An update on the M5.
Been a bit of a roller coaster this last year.
July 2024 | Drivetrain error. Power reduced message. Tech mentioned they found oil in the coolant. System was flushed, bled etc. and pressure tested. No issues found. Have a letter stating that the system is 100% and they believe someone added oil in the coolant reservoir!  | R1771.0 (plan) | 67632 kms |
September 2024 | Motorplan extension - 1 year | R26021.46 | 69000 kms |
Jan 2025 | Service - Sparkplugs, oil, filters, replace key battery | R11016.41 (plan paid) | 70592 kms |
July 2025 | Coolant warning. Car is back at BMW being diagnosed | tbd | 72829 kms |
July 2025 | The car is due for a service this month | tbd | |
I had the right side camera replaced around December/Jan 2025 as well but I cannot find the invoice for that. Motorplan paid +-11k.
Next up is the last year of extension to 2026 September, quote is the same at R26021.46
Been a bit of a headache to be honest in terms of issues.
My thoughts on the F90 compared to my last 2 cars:
Living with the F90 has been a super rewarding experiences (aside from the occasional issues 😅). The car is aggressive and unapologetic and feels quite raw (not murderous

) for a big heavy sedan. What seriously impresses me most is how light and nimble it manages to feel despite its size and weight. Compared to the F10 the F90 is a big step up in every department. I thought I would miss the F10 RWD layout but the F90 xDrive system just makes sense. It still feels playful when you want it but with a level of control and confidence the F10 just never had. Still really easy to step the back out with my lack of driving skills and not kill myself. I've also come to prefer the ZF auto on the F90 to the old DCT. Its just makes more sense on a daily driver. And being a bit older now I think the DCT would be too full on.
As for the G80 M3 that I owned previously I think the M5 is the better proposition overall, although I understand that these cars have different audiences and serve different purposes. The G80 is incredibly planted with the front-end balance being the most standout feature for me. The problem is you really have to wring its neck to get any fun out of it. Its way too precise and composed that it feels clinical most of the time. Im sure on a track in the right hands its a complete weapon.
The F90 on the other hand brings all the drama with none of the impending fear of death and its got all that theater when you're just cruising. The car is more unhinged in a good way and that makes it more enjoyable to live with day to day.
I’ve not put the car in full RWD mode yet and to be honest, I probably never will. Its way too flattering and confidence inspiring in AWD to justify it. It masks all mistakes and makes you feel like a far better driver than you really are. That balance between grip and playfulness is one of the things that makes the F90 so enjoyable. Wild when you want it to be but it’s got your back when things get sketchy. Ignorance is bliss in this case!
Ill admit what I want out of a car has changed drastically over the past 10 years, now that I’m a little older (and hopefully a bit wiser) things like comfort and refinement and usable performance matter a lot more now than theoretical lap times or tail out drama on every drive. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to something that constantly feels like its trying to kill me just for the sake of "purity". The F90 honestly strikes that perfect balance. Its fast and exciting and capable but also something I can live with every day without feeling worn out or on edge.
The G90 has some big shoes to fill. The F90 nailed that sweet spot between everyday usability and brutal performance. To me this is what the M5 should be all about. The challenge for the G90 as I see it, is that it enters a very different landscape with a very different audience. The focus now seems to be shifting heavily towards tech, gadgets and electrification. Screens are getting ridiculous, cabins more digital and cars are becoming more like rolling computers than driving machines. The configuration options alone really put me off. For now im just glad I get to enjoy the F90 while M cars still have a bit of unfiltered edge to them.
**Ive not driven the G90 so take my opinion for what it is, i.e. uneducated!