BMW M5 Competition (F90)

Competition, not a standard F90

The BMW M5 Competition uses a 4,395 cc twin-turbocharged V8 producing 625 PS, approximately 616 bhp, and 750 Nm. Its eight-speed Steptronic transmission works with M xDrive and the Active M Differential. BMW quotes 3.3 seconds to 100 km/h and 250 km/h in standard form, with 305 km/h available under the M Driver's Package. The cited buying guide records orders ending in 2023. The catalogue retains the package figure; it is not a claim that every car reaches 305 km/h.

We have not driven this model for this article. The sources are BMW's Competition announcement, the PistonHeads F90 M5 buying guide and BMW's VIN recall service. The Competition has a lowered, bespoke chassis rather than merely a higher output. This guide separates factory equipment from generation-wide owner reports and does not assign a production total.

Fuel-pump and software campaign history

The buying guide discusses transmission wiring and fuel-pump recalls on early cars, plus owner reports involving low-pressure fuel-pump behaviour and restarting. These are prompts to establish the individual car's campaign and diagnostic history, not proof that every Competition will lose power. Ask for dealer records, software updates and the outcome of any previous warning or non-start investigation.

Do not accept a cleared warning or a successful restart as proof of repair. Preserve stored information for a BMW specialist and ask what was replaced, reprogrammed or tested. Also check fuel-gauge and rear-camera software history where applicable. The VIN, not the model name alone, determines campaign relevance.

ZF8 and xDrive evidence

The eight-speed Steptronic is a torque-converter automatic, not a dual-clutch gearbox. Assess normal operation and review fluid, software and diagnostic records. M xDrive adds a transfer case, and the Active M Differential manages rear-axle torque. Have a specialist inspect the complete driveline for leaks, warnings and previous repairs rather than treating the F90 as a conventional rear-drive saloon.

Ask for differential-fluid history and any work following driveline warnings. Do not use repeated launches to establish condition. The useful evidence is the car's documented behaviour, measured condition and the outcome of earlier repairs. A short road demonstration cannot answer every question about the transfer case or transmission.

Competition suspension and front-end noises

The Competition's bespoke springs, dampers, anti-roll setup and lower ride height distinguish it from the standard M5. Inspect the adaptive dampers, mounting points, bushes and alignment. The guide mentions front-clunk anecdotes that owners had not conclusively resolved. Treat any noise as something to diagnose, not as a normal Competition characteristic or as proof of a model-wide defect.

Compare tyre wear with geometry records and the physical suspension inspection. Confirm approved wheel and tyre sizes, dates and condition, and ask for alignment reports after steering or suspension work. A fresh set of tyres can hide an earlier wear pattern without explaining it. Check TPMS operation and any previous warning diagnosis.

Brakes: do not assume carbon ceramics

M Compound brakes are standard; carbon-ceramic brakes were optional. Establish what this car actually has before ordering parts or assessing condition. Measure discs and pads and review fluid history. If carbon ceramics are fitted, use a specialist measurement rather than judging by surface appearance. Do not present optional brakes as standard Competition equipment.

Ask for inspections after circuit or other demanding use and obtain current quotations for identified work. Circuit driving is not automatic evidence of abuse, and its absence does not prove condition. Inspect the undertrays and suspension mounting areas at the same time, recording any areas that could not be accessed.

Carbon roof and aluminium bodywork

The M5's carbon roof and aluminium bonnet require model-appropriate repair assessment. Inspect for damage, replacement and evidence of previous work. A carbon-roof repair is not directly comparable with a conventional steel-panel repair, so ask for the method and documentation. Check panel gaps, paint and the underside without treating a polished upper body as proof of structural condition.

The guide's bodywork comments are general F90 observations, not a prediction of failure. Identify replaced panels and equipment against the build record. A well-documented repair should be judged on its quality and implications, not automatically rejected or accepted because the material is carbon fibre or aluminium.

Cabin and electronic checks

Test the seats, belts, windows, mirrors, climate control, cameras and infotainment. The guide mentions fuel-gauge and camera software campaigns and display concerns on some cars. Demonstrate the fitted equipment and ask for previous diagnosis rather than assuming a restart has resolved an intermittent problem. Check four-zone climate displays where fitted and any symptoms reported by the seller.

Inspect the cabin for wear and evidence of battery or software issues after storage. Match equipment to the build record and record anything that could not be demonstrated. Low mileage does not guarantee correct electronic operation, and a warning-free dashboard after a restart is not a complete diagnostic assessment.

Service and recall evidence

Dated annual-service invoices should connect oil, fluids, differential maintenance, software and repairs. Regular use and consistent specialist care can be more informative than long inactivity with minimal mileage. Historic service and warranty prices in the buying guide are not current quotations. Obtain an itemised estimate for this car and record any unresolved inspection limitations.

Use the full VIN in BMW's recall service and retain retailer confirmation of completed campaigns. A campaign affecting another F90 does not establish this car's status, and a clear result does not verify unrelated repairs. Keep the result with the service file and independent inspection.

We have not driven this model for this article. No current price, investment return or universal failure rate is claimed, and production remains unset. Correct Competition identification, fuel-system and campaign history, ZF8/xDrive evidence, measured suspension and brakes, and complete documentation provide a stronger assessment than a generic M5 checklist.