Generation-specific owner insights from 149+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2007–2010 M5?13
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2007–2010
5
recall campaigns
air bags
most-complained area
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the 2007-2010 E61 M5 describe it as a special, intoxicating machine built around the S85 V10, praising its sound, character, and the uniqueness of a V10 wagon, while simultaneously warning that it is one of the most expensive and maintenance-intensive BMWs of the modern era.
17 problems reported (3 very frequent, 4 recurrent, 10 isolated) · high confidence
Owners describe it as a known S85 issue, recommend treating bearings as a maintenance item around 80k-100k miles, and report failures as low as 30k-50k miles.
Owners call the SMG a known time bomb, cite pump, clutch, and gearbox failures, and recommend the manual instead.
Owners report roughly 10-14 MPG in daily use, 6 MPG at the track, and 18-20 MPG on a highway trip.
Owners describe the oil line in the oil pan as a poor design and the pump as a guaranteed maintenance item costing thousands.
Owners report actuators failing and requiring replacement of both banks at significant cost.
Owners report front rotors alone around $700 OEM and full brake jobs around $1,000.
Owners report roughly $1,200-1,800 every 15k miles.
One owner reported three of four cats bad with a quoted price of $8,000 each.
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. Partial signal: owners repeatedly favor the 6-speed manual over the SMG, and several describe the manual as rare and more valuable. Owners also suggest 2008+ LCI cars have fewer issues and updated iDrive, with 2010 being the only year with the newest iDrive.
Owners compare it most often with the Audi R8, Audi S4 (B8), Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG and BMW E90/E92 M3.
Is a 2007–2010 M5 right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Owners of the 2007-2010 E61 M5 describe it as a special, intoxicating machine built around the S85 V10, praising its sound, character, and the uniqueness of a V10 wagon, while simultaneously warning that it is one of the most expensive and maintenance-intensive BMWs of the modern era. The dominant framing is "the best car you never want to own": an amazing experience paired with constant financial risk. Recurring themes include rod bearing failure, SMG transmission problems, VANOS issues, throttle actuators, and brutal fuel economy. Owners who have kept up with preventive maintenance and warm-up discipline report trouble-free ownership, while those who bought neglected examples report catastrophic engine failure. Late cars (2008+) are generally described as having fewer issues than the earliest examples, with the LCI bringing updated iDrive.
Owners position the E61 M5 as the emotional choice rather than the rational one. Against the CLS63 AMG, owners note the M5 feels slower in daily driving because the V10 needs to be revved to make power, while the AMG delivers torque low down. Against the Audi R8, owners concede the R8 is more reliable and cheaper to maintain. Against the E90 M3, owners describe the M3 as a better car in most respects but lacking the V10's aura. Against the 335i and 550i, owners consistently say the M5 costs significantly more to maintain and is not more reliable. Against the E39 M5, owners describe the E60/E61 as more special but less functional and less comfortable. The M5 is repeatedly described as poor off the line but a monster from a roll, with the SMG gearbox at high risk under hard launches.
Owners recommend the 6-speed manual over the SMG, citing SMG failures and expense. Owners advise seeking a car with documented rod bearing replacement, VANOS pump and line service, and a stock or near-stock example rather than one with aesthetic or performance modifications. Owners suggest 2008+ LCI cars over pre-LCI for the updated iDrive and reportedly fewer issues. A pre-purchase inspection is strongly and repeatedly advised.
This generation is recommended only for buyers who do all their own maintenance or are comfortable under the hood and can absorb large, unpredictable repair bills; owners explicitly advise against it as a first car or a daily driver for the budget-conscious. Buyers should prefer 2008+ LCI examples, favor the manual, avoid heavily modified cars, insist on a pre-purchase inspection, and verify paperwork for rod bearings, VANOS, clutch, and SMG service. Owners warn that low mileage does not eliminate risk because age wears components too, and that unusually cheap examples are likely scams, parts cars, or badly neglected.
Owners repeatedly emphasize that proper warm-up, frequent oil changes with the correct 10w60 oil, and avoiding sustained high-RPM running are key to longevity, and some argue the rod bearing failure rate is overstated relative to the number of owners who never have a problem. The E61 Touring specifically was never sold in the US, so US owners describe it as unavailable or import-only, and some question whether US sightings are conversions or rebadged 535i tourings. Owners note the E61 M5 was not offered with a manual in the same way as the sedan in some markets, and that the wagon's exhaust note inside the cabin is a highlight. Analysis based on approximately 149 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 2 | air bags |
| 2008 | 6 | 2 | engine |
| 2007 | 6 | 1 | air bags |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
2010 · electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cablescampaign 12V126000
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
2010 · exterior lighting:tail lightscampaign 13V407000
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
2008 · electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cablescampaign 12V126000
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
2008 · exterior lighting:tail lightscampaign 13V407000
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
2007 · electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cablescampaign 12V126000
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.