How Old Is the BMW M5 E60? Full Model Year Details Revealed

Editorial Team Mar 08, 2026

The BMW M5 E60 stands as a legendary chapter in automotive performance, blending luxury and power in a way few sedans have. Introduced in the mid-2000s, its age has shaped its cult status among enthusiasts. Understanding how old the BMW M5 E60 really is reveals both its enduring legacy and the evolution of performance sedans.

Old Video of the BMW E60 M5 on the Track Shows Why It’s so Loved
Old Video of the BMW E60 M5 on the Track Shows Why It’s so Loved Source: www.bmwblog.com

BMW M5 E60 Production Timeline

The BMW M5 E60 was produced from 2005 to 2010, spanning six model years. It began as a refined successor to the E39 M5, incorporating advanced aerodynamics, a powerful V10 engine, and cutting-edge chassis technology. This era marked a pivotal shift in BMW’s M5 lineup, emphasizing performance without sacrificing comfort.

BMW M5 V10 - Old Colonel Cars - Old Colonel Cars
BMW M5 V10 - Old Colonel Cars - Old Colonel Cars Source: oldcolonelcars.co.uk

Market Launch and Initial Reception

Launched in 2005, the E60 M5 arrived as a benchmark in the luxury performance segment, offering 500 horsepower from its naturally aspirated V10 and a 0-60 mph time under 4 seconds. Its late-era design and technical innovation earned critical acclaim, cementing its place as one of the most respected M5 versions of the 2000s.

Best ever V10s: the unhinged 5.0-litre in the old E60 BMW M5 | Top Gear
Best ever V10s: the unhinged 5.0-litre in the old E60 BMW M5 | Top Gear Source: www.topgear.com

Engine and Performance Legacy

The heart of the E60 M5 was its 5.0-liter inline-10 engine, renowned for its smooth power delivery and V10 character. Though initially producing 500 hp, later updates boosted output to 500+ hp with forced induction in some variants. This powerful core, paired with precise handling, made the E60 a benchmark for M5 performance across its six-year run.

BMW M5: History and Evolution
BMW M5: History and Evolution Source: www.bmwblog.com

Legacy and End of an Era

After a six-year run, the BMW M5 E60 was succeeded by the E60’s successor, the F10. Though production ended in 2010, the E60 remains a collectible icon. Its age—six years—reflects a golden period of refinement and raw performance that continues to influence BMW’s M5 development today.

BMW M5 E60 Buyer's Guide | Fast Car
BMW M5 E60 Buyer's Guide | Fast Car Source: www.fastcar.co.uk

The BMW M5 E60, produced from 2005 to 2010, is 16 years old as of 2021. Its age encapsulates a transformative era in M5 history, marked by powerful performance and timeless design. Today, it stands not just as a classic, but as a benchmark for luxury sports sedans worldwide.

2006-2010 BMW M5 (E60): Prices, Specs, And Features
2006-2010 BMW M5 (E60): Prices, Specs, And Features Source: www.hotcars.com

The BMW M5 E60 is the fourth generation of the M5 and was in many ways a departure. The concept of the sportscar as sedan, combining performance with luxury, was firmly established in 2005. The competition was fierce.

The BMW M5 generations
The BMW M5 generations Source: www.bmw-m.com

The new BMW M5 thus had to be an emotional technology provider like almost no other car, a performance show, a statement of driving pleasure, whilst remaining maximally suitable. The E60 was the first 5 Series to be available with a turbocharged petrol engine, a 6-speed automatic transmission and regenerative braking. The M5 model was introduced in 2005 and is powered by the BMW S85 V10 engine.

It was sold in the saloon and wagon body styles, with most cars using the 7. BMW introduced the sixth generation of the 5 Series in 2010, and in the following year, it came with the M5 version, which opened a new chapter in the moniker's history. The E60 M5 was the successor to the much-loved E39 M5, widely regarded as one of the greatest sports sedans of all time.

BMW's solution to build a better M5 was to inject more emotion into the. In 2025, the E60 BMW M5 celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of V10. The top of the line performance variant for the fifth generation of BMW 5 Series was the E60 M5.

The E60 M5 was sold worldwide as a sedan, but was offered as a Touring wagon exclusively in Europe. The only M5 to be fitted with a V10 engine, the E60 M5 was fitted with a naturally aspirated 5.0L unit capable of producing 500hp. Although the vast majority of cars were fitted with a 7 speed SMG.

The maximum speed of the three-volume BMW M5 E60 reached 250 km/h (without limiter - 330). Real fuel consumption of the BMW M5 E60 in the city / on the highway / mixed cycle is 21.7/10.2/14.4 liters. The E60 was also the first proper tech-fest M5, with an early version of BMW's iDrive system and M-specific options like the ability to choose two power outputs and - count 'em.

2006 BMW M5 (E60) With its screaming V-10 engine, the M5 took a turn for the exotic with the arrival of the E60 generation for 2005 (it came to America as a 2006 model). The E60 M5 had a 5.0-liter V10, but later models, including the F10 and F90, featured a 4.4-liter V8 with twin turbos. The F90 M5 was powered by a revised 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, carried over from its predecessor but improved for better performance.