Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 M5.
The 2021 BMW M5 is equipped with an S8 automatic transmission and requires 10.5 quarts of 0W-30 engine oil. It achieves an EPA-rated fuel economy of 15 city, 21 highway, and 17 combined mpg. With only one recall and two owner complaints involving the power train, electrical, and fuel/propulsion systems, this model year sits well within a 1990-2022 history that ranged from a high of 123 complaints in 2006 to a low of one in 2010.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 11427848321. 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.
| Engine oil filter | 11427848321 |
| Engine air filter | 13717852382 alt 13717852380 |
| Spark plug | 12120054451 |
| Battery | 61217857288 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612447932 |
| Thermostat | 11538632664 alt 11537586885 |
| Cabin air filter | 64115A1BDB7 alt 64115A29D99 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Overall length | 195.3 in |
| Overall width | 73.6 in |
| Overall height | 57.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 117.3 in |
| Curb weight | 4222 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 63.4 / 64.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 54/46 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 15 / 21 / 17 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 103 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 14 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
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.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Competition Sedan 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 2.70 sec | 10.80 sec | 617 hp | AWD |
| 2021 | Competition Sedan 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 2.80 sec | 10.90 sec | 617 hp | AWD |
| 2022 | CS Sedan 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 2.60 sec | 10.60 sec | 627 hp | AWD |
| 2022 | CS Sedan 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 2.60 sec | 10.70 sec | 627 hp | AWD |
| 2022 | CS Sedan 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 2.90 sec | 10.90 sec | 627 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | Competition Sedan (93 octane) 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 2.70 sec | 10.80 sec | 617 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | Competition Sedan (91 octane) 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 2.80 sec | 10.90 sec | 617 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | Competition Sedan 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 3.00 sec | 11.00 sec | 617 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 10.5 qt of 0W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use new seal: 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 9.9 qt |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Clutch Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Engine Coolant | Infiniti BASF Glysantin G40 Coolant |
| Engine Oil | 0W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 10.5 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 88.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Head Instructions | Only use new bolts. |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | Use new bolts. 88.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | Use new seal: 30.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential Fill Plug | Front: 44.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential drain Plug | Front: 44.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 103 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | Use a new plug: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 |
| Refrigerant | R1234yf |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46YF |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Use new bolts: 26.0 ft-lbs |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | Front: 70.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 81.0 ft-lbs |
| ABS Sensor Torque | 6.6 |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front: 1.354; Rear: .882 |
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 140° | 22 ft. lbs |
| 1 | M6 Screw | 7.4 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 1,200 mi.
| At 1,200 mi | Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2021 BMW M5 sits near the end of the current generation's federal-record arc, with 2 complaints, 1 recall, 0 investigations, and 114 TSBs. Compared with the immediately adjacent 2020 (1 complaint, 3 recalls, 156 TSBs) and 2022 (1 complaint, 0 recalls, 51 TSBs), 2021 marks the point where recalls drop sharply from three per year to one, while TSB volume continues a steady downward trend from the 2018 peak of 207. Complaint volume across the modern generation remains low in absolute terms—never exceeding 8 complaints annually—so 2021's two complaints, including one fire-related report and zero crash complaints, do not stand out as an outlier, though the data does not specify root causes for those reports. The single recall in 2021 is the lowest in the 2018-2022 window, and 2022 follows with zero recalls, suggesting the model line was maturing by this point. Given the declining recall activity, modest complaint count, and reduced but still meaningful TSB volume, 2021 appears to be a comparatively good year to buy within this generation.
All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW…
Showing 5 of 114 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B170324 | 2024-06-07 | Engine | Under certain driving situations, coolant leaks onto the fuel injectors on cylinder bank… |
| B170324 | 2024-05-15 | Engine | Under certain driving situations, coolant leaks onto the fuel injectors on cylinder bank… |
| B170324 | 2024-04-15 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective April 15, 2024) on certain Model Year 2018… |
| B630418 | 2024-03-14 | Exterior Lighting | One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored. |
| B510819 | 2024-01-16 | Electrical System | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
10.5 qt of BMW LongLife LL-01FE 0W-30 is recommended., per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined mpg.