New & Used 2026 BMW M5 for Sale nearMadison, WI

Is the 2026 BMW M5 a good car?

The 2026 BMW M5 earns an expert rating of 7.17/10. The model scores 9/10 across Performance and Technology.

It’s a high-performance version of the midsize 5 Series that’s built to deliver racetrack pace and everyday usability in the same package. That versatility is a major part of the appeal, especially since you can choose between a sedan and a Touring wagon. The trade-offs are real, though: the design can be polarizing, the dashboard layout is awkward, and the interior can feel gaudy.

For used shoppers, that mix makes the M5 compelling if you want a performance car that can still handle daily driving duties. Market availability is decent, with 37.9% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2026 BMW M5 reliable?

The 2026 BMW M5 is presented as a highly engineered performance car with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, adaptive chassis hardware, and a broad range of configurable driving settings. Its performance hardware is substantial, but the car is also described as usable and composed, with ride quality that stays tolerable even in firmer settings and a Comfort mode that makes it a serene highway cruiser.

BMW also gives you a lot of control over how the car behaves, which can help you tailor it to your driving style and reduce unnecessary wear from aggressive settings. The plug-in hybrid setup adds another layer of complexity, but it also brings electric driving capability and a more powerful onboard charger for 2026.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that this is a complicated, expensive performance hybrid, so maintenance and repair costs can be significant if the car has been driven hard or poorly maintained.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 BMW M5?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 98.5% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and verify that the car’s service records match its mileage and use. A pre-purchase inspection is especially important here because the M5 combines a high-output V8, plug-in hybrid hardware, and advanced chassis systems. Pay close attention to tire wear, brake condition, and signs that the car has spent a lot of time in aggressive driving modes.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Touring wagon adds a more practical body style, while the sedan is the lighter, more traditional choice. The standard car already includes a glass roof, Merino leather front seats, paddle shifters, and M-specific styling, so base equipment is strong.
• Powertrain: You get a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, an electric motor, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and plug-in hybrid capability. The setup delivers 717 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, with electric driving available up to 87 mph.
• Safety package: Standard driver aids include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with automatic speed limit adjustment, blind-spot monitors, parking sensors, and Backup Assistant. The Driving Assistant Professional Package adds automated lane centering and Traffic Jam Assistant.
• Infotainment: The standard BMW Curved Display combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.9-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, along with iDrive 8.5, a 5G antenna, an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and digital key functionality.
• Fuel efficiency: The sedan is rated at 14 mpg combined, while the wagon is rated at 13 mpg combined. The sedan also has 25 miles of EPA-rated electric range, and the wagon has 24 miles.

Which 2026 BMW M5 trim should I buy?

The 2026 BMW M5 is offered in 2 trim levels: sedan and Touring.

Here's the short version:

• sedan: This is the better choice if you want the classic M5 formula with the lower starting price and slightly quicker acceleration. It’s the best-value pick for most shoppers because it delivers the full performance experience without the wagon’s added cost.
• Touring: Choose this if you want the M5’s performance with more cargo flexibility and a more distinctive body style. It’s the more practical option, and it suits you best if you want one car that can do family duty and enthusiast duty at the same time.

The standard safety package includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with automatic speed limit adjustment, blind-spot monitors, parking sensors, and Backup Assistant. The Driving Assistant Professional Package adds automated lane centering and Traffic Jam Assistant.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 BMW M5?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you have some room to shop carefully without expecting a flood of bargains.

• Deal availability: 37.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 198 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 98.5% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2026 BMW M5 safe?

The 2026 BMW M5 does not have published crash-test results from IIHS or NHTSA in the provided data.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard driver-assistance features include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with automatic speed limit adjustment, blind-spot monitors, parking sensors, and Backup Assistant. The Driving Assistant Professional Package adds automated lane centering for highway driving and Traffic Jam Assistant for stop-and-go traffic at speeds up to 40 mph.

BMW also lets you tailor the driver aids. A Sport setting reduces most steering and brake interventions while keeping forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking active, and a Track mode turns everything off completely.

Should I buy a 2026 BMW M5 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 37.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 98.5% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• It adds a more powerful onboard charger and more paint options.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It delivers the redesigned M5 formula with plug-in hybrid versatility and up to 25 miles of electric range.

The bottom line: If you want the newest version of this generation, the 2026 is the straightforward pick because it keeps the core M5 package intact while adding a stronger onboard charger and more color choices. If you’re shopping mainly on value, the 2025 is worth a look because it delivers the same fundamental redesign and performance mission, and you may find it at a more attractive price.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.