The BMW M5 CS is a superlative supersedan. It grips and goes like few other four-doors can, and the V8's ferocious power and standard all-wheel drive mean it's fast everywhere, all of the time. That said, everyday comfort and storage capacity suffer immensely in the transformation from normal M5 to extreme CS. But if you want one of the sharpest and rarest sport sedans BMW has ever made, none of the compromises will matter.
Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at Edmunds and was the first editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.
Nick Yekikian has worked in the automotive industry since 2019. He has written close to a thousand car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 200 vehicles over the course of his career. Nick is the News Editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Automobile Magazine and Super Street. When Nick isn't zipping around town in his latest used-car find, he's probably making digital art in Photoshop or playing disc golf with friends.
Pros
Seemingly endless well of power
Seats that hold all passengers in place when cornering
Everything is standard equipment
Exclusivity, thy name is BMW M5 CS
Cons
Stiff ride quality
Passenger seats made for purpose, not comfort
Commands a steep premium over the M5 Competition
Limited color and exterior trim selection
What's new
All-new variant of the M5 for the 2022 model year only
A slight increase in power and decrease in weight
Four-passenger capacity with rear performance seats
Part of the seventh 5 Series generation introduced for 2017
Overview
The BMW M5 Competition pushes the limits of performance with an excess of power and physics-defying handling. But for 2022, BMW goes all-in with a new four-door rocket called the M5 CS (for "Competition Sport"), which is available only for the 2022 model year.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 BMW M5 CS 4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) 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 $4.30 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
BMW claims the new 2022 M5 CS is the quickest and most powerful BMW production vehicle ever. It uses the existing M5 engine, a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, and squeezes out 627 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. That's 10 hp more than the M5 Competition, and while peak torque is the same, the powerband is slightly wider when winding the V8 up to nearly 6,000 rpm.
To make measurable gains in performance, a crash diet melts 230 pounds from the car. As a result, BMW says the M5 CS will reach 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and attain a top speed of 190 mph. Additionally, the car will come standard with carbon-ceramic brake rotors and performance Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires are a no-cost option. The suspension has been retuned to match the lighter brakes and standard 20-inch forged aluminum wheels, with ride height dropping slightly (0.2 inch) compared to the standard and Competition M5 variants.
You can spot the 2022 BMW M5 CS by its exclusive bronze-gold Y-spoke wheels and exterior trim, vented hood, and added carbon-fiber bits and pieces. Three colors are available: Brands Hatch gray, Frozen Brands Hatch gray metallic and Frozen Deep Green metallic. Peer inside, and you'll spot individual rear bucket seats with side bolsters that are almost as deep as the front seats.
Is the CS worth the price premium compared to the regular M5 Competition that costs $30,000 less? Not by any logical analysis. Do we want one? Yes. Check out our test team's Expert Rating below for our full evaluation of the car's performance, comfort and more.
Edmunds Expert Rating
good
7.7/10
Edmunds Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
The BMW M5 CS is a superlative supersedan. It grips and goes like few other four-doors can, and the V8's ferocious power and standard all-wheel drive mean it's fast everywhere, all of the time. That said, everyday comfort and storage capacity suffer immensely in the transformation from normal M5 to extreme CS. But if you want one of the sharpest and rarest sport sedans BMW has ever made, none of the compromises will matter.
How does the M5 CS drive? The M5 CS is among the quickest internal-combustion cars Edmunds has ever tested. It ripped from 0 to 60 mph in 3 seconds flat and cleared the quarter mile in 10.8 seconds at 127.5 mph. To find a quicker sedan, you'll need to look at electrics such as the Tesla Model S Plaid and the Lucid Air Dream Edition. A 100-foot stop from 60 to 0 mph is one of the best we've recorded from a sedan too. Another impressive number is the 1.04 g of lateral grip we measured on our skidpad.
BMW has been refining this powertrain for years now, and that shows in the CS. The engine revs freely and smoothly and it rushes to its redline with a life-affirming vigor. In its standard drive mode, the transmission engages smoothly, and even the engine stop-start feature is seamless despite this car's sporting intentions. In Sport mode, the transmission is smart and works to keep the engine in its formidable powerband and can rip off shifts just about as quickly as any sports car. On the road, the CS is dominant, with sports car-like reflexes and confidence-inspiring handling. If you like driving very quickly, this is the sedan for you.
Comfort
6.5/10
How comfortable is the M5 CS? The most obvious concession to performance is the way the M5 CS rides over anything but glass-smooth tarmac. You are constantly jiggled around, and hitting a pothole results in a backbreaking thud through the carbon-fiber bucket seats. While the seats themselves are excellent for sporty drives, their heavy bolstering and thin padding make them borderline unusable for journeys longer than a few hours.
Even at sedate speeds, the M5 CS is a loud place to be. Less sound insulation and plenty of tire roar from those big wheels means you are never without ambient noise digging away at your eardrums. Even the air conditioning somehow seems weaker in the CS than in other 5 Series models. In short, the M5 CS isn't really suitable for daily driver duty and is best left in the garage for that special Sunday morning drive. Unless, of course, you're just that hardcore.
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How’s the interior? The interior of the M5 CS is relatively gimmick-free and works just as well as it does in the more standard M5. You get four bucket seats (two front, two rear), a steering wheel and not much else. The CS treatment means weight reduction, and for some reason BMW decided to remove the center console to help shave off a few spare ounces. That limits storage space, and the bucket seats that take the place of the rear bench mean this sedan goes from a five-seater to being strictly a four-seater.
Speaking of seats, the carbon-backed buckets in the CS are so extreme they border on completely unnecessary. They are so heavily bolstered in both the back and thigh areas (and those bolsters are very hard) that getting in and out is a chore and not the least bit graceful. There is little doubt that these seats will keep some people from potentially buying the car, and even though they're supportive and the CS has an excellent driving position, they simply do not need to be so extreme. But they are great conversation starters at local cars and coffee events.
Technology
7.5/10
How’s the tech? It's still a 5 Series, which means BMW's iDrive touchscreen interface is here. There are dozens of menus to dive through, and prospective owners should make sure they're up for the learning curve. That said, once you get the hang of it, iDrive becomes second nature. However, the CS-ification of the M5 means you lose the option for a few advanced driver assist systems. They aren't crucial to the CS experience, but it's worth noting you'll have to go without them.
BMW's voice recognition system is one of the best in the industry, and we found it understood natural speech easily, even with the elevated levels of interior noise.
Storage
6.0/10
How’s the storage? There is a decently deep trunk that offers 14 cubic feet of storage space. A low lip means it's easy to load luggage into the rear as well. But that is where the similarities with the standard 5 Series end. The rear seatbacks in the M5 CS don't fold down because of the bucket seats in the rear, and there isn't a center armrest in the back either, robbing rear riders of two extra cupholders. Up front isn't much better. BMW saw fit to remove the center console. Aside from being downright inconsiderate, it means a large chunk of the front storage capacity for small items is gone.
Fuel Economy
7.0/10
How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the M5 CS gets 17 mpg combined (15 city/21 highway). Granted, you'll only see that number if you drive like the gas pedal is made out of eggshell. In our time with the CS, we managed to hit 17.6 mpg over the course of a full tank and typical city driving. However, at our test track, the CS managed to do just 9 mpg over the course of a full day of flogging.
Value
7.5/10
Is the M5 CS a good value? Cost and value aren't always on equal footing. Yes, the M5 CS is crazy expensive. It also comes with a number of limiting factors that make it a difficult car to live with every day. With that said, the M5 CS is one of the most engaging and energetic sedans BMW has ever made. It may carry a substantial premium over rivals like the Audi RS 7 and Mercedes-AMG E 63, but it's far cheaper than a Porsche Panamera Turbo S. Rest assured, the CS is more special than all three. Plus, with "future classic" written all over it, the CS does enough to justify its hefty price premium over the standard M5.
BMW's warranty coverage is on par with its competitors in this segment. BMW's three years/36,000 miles of free maintenance and four years of roadside assistance are a nice touch, and the standard drivetrain warranty extends to four years/50,000 miles.
Wildcard
10.0/10
BMW is only making the M5 CS for one model year, and that makes this a very rare bird indeed. But, to the untrained eye, it's just another 5 Series. Whether that's your personal cup of tea depends on how you like your supersedans, but there's no denying how special the CS is from behind the wheel. It proved that BMW can still make something genuinely fun and engaging while delivering world-beating performance.
Which M5 CS does Edmunds recommend?
The new BMW M5 CS comes one way, and that's loaded with everything. Complimentary options include gold brake calipers and performance run-flat tires, while the car's two frozen paint colors will require an additional swipe of that American Express Black card.
BMW M5 CS models
Every BMW M5 CS leaves the factory in a single level of specification with just a few choices regarding paint color, brake caliper color and tire compound. The car also includes a voucher for one day of professional driving instruction, helping ensure you know how to use this piece of high-powered automotive artillery.
Mechanical highlights of this super sport sedan include:
0-60 in 2.6, quarter mile is 10.6. What more can you ask for? Best combination of sport, luxury, practicality, and space. The lateral g’s is so strong, it will shift your insides if you turn hard enough. The most innovative car BMW has made.
supreme vehicle
5 out of 5 stars
SFR, 05/20/2023
2022 BMW M5 CS 4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A)
Bought new last year. Powerful. Poised. Reliable. Excellent build quality. The engine effortlessly performs and the sound is amazing.
The current BMW M5 generation debuted in 2018 and pushed the limits of performance with an excess of power and physics-defying handling. A year later, BMW upped the ante with a more powerful M5 Competition model. For 2022, this four-door rocket goes all-in with the M5 CS.
BMW claims the 2022 M5 CS will be the quickest and most powerful BMW production vehicle ever. Compared to the M5 Competition, it gains a modest 10 horsepower. More significant is the weight loss of 230 pounds. The weight savings are courtesy of more carbon-fiber body parts and a reduction in sound insulation. There's also one fewer seat, reducing passenger capacity to four. The new rear seats are individual racing buckets with side bolsters that are almost as deep as the front seats.
When the M5 CS heads into production in March, it should be fairly distinctive from a regular M5. Instead of the typical chrome or brushed metallic exterior trim, the CS will sport a gold bronze (like rose gold, but with less pink) grille surround and accents. The hood will also feature more aggressive bulges and vents. Three colors are available: Brands Hatch gray, Frozen Brands Hatch gray metallic and Frozen Deep Green metallic.
If all of this sounds enticing, you better act quickly. BMW will only offer the M5 CS for the 2022 model year. The company has offered CS versions of other M division models before, but this is the first time it has applied it to the M5.
What's under the M5 CS' hood?
The 2022 BMW M5 CS takes the existing M5 engine, a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8, and squeezes out 627 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. That's 10 hp more than the M5 Competition, and even though peak torque is the same, the delivery will be more immediate. BMW says it will reach 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, which is 0.2 second quicker than the M5 Competition. Top speed is limited to 190 mph.
The CS will come standard with carbon-ceramic brake rotors, and performance Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires are a no-cost option. The suspension remains the same, though it has been retuned to match the lighter brakes and tires.
Edmunds says
The BMW M5 is already one of the most entertaining high-performance sedans ever made. Is the CS worth the $140,000-plus price tag compared to the regular M5 Competition that costs about $30,000 less? No. Do we want one? Of course, but we're not yet sold on the gold bronze accents. We'll have to decide when we see it in person, and we eagerly await that day.
FAQ
Is the BMW M5 CS a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2022 M5 CS both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.7 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2022 M5 CS gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 2 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the M5 CS has 14.0 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a BMW M5 CS. Learn more
What's new in the 2022 BMW M5 CS?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 BMW M5 CS:
All-new variant of the M5 for the 2022 model year only
A slight increase in power and decrease in weight
Four-passenger capacity with rear performance seats
Part of the seventh 5 Series generation introduced for 2017
To determine whether the BMW M5 CS is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the M5 CS. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the M5 CS's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2022 BMW M5 CS a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2022 BMW M5 CS is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2022 M5 CS and gave it a 7.7 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2022 M5 CS gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 2 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2022 M5 CS is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2022 BMW M5 CS?
The least-expensive 2022 BMW M5 CS is the 2022 BMW M5 CS 4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $142,000.
Other versions include:
4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $142,000
If you're interested in the BMW M5 CS, the next question is, which M5 CS model is right for you? M5 CS variants include 4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A). For a full list of M5 CS models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
Edmunds says
