2006 BMW M5 Review
2006 BMW M5 Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Stunningly fast V10 engine, extremely well-balanced chassis, elegant driver-focused cockpit, exceptional build quality, strong resale value.
Cons
- SMG transmission not always perfectly smooth or responsive during hard driving, iDrive system still a hassle, tinny exhaust note not worthy of such a great machine.
What’s new
The high-performance M5 returns to the BMW lineup for 2006, this time packing a 500-horsepower V10 engine.
Edmunds says
The 2006 BMW M5 is once again king of all performance sedans and a classic for the ages.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2006 BMW M5 4dr Sedan (5.0L 10cyl 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$406/mo for M5 Base
M5 Base
vs
$181/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
Originally introduced in 1972, the BMW 5 Series has spent the last three decades catering to those who desire a sedan that functions equally well as a prestigious luxury car and a thoroughbred performance sedan. The 5 Series has long been the benchmark by which other sport sedans are measured. And how does one make such a good car even better? Slap a BMW Motorsport badge on it. Well, that and all the good things that go with the badge, too.
The 2006 BMW M5 fun starts under the 5 Series' hood where an all-new 5.0-liter V10 resides. Power is prodigious: 500 horsepower at 7,750 rpm and 383 lb-ft of torque at 6,100 rpm, with a sweet 8,250 rpm redline. About the same weight as the previous V8-powered M5, the 2006 version is a great deal faster. BMW claims a 0-to-60-mph time of about 4.7 seconds, likely a conservative estimate. The transmission is all-new, as well. Now in its third generation, BMW's famous sequential manual gearbox (SMG) has seven speeds and is faster and smoother than before. An array of 11 different settings control shift point and speed, as well as clutch slip; the SMG can go from boulevard auto tranny cruiser to hammer-shifting redline blasts with the push of a button.
The BMW M5 chassis gets a bit more back-to-basics than the standard-issue 5 Series -- there's no active steering, active roll bars or run-flat tires. What you do get is a tweaked suspension setup and massive brakes (14.7-inch discs in front). The M5 also adds an Electronic Damper Control that lets the driver choose between three suspension settings -- comfort, normal and sport.
Styling changes inside and out are subtle. Unique fascias and wheels set a unique look for the exterior. Inside you'll find the trademark BMW Motorsport leather seats and decidedly sporty trim pieces. Unique to the M5 is an optional head-up display, which displays the typical vehicle data, as well as color-coded tach display to assist the driver with perfectly timed shifts. Glorious as the 10-cylinder engine is, the M5 is more than just a fast 5 Series. A true super-sport sedan, the 2006 BMW M5 sacrifices nothing in the way of performance while providing a surprisingly compliant ride in quieter moments. Five hundred horsepower never felt so good.
Performance & mpg
The BMW M5 features a 5.0-liter V10 engine that generates a heady 500 horsepower at 7,750 rpm and 383 lb-ft of torque at 6,100 rpm. Routing power to the rear wheels is BMW's seven-speed sequential manual gearbox (SMG), a sophisticated transmission that combines the control of a manual gearbox with the ease of an automatic. The SMG includes 11 shift programs as well as a launch control mode that primes the M5 for drag strip challenges.
Safety
Standard safety equipment includes a head protection system and seat-mounted side-impact airbags for the front seats. Side-impact airbags for rear passengers are optional. A stability control system (BMW's DSC) programmed for performance driving is also standard, as are massive four-wheel disc brakes with electronic brake proportioning, cornering and stability enhancements. The BMW 5 Series was named a "Best Pick" in IIHS frontal-offset crash testing.
Driving
The 2006 BMW M5 is an extremely balanced machine that can handle aggressive driving maneuvers as well as it does dilapidated highways. The Electronic Damping Control system allows the driver to choose between three suspension settings: comfort, normal and sport. As expected, the M5 exhibits precious little body roll in sport mode along with excellent turn-in, while in comfort mode it's actually quite compliant, with the suspension swallowing all but the harshest bumps. Engine performance is absolutely outstanding as the V10 spins to its 8,250-rpm redline faster than the driver can find words to describe it. Sadly, a tinny exhaust note accompanies the experience. And although the SMG delivers expert gear changes most of the time, occasionally it's a bit slow on the draw when the driver summons maximum warp speed.
Interior
The driver-oriented M5 cockpit greets passengers with a dignified show of luxury and performance appeal. The multifunction iDrive interface integrates the audio, climate and navigation systems, and can also store the driver's personal settings for the car's stability control and adaptive damping systems. Build and materials quality is outstanding. Supportive seating is provided in both the front and rear, and even adults won't mind sitting in the backseat.
2006 BMW M5 models
A high-performance variant of the midsize 5 Series, the 2006 BMW M5 sport sedan comes in one trim level only. Standard equipment includes lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels with 255/40ZR19 performance tires in front and 285/35ZR19 meats in back, HID adaptive headlamps, automatic climate control, a leather interior, heated and power-adjustable sport seats with driver memory, a sunroof and Bluetooth compatibility. The iDrive vehicle management system is also standard, as is a DVD-based navigation system with voice command. On the audio side, buyers get a premium-grade Harman Kardon Logic 7 sound system with 13 speakers and a glovebox-mounted CD changer. Other options to consider include 18-way multifunction seats with active backrest width, ventilated seats, a full leather interior with Alcantara headliner, satellite radio and a versatile head-up display. Aluminum interior trim is standard, but wood is available at no extra charge.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2006 BMW M5.
5 star(85%)
4 star(15%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
34 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
The best financial mistake you should make.
Mr. Waffles, 01/28/2017
2006 BMW M5 4dr Sedan (5.0L 10cyl 7AM)
Look. If you're in the market to lose 2k in value on a car (picked up for 16k, traded in for 13k and 1k tax), tempt fate with a looming expensive repair (thankfully I never had one while I had it), and have everyone you know collectively hate everything you love about your money pit, this is without a doubt the car for you. Don't take any of what I just said as me saying you should steer … away from this car. Losing 2k on this car was worth every penny. The way that engine revved was out of this world. The exhaust note simply wasn't something that could have been recreated on any other engine and is probably what I loved the most. The car just builds speed faster than anything I've ever been in. For a 2 ton sedan, it handles it's weight as if it were a little roadster. And when you're in a corner, the active side bolstering is both a nice party trick for passengers as well as an absolute (to me) necessity when cornering hard as it allows for both a relaxed feel when cruising or that nice race car feel when driving hard. And that transmission, definitely jerky to drive in traffic and at slow speed. But when cruising and driving at 10/10s, I feel it's just mated perfectly to the engine and car no matter what anyone says about it not being a "true manual" car. Definitely want to keep both hands on the wheel when ripping it at 170 mph. Trips to the bmw dealership every 800-1000 miles or so was annoying to get a quart of oil as the engine loved to drink it as well as gasoline. Sometimes at the rate of 8 miles to the gallon. Passengers were never a fan of having to wait to warm it up or shut it down or pretty much anything that involved the car moving as it was apparently uncomfortable. But the way I saw it, the car was originally built to only really have a driver to go ponder the limits of mortality. The only reason it had 4 more seats was because someone at BMW was insane enough to go "You know what the driver needs? The ability to instill fear into others, 4 people at a time." All in all, if you can afford to pick up even a questionable example in your budget, do not hesitate. Buy it, enjoy it as long you can. The 6 months I had mine were worth every penny I lost.
3.75 out of 5 stars
Don't Make the Same Mistake!
brandon54, 12/22/2014
2006 BMW M5 4dr Sedan (5.0L 10cyl 7AM)
I bought an 06 BMW M5 in May with 68,000 miles. On the drive home, the oil cooler broke and started leaking oil. That was a $1500 repair, an addition to the money I just spent purchasing the car and approximately $1000 in taxes. A few weeks later, the passenger restraint malfunction showed up. The battery cable had to be replaced. I spent nearly $1000 on that particular issue, maybe … more. Shortly after, I began to get transmission malfunctions, as well as engine malfunctions which placed the car in limp mode. I spent $7000 fixing the transmission problems and just a few months later, I'm having problems again. I've lost $15,000 this year because of the M5 and I'm done.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Experience with 2006 M5
rsteele, 08/06/2009
2006 BMW M5 4dr Sedan (5.0L 10cyl 7AM)
The new BMW M5 has a substantially different character than the previous model: less low rpm torque, but more mid and high range power. Using the SMG transmission well is like learning an action video game or how to tango with a new dance partner. Once you've got the rhythm and the timing, it's a great transmission, but this may take 5,000-10,000 miles. That's why reviewers tend not … to like it. Same with iDrive. It's clunky for tuning different radio stations, but very handy otherwise, once you've learned how to use it. Unlike with the Editor's M5 Review, I find the steering to be very good and much better than on my prior model M5. What's not good: fuel economy and driving range.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Delayed Review
vbprof, 07/13/2009
2006 BMW M5 4dr Sedan (5.0L 10cyl 7AM)
I have this car for about 4 years now. I am usually not an aggressive driver because I do not want to ruin the car (someone must think I am nuts to buy an M5 and drive like a grandma). I found it very powerful with the full power on. As I bought it in its first generation, I had many problems with oil leak, SMG failing, radio malfunctioning, and dead on the road (due to electronic … problem in SMG). Well, after many trips to the dealership, it has been doing well recently. SMG is very sluggish between 1st and 2nd gear (it stinks especially when you are at a stop sign and want to speed up, but the car just gets "lazy"). Love the BMW full maintenance program. Love the iDrive too.
2006 M5 Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $81,200 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 13 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $406/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the M5 include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
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