2019-04-01 BMW Car

APRIL 2019 61

BMW BUYER

Larger and heavier than its
predecessor, some BMW fans were
less than enthusiastic about the car’s
twin-turbo V8 and, although the F10
packed extra tech, the asking price
rose to over £73,985. However, its
popularity has since risen – in part
because it was the last rear-wheel
drive M5. The good news, now, is
that it’s possible to pick up a decent
example for £25,000.
BMW kept the styling relatively
low-profi le, but the performance is
substantial. The S63B44 4,395cc
V8 twin-turbo lump delivers 560hp
together with a massive 502lb ft
of torque from just 1,500rpm. The

seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission

was standard issue, with BMW’s M multi-

mode suspension off ering a variety

of settings from Comfort to Sport+. A

popular, £6,700 Competition Package was

introduced in 2013.

With a ready supply of good, used

examples advertised for sale, you can

aff ord to be choosy, and it makes sense

to stick to examples with just one or two

owners – like this black 2013 77,000-mile

car I spotted at Midlands-based Westside

Cars (westsidetc.com).

Boasting a pristine Silverstone leather

interior, this £24,950 example comes

with electric memory heated seats, an

electric tilt and slide glass sunroof, head-up

M Car

F10 M5

(2012-2016)

ENGINE: 4,395cc V8

POWER: 560hp at 6,000rpm

TORQUE: 502lb ft at 1,500rpm

TRANSMISSION: 7-speed DCT

0-62MPH: 4.4 seconds

TOP SPEED: 155mph

Fuel consumption: 28.5mpg (combined)

£25,000 buys you: 77,000-mile,

2013 M5 saloon

F10 M5 Saloon spec

BUYING ADVICE

Buy on condition and stick to cars

packing a full BMW service history and

with just a few previous owners. Watch out for

any indication of heavy oil consumption – some

cars have been known to consume a litre of oil in

1,000 miles – and check that all the sophisticated

technology works as it should. Owners have reported

various electrical issues, so take your time.

The suspension and brakes inevitably take a bit of

a hammering, so look out for broken coil springs,

worn bushes, worn brake pads and discs and

brake pad sensors that have failed. A few

owners have also reported worn wheel

bearings on higher-mileage examples,

so be on your guard

for this, too.

Left: Typically

understated in

true M5 fashion;

the ultimate wolf

in macho sheep’s

clothing?

It’s all pretty

standard 5 Series

fayre in here, but

none the worse for

that. Red needles

and rounded gear

knob are M car tell-

tales.

BMW’s previous-generation F10

M5 provides stunning performance

with cutting-edge tech. Prices start

from just £22,000.

display, BMW’s professional navigation

system with Bluetooth phone prep, a

DAB digital radio, USB audio interface,

front and rear parking sensors, cruise

control and 20in, M Sport alloys.