The BMW ///M5 is a high performance version of the BMW 5-Series executive car built by the Motorsport division of BMW. First introduced at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1984, the first incarnation of the M5 was hand-built utilizing the 535i chassis and a modified BMW M1 engine, being the fastest production sedan in the world at the time of its introduction. Subsequent iterations of the M5 have been built from each generation of the 5-Series platform, including the E34, E39, E60/E61, and most recently, F10, with the first orders to be delivered in late 2011.

Due to the longevity of its nameplate and undisputed position at the top of BMW's midsize lineup, the M5 remains one of the best known sport sedans, despite competition from Mercedes-AMG and Audi quattro GmbH.

E60 M5 (2005–2010)

The E60 M5 was introduced in 2005. It has a 4,999 cc (305.1 cu in) BMW V10 S85 engine redlining at 8250 rpm, and developing a peak output of 507 PS (373 kW; 500 bhp) and 520 N·m (380 lb·ft) of torque. Unlike some other BMW engines which utilise Valvetronic to infinitely vary valve lift to eliminate the throttle plate, this engine has individual throttle bodies per cylinder. The E60 M5 was the world's first production sedan to feature a V10 petrol engine.

Other key features include a stiffened aluminum chassis and a 7-speed SMG III sequential manual gearbox, also known as a single-clutch automated manual transmission. Front fog lights are unavailable for the M5, as the amount of air required to cool the brakes under spirited driving applications requires the spaces under the bumper, normally occupied by fog lights in other E60 cars, to be reallocated for air cooling ducts.

Despite the criticism of the Chris Bangle-designed chassis, the difficult iDrive interface, and the lack of smoothness of the SMG III transmission, the E60 M5 was the most successful M5, despite being on the market for one year shorter than the E39 M5. During its five year run, 20,548 units were built composing of 19,523 saloons and 1,025 wagons. 8,800 were sold in the U.S., all of the sedan variety. Great Britain and Ireland claimed 1,776 examples, followed by BMW's home market of Germany with 1,647 units, and 1,357 were sold in Japan. Italian enthusiasts claimed 512 units, and 339 examples were sold in Australia.

The BMW M5, along with the E63/64 BMW M6, were designed to use the new Getrag SMG III single-clutch seven speedsemi-automatic transmission. Gerd Richter, the head of BMW M, defended the decision to use a single-clutch sequential manual gearbox rather than a twin-clutch unit, saying "True, the dual-clutch system has a smoother automatic mode, and it performs seamless upshifts. For a 7-series, this may be the way to go. But an M car should always combine efficiency with emotion. That's why there are six shift speeds to choose from, from velvet glove to iron fist. That's why we cut the torque into seven slices. That's why we added special features like a hill holder, a designated drive program for steep climbs and descents, and a downshift assistant, which briefly dips the clutch to avoid destabilizing wheel spin." The SMG III transmission, while responsive at the track, has been criticized for its general lack of smoothness in everyday driving, and by 2010 it was considered outdated as most manufacturers were using dual clutch transmissions instead. Based on suggestions from the motoring press, BMW announced in October 2006 that a 6-speed conventional manual transmission would be available in North America, this became the base transmission in these markets while SMG III is an option. The 6-speed manual M5 was marginally slower, since the dynamic stability control could not be disengaged unlike the SMG version. This however, was changed with the release of a Service Bulletin in November 2007 for a retrofit allowing DSC to be disabled as well as the function being implemented into the introduction of the 2008 model year M5 as well as the M6. The SMG III includes the "Launch Control" feature. However, the US spec vehicles have a reduced RPM to prevent vehicle damage and abuse.
The M5 features several Formula One inspired engine and transmission controls. There is launch control which allows maximum performance standing starts automatically. The Getrag SMG III single-clutch semi-automatic transmission has the option of changing to either automated or manual, as well as the speed at which shifts are completed (there are 11 shift programmes in total forming what BMW calls Drivelogic). Manual shifting can be done with either a console shifter, or the steering wheel mounted shift paddles, both of which are fitted to all SMG M5s. The console shifter is the type used on manumatic transmissions; tipping it backward (toward the "+") shifts up, while a forward tip (toward the "-") shifts down. The shifter can be moved to the left to access neutral and reverse. The car also features a "power" button on the navigation panel (labeled "M") which offers access to three modes: P400 (limiting the engine to 400 PS (294 kW; 395 bhp) for daily driving use), P500 (unleashes the full 507 PS (373 kW; 500 bhp)), and P500 S (for full power and sharper throttle response, selectable only from the "M Drive Settings" in the iDrive menu). P400 is the default start-up mode, the P500 modes are preselected using iDrive and then activated from P500 S using the "M" button.

The E60 M5 took the title of the most powerful midsize sport sedan when released, over direct competitors the Audi RS6 (C5) (4.2L biturbo V8) and the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG (5.4L supercharged V8). All three vehicles are quoted by their manufacturers to reach 0-to-62-mph in a time of 4.7 seconds. Motor Trend's comparison test found that while the E55 AMG had a faster 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds versus the M5's 4.5 seconds due to the E55's greater low-end torque, the M5 had better driving dynamics. The E60 M5 Sedan is slightly slower than the E63 M6 Coupe, which is longer overall but has a shorter wheelbase, with the M6 also being lower to the ground and lighter.

The M5 has since then been overtaken by several newer rivals, specifically the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG (507 bhp (378 kW; 514 PS) from a 6.2L V8), Audi RS6 (C6)(426 kW (579 PS; 571 bhp) from a 5.0L biturbo V10), and the second generation Cadillac CTS-V (556 bhp (415 kW; 564 PS)) which bested the M5's Nürburgring lap time.

• 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 4.7s
  • (0–100 mph: 10.00, Road & Track [2/06])
  • (0–60 mph: 4.1s, Road & Track [2/06])
  • Power: 373 kW (507 PS; 500 bhp) at 7750 rpm

• Torque: 520 N·m (384 lbf·ft) at 6100 rpm
• Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph) with electronic speed limiter; 170 mph with electronic speed limiter on vehicles with the Dynamic Stability Control deactivation update; only on G.B. models German models not limited 204 mph (328.3 km/h)(delimited)