The E60-generation 2008 BMW M5 arrived as a four-door sedan that behaved like a refugee from the Formula 1 paddock, putting race-bred ideas into daily traffic. Its naturally aspirated V10, sky-high revs, and complex electronics turned a conservative executive car into one of the most extreme modern BMW models. More than fifteen years later, it still stands out as the moment BMW M treated the road like a test bed for grand prix technology.
The only BMW road V10, born from Formula 1 thinking
At the heart of the 2008 BMW M5 is the S85, the only V10 production engine in BMW history. That alone signals how far the company was willing to go to inject Formula 1 thinking into a road car, since BMW M had previously reserved V10 layouts for its 1990s Formula 1 programs rather than showroom models. The S85’s 5.0 liter displacement, high rev ceiling, and focus on instantaneous response were all shaped by that single-minded motorsport background, turning a business sedan into a machine that begged to be driven like a track car.
The S85’s character is defined by revs and response rather than forced induction torque. Reporting on the engine highlights an 8,250 RPM redline, a figure that plants the M5 firmly in the high-revving tradition of Formula power units rather than the low-end punch of typical luxury sedans. The same analysis points to individual throttle bodies and a lightweight design, both hallmarks of racing engines that prioritize razor-sharp throttle response. Another review of the E60 M5 describes its 5.0 liter V10 as derived from Formula 1, reinforcing that this was not just a big engine, but a deliberate attempt to translate grand prix engineering into a road-going package.
How the E60 M5 changed the M division’s trajectory
The E60 M5 did more than add cylinders, it reset expectations for what BMW M would dare to sell to regular customers. Enthusiast commentary describes the BMW M5 E60, built from 2005 to 2010, as “the V10 monster” and “the one that changed the whole M-division legacy.” That kind of language reflects how the car broke from the inline-six and V8 heritage that had defined earlier M5 generations, and instead embraced a more theatrical, high-strung personality. It was also the only M5 ever to use a V10, which underlines how singular this experiment was inside BMW’s own history.
Social media clips and fan reviews consistently frame the 2008 BMW M5 as one of the wildest and most legendary modern BMW models, mainly because of its Formula 1 inspired V10 and the way it delivered power. One widely shared video calls out the car’s combination of that engine with hydraulic steering, a pairing that gave the sedan both ferocity and nuanced feedback. Another Instagram reel goes further, telling viewers that BMW once dropped a Formula One engine into a four door sedan and calling this era “BMW at its wildest.” When owners and commentators talk about “hype, respect, and legacy” around the E60, they are really describing how this car pushed BMW M from a subtle performance brand into something more extroverted and experimental.
Race-bred hardware in a family sedan body
What made the E60 M5 feel like a Formula 1 idea on the street was not only the cylinder count, but the way the entire package was configured. One detailed retrospective recalls being “blown away” When the E60 M5 was announced, specifically by the combination of a V10 F1 inspired engine and a 7 speed automated manual gearbox in a four door sedan. That pairing mirrored the layout of contemporary grand prix cars, which used high revving naturally aspirated engines and paddle shifted gearboxes, and it made the M5 feel more like a detuned race car than a tuned-up 5 Series.
Other coverage of the E60 M5’s engine teardown after 120,000 miles reinforces how exotic the S85 was compared with typical luxury powertrains. The breakdown notes that the most interesting and distinguishing element of the E60 M5 was its naturally aspirated V10, underscoring that everything about the car’s identity flowed from that engine. A separate review describes the M5’s performance as defined by its high revving 5.0 liter V10 derived from Formula 1, and invites readers to dive into its performance and the ongoing debate over the right transmission for such a focused powerplant. Together, these reports show that the E60’s hardware was not just powerful, it was conceptually aligned with the technology and driving style of top level single seaters.
The driving experience: high revs, high stakes
On the road, the E60 M5 demanded commitment from its driver in a way that few other executive sedans did. Video reviews capture this tension clearly, with one presenter admitting he would rather not push the gearbox or the engine too hard and instead just enjoy the car, a nod to both the performance potential and the mechanical complexity of the package. That hesitation reflects a broader truth about the M5’s Formula inspired character: it rewarded drivers who were willing to explore the upper reaches of the tachometer and live with the compromises that came with such a specialized engine and transmission.
At the same time, the car’s chassis and steering tried to balance that intensity with everyday usability. Enthusiast clips praising the 2008 BMW M5 highlight how incredibly balanced the car feels, crediting its hydraulic steering for delivering detailed feedback that modern electric systems often lack. Another piece of coverage about the E61 M5 Touring, the wagon variant that shared the same powertrain, recalls that Back when the E60 BMW M5 first debuted, rumors swirled that its 5.0 liter naturally aspirated V10 was actually a Formula unit adapted for road use. Those rumors, whether accurate or not, show how the driving experience convinced people that this sedan was closer to a race car than a commuter, especially when tested on a former F1 circuit where its character made the most sense.
Legacy, reliability, and why the V10 still matters
With time, the E60 M5’s reputation has become a mix of awe and caution. Technical guides on the S85 engine list clear Pros of the design, starting with that 8,250 RPM redline and the thrilling high revving performance it delivers. They also emphasize the role of individual throttle bodies and a lightweight architecture in creating an engine that feels alive and immediate. Yet the same deep dives into the S85’s internals, including the teardown of a high mileage example, show how hard use and complex engineering can translate into significant wear, reinforcing the idea that this was a race influenced engine that required race level attention.
Despite those challenges, the E60 M5’s status as the only BMW road car with a V10 and its direct conceptual link to Formula 1 keep its legend intact. A concise overview of BMW’s V10 history notes that the S85 is the only V10 production engine the company has ever built, while BMW M made V10s for Formula 1 back in the 1990s. That lineage, combined with the way fans still describe the E60 as the king of M5 hype, respect, and legacy, explains why clean examples are treated as modern classics rather than just used performance sedans. When I look at the broader BMW story, the 2008 M5 stands out as the moment You could buy a four door that felt like it had a Formula One heart, a brief period when BMW was willing to put its most extreme ideas directly into the hands of everyday drivers.
More from Fast Lane Only:
Leave a Reply