BMW M550i
The Technical Update resolved the worst problem of the first generation — away from piezo injectors, new piston rings, Valvetronic added. The character remained: a commanding V8 that is barely audible in Comfort mode and sends a powerful growl from afar in Sport. Hot-V heat soak remains by design — short oil change intervals (max. 7,000 km) are mandatory, not an optional extra.
V8 in 5 Series Clothing — The Stealth Autobahn King
462 hp V8 in an unassuming 5 Series — no M badge, no spoiler, but V8 shove that catches people off guard. Effortless on the motorway, satisfying V8 rumble in Sport mode. Less emotional than an M5, but far less upkeep and far more discretion.
Engine Weaknesses 5
The timing chain system remains the weak link in the TU as well. Plastic guide rails degrade. Preventive replacement from 120,000–150,000 km is advisable. Repair requires complete engine removal (~40 labour hours).
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start, engine warning light, in extreme cases loud clattering and engine failure
Despite revision, valve stem seals can wear at high mileage. Oil consumption of 0.5–1 L/5,000 km is reported by TU owners. Significantly better than the original N63, but not fully eliminated.
Symptoms: Slightly elevated oil consumption, occasional light blue smoke on cold start, oil level warning earlier than expected
Hot-V design remains structurally prone to oil carbon build-up in the turbo feed lines. Switching the engine off immediately after hard driving promotes deposits and premature turbo wear.
Symptoms: Power loss under load, occasional hissing or whining from the engine bay, rarely blue smoke after a motorway run
Coolant hoses and bleed lines around the turbochargers suffer from sustained heat. Cracks often develop under load and only leak at operating temperature, making diagnosis difficult.
Symptoms: Periodic coolant warning light, loss without visible puddle, occasional coolant smell after shutdown
Direct injection without intake valve flushing — carbon deposits on intake valves increase steadily with mileage. Regular walnut blasting is required.
Symptoms: Power loss at part throttle, rough idle, increased fuel consumption with the same driving style
Vehicle Weaknesses 20
BMW recalled several G60 models from 2023–2024 due to faulty cell contacts in the high-voltage battery. A defect can cause discharge and present a fire risk.
BMW recalled the 5 Series G60/G61 because a misrouted cockpit wiring harness can be damaged during pollen filter replacement. A short circuit can cause fire. KBA 16187R.
The AdBlue dosing system crystallises during long standstill or at low temperatures. Fault code 26F500 appears. NOx sensor is a classic wear point. Repair is expensive.
The flex disc (Hardy disc) in the drivetrain often cracks before 100,000 km. BMW sometimes covers it under goodwill. Replacement including prop shaft can cost 2,000 €.
A signal fault in the motor position sensor of the integrated brake system can deactivate the hydraulic brake assist. ABS and DSC fail. BMW replaces the entire IBS free of charge.
The M5 G90 weighs around 2,435 kg as a PHEV — approximately 500 kg more than the F90 predecessor. The extra weight affects dynamics and causes understeer in tight corners. The system is still very new and long-term data is lacking.
Related BMW PHEV models such as the X5 50e show CCU (Combined Charging Unit) failures below 2,000 km. Whether the M5 G90 uses identical components and is affected remains unclear — the model is too new for reliable data.
Traffic sign recognition, TPMS sensors, digital instrument cluster, and lane/parking assistance failures are frequently reported. Usually resolved by software updates.
Various suspension components (top mounts, drop links, control arms) wear out. Air suspension on the G31 Touring is a known weak point. Rear lighting fails due to wiring breaks.
The G30's iDrive system tends to crash and restart sporadically. Navigation, Bluetooth, and CarPlay are intermittently unavailable. Software updates usually only help temporarily.
Especially on M Sport vehicles, the front brakes squeal when braking lightly. BMW acknowledged the issue and released a revised brake system. No safety risk.
Some G60 drivers report occasional messages that recuperation is not working. After software updates BMW also significantly changed the hybrid drivetrain characteristics, leading to owner complaints.
The new BMW OS 9 operating system in the G60 still has various software bugs: voice control fails, assistant systems falsely deactivate, smartphone pairing is unstable.
On the G60 with M Sport suspension, noises occur at full lock or when parking. BMW dealers recommend shock absorber replacement as the fix — whether the top mount or damper is the root cause has not been conclusively determined.
A quiet rattle from the steering wheel area at 30–60 km/h on uneven road. Cause is a loose airbag pot, not the steering itself. Issue appears to be known but no official service bulletin has been issued.
Wireless CarPlay disconnects from the system sporadically; eSIM shows connection error on startup. Digital key sometimes cannot be set up. Issue occurs reproducibly for several i5 owners — often every third journey.
When steering with M Sport suspension, especially on the 520d xDrive, noises come from the steering area. Dealers in isolated cases recommended shock absorber replacement, which didn't reliably resolve the issue.
Several G60 owners report noticeable steering play and imprecise steering feel, resolved by steering rack replacement under warranty.
G60 owners report Spotify connection drops, incorrect navigation position, and driver assistance failures. Software instability with OS9 systems.
The additional weight of around 500 kg compared to the F90 M5 places considerable strain on the G90's braking system. Despite recuperative braking, mechanical brakes need replacing earlier.
Reports & Tests
16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2017–2023). Most reported: Seat Belts (4), Airbags (3), Body Structure (2).