BMW M5
M5 Touring
First M5 wagon ever offered in the US.
The story of this car
Researching BMW M5 M5 Touring…
What makes this trim its own car
- Most power in the lineup: 717 hp.
- Highest top speed of the range — 190 mph.
- Most expensive trim — $127K as tested.
Buyers who want the definitive version. You're paying for the last 5% of capability — the bigger brakes, the lighter wheels, the more aggressive suspension, and the bragging rights. If a spec sheet is going to live on your wall, this is the trim that earns it.
Daily commuters and value hunters — most of the headline upgrades only show up at the limit, and depreciation on a top-trim is steeper than the trims below it.
- Price+$2K
- Horsepowersame
- 0–60+0.1s
- Top speedsame
- Weight+140 lb
- Price+$5K
- Horsepowersame
- 0–60+0.1s
- Top speedsame
- Weight+140 lb
What's inside this trim
4.4L twin-turbo V8 + e-motor
717 hp
xDrive AWD
8-speed M Steptronic
5,530 lbs
0.130 hp/lb · 8 lb per hp
Twin-turbo V8 paired with an integrated electric motor in the 8-speed.
Rear-biased AWD with selectable 2WD mode.
Electronically locks for cornering grip.
What you actually get
- Active driving assistant
- Frontal collision warning
- Lane departure
- 8 airbags
- Performance brake package
- Launch control
- Adaptive / magnetorheological dampers
- Torque-vectoring AWD
- Multiple drive modes (Comfort / Sport / Track)
- Digital instrument cluster
- Premium leather upholstery
- Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
- Over-the-air software updates
- Premium audio system
- Heated and cooled seats
Keep it running for the long haul
The BMW M5 will routinely run 250,000+ miles when fluids are changed on time, small leaks are addressed promptly, and OEM parts are used at every service.
Most powertrain damage happens here. Do these right and the car will outlive its electronics.
- First 600 mi: keep RPM below 4,000 and avoid full-throttle pulls. Vary RPM constantly — no cruise control.
- Avoid highway-speed cruise for >30 min stretches; varied load helps the rings seat properly.
- Do NOT change the factory-fill oil before 1,500 mi unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise — the oil contains break-in additives.
- At 1,500–3,000 mi, perform the first oil change to remove metal break-in particles from ring/bearing seating.
| Interval | Task | Why it matters | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly | Cold tire pressure check | Set to door-jamb spec when tires are cold. Underinflation kills sidewalls and fuel/range economy; overinflation reduces grip. | High |
| Weekly | Visual walk-around | Check for fluid spots on the ground, tire condition, light operation, and any new noises before driving off. | Recommended |
| Monthly | Fluid level audit | Open the hood: check engine oil (where dipstick exists), coolant overflow level, brake fluid, washer fluid, power steering (if hydraulic). | High |
| Monthly | Wash + interior vacuum | Salt, road tar and bird droppings etch paint and clearcoat. Use pH-neutral car shampoo, two-bucket method. | Recommended |
| Every 6 months | Wax / ceramic top-up | Paint protection prevents oxidation. Spray-on ceramic boosters extend a base coat for 6–9 months. | Recommended |
| Every 12 months | Wiper blades + washer fluid | Replace both blades; switch to winter blades + de-icer fluid in cold climates. | Recommended |
| Every 12 months | 12V auxiliary battery test | Load-test the 12V battery — even EVs have one, and a weak 12V causes the most no-starts on modern cars. | High |
| Every 24 months | Brake fluid moisture test | Test with a refractometer or strips. >2% water content = flush. Hygroscopic fluid corrodes ABS modulators. | Critical |
| Every 24 months | Alignment check | Even a curb hit can throw alignment off. Mis-alignment burns through $1k+ tire sets quickly. | High |
| Every 7,500 mi / 12 months | Full-synthetic oil + filter change | Modern long-life synthetic at OEM spec. Don't stretch past the time interval even if low mileage — oil degrades by age too. | Critical |
| Every 30,000–60,000 mi | Coolant level + condition check | Use only the OEM-spec coolant (BMW G48/G40). Mixing coolant types causes gelling and water-pump failure. | High |
| Every 60,000 mi | Coolant flush + refill | Long-life ≠ lifetime. Old coolant turns acidic and eats aluminum heads. | High |
| Every 15,000 mi | Engine air filter + cabin filter | Restricted intake hurts power and economy. Replace cabin filter sooner in pollen-heavy or urban areas. | Recommended |
| Every 30,000 mi | Iridium spark plugs (turbo-spec gap) | Turbo engines run colder plugs with a tighter gap; check gap with a wire gauge before install. Anti-seize on threads. | High |
| Every 60,000 mi | Charge-pipe + intercooler inspection | Boost leaks at silicone joints rob power. Inspect couplers and PCV system; clean intercooler core if oil-fouled. | High |
| Every 60,000–80,000 mi | Intake valve walnut-blast (DI engines) | Direct-injection engines (BMW N/B-series, VW/Audi TFSI, MB M270/M139, Ford EcoBoost) build hard carbon on intake valves. Walnut-shell blasting restores airflow. | High |
| Every 100,000 mi | Timing chain / belt service | Most modern engines use chains (inspect tensioner & guides); some Audi 2.0/3.0 TDI/TFSI use a belt that MUST be replaced on schedule — failure destroys the engine. | Critical |
| Every 12 months | Brake pad/rotor visual + caliper slide service | Lubricate caliper slide pins with high-temp grease. Replace pads at 3 mm; rotors at minimum thickness or when scored. | Critical |
| Every 24 months / 30,000 mi | Brake fluid flush (DOT 4 or higher) | OEM-spec DOT 4 fluid; bleed all four corners, ABS module, and clutch (if hydraulic). | Critical |
| Every 30,000 mi | Suspension bushing + ball-joint inspection | Check control-arm bushings, sway-bar end links, tie-rod ends and ball joints for play. Worn bushings cause clunks and uneven tire wear. | High |
| Every 50,000 mi | Power steering fluid (if hydraulic) | Electric racks are sealed-for-life. Hydraulic systems need a fluid flush to prevent pump whine. | Recommended |
| Every 30,000–50,000 mi | Automatic transmission fluid + pan filter | 'Lifetime' is marketing — fluid breaks down by 60k. Use exact OEM spec (ZF Lifeguard 8 for 8HP, MB 236.15, etc.). Drop-pan service is gentler than a power flush. | High |
| Every 30,000 mi | Front & rear differential oil | xDrive components see constant load. Use OEM 75W-90 or 75W-140 gear oil and friction modifier on LSDs. | High |
| Every 30,000 mi | Transfer case fluid | Transfer case fluid is small in volume but high in shear stress. Replace at every diff service. | High |
| Every 7,500 mi | Performance tire rotation + wear-depth audit | Heavy / high-power cars (5,390 lb, 717 hp) shred rear tires fast. Cross-rotate fronts to opposite rear, keep all four within 2/32" depth. | Critical |
| Every 60,000 mi | VANOS solenoid clean / oil-filter housing gasket | BMW N/B-series engines leak from the oil-filter housing gasket and develop sticky VANOS solenoids. Clean both during a major service. | High |
| Every 80,000 mi | Valve cover gasket inspection | Common BMW failure point; an oil leak onto the exhaust can cause smoke and fire risk. | High |
| Every 40,000 mi | M-engine rod-bearing inspection (S-series) | Older S-series rod bearings (S54/S65/S85) are a known weak point. Modern S58/S63 are improved but inspection on hard-driven cars is wise. | Critical |
| Before storage (>30 days) | Fuel stabilizer + battery tender + tire pressure +5 psi | Add Sta-Bil to a full tank, hook a smart tender to the 12V (and Level-1 charge any EV/PHEV), inflate tires +5 psi to prevent flat-spotting, leave windows cracked. | High |
| Coming out of storage | Pre-flight inspection | Check tire pressures, brake function (rotors will be surface-rusted — bed gently), fluid levels, and rodent damage in the engine bay and cabin air intake. | High |
What to expect at each major service stop.
- First oil + filter (break-in)
- Re-torque wheels
- TCM relearn (auto/DCT)
- Multipoint inspection
- Oil + filter
- Tire rotation
- Engine + cabin air filter
- Brake pad measurement
- ATF + pan filter
- Brake fluid flush
- Spark plugs (turbo)
- Front & rear diff oil + transfer case
- Suspension inspection
- Coolant flush
- Brake pads + rotors (likely)
- PCV / valve-cover gasket
- Walnut-blast intake (DI turbo)
- Power steering fluid (if hydraulic)
- Timing belt (if equipped) + water pump
- Spark plugs (NA)
- Transmission rebuild check
- Motor mounts inspection
- All accessory belts
- Suspension overhaul
- Fuel injector clean / replace
- Catalytic converter health (O2 sensors)
- AC condenser + compressor service
Use only OEM-approved fluids. Wrong fluid = catastrophic gearbox / engine damage.
| Fluid | Spec / Approved Type | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | 0W-30 / 5W-30 full-synthetic (OEM long-life spec) | ~8–10 qt |
| Coolant | BMW G48 / G40 long-life (HOAT) | ~2.5–3.5 gal |
| Brake fluid | DOT 4 (OEM long-life) | — |
| Automatic transmission | OEM Dexron / Mercon / manufacturer-spec ATF | — |
| Differential gear oil | OEM 75W-90 (rear) / 75W-140 (LSD) | — |
| Transfer case fluid | OEM spec — usually a thin ATF-style oil | — |
- Warm the engine fully (oil at 180°F+) before any spirited driving — cold metal under load wears 10× faster.
- Run the OEM-spec octane — most modern engines tolerate 87 but premium-required engines are non-negotiable.
- After hard driving (track, mountain pass, autobahn pulls), idle 30–60 s before shutdown so turbos cool and oil temps stabilize.
- Store on a battery tender if driven less than once a week — modern ECUs draw heavy parasitic loads.
- Address small issues immediately (squeaks, warning lights, fluid spots) — they compound into $5k+ repairs.
- Keep a written service log — both for your own tracking and resale value (Carfax-style records add 5–10% at sale).
- Use OEM-spec parts and fluids — aftermarket 'equivalents' often aren't, and brand-engineered specs exist for real reasons.
- Replace tires as a complete set (or at minimum same axle) and never mix tire models on an AWD car — damages the center diff.
- BMW's 'Condition Based Service' often stretches oil intervals to 15,000 mi — owners who want longevity halve that.
- Always cross-reference your VIN with the latest OEM TSBs and recalls — manufacturers fix common issues silently under warranty.
- Use the manufacturer app or a third-party scan tool (BimmerLink, OBDeleven, Techstream, Forscan) to monitor adaptations and clear codes between services.
- Manufacturer owner's manuals (recommended service intervals)
- Manufacturer Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and recall data
- Consumer Reports — Vehicle Reliability & Maintenance
- Edmunds True Cost to Own — Maintenance Schedules
- NHTSA — vehicle safety + recall data
- FuelEconomy.gov — official MPG and ownership data
- Forum repair databases (BimmerForums, Rennlist, MBWorld, MyTurboDiesel, GT-R Life, etc.)
Always cross-check with your owner's manual — manufacturer intervals and TSBs supersede generic guidance.
