Performance and 0-60 time
The F10-generation M5 is among the very fastest saloon cars of all time. The twin-turbo V8 generates enough power and torque to propel the 1870kg BMW to 62mph in 4.3 seconds – thanks in part to its launch control system. For a rear-wheel drive car of such mass, that really is very impressive indeed.
For £6700, buyers can opt for the Competition Package – which adds 15bhp, bigger 20-inch wheels, a sports exhaust and stiffer suspension – and slash 0.2 seconds off that 0-62mph dash.
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Remarkably, the limited edition 30 Jahre model will dip below four seconds to 62mph. Top speed is limited to 155mph on the standard model, as is the way with many German performance cars, although the 30 Jahre will hit 199mph before its limiter stops play.
Regardless of state of tune that 4.4-litre engine returns effortless torque from the lower reaches of the rev range as well as a potent top end. That means it will pass slower traffic without dropping out of its seventh gear, or return enough straight line performance to trouble serious performance cars should the driver choose to chase the redline in each gear.
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For those buyers for whom the standard car’s 552bhp just isn’t enough, BMW offers two options. The first is the £6700 Competition Package, which adds 15bhp, sports suspension, a more vocal exhaust and bigger wheels.
Beyond that, the new limited edition Competition Edition offers 592bhp. That makes it the most powerful BMW road car ever. It’ll set you back £100,995, though, and with the production run limited to just 200 units worldwide getting hold of one will be even harder than it was for the old 30 Jahre edition. If you're desperate to buy a slice of M5 heritage, you could get a classic E34 (and probably another generation too) for less than the difference between the regular M5 and a Competition Edition...
