Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 M5.
The 2018 BMW M5 is configured with an eight-speed automatic transmission (S8) and carries EPA ratings of 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. In owner-reported reliability data, the model year generated only four complaints, with the top concern areas grouped under Unknown or Other and Engine, and it was subject to three recalls. Against the broader 1990–2022 M5 complaint history — which peaked at 123 complaints for the 2006 model and bottomed at one for the 2010 — the 2018 model sits near the lower end of the range, indicating a comparatively quiet year for reported problems.
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 OE oil filter 11427848321. 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 | 11427848321 |
| Engine air filter | 13717852380 alt 13717852382 |
| Spark plug | 12120054451 |
| Battery | 61217857288 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612447932 |
| Thermostat | 11538632664 alt 11537586885 |
| Cabin air filter | 64115A1BDB7 alt 64115A1BDB6 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Overall length | 195.3 in |
| Overall width | 73.6 in |
| Overall height | 57.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 117.3 in |
| Curb weight | 4537 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 63.4 / 64.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 54/46 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 15 / 21 / 17 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 99 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 14 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Sedan 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 2.80 sec | 10.90 sec | 600 hp | AWD |
| 2018 | Sedan 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 2.80 sec | 10.90 sec | 600 hp | AWD |
| 2018 | Sedan 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 3.00 sec | 11.10 sec | 600 hp | AWD |
| 2018 | Sedan 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 3.20 sec | 11.40 sec | 600 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | Competition Sedan (93 octane) 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 2.70 sec | 10.80 sec | 617 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | Competition Sedan (91 octane) 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 2.80 sec | 10.90 sec | 617 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | Competition Sedan 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 3.00 sec | 11.00 sec | 617 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | Competition Sedan 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 3.30 sec | 11.40 sec | 617 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. 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.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Clutch Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 7.4 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 3.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 84.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 88.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pan to Block Bolts | 7.4 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 103 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.85-1.90 lbs. |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 69 O.E. AmpHrs; Li-ion battery only. cca |
| RPM | 725.0 |
| RPM | 725.0 |
| 1 | 48.0 inch lbs. | 48 in |
| 2 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 3 | 70 | |
| 1 | 48.0 inch lbs. | 48 in |
| 2 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 3 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 4 | 75 | |
| 1 | 73.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60 degrees, Step 3: 60 degrees, Step 4: 60 | 73 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 73.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60 degrees, Step 3: 60 degrees, Step 4: 60 | 73 ft. lbs |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
Prep M8 bolts
| 1 | 84.0 inch lbs. | 84 in |
| 2 | 55.0 degrees; M11 bolts | 55 degrees |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 115 | |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 1,200 mi.
| At 1,200 mi | Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The provided federal record displays a consistent downward trend in Technical Service Bulletins from 383 in 2013 to 51 in 2022, suggesting resolving technical issues over this timeline. The 2018 model year falls in the middle of this arc with 207 TSBs, registering 4 complaints and 3 recalls. This recall count matches the 3 recalls seen in both 2019 and 2020, while the complaint volume is higher than the single complaint recorded in 2016 but lower than the 8 seen in 2019. Reported issues span Engine, Power Train, and Air Bags, though the data does not specify the root cause of these four isolated incidents, and there were zero crash or fire complaints filed. Given the declining TSB count and low complaint volume relative to earlier years like 2013, the 2018 M5 is a solid used buy if all recall campaigns are verified as complete.
All 4 complaints on record, top 4 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW M5 vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the engine control unit software may cause the fuel pump to stop. Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on June 25, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at…
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… 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…
Showing 5 of 207 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B011724 | 2025-07-09 | Fuel/Propulsion System | The Fuel Injector Condition-Specific Repair Coverage Program applies to qualifying… |
| B720417 | 2025-06-11 | Air Bags | The Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Front Passenger’s Seat Occupancy Capacitive… |
| B720417 | 2025-04-09 | Electrical System | The Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Front Passenger’s Seat Occupancy Capacitive… |
| B340921 | 2025-01-14 | Service Brakes | A turbine-like noise can be heard from the rear axle while deceleration during the first… |
| B011724 | 2024-12-10 | Fuel/Propulsion System | the Fuel Injector Condition-Specific Repair Coverage Program applies to qualifying… |
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.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined mpg.