BMW M5 E60 vs M5 F10: which one should you buy?

M5 E60 vs F10 is one of the most common questions among people who want a used BMW super saloon. Both cars cost a similar amount today, but they could hardly be more different: one has a naturally aspirated V10 that revs to 8,250 rpm, the other a twin-turbo V8 with enormous torque.

In this comparison we look at the engines, gearboxes, performance, reliability, running costs and character, so you can decide which M5 suits you better.

M5 E60 vs F10 at a glance

The E60 M5 was built from 2005 to 2010. It is the car of the S85 V10, the engine that many people consider the most special ever fitted to a saloon. In Europe it was sold with the SMG III sequential gearbox; in North America a six-speed manual was also offered. There was also an M5 Touring.

The F10 M5 followed in 2011 and was built until 2016. It introduced the S63 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 with 560 hp and the seven-speed M DCT dual-clutch gearbox, with a six-speed manual in North America. There was no Touring version.

Both cars are rear-wheel drive, both are big and comfortable four-door saloons, and both can cover long distances at very high speed. But the E60 feels like a racing car in a business suit, while the F10 feels like a powerful luxury car that can also attack a race track.

Prices for good examples overlap, so many buyers really can choose between them. The best choice depends on what you value most: sound and emotion, or effortless speed and comfort.

Engines and performance

The E60's V10 produces 507 hp at 7,750 rpm and 520 Nm at 6,100 rpm. To get the best out of it, you have to rev it. Below 4,000 rpm it is smooth and quite civilised; above that, it becomes louder, harder and more exciting until it hits 8,250 rpm. The sound is the main reason people buy this car.

The F10's twin-turbo V8 makes 560 hp and 680 Nm, with the full torque available from just 1,500 rpm. It pushes the car forward with very little effort at any speed. With the Competition Package, power rose to 575 hp and later to 600 hp in some versions.

On paper, the F10 is faster: about 4.4 seconds to 100 km/h, compared with about 4.7 seconds for the E60. In real-world driving, the difference feels bigger, because the F10 has so much torque at low and medium rpm.

But speed is not everything. The E60 asks more of the driver and gives more back in sound and drama. The F10 is faster with less effort.

Gearboxes

The E60's SMG III is a seven-speed manual gearbox with an automated single clutch. It shifts quickly and feels very direct, but in slow traffic and in automatic mode it can be jerky, especially if it is driven like a normal automatic. It rewards a driver who lifts off the throttle during shifts, like in a manual car.

The F10's M DCT is a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It shifts very fast without interrupting the power flow and is smooth in everyday traffic. For most people it is the better gearbox for daily use.

In North America, both generations were available with a manual gearbox: six speeds in the E60 and six speeds in the F10. These manual cars are rare and in demand among enthusiasts.

If you want a relaxed daily driver, the F10's gearbox is a big advantage. If you enjoy a more mechanical feeling and are willing to learn how to drive it, the SMG III adds to the character of the E60.

Reliability and known issues

Both cars need careful maintenance, and both can be expensive if they are neglected.

The E60's best-known weak point is the rod bearings of the V10. Many owners replace them preventively. Other points to check are the throttle actuators, the SMG hydraulic pump, the VANOS system and the clutch wear. Good E60s with documented work on these points are the ones to buy.

The F10 avoids some of these issues, but turbocharged engines have their own risks. Check for oil leaks, the condition of the turbochargers and their oil and coolant lines, the ignition parts and the service history of the gearbox. Some early engines also needed updates.

On both cars, the electronics are complex. Check every function, from the iDrive system to the dampers and the parking sensors. A pre-purchase inspection by a BMW M specialist, including a diagnostic scan, is essential.

Running costs

Neither car is cheap to run. Fuel consumption is high in both, although the F10 is more efficient in relaxed driving thanks to its turbocharged engine and modern technology. Driven hard, both use a lot of fuel.

Insurance, tyres and brakes are expensive on both cars because of their weight and power. The F10 often uses larger wheels and tyres, which can make replacements more expensive.

Servicing costs are similar for routine work. The bigger difference is in the large repairs: an E60 rod bearing job or an SMG pump is a known, predictable cost, while turbo or gearbox repairs on the F10 can also be very expensive.

The smartest approach for either car is to keep a reserve budget for unexpected repairs and to choose a car with a complete history. A cheap M5 without records is very often the most expensive one in the end.

Which M5 is right for you?

Choose the E60 if you want one of the most emotional engines ever made, if you enjoy high revs and if you see the M5 as a special car for weekends and long trips. It is also likely to become an important classic because of its V10.

Choose the F10 if you want effortless performance every day, a smoother gearbox in traffic, more modern technology and the ability to overtake anywhere without changing down.

Many owners say the same thing: the F10 is the better car, but the E60 is the more special one. Drive both before you decide. The sound of the V10 at 8,000 rpm, and the wave of torque from the twin-turbo V8, are both unforgettable, but in very different ways.

E60 vs F10 side by side

Item	Details
Engine	E60: 5.0 V10 · F10: 4.4 twin-turbo V8
Power	E60: 507 hp · F10: 560 hp (Competition up to 600 hp)
Torque	E60: 520 Nm · F10: 680 Nm
0–100 km/h	E60: about 4.7 s · F10: about 4.4 s
Gearbox (Europe)	E60: 7-speed SMG III · F10: 7-speed M DCT
Manual gearbox	Both offered a 6-speed manual in North America
Years	E60: 2005–2010 · F10: 2011–2016
Touring	E60: yes (E61) · F10: no

Frequently asked questions

Is the M5 F10 faster than the E60?

Yes. The F10 has more power and much more torque at low rpm. It reaches 100 km/h in about 4.4 seconds, compared with about 4.7 seconds for the E60.

Which is more reliable, the M5 E60 or F10?

Both need careful maintenance. The E60 has known weak points such as rod bearings, throttle actuators and the SMG pump. The F10 avoids some of these but has turbo and complex electronics. Service history matters more than the model.

Does the M5 F10 sound as good as the E60?

Most people say no. The E60 V10 has a unique high-revving sound. The F10 V8 is powerful and deep, but the turbochargers make it quieter and less dramatic.

Which M5 will hold its value better?

Many enthusiasts expect the E60 to become a sought-after classic because of its V10, especially good cars with documented rod bearing work. Manual cars from North America are also in demand.

Sources

• BMW Group PressClub – technical data of the BMW M5 (E60) and BMW M5 (F10)
• BMW M – history of the BMW M5
• BMW M5 (E60) and M5 (F10) owner's handbooks