Generation-specific owner insights from 89+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2011–2016 M5?16
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2011–2016
6
recall campaigns
engine
most-complained area
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the F10M M5 describe it as a fast, comfortable, and practical super sedan that is an excellent highway car and a strong all-rounder, with one owner calling it a "rock solid vehicle" even at stage 2 tune.
10 problems reported (3 recurrent, 7 isolated) · high confidence
Owners consistently favor the 2014-2016 LCI cars over the 2012-2013 pre-LCI models, citing better options and improved reliability; the 2013 model year in particular is described as having "ugly" pre-LCI grilles and steering wheel that buyers immediately upgrade.
Owners compare it most often with the BMW M4 (F82), BMW M3 (F80), BMW M340i, BMW 550i (F10) and BMW M6.
Is a 2011–2016 M5 right for you?
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Owners of the F10M M5 describe it as a fast, comfortable, and practical super sedan that is an excellent highway car and a strong all-rounder, with one owner calling it a "rock solid vehicle" even at stage 2 tune. At the same time, the dominant caution in owner discussions is running cost: many warn that these cars are expensive to maintain and repair, that the S63 engine burns oil and coolant, and that major failures can cost more than the car is worth. Early cars (2012-2013) draw noticeably more criticism, with owners repeatedly steering buyers toward the 2014-2016 LCI models as more reliable and better equipped. A minority of owners are strongly positive, praising the S63TU as underrated and dismissing reliability complaints as confusion with the N63 or S85.
Owners position the F10 M5 as the more practical, roomier, more comfortable and more mature choice against the F82 M4 and F80 M3, which are described as more agile but less usable for passengers and cargo; one owner who had both an F80 M3 and an F10 M5 kept the F10 because it was faster, quieter and better for most trips. Against the F10 550i, owners argue the two look nearly identical since the M5 is not wider than the standard 5 Series, and that the 550i is cheaper to insure, though one owner counters that the M5's S63TU is less maintenance-hungry than the N63. Against the E60 M5, owners describe the F10 as a completely different car, more reliable but less raw and less special, with the E60's V10 seen as the more unique proposition. Against the M340i, owners lean toward the newer car for warranty and reliability, treating the high-mileage F10 M5 as a financial risk. Against the CLS63 AMG, one owner found the AMG felt substantially faster at any road speed.
Owners advise finding a 2014-2016 LCI car with full service records, and specifically checking whether the injectors have been replaced under BMW's 120,000-mile injector warranty. The 6-speed manual is recommended for drivers who prioritize involvement over outright speed, with the DCT described as the faster and more consistent choice. One owner recommends budgeting for common problems rather than buying a warranty, and another advises staying on top of oil and drivetrain fluid changes to prevent catastrophic failures.
This generation suits buyers who want a fast, spacious, comfortable sedan and can absorb high maintenance and repair costs; owners repeatedly warn that anyone scared of repair bills will not enjoy it. Buyers are advised to prefer 2014-2016 LCI cars over 2012-2013, to insist on service records and a pre-purchase inspection by a reputable shop, to check for oil pooling in the inlets, cold-start smoke and roughness, and to verify the car is a genuine M5 by VIN (M cars begin with WBS). Owners also caution that modifying for more power will quickly kill the clutch, and that a remanufactured engine from BMW costs around $64,705 before labor.
A recurring theme in owner discussions is that the F10 M5 is frequently confused with the N63-powered 550i and that reliability complaints about the S63 are often conflated with N63 or S85 issues by people who have never owned one. Owners also note that these cars commonly sell for around $30k with multiple prior owners despite not being old, and that the F10 5 Series design is expected to age well. Analysis based on approximately 89 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 | 2 | unknown or other |
| 2015 | 3 | 1 | electrical system |
| 2014 | 2 | 1 | engine |
| 2013 | 10 | 2 | engine |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
2016 · air bagscampaign 16V914000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
2016 · child seatcampaign 15V718000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535d xDrive, M5, 550i, 550i xDrive, and 535d sedans. The affected vehicles have an inboard lower anchor for child restraints on the left rear seat that may have been bent downwards, preventing the child seat from fully engaging both lower anchors. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
2015 · power train:driveline:driveshaftcampaign 16V540000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 BMW M5 sedans manufactured September 4, 2014, through December 4, 2014, 2015 M6 coupes manufactured September 3, 2014, through December 3, 2014, 2015 M6 convertibles manufactured September 8, 2014, through December 4, 2014, and 2015 M6 Gran Coupe vehicles manufactured September3, 2014, through December 4, 2014. The affected vehicles have a driveshaft that may have been inadequately welded during manufacturing.
2014 · exterior lightingcampaign 15V188000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
2013 · exterior lightingcampaign 15V188000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
2013 · engine and engine cooling:enginecampaign 12V475000
BMW is recalling certain model year 2013 M5, M6 Coupe, and M6 Convertible vehicles, manufactured from July 19, 2012, through September 11, 2012. Due to a manufacturing process error, the tolerance between the engine oil pump's drive shaft and the pump's rotor was not within specification. As a result, the pump's driveshaft could separate from the rotor.
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.