018 to 2023) is the modern V8 M5: xDrive with selectable RWD mode, ZF 8-speed auto, 591 to 626 bhp, M5 Competition and M5 CS variants. Decision is character vs technology, with a £20,000 to £75,000 spread in 2026 used prices.
Quick verdict
F10 M5 for the analog V8 super-saloon character at F30-money. F90 M5 for the modern xDrive M5 with the M5 CS limited edition. Both use the S63 V8 twin-turbo with the same rod-bearing preventative service (£2,000 to £3,500 at M-specialist). F10 M5 manual is the rare enthusiast pick; F90 M5 CS is firmly investment-grade.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | F10 M5 | F90 M5 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years on UK market | 2011 to 2016 | 2018 to 2023 | Two-year gap between generations. |
| Engine | S63 V8 twin-turbo | S63 V8 twin-turbo (evolved revision) | Same engine architecture; F90 has refinements. |
| Power, standard | 552 bhp | 591 bhp | +39 bhp on F90. |
| Power, Competition | 568 bhp | 617 bhp | +49 bhp on F90 Comp. |
| Power, special edition | M5 30 Jahre (600 bhp, limited) | M5 CS (626 bhp, limited) | Both have special variants. |
| Transmission | Manual (rare) or 7-speed DCT | ZF 8-speed M Steptronic auto only | F90 dropped manual. |
| Drivetrain | RWD only | xDrive with selectable RWD mode | Biggest functional difference. |
| Mandatory preventative | S63 rod bearings at 60-80k (£2,000-£3,500) | S63 rod bearings at 60-80k (£2,000-£3,500) | Same service item. |
| Coolant transfer pipe | Inherited from N63 (£2,000-£3,500) | N63TU-derived; same pipe pattern | Same long-tail across both. |
| iDrive generation | NBT (iDrive 5) | iDrive 7 (pre-LCI) / iDrive 8 (LCI 2020+) | F90 LCI is two generations newer. |
F10 M5: deeper look
F10 M5 (2011 to 2016) was BMW's first twin-turbo M5, replacing the naturally aspirated V10 S85 of the E60 M5. S63 twin-turbo V8: 552 bhp standard, 568 bhp Competition Pack (from 2013), 600 bhp 30 Jahre Edition (limited edition, 30 units globally for BMW M's 30th anniversary in 2014). RWD only; manual transmission is rare and commands an enthusiast premium. Service items: S63 rod bearings at 60,000 to 80,000 miles (£2,000 to £3,500), coolant transfer pipe inherited from N63 (£2,000 to £3,500), aluminium charge pipe upgrade standard. F10 M5 used prices in 2026: £35,000 to £55,000 for clean examples; 30 Jahre is firmly investment at £100,000+.
F90 M5: deeper look
F90 M5 (2018 to 2023) added xDrive AWD to the M5 line-up for the first time, with a selectable RWD mode for purists. S63 V8 evolved: 591 bhp standard, 617 bhp Competition (from 2018), 626 bhp M5 CS (2021, ~1,000 units globally). ZF 8-speed M Steptronic auto; no manual option. Service items inherited from F10: rod bearings, coolant transfer pipe, charge pipe upgrade. F90 M5 used prices in 2026: £55,000 to £75,000 for standard, £65,000 to £85,000 for Competition, £95,000 to £130,000 for CS (appreciating). Most F90 M5s are still under BMW warranty or BMW Approved Used scheme.
Decision logic
Budget threshold: under £55,000 buys F10 M5 territory across all variants. £55,000 to £85,000 lands in F90 M5 standard and Competition. £90,000+ is CS / 30 Jahre / investment territory on both generations. The biggest functional differences are xDrive (only F90), manual (only F10), and iDrive 8 (only LCI F90). F10 M5 manual is the rare analog enthusiast pick; F90 M5 Competition is the modern daily-driver M5; F90 M5 CS is the special-edition collector pick.
UK 2026 pricing comparison
| Scenario | F10 M5 | F90 M5 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard M5, 70k mi | £35,000 to £45,000 (F10) | £55,000 to £65,000 (F90) | F90 around £20k premium. |
| M5 Competition, 50k mi | £42,000 to £52,000 (F10 Comp Pack) | £62,000 to £75,000 (F90 Comp) | Competition spec premium. |
| Manual transmission M5 | £45,000 to £55,000 (F10 manual, rare) | Not available (F90 was auto only) | F10 manual is the analog pick. |
| M5 CS (F90) or 30 Jahre (F10) | £95,000 to £120,000 (F10 30 Jahre) | £95,000 to £130,000 (F90 CS) | Both firmly investment-grade. |
Recommendation by scenario
| Scenario | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| £35,000 to £45,000 M5 buyer | F10 M5 standard, ideally manual | Entry into V8 M5 ownership at half the F90 price. Verify rod-bearing service; budget coolant pipe if not done. |
| £50,000 to £60,000 M5 buyer | F10 M5 Competition Pack or early F90 M5 | F10 Comp Pack adds 16 bhp; F90 entry-level is around £55k. Either works; F10 has the cleaner V8 character. |
| £60,000 to £75,000 M5 buyer | F90 M5 Competition | Modern M5 with xDrive Competition; warranty status; iDrive 7 (LCI brings iDrive 8 at the top of this range). |
| Investment-grade M5 buyer | F90 M5 CS (limited, appreciating) | 626 bhp final F90 special; ~1,000 units globally. Investment-grade in 2026. |
| Manual transmission seeker | F10 M5 manual | Only F10 has manual option; rare and enthusiast-loved. £45-£55k buys a clean example. |
| Daily-driver M5 buyer | F90 M5 Competition xDrive | xDrive AWD with selectable RWD mode; ZF 8-speed auto; warranty status. |
Bimmer.AI is designed to help you identify BMW-specific buyer risks before you travel, negotiate, or pay for an inspection. It does not replace a physical inspection by a qualified mechanic, a legal vehicle-history check (e.g. HPI Check), or independent verification of finance, stolen, or write-off status. Repair-cost ranges are indicative UK figures that vary by region, specialist, parts supply, and labour rates.
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Run a Bimmer.AI buyer report →Frequently asked questions
F10 or F90 M5: which is the better drive?
Different drives, both extraordinary. F10 M5 is the analog V8 M-car: pure RWD, manual option, more traditional steering feel, lighter (~80 kg less than F90). F90 M5 is the modern M-car: xDrive AWD with RWD mode, more power across all variants, ZF 8-speed auto with seamless shifts, more refined cabin. For a road-focused enthusiast: F10. For a track-and-road dual-use car: F90.
Should I avoid F10 M5 because of rod bearings?
No, just verify the service has been done. £2,000 to £3,500 at M-specialist; M-community-standard preventative. Most F10 M5s in UK classifieds have had the work by 2026. Cars without receipts are around £2,000 to £4,000 cheaper to reflect the missing service; that's reasonable buyer leverage.
Is the F90 M5 worth £20,000 more than an F10 M5?
If you want xDrive, iDrive 7/8, and the warranty status that comes with newer cars, yes. If you want pure RWD M5 character and analog driving feel, F10 is the right pick. Same engine architecture; the £20,000 premium buys chassis modernisation and drivetrain choice.
F10 M5 manual or DCT?
Manual is rare (around 1 in 10 F10 M5s in UK) and commands a £3,000 to £5,000 premium. DCT is the everyday-driver pick with faster shifts but adds the DCT clutch pack as a £2,500 to £4,000 long-tail service item. Manual is simpler long-term.
What's the M5 CS?
Final F90 M5 special edition (2021, ~1,000 units globally): 626 bhp, lighter, M Sport seats with carbon shells, aerodynamic upgrades, special paint finishes. Used 2026 prices: £95,000 to £130,000 and appreciating. Future classic; the most desirable F90.
Does the F10 M5 have the N63 coolant pipe problem?
Yes. S63 (M5 engine) shares N63 architecture, including the famous coolant transfer pipe pattern. £2,000 to £3,500 to replace at indie. Less common on M-cars because M-spec service is generally better, but the underlying design is the same. Verify pipe history on any F10 M5 past 80,000 miles.
What's the running cost of an F10 M5?
Plan for: M-spec oil at 5,000-mile intervals (£160-£280 each). Rod-bearing service once at £2,000-£3,500. Coolant pipe possibly £2,000-£3,500. AGM battery every 3-4 years at £250-£400 (hot-V V8 cooks batteries fast). Brake pads and discs more frequent than non-M cars. Fuel 17-23 mpg combined.
Will F10 M5 prices appreciate?
Standard F10 M5 cars are at the floor of their used market and stable. Manual F10 M5 (rare) and the F10 M5 30 Jahre Edition (~30 units globally) are firmly appreciating. Most F10 M5s will hold value or move sideways for the next 3 to 5 years; specific variants will outperform.