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BMW G90 M5

717 hp, 25 miles of electric range and 5,400 lb on the scales. The most powerful M5 ever, and the most controversial.

BMW G90 M5 — 2025–present

The G90 M5 is a plug-in hybrid, and that single fact has defined its reception. It makes 717 hp and 738 lb-ft, it can drive on electricity alone for around 25 miles, and it weighs nearly as much as a full-size SUV.

In isolation it is astonishing: silent in EV mode, savage in Sport Plus, and blessed with the traction to deploy everything through M xDrive. The Touring version, sold in Europe and finally in the United States, is the practical enthusiast's answer.

Whether it is an M5 in spirit is the argument that will follow it for a decade. What is not in question is the capability, or the fact that battery-related servicing is now part of M5 ownership.

Year by year

  • 2025 — launch

    G90 sedan and G99 Touring arrive with the S68 hybrid powertrain, M xDrive with 2WD mode and standard M Compound brakes.

  • 2026

    Option and colour expansions through the M Individual programme; software refinements to the hybrid calibration.

The good and the bad

Positives

  • +717 hp and 738 lb-ft — the most powerful production M5 ever
  • +Genuine electric-only running for short commutes
  • +Touring body finally offered in North America
  • +M xDrive with a full rear-drive 2WD mode
  • +Extremely capable in all weather conditions

Negatives

  • −Roughly 5,400 lb — weight dominates the driving experience
  • −Hybrid complexity adds long-term service unknowns
  • −Less engaging than the F90 despite more power
  • −Battery packaging reduces trunk space
  • −Steep purchase price and unproven residuals

Known faults and what they cost

  • Early software calibration issuesWarranty updates

    Hybrid transitions and charging behaviour have been refined via software; keep the car current.

  • High-voltage system serviceSpecialist labour

    Battery and inverter work requires high-voltage certified technicians; independents may decline.

  • Brake wear and regeneration blending$2,000–$4,000 per axle

    Blended braking can produce uneven pad wear; inspect at each service.

  • Tire wear$2,000–$2,800 per set

    Weight and torque chew through rear tires quickly.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist

  • 01Confirm all software updates and campaigns are complete
  • 02Check high-voltage battery state of health via diagnostics
  • 03Verify charging cable and equipment are present and functional
  • 04Inspect tire wear rates — heavy rear wear indicates hard use
  • 05Confirm option content through codes rather than the sales listing
  • 06Check brake pad and disc wear including regeneration behaviour

Modifications for longevity

  • Follow the hybrid service schedule

    Battery coolant and high-voltage system checks are part of the plan.

  • Oil every 7,500 miles

    Regardless of the extended indicator, especially with hybrid heat cycling.

  • Charge management

    Regular charging keeps the battery healthy; avoid long periods at very low state of charge.

  • Tire rotation and alignment

    Weight makes alignment discipline unusually important.

  • Brake fluid every two years

    Blended braking systems are sensitive to fluid condition.

Modifications for performance

  1. 01Settings first

    Damping, steering and hybrid mode configuration change the car's character dramatically.

  2. 02Tires

    A serious performance tire is the highest-value change on a car this heavy.

  3. 03Software tune

    Early tunes push past 800 hp; consider warranty implications carefully.

  4. 04Exhaust and cooling

    Sound and heat management for owners who intend track use.

What they are worth

Too new for a settled used market. Early depreciation on heavily optioned cars is likely to be steep, which will make two-year-old examples strong value.

The Touring is the variant most likely to hold value with enthusiasts, particularly in the United States where it is new to the M5 line.

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