7 Common Failures Of The BMW M5: Problems, Criticisms And Disadvantages

As one of BMW’s highest performance models, the M5 is an iconic vehicle. Although it is considered a good car, it also has some problems and in this post you will know the common faults of the BMW M5.

Even with its iconic stature, excellent performance and reliability, it’s not a car that gets away from a few problems. Keep reading this post and discover what they are.

Common Failures Of The BMW M5

The BMW M5 is a high-performance variant of the BMW 5 Series sold through the BMW M sub-brand. This vehicle is considered to be an excellent car. Even so, we are going to list the most common faults of the BMW M5 that have been reported by its users:

1. BMW M5 turbocharged engine problems

The N52 six-cylinder engine in the 2004-2015 BMW M5 was replaced with a smaller engine because it could produce more power on demand. The engine also produces an adequate amount of power when riding light-footed.

But, many BMW M5 drivers reported that there were small problems with the engine . For example, the wastegate actuator union bolt was corroded. Intermittently, it would cause a sudden loss of engine power, forcing the car to go into a failsafe/clean mode.

When the linkage pin is corroded, there is no sign whether the waste gate is open or not. To prevent any kind of engine damage, the vehicle keeps the wastegate open. This allows all exhaust gases to pass through the wastegate, preventing them from entering the turbo.

When the wastegate fails, excess raw fuel is expelled from the engine to no use. This leads to a decrease in the vehicle’s overall fuel economy.

This is how you can fix the problem.

• If the connecting pin is broken or corroded and a small part remains stuck inside the hole, remove the turbocharger.
• Remove the remaining part of the pin.
• Install a new wastegate actuator link pin.

Another problem with the waste gate was that it made a rattling noise every time the engine was revved up. It could be because the flush valve had become a bit loose.

Although it doesn’t affect the driving experience like a link pin problem, you can get it to seize or replace it with one that doesn’t make a rattling noise.

If all else fails, take the car to a service station to have it checked out.

2. BMW M5 spark plug problem

The spark plug supplies electrical current from the vehicle’s ignition system to its combustion chamber. The spark plug on the 2014 M5 does no less, but it can cause distress at times.

If the spark plug in the BMW M5 starts to give problems, it means that it could be failing. Here are other signs that a spark plug is failing.

• A misfiring of one cylinder may indicate a spark plug failure.
• A rough idle can be another sign that there is a problem with the vehicle’s spark plug.
• Fuel consumption and operation are poor.
• The check engine light keeps flashing.
• a misfire
• The vehicle stalls frequently at low speeds.
• The air/fuel mixture is rich and does not have complete combustion.
• The color of the exhaust gases turns black when the spark plug does not fully ignite the fuel-air mixture.
• Overall fuel economy decreases.

If there is a problem with the spark plug on the BMW M5, you can replace it with a new one. The replacement method is a bit technical, but it can save you unnecessary service costs.

3. BMW M5 fuel injector leak

The fuel injector on the M5 has the ability to last around 200,000 miles (32,000 km). However, sometimes due to poor fuel quality, the injector can foster some problems.

In most cars, the leak causes a big mess of carbon buildup around the engine head, but in the case of the BMW M5, the injector is leaking internally.

This internal leakage can contaminate the spark plugs. This problem usually arises in gasoline variants. Here are some early signs of a misfiring injector:

• Darker smoke coming from the exhaust indicates a failed injector and a rich air-fuel mixture.
• The vehicle looks like it is about to start, but it does not. Almost like a hiccup start. It could also be that the vehicle would not start at all.
• Excessive vibration when driving at low speed.
• The vehicle begins to stall at low speeds.
• A ping noise coming from the engine specifies an injector failure.
• Low fuel efficiency can be a sign that the fuel injector is failing .
• The vehicle can experience a rough idle for numerous reasons, one of which is a misfiring fuel injector.

If the car shows any of the above signs, take it to a service station for advice or replacement.

4. Steering wheel numb

Although BMW is known for its enthusiastic driving, the manufacturers wanted the vehicle to support a more comfortable drive. Hence, a less sensitive steering wheel was added to early models of the M5.

The main idea behind this addition was to reduce the feel of the road at the wheel. Early models of the BMW M5 had software-controlled electric steering. Some people reported that the vehicle was self-steering, making it dangerous to drive on freeways, especially with heavier traffic.

Because of this, there was a lot of damage to the high-profile tires and aluminum rims because the tires would go flat. Because of this, many vehicles were recalled in 2014 and the steering was fixed. Now the steering of the BMW M5 weighs properly and has improved a lot.

On the other hand, if the vehicle’s electric steering system continues to malfunction, here’s what could be causing it:

• The control unit interprets the data from the sensors and transfers the commands to the engine. If there is a problem with the control unit, the EPS system may malfunction.
• When the vehicle travels over rough terrain, the EPS system works twice as hard and is prone to component wear. Because of this, the system can experience many problems, including steering runaway.
• The rough terrain puts the EPS system at risk of being damaged by debris.
• Sensors are responsible for collecting data on vehicle speed, steering angle and many other factors. A malfunction of the sensors can cause the system to fail.
• When the electric motor wears out or fails, the entire EPS system does too.

If the vehicle has problems with the steering system, take it to the service station to have it checked.

5. Battery discharge problem on BMW M5

The M5 has a ton of electronics installed that keep the vehicle in top condition. The vehicle draws all current from the battery to power electronic devices.

When the vehicle is turned off, the computer ensures that all electronic devices in the BMW M5 are turned off to prevent any loss of power or battery discharge.

But some cases reported by BMW M5 drivers confirm a battery drain problem . Even if the vehicle is parked and turned off, the battery may lose charge. Because of this, the engine does not start the next time you try to start the vehicle.

A battery loses charge for many reasons, including:

• When the outside temperature is low, the charge cannot survive inside the battery. Thus, the battery starts to drain on its own.
• An electronic system may continue to draw power from the battery when the vehicle is off. Check that each function of the computer system is manually turned off before the engine is stopped.
• The electronic parking brake continues to draw current from the battery when the vehicle is stationary, allowing the engine to start up efficiently.
• Default electrical connection problem that prevents the battery from charging itself.
• Radio or trunk lights stay on, especially in cases of a faulty alternator which can cause the battery to discharge on its own.
• In some cases, a dead battery may be to blame for the unexplained discharge every two weeks.

The most effective solution to a problem like this is to buy a home battery charger and charge the battery from time to time if the vehicle is not driven for long periods of time, or you can get a full battery inspection service and a new battery installed. A charger can be extremely useful when living in colder climates.

6. Faults in unlocking the remote key of the BMW M5

Many modern vehicles offer a remote control to lock or unlock the vehicle from the outside. The BMW M5 is one of them. Although the feature can be extremely useful when you are carrying a lot of stuff and cannot unlock the vehicle manually, it can be alarming when the remote unlock button is pressed but fails to unlock the vehicle.

Some M5 drivers complain that the indicator lights flash when the button is pressed, indicating that the vehicle is receiving the signal but is still locked.

The problem could be caused by a blown fuse in the central locking system. The fuse box is just behind the glove box in the BMW M5, so it can be easily opened by removing the cover on the left.

The fault could be due to the vehicle being within a radio inference zone. Normally, when a vehicle is parked near a secure facility, the remote may suddenly stop working.

Sometimes there could be an underlying problem with the car door receiver sensor that is preventing the remote from connecting with it.

7. The vacuum pump of the BMW M5 malfunctions

The vacuum pumps on the M5 are used to provide vacuum to multiple parts of various engine parts. The components that require a vacuum the most are the booster and brake systems.

If the vacuum pump fails, it fosters multiple problems in the vehicle . For example, if the booster is not held under a constant vacuum, it cannot provide adequate braking force, which can lead to many driving accidents.

The vacuum pump in the BMW M5 also regulates the boost pressures emitted by turbocharged engines. The vacuum pump adds more power and life to the BMW M5 engine, but it can sometimes be problematic.

Here’s why:

• The added stress on the pump can cause the pump to run dry, leading to premature failure of the vacuum pump.
• A dry vacuum pump is extremely vulnerable to contamination. Especially the liquid kind. Exposure to any type of liquid can cause the pump to fail.
• Any solvent that enters through the discharge port or drive coupling can mix with the carbon dust from the vehicle’s vacuum pump and create a sticky residue.
• Oil contamination is another cause of vacuum pump failure or malfunction. When oil soaks into the froth grater, oil enters the pump and compromises performance.
• Sometimes pieces of graphite are sucked into the pump and lodge in the hoses and vacuum regulator, which can stop the pump from working. Even if the pump is replaced, make sure the graphite area is cleaned or the new pump may ingest these particles.

A vacuum pump often fails due to a lack of lubrication. This problem must be fixed before driving again or it can cause multiple damage to the vehicle and could end in an accident.

The good and the bad of the BMW M5

Some of the advantages and disadvantages of this car are as follows:

What do the reviews say about the BMW M5?

The most outstanding comments and opinions about the BMW M5 are the following:

“More power than I’ll ever need (but I like having it anyway), it handles and drives beautifully, it’s a fantastic long-distance cruiser, and with the addition of a set of all-season tires, I can drive it all day. year and take him skiing. On the highway, I get about 25 mpg, which is about the same as the 328xi, and I don’t drive it slowly.”

“The car offers a very high level of performance, decent fuel economy, and a lot of fun. I’ve driven 500 miles (800 kilometers) and it averaged just under 20 miles (32 km) per gallon. Not bad for 600+ ph.”