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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 4.4L 8-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AM-S7) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 14 / 20 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 16 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $5,100 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 553 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $80,104–$103,316 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2016 BMW M5 is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.2/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.9/10, while Reliability at 5.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 5.8/10 for reliability, this sedan trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.6/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.9/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining sedans to actually drive. On technology it rates 8.6/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $80,104–$103,316, 10 MPG, seating 5, the BMW M5 sits in the luxury tier of the sedan market. The value score of 6.0/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2016 BMW M5 sits in the middle of the field. Until its value and reliability scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 BMW M5 ranks #896 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 32% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.3 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $80,104 starting price is about 190% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the M5 model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.7/10 | $108,562 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.7/10 | $108,562 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $105,400 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.5/10 | $102,238 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.5/10 | $99,076 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.5/10 | $95,914 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $92,752 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.4/10 | $89,590 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.3/10 | $86,428 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.3/10 | $83,266 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.2/10 | $80,104 | |
| 2015 | 7.2/10 | $76,942 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Air bags 20/12/2016 · 16V914000 | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper,… |
|---|---|
| Child seat 30/10/2015 · 15V718000 | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535d xDrive, M5, 550i, 550i xDrive, and 535d sedans. The affected vehicles have an inboard lower anchor for child restraints on the left rear seat… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2016 BMW M5's reliability 5.8/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.2/10 overall, ranking #896 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 32% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2016 BMW M5 starts at $80,104 and ranges up to $103,316 across trims (MSRP when new). At 10 MPG, expect roughly $5,250/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of BMW models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.