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2020 BMW M5 Base

The 2020 BMW M5 Base is a 600-hp 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 sedan with an 8-speed m steptronic and all-wheel drive. It is rated at 17 mpg combined.

It makes 600 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 553 lb-ft of torque at 1800-5700 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway (17 mpg combined).

The M5 measures 195.5 inches long on a 117.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,370 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Engine
Engine Type4.4L M TwinPower Turbo V8; cross-bank exhaust manifold; M TwinScroll Twin Turbo; High Precision Injection (max 350 bar); VALVETRONIC; Double-VANOS (S63)
Displacement4.395 L
Horsepower600 hp @ 5,700 rpm
Torque553 lb-ft @ 1800-5700 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC with VALVETRONIC and Double-VANOS
Bore and Stroke89.0 x 88.3
Compression Ratio10.0:1
Injection TypeDirect Injection (High Precision Injection, max 350 bar)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeM xDrive All-Wheel Drive
Differential TypeActive M Differential
Transmission
Transmission8-Speed M Steptronic with Drivelogic
1st Gear5
2nd Gear3.2
3rd Gear2.143
4th Gear1.72
5th Gear1.313
6th Gear1
7th Gear0.823
8th Gear0.64
Reverse4.172
Final Drive3.15
Fuel Economy
City15 MPG
Highway21 MPG
Combined17 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium (RON95–RON98 recommended)
Tank Capacity20.1 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionAdaptive M suspension with double wishbone axle (aluminum), M-specific kinematics, Variable Damper Control
Rear SuspensionAdaptive M suspension with five-link axle (aluminum), M-specific elastokinematics, Variable Damper Control
Turning Diameter41.3 ft
Brakes
Front Brake Calipers6-piston fixed
Front Brake Disc395 x 36 mm vented (M compound)
Rear Brake Disc380 x 28 mm vented (M compound)
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front9.5 J x 19
Wheels Rear10.5 J x 19
Tires Front275/40 ZR 19 102Y
Tires Rear285/40 ZR 19 104Y
Dimensions & Weight
Length195.5 in
Width74.9 in
Height58 in
Wheelbase117.4 in
Front Track64 in
Rear Track62.8 in
Ground Clearance5.2 in
Cargo Volume18.7 ft³
Curb Weight4,370 lbs

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Tested, but no star ratings were published (2020 BMW M5 4 DR AWD).

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2020 BMW M5. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Sep 30, 2020 · BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign 20V598000

Dec 11, 2019 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 M5 and 2020 M8 Gran Coupe, M8 Coupe, and M8 Convertible vehicles. The transmission wiring harness can become damaged, resulting in an electrical short circuit.

Consequence: An electrical short circuit can cause the transmission to shift to neutral resulting in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace any damaged transmission harnesses. All harnesses will be rerouted and secured. These repairs will be performed, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 3, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign 19V883000

Sep 27, 2019 · BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

NHTSA campaign 19V684000

2 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2020 BMW M5

Owner Complaints

2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 BMW M5. See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine2
Electrical System1
Power Train1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Aug 29, 2026 · Power Train, Electrical System, Engine
“2020 BMW M5 a metal-shavings engine failure at highway speed is a safety event. I had total catastrophic engine failure at less than 50,000 miles. No warning lights, found metal shavings in the engine…”
May 31, 2024 · Engine
“Coolant expansion tank is leaking on fuel injectors, coils and plugs on engine below causing ‘drivetrain malfunction’ which puts vehicle into Limp Mode. Car can begin to shudder, misfire and stall…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2020 BMW M5. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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