BMW M5 engines
The BMW M5 is a modified version of the BMW 5 business class car by BMW M GmbH. The car was put into production in 1985. From 2011 to the present, the 6th generation of the modernized M5 is being manufactured. Cars were assembled at factories in the German cities of Munich, Garching and Dingolfing, as well as in South Africa. In the second and fourth generations, the car was produced in a station wagon body modification. Depending on the exporting countries, the models were produced in right- and left-hand drive modifications.
The BMW M5 was offered with 6 engines since 1988 (6 petrol). Displacement ranges from 3.5 to 5.0 liters, power output from 316 to 635 hp. All of them use a timing chain. 2 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the BMW S38B36 (about 400,000 km).
BMW M5 engines by generation
| Engine | Years | Volume | Power | Fuel | Timing | Oil | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW M5 E34 1988–1995 | |||||||
| BMW S38B36 | 1988–1993 | 3.5 L R6 | 316 hp | petrol | chain | 5.75 L | ~400,000 km |
| BMW S38B38 | 1991–1995 | 3.8 L R6 | 340 hp | petrol | chain | 5.75 L | ~400,000 km |
| BMW M5 E39 1998–2003 | |||||||
| BMW S62B50 | 1998–2003 | 4.9 L V8 | 400 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | |
| BMW M5 E60 2005–2010 | |||||||
| BMW S85B50 | 2005–2010 | 5.0 L V10 | 507 hp | petrol | chain | 9.3 L | ~200,000 km |
| BMW M5 F10 2011–2016 | |||||||
| BMW S63B44 | 2011–2016 | 4.4 L V8 | 555–600 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 8.5 L | |
| BMW M5 G90 2024–present | |||||||
| BMW S68 | 2024–present | 4.4 L V8 | 489–635 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 10.75 L | ~250,000 km |
BMW M5 engine FAQ
What engines were used in the BMW M5?
BMW M5 E34 (1988–1995): BMW S38B36 and BMW S38B38; BMW M5 E39 (1998–2003): BMW S62B50; BMW M5 E60 (2005–2010): BMW S85B50; BMW M5 F10 (2011–2016): BMW S63B44; BMW M5 G90 (2024–present): BMW S68.
Which BMW M5 engine is the most durable?
By rated service life the most durable BMW M5 engines are: BMW S38B36 — about 400,000 km; BMW S38B38 — about 400,000 km; BMW S68 — about 250,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.
How much oil does the BMW M5 engine take?
Engine oil capacity with filter: BMW S38B36 — 5.75 L (5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-40 / 15W-40); BMW S38B38 — 5.75 L (5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-40, 15W-40); BMW S62B50 — 6.5 L (10W-60); BMW S63B44 — 8.5 L (5W-30 5W-40); BMW S68 — 10.75 L (0W-30); BMW S85B50 — 9.3 L (10W-60).
Does the BMW M5 have a timing belt or chain?
Timing chain: BMW S38B36, BMW S38B38, BMW S62B50, BMW S63B44, BMW S68 and BMW S85B50.
Was the BMW M5 available with a diesel engine?
No, all BMW M5 engines in our database run on petrol.
Engine details
Models with the same engines
- BMW M6 2 shared engines
- BMW X5 2 shared engines
- BMW X6 2 shared engines
- BMW 7-Series 1 shared engine
- BMW Z8 1 shared engine
- Land Rover Defender 1 shared engine
- Land Rover Range Rover 1 shared engine