Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 M5.
The 2006 BMW M5 is an E60-platform passenger car whose 9.8-quart engine oil capacity speaks to a serious, high-performance powerplant at its core. With 123 owner complaints and 8 recalls — the top complaint area being air bags — this model year ranks as the highest-complaint year across the M5's 1990–2022 history, a stark contrast to 2010's low of just one complaint. For researchers, that means the 2006 sits at the troubled peak of the model's reliability curve, making it a critical data point when evaluating long-term ownership risk.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 49 · 720 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11421741000. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
| Engine oil filter | 11421741000 alt 11427840594 |
| Engine air filter | 13727834715 alt 13727834714 |
| Fuel filter | 16117373525 |
| Spark plug | 12120032273 |
| Battery | 61218381762 alt 61217591085 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612455442 |
| Thermostat | 11537836155 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319171858 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 191.3 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 57.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 113.8 in |
| Curb weight | 4034 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61 / 61.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the M5 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Sedan (Euro Spec) 5.0L V10 | 4.10 sec | 12.40 sec | 507 hp | RWD |
| 2006 | Sedan 5.0L V10 | 4.20 sec | 12.50 sec | 500 hp | RWD |
| 2006 | Sedan 5.0L V10 | 4.40 sec | 12.70 sec | 500 hp | RWD |
| 2006 | Sedan 5.0L V10 | 4.40 sec | 12.70 sec | 500 hp | RWD |
| 2006 | Sedan 5.0L V10 | 4.50 sec | 12.90 sec | 500 hp | RWD |
| 2007 | Sedan 5.0L V10 | 4.70 sec | 13.00 sec | 500 hp | RWD |
| 2009 | Sedan 5.0L V10 | 4.10 sec | 12.70 sec | 500 hp | RWD |
| 2009 | Sedan 5.0L V10 | 4.50 sec | 12.70 sec | 500 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
| Engine Oil | SYNTHETIC |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 9.8 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | Use Pentosin CHF 11S |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 310 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 720 cca |
| Pressure Test | 29.0 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 28-32 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | --- °F |
| Engine Compression | 145-261 PSI. |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 22-26 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs / 48 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 1.181 in / 1.417 in / 0.945 in / 0.787 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 1.181 in / 1.417 in / 0.945 in / 0.787 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.882 in / 1.118 in / 0.724 in / 1.354 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
| 1 | 18 ft. lbs., step 2: 44 ft. lbs., step 3: 40 degrees, step 4: 40 | 18 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 29.5 ft. lbs. | 29.5 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 | |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 45,000 mi.
| Every 45,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) |
| Every 100,000 mi | Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) |
| At 150,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The federal record for the BMW M5 generation shows a massive spike in reported issues precisely at the 2006 model year, with complaints surging from 18 in 2003 to 123 in 2006, and recalls leaping from 3 to 8 in the same period. For the 2006 M5 specifically, the data reveals it as a severe outlier, driven primarily by 45 air bag complaints, along with 10 power train, 6 combined air bag and seat belt, and 6 electrical system complaints. This model year also accounts for 5 crash complaints, 2 fire complaints, 2 investigations, and 105 technical service bulletins, dwarfing the immediate 2007 model year which saw complaints drop to just 6 and recalls to 1. The data does not specify the root cause of these failures, but the dramatic arc—spiking intensely in 2006 and immediately normalizing in 2007—implies significant initial production vulnerabilities for this generation's redesign. Given its position as the undisputed peak of federal scrutiny and reported failures within this generation's arc, the 2006 M5 represents a substantial risk and is a model year to avoid when shopping used.
All 123 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY… Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY…
Showing 5 of 105 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B510819 | 2024-01-16 | Electrical System | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| B611305 | 2024-01-11 | Electrical System | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process… |
| B160623 | 2023-12-20 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel… |
| B653423 | 2023-11-22 | Electrical System | Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their… |
| B660523 | 2023-10-19 | Vehicle Speed Control | Various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (ADCAM system) can lead… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
9.8 qt of USE ONLY BMW HIGH PERFORMANCE SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL BMW PART NO. 07510017866 OR EQUIVALENT, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.