2018 BMW M5 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The BMW 5 Series is the brand’s midsize sedan, codenamed G30, that was redesigned in 2017. So, in keeping with BMW tradition, the top-line, high-performance version known as the M5 bows one model year later, in 2018.
The 2018 M5, like every other one before it, takes the standard 5 Series body and makes stylistic and functional alterations. The front bumper has a more chiseled look with wider openings designed to force air at the brakes and intercooler. The roof is carbon fiber with a glossy finish. There are unique front fenders to accommodate a wider track and more-aerodynamic mirrors. Out back, there’s a big rear diffuser and giant quad-tip exhaust outlets. Big brake calipers peek out from the thin-spoke wheels, and of course, there are M badges all throughout.
Inside, things are similarly different. Unique front seats with aggressive bolstering immediately call out the M5’s status as top dog while the steering wheel gets multi-colored stitching in the familiar M colors. There are also hints of red all over the place: on the start button, on the gear selector, and on the performance-setting memory buttons, to name a few. The M5 also gets unique carbon-fiber interior options and graphics on the instrument cluster and infotainment system.
But the M5’s mission, of course, is performance. The world knew it was in for a treat when it was revealed that the current M550i is faster than the old M5. To make up for that, the M5 gets a proper performance boost. A new twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine now puts out 625 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, increases of 40 and 53, respectively, and gets paired with a unique 8-speed automatic transmission and shift paddles. But the other big news is the drivetrain. All M5s of yore were rear-wheel drive, but this new one uses an M-specific version of BMW’s “xDrive” all-wheel-drive system for improved traction. And it has worked; the run to 60 mph now occurs in just 3.2 seconds, which enters supercar territory.
However, BMW has also wisely implemented progressive stability and traction control defeat modes, including a setting that disconnects the front axle and puts the car in RWD-mode, for classic M5 handling. And even in AWD mode, the M5 aggressively favors the rear wheels for as long as they can maintain the required amount of traction, even allowing a bit of wheel slip. There are also improved levels of adjustability. Drivelogic, which allows the driver to change the M5’s shift points on the fly, returns newly improved. Selectable Comfort, Sport, and Sport Plus manipulate the spring dampers and steering whether you're on the track, the highway, or somewhere in between.
As should be the case, the M5 comes well equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, LED taillights, power-folding heated side mirrors, full leather upholstery, a 20-way power driver’s and passenger’s seat with memory, 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, an Alcantara headliner, a 600-watt Harmon Kardon system, a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, navigation, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and an M-specific head-up display.
As far as options, there are relatively few for a BMW model. The Driving Assistance Plus Package adds advanced safety technology like blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. The Executive Package comes with front and rear heated seats, quad-zone climate control, wireless charging, front cooled seats, soft-close automatic doors, front and rear parking sensors. and a surround-view camera. Standalone options include a moonroof (which removes the carbon-fiber roof option), Apple CarPlay, a 1400-watt Bowers & Wilkins sound system, carbon ceramic brakes, and a rear-seat entertainment system.
Today’s M5 is better than ever before. Never has so much performance been available from BMW, and in such a comfortable and practical vehicle. The brand can rest easy knowing that its latest four-door supercar has defended its reputation in earnest.
Published May 31, 2022 by Kyree Rollerson
User reviews for 2018 BMW M5
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by Harry B
Mar 20, 2024
Fantastic interior, very fast, makes the right noises. Ive heard its reliable for an M car, but I cant speak to that yet.Mar 20, 2024
by Joseph D
Dec 18, 2023
Best in class for midsized. Power, ride, interior and the sleek look. The carbon fiber astetics set off the inside. Dec 18, 2023
by Brandon L
Aug 13, 2023
Coming from f10 m5 to f90 m5 is a huge upgrade!! Awesome car!Aug 13, 2023
User rating:
by Harry B
Mar 20, 2024
Fantastic interior, very fast, makes the right noises. Ive heard its reliable for an M car, but I cant speak to that yet.Mar 20, 2024
by Joseph D
Dec 18, 2023
Best in class for midsized. Power, ride, interior and the sleek look. The carbon fiber astetics set off the inside. Dec 18, 2023
by Brandon L
Aug 13, 2023
Coming from f10 m5 to f90 m5 is a huge upgrade!! Awesome car!Aug 13, 2023
by Oleg T
Nov 28, 2022
65,000 Miles later, I still give it 5 stars!
Best family sports sedan money can buy!
I have my M5 pushing 800Hp and 986TQ... Daily driven with 2 car seats in the back... it doesnt get better than that :)
Standard maintenance done on time, never had a problem with the car! Nov 28, 2022
by Chris B
Oct 25, 2021
The BMW F90 M5 is an amazing vehicle with both luxury and performance. It is a two in one vehicle, which is good as it costs as much as two vehicles. It is a challenge to remain within speed limit … with a simple touch of the pedal putting you in to triple digits in a hot second. It handles well, and shift from a relatively smooth and quiet prowl, to an outright ludicrous beast by pushing the M1 button. The technology in the M5 is top notch, and the new iDrive works very smoothly and intuitively. The menu preview in the screens is a great improvement. The B&W sound system is brilliant, and a must have option. In the past I felt the B&O system in the Audi S8 set the bar … but I now realize I was wrong. The CC brakes are powerful, and annoyingly loud when wet, but goes away after they dry. The full merino leather is wonderfully soft and smooth, but is sensitive to mar and dents - requiring more care. Oct 25, 2021
by Johnny T
Sep 26, 2021
All of the features are great except for no remote start. the car stands aloneSep 26, 2021
by Paul H
Jun 01, 2021
Luxury car Comfort, super car driving, muscle car power in one competent package.Jun 01, 2021
by Isn't That I
Mar 20, 2021
The Car was nice. The fact that BMW does not allow the transfer of the service to the second owner is not. I discovered while shopping that BMW changed its transfer policy several years ago. The remainder of the warranty will transfer. However, the second owner has to purchase the basic service and can purchase higher levels based on staggered pricing. This has caused me to reevaluate the brand.Mar 20, 2021
by George H
Feb 01, 2021
I currently have a 2014 M5 F10 competition package and I test drove the 2018 M5 F10. Amazing performance (a lot faster than my M5 as expected). Beautiful and inviting interior and ridiculous technology. It will be my next car as soon as I can find the exact color combo I’m looking for.
Definitely worth test driving.
Enthusiast Be warned.. Once you drive it , you want it Feb 01, 2021
by Jerry U
Sep 02, 2020
A super car for 1/4 of the price. Blinding fast and comfortable a real sleeper.Sep 02, 2020
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2018 BMW M5 Pricing
Original MSRP
$102,600 to $102,600Price range
$48,622 to $50,419Average price on CG
$48,622YoY price change
$50,419 to $48,622Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · 20G hard drive · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 2 subwoofers · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 14 · 600 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 15.6 · Front brake width: 1.42 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 15.0 · Rear brake width: 1.1 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Cargo area floor mat material: carpet · Center console trim: carbon · Dash Trim: Leatherette · Dash trim: aluminum · Door trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Headliner trim: Alcantara · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power steering wheel · Footwell lights: color-adjustable · Memorized settings: passenger seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition controls · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 20
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.15 · Limited slip differential: rear
Engine
Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Twitter · Infotainment screen size: 10.2 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: LED · Tail and brake lights: LED · Taillights: adaptive
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: reverse gear tilt
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 20
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: battery disconnect · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front and rear · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium leather
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.3
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist · Smart device app function: horn/light operation
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Power windows: with safety reverse