The Fastest BMW M5 Models Ever Made In Its Six Generations Of Production Time

BMW is known for being a luxury carmaker that makes absolutely fun cars. Their RWD drivetrains are just a joy to drive, and BMWs are considered the most fun among the trio of the German luxury carmaking scene. The M5 is a nameplate that screams big engines, raw power, and of course, with four doors. 

Every generation upgrade and every new model that was introduced in the M5 lineup drastically changed the performance game for BMW globally. No matter what changes and updates the M5 got over the years, it never strayed away from its principles and foundations of being a performance four-door family sedan.

Today, the BMW M5 CS is not only the fastest M5 ever made, but it’s also the fastest BMW M Performance model you can pick up today.

In this article, we’ll have a look at the fastest BMW M5 models ever made. We have a total of nine cars on this list as of now, which offer crazy performance.

However, if you are a Beemer fanboy, you’d probably love to read about the legendary 3-series cars as well, won’t you?

What is the most powerful BMW?

Right now, the BMW XM is the most powerful BMW on the market. The 2024 BMW XM is rated at base 644 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, which pushes this chunky SUV from 0-60 in just 4.1 seconds. 

What is the fastest BMW in history?

The 2023 BMW M5 Competition is considered the fastest production-spec BMW. In a recent test, it has achieved speeds over 190 MPH which is the highest among all BMW models as of now. Now if we think about the fastest accelerating BMW, then the 2023 BMW M8 Gran Coupe has to be the quickest BMW right now with a 0 to 60 time of just 3.0 seconds. 

First Generation BMW E28S M5 (1984-1988):

9. 1988 BMW M5:

The slowest BMW M5 model is, of course, the first-generation M5, as it did the 0-60 in 6.7 seconds with a top speed of 153 mph. Well, the exact figure of the quarter mile timing is not available, but we expect it to be around 14.6 seconds, similar to that of the 1987 model.

This car was powered by an S38 3.5-liter inline-6 engine with a catalyst converter. This engine had an output of 256 hp and had a torque output of 243 lb-ft of torque. The car transferred power to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Back in the day, the E28 M5 was the fastest four-door sedan on launch. The United States market, however, got a detuned version of the car due to emission regulations. All E28 M5 models were hand-assembled and initial production was limited to 500 units for the American market.

Initially, the E28 M5 got a tan leather interior, but BMW also introduced a black interior on a few final models. As a result, the E28 M5 with a black interior is a very rare car. 

Second Generation BMW E34S M5 (1988-1995):

8. 1991 BMW M5:

The second-generation BMW M5 model also used the S38 engine from the previous model, but it was a 3.6L unit that made more power and also featured an increased torque output of 311 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque.

This configuration has resulted in an improved performance number of doing the 0-60 in 6.3 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 14.2 seconds at 99 mph. The top speed of the car is 160 MPH. The M5 also came as an M Performance wagon model.

Even though the car was introduced in 1988, the United States got the model years from 1991 to 1993 due to the 3.6-liter engine. Other markets used an upgraded 3.8-liter unit from 1992 onwards. Over the standard 5-Series, the M5 has unique front and rear bumpers and slight interior changes. The M5 sold a total of 12,254 units out of which 8,344 units were sedans.

Third Generation BMW E39S M5 (1998-2003):

7. 2000 BMW M5:

Production of the third-generation model began in October of 1998 and was powered by a larger 5.0-liter V8 engine that pumped out 400 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. This resulted in a 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

The car has a quarter mile time of 13.2 seconds at 107.4 mph. The engine was paired with a 6-speed Getrag Type D manual gearbox that sent power to the rear wheels. EPA estimated fuel efficiency was rated at 13 mpg/ 21 mpg for city/highway.

The leap in performance from the second to the third generation car was immense: the 0-60 MPH acceleration improved by 0.8 seconds. The 3rd generation of the M5 was also the first car to get a V8 engine and deploy aluminum-made front suspension parts and the rear multi-link setup. The E39 M5 is still regarded as the best M5 model ever made by many enthusiasts and automotive historians.

Fourth Generation BMW E60 M5 (2004-2010):

6. 2005 BMW M5:

The 2005 BMW M5 had a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds, but on launch, it came with a 0-62 time of 4.7 seconds as per BMW records. The car has a quarter mile time of 12.37 seconds.

The performance sedan had a top speed of 155 mph. The midsize sports sedan used a 5.0-liter V10 engine that had an output of 500 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. The engine was paired with a 7-speed sequential manual gearbox that sent power to the rear wheels.

The fourth-generation M5 was revealed in the United States in July of 2004. This M5 was the only generation and the first production sedan to use a V10 engine. The M5 with the S85 V10 engine has a Nurburgring time of 8:13. The largest market for the M5 was the United States, with a total sale number of 8,800 units. This model was produced at the BMW Plant Dingolfing in Germany.

Fifth Generation BMW F10 M5 (2011-2016):

5. 2013 BMW M5:

The fourth-generation BMW M5 came out in 2011 as the 2012 model and it did 0-60 in 4.2 seconds and had an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph and could increase to 190 mph with the option M Driver’s Package.

The 2013 BMW M5 can run a quarter mile in 12.3 seconds at 117 mph. This car was powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine called S63 which directed its power to the rear wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The new generation saw the return of the V8 engine for the M5. Equipped with two turbochargers, this was the first turbocharged M5 model. The F10 received recognition for its efficient gearbox and its decent fuel economy, and performance. Despite being quicker, the new generation was 190 lbs heavier than the previous generation. 

4. 2014 BMW M5 Competition:

The fifth-generation M5 was the first model to introduce a Competition package. The 2014 M5 Competition was first introduced in May 2013. The Competition package costs an additional $7,300 over the 2014 M5’s base price.

The car had an improved 0-60 MPH time of 3.7 seconds but it featured the same electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. The 2014 BMW M5 Competition can reach the quarter mile in 11.9 seconds at 122.2 mph. Power output from the same engine was also increased by 15 hp.

The Competition package came with a remapped M Dynamic mode for sportier driving dynamics. The M5 Competition came with 20-inch light-alloy wheels, M quad tailpipes sports exhaust system finished in Black Chrome. It also has an optional M Carbon Ceramic braking system. The car featured a stiffer suspension system with a 10 mm lower height for improved aerodynamics.

Sixth Generation BMW F90 M5 (2017-Present):

3. 2018 BMW M5:

The year 2018 introduced the sixth generation of the BMW M5. This machine was powered by the same twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine with an increased output of 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. With these figures, the F90 M5 accelerated from 0-60 MPH in 3.2 seconds and did a quarter mile in 10.9 seconds at 129 mph.

It had an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. This M5 was the first M5 to get BMW xDrive with 2WD capability.

The 2018 M5 got an 8-speed automatic gearbox instead of the 7-speed setup on the previous model. Although it received compliments for its excellent driving character, civilized manners, and immense power, most people were ready to point out the loss of a manual transmission and the rear-wheel-drive configuration. However, the 2018 M5 was also featured in the movie Mission: Impossible – Fallout in all black and set two Guinness World Records for drifting.

2. 2019 BMW M5 Competition:

The year 2019 saw the debut of the Competition model for the M5 sedan. This car uses the same engine and transmission setup as the standard M5 model, but it makes more power and gets additional upgrades to match the performance. The V8 engine, in the Competition, outputs 617 hp more at the same torque output.

This has resulted in a better 0-60 MPH time of 3.1 seconds has a quarter mile time of 10.9 seconds at 129 mph.

The Competition model came with specific 20-inch light-alloy wheels with 275/35 tires at the front and 285/35 tires at the rear. It also featured a retuned chassis with a retuned suspension for better responses and control. The interior has black seat belts with BMW M GmBH colored striped pattern and M5 and M Competition logos. The car began production in July of 2018.

1. 2022 BMW M5 CS sedan:

The 2022 BMW M5 CS is the fastest BMW M5 ever made. The CS is an even madder performance-focused version based on the Competition sedan. This car, like the Competition model, also uses the same twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine, but it makes 627 hp with 553 lb-ft of torque.

This gives the M5 CS a 0-60 time of 3.0 seconds and a Quarter mile in 10.8 seconds at 127.5 mph. It achieves a top speed of 190 mph. The M5 CS will be produced for one model year only.

The M5 CS, as of now, is the quickest and most powerful production car ever made by the German brand. It is also the most expensive M5 model, with an MSRP of $142,000. The CS is the name that stands for Competition Sport. Over the Competition, the CS is 230 lbs lighter. The M5 CS went on sale in the United States in the second half of 2021. On the inside, the midsize sedan featured M carbon seats for the front row, whereas the rear got two bucket seats.