M5 Engines –
The Complete UK Guide

A reconditioned BMW M5 engine typically costs £5,000–£14,000+ supply only [BMW-QUOTE] - from the S62 at £5,000–£8,000 to the S85 at £8,000–£14,000+ and the S63 at £7,000–£12,000+. The S68 PHEV in the G90 costs £10,000–£16,000+. Fitting adds £650–£2,100. Use our calculator for a personalised figure.

The S62B50 in the E39 - one of BMW's most reliable M engines with no catastrophic failure modes. The S63B44 in the F90 is proven and robust. The S85B50 in the E60 is a masterpiece but carries rod bearing and SMG pump caveats.

No engine outright - but an S85 (E60) without documented rod bearing replacement or SMG pump history is the one purchase we consistently advise against. The engine is a masterpiece; the known risks are the problem. An F90 S63 has no such caveats.

By engine: rod bearing knock (S85), metallic noise at high RPM (S85), oil drips (S63), SMG pump failure (E60), VANOS rattling (S38/S62). On the S85, cold-start knock or metallic noise at high RPM is a warning. Caught early, it's a repair; ignored, it's a £5,000–£14,000+ engine [BMW-QUOTE]. Use our diagnostic calculator for a personalised assessment.

Depends entirely on generation. Against a £50,000 F90, an £8,000–£12,000+ S63 recon is 16–24% - safe. Against a £100,000+ G90, a £10,000–£16,000+ S68 recon is 10–16% - safe. Against a £20,000 E39, a £5,000–£8,000 S62 recon is 25–40% - safe (the E39 is a keeper). Against a £15,000 E60, an £8,000–£14,000+ S85 recon is 53–93% - ⚠️ watch. Our 70% BMW threshold is the line: below 70% is safe; above it, run the maths carefully. Use our calculator for your car.

F90 M5 Competition with the S63 - 625 bhp, M xDrive, proven engine, and depreciated into sensible territory (£50,000–£70,000). For the classic, E39 M5 with the S62 - the greatest M5 ever made, no caveats, and a modern classic. For the future, G90 with the S68 PHEV - the most powerful M5 ever made, and the Touring is back. For the V10 experience, E60 with the S85 - the only V10 M5, but budget for rod bearings (£3,000–£5,000) before you buy.

Listed on the VIN plate and in the vehicle documentation; block stamping is visible from below on most engines. Or tell us your generation and variant (E28, E34, E39, E60, F10, F90, G90) and we'll identify it - 20+ vetted specialists will confirm it for free.

Mechanically they share some engines - the S63 in the F90 M5 is a V8 while the M3 uses the S58 straight-six. The S58 is widely regarded as more reliable than the S63, but both are proven. The M3 is lighter and works the powertrain less hard; the M5 is heavier but benefits from the same engineering. Buy on engine and year, not badge. The M3 offers more engagement; the M5 offers more luxury and power. Read the full head-to-head →