BMWM52009Overview/bmw/m5/2009/base/
E60 platform

2009 BMW M5

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 M5.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S7)

The 2009 BMW M5 is a passenger car based on the E60 platform and equipped with an S7 automatic transmission. This model requires 10.4 quarts of engine oil and carries an EPA rating of 11/17/13 mpg. Within a model complaint history spanning 1990 to 2022, this year recorded 110 owner complaints and six recalls, placing it near the 2006 peak of 123 complaints and well above the 2010 low of one, with the fuel/propulsion system as the primary area of concern.

Model year202620252023202220212020201920182009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity10.4 qtOEM · verified
Lug nut torque88 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy11/17/13 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 49 · 720 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11421741000. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 49 · 720 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11421741000 alt 11427840594
Engine air filter13727834714 alt 13727834715
Fuel filter16117373525
Spark plug12120032273
Battery61217591085 alt 61217586962
Front wiper blades61612455442
Thermostat11537836155
Cabin air filter64319171858

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length191.3 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase113.8 in
Curb weight4034 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined11 / 17 / 13 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume99 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the M5 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.1–4.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.10 sec — 2009 Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2009Sedan 5.0L V104.10 sec12.70 sec500 hpRWD
2009Sedan 5.0L V104.50 sec12.70 sec500 hpRWD
2007Sedan 5.0L V104.70 sec13.00 sec500 hpRWD
2006Sedan (Euro Spec) 5.0L V104.10 sec12.40 sec507 hpRWD
2006Sedan 5.0L V104.20 sec12.50 sec500 hpRWD
2006Sedan 5.0L V104.40 sec12.70 sec500 hpRWD
2006Sedan 5.0L V104.40 sec12.70 sec500 hpRWD
2006Sedan 5.0L V104.50 sec12.90 sec500 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.3 Pints
Engine OilSYNTHETIC
Engine Oil Capacity10.4 qt
Power Steering FluidUse Pentosin CHF 11S
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts88 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub310 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance720 cca
Optional BCI Group Number95R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance850 cca

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket22-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle81 ft-lbs / 48 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.181 in / 1.417 in / 0.945 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.181 in / 1.417 in / 0.945 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.031 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.882 in / 1.118 in / 0.724 in / 1.354 in
Rotor Finish0.5 - 3.5 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., step 2: 44 ft. lbs, step 3: 40 degrees, step 4: 4018 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

129.5 ft. lbs.29.5 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 45,000 mi.

Every 45,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miOxygen Sensor (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2009 BMW M5 sits in a notably calm period within this generation's federal record. The data shows a dramatic spike in 2006 (123 complaints, 8 recalls, 2 investigations), followed by a sharp decline through 2007-2008, with 2009 recording zero complaints—the lowest point in the entire dataset. This suggests that whatever major issues plagued the earlier model years were substantially addressed by the time the 2009 M5 was produced. The two recalls in 2009 are consistent with the surrounding years, and the 55 TSBs indicate ongoing routine maintenance bulletins rather than crisis-level interventions. Comparing to subsequent years, 2010 shows similar stability (1 complaint), but a significant uptick occurs in 2013 with 10 complaints and 383 TSBs, suggesting new issues emerged in later production. The 2009 model year therefore represents the sweet spot after the 2006 problems were resolved but before the next wave of complaints began. The target year crash complaints (4) and fire complaints (5) appear consistent with a performance vehicle of this era. **Takeaway:** 2009 is arguably the best model year to buy within this generation—the data indicates the known issues from 2006 had been corrected, while the next wave of complaints had not yet begun.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
143
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
110
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 5 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 110 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel/Propulsion System20
Engine17
Fuel System, Gasoline12
Engine & Engine Cooling6
Power Train4
Engine & Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Gasoline4
Tires3
Fuel System, Gasoline,Engine3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

12V126000Electrical System:12V/24V/48V Battery:CablesReported 26/03/2012

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY… Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY…

12E029000Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:FanReported 10/08/2012

This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series… Remedy: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 143 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B5108192024-01-16Electrical SystemThe basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B6113052024-01-11Electrical SystemThe electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process…
B1606232023-12-20Engine And Engine CoolingEngine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel…
B6534232023-11-22Electrical SystemCustomers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their…
B6605232023-10-19Vehicle Speed ControlVarious functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (ADCAM system) can lead…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific M5. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 M5 take?

10.4 qt of USE ONLY BMW HIGH PERFORMANCE SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL BMW PART NO. 07510017866 OR EQUIVALENT, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 M5 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the M5 get?

EPA figures are 11 city / 17 highway / 13 combined mpg.