Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW M5 Competition F90 review – ​MPG and running costs

With great power comes great fuel consumption – it’s thirsty, while the complex power and drivetrains bely its familiar shape

Evo rating
RRP
from £111,425
  • Powertrain devastatingly effective; more dynamically capable than rivals and beautifully built
  • It’s big; steering lacks life; soundtrack is too augmented

Hot-V V8 engines have a reputation of quite astonishing fuel consumption when being worked and BMW’s is no different. During our time with the non-Competition M5 on our Fast Fleet we usually averaged between 26 and 28mpg, but given enough space would easily drop into the teens when you put your foot down.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The near-two-ton kerb weight has other compromises such as an appetite for tyres, brake pads and suspension components. BMW’s standard-fit Michelin Pilot 4 S tyres aren’t as aggressive as some, but the 275- and 285-section front and rear tyres to fit the Competition’s standard 20-inch wheels will cost around £1200 a set to replace.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Lotus wants to save its Norfolk factory by developing and building other company's sports cars
Lotus factory
Features

Lotus wants to save its Norfolk factory by developing and building other company's sports cars

The Emira will live on and there's an Esprit supercar on the way, but Lotus has another plan to keep Hethel active
18 Aug 2026
McLaren McL 6GT is a new manual supercar and a complete reset
McLaren McL 6GT
News

McLaren McL 6GT is a new manual supercar and a complete reset

Unbelievably, the design of this new McLaren is more surprising than the reintroduction of a manual transmission…
14 Aug 2026
The GMA S1 is today’s McLaren F1 – sorry, T.50 owners
GMA S1
News

The GMA S1 is today’s McLaren F1 – sorry, T.50 owners

Gordon Murray Automotive has revived the McLaren F1 with the road-biased GMA S1, a 12,100rpm V12 special based upon the ultra-exclusive S1 LM
14 Aug 2026