2008 Bmw M5 problems
The BMW M5 is a high-performance variant of the BMW 5 Series marketed under the BMW M sub-brand. It is considered an iconic vehicle in the sports sedan category. The M5 has always been produced in the sedan (saloon) body style, but in some countries the M5 has also been available as a wagon (estate) from 1992 to 1995, from 2006 to 2010, and since 2024.
The first M5 model was hand-built in 1985 on the E28 535i chassis with a modified engine from the M1 that made it the fastest production sedan at the time. M5 models have been produced for every generation of the 5 Series since 1985.
E28 M5 (1984–1988)
The first BMW M5, based on the E28 5 Series, was manufactured from October 1984 to June 1988. It made its debut at the Amsterdam Motor Show in February 1985. It was based on the 535i chassis with various mechanical changes, most notably the M88/3 engine (shared with the E24 M635CSi grand tourer coupé) which was an updated version of the engine used in the M1 sports car. At its launch, the E28 M5 was the fastest production sedan in the world.
The official markets for the E28 M5 were Europe, Great Britain, the United States, Canada, and South Africa. The European and South African cars used the M88/3 engine which has a power output of 210 kW (286 PS; 282 hp).
Cars sold in the United States and Canada used a detuned version of the M88/3 called the S38B35, which was equipped with a catalytic converter and has a power output of 191 kW (256 hp). Due to an extended production run that exceeded BMW's original forecast of production volumes, a class action lawsuit was launched by owners in the United States. The results of this class action was that owners were given a voucher for US$4,000 in 1993. Production of North American specification M5 commenced in November 1986 and ended in November 1987.
Aside from 96 cars which were assembled in kit form at BMW's Plant in Rosslyn, South Africa, all cars were assembled by hand in Germany. Assembly took place at BMW Motorsport's plant in Preussenstrasse in Munich prior to the 1986 factory summer vacation. Thereafter, the M5 production was moved to Daimlerstrasse in Garching where the remainder were built. Production of the M5 continued until November 1988, almost a year after BMW had ceased production of regular E28 models. With a total production of 2,241 units, the E28 M5 remains among the rarest regular production BMW Motorsport cars – after the M1 (456 units), M5 (E34) Touring (891 units) and the 850CSi (1,510 units).
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Common 2008 Bmw M5 problems
Based on the sources provided, here are the common problems with the BMW M5 2008 based on complaints from owners:
- VANOS Problems: Another common problem reported by owners is related to VANOS, which is BMW's variable valve timing system. Issues with VANOS can affect engine performance and reliability, requiring attention to prevent further damage.
- Differential Concerns: Owners have highlighted differential issues with the BMW M5 2008. This problem can manifest as noise or performance issues and may necessitate repairs or replacements to ensure proper functioning.
- CCC Failure: The iDrive system, known as CCC (Car Communication Computer), can experience failures in the BMW M5 2008. This can lead to issues with the infotainment system and other electronic functions in the vehicle.
- EDC Damper Wear: The Electronic Damper Control (EDC) system in the BMW M5 2008 is prone to wear over time, especially after reaching a certain mileage. Upgrading to aftermarket dampers like Bilstein B16 Damptronics is recommended to address this issue.
- SMG Pump: For models equipped with the SMG transmission, owners have reported problems with the SMG pump. This component can fail over time, leading to transmission issues that require costly repairs.
- Steering Sensor Fault: A common fault shared with the 5-series model is related to the steering sensor. Failure of the optical sensor necessitates its replacement to ensure proper functioning of the steering system.
- Transmission Electric Motor Failure: The SMG transmissions in some BMW M5 2008 models could suffer from electric motor failures. This issue requires attention and may be addressed through technical service bulletins.
These common problems highlight the importance of thorough maintenance and potential upgrades to address known issues with the BMW M5 2008 model. Regular inspections and proactive measures can help owners mitigate these concerns and ensure the longevity and performance of their vehicles.
Is the BMW M5 reliable?
Reliability rating
The BMW 5 Series range (including the M5) has a poor reliability score of 47% as of January 2024, according to workshop and warranty data provided by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This covers both the current (2017 onwards) model as well as earlier generations of 5 Series.
What is the problem with the E60 M5?
Rod Bearing Issues
The rod bearing issue is such a nightmare with the S85 that it's sometimes the only reason people turn away from buying a BMW E60 M5. While a rod bearing failure can occur on any car, the likelihood of it happening on this M5 was unnaturally high.
What is the best year for a BMW M5?
E39 M5 (1998-2003)
M-division aficionados might find it impossible to agree on one particular version as being the outright best, but we'd wager almost all of them would say that the E39 was one of the greatest.
How long does a BMW M5 engine last?
I have 75,000 miles on my M5 and plan on keeping it well past 100,000 miles. Just keep up on regular maintenance service intervals and keep an eye on your oil consumption (if you have any) and you should be good. There are other members on here who have over 100,000 miles on their M5 and they're still going strong.
2008 Bmw M5 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Bmw M5 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine problems
- Electrical system problems
- Steering problems
- Electronic stability control (esc) problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2008 Bmw M5 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2008 Bmw M5 complaints
The NHTSA has received 6 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2008 Bmw M5.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-04-24
- Fire: 1
- VIN: WBSNB93528C
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARALLEL PARK, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED TO REVERSE AND A LOUD POP NOISE WAS HEARD AS FLAMES WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SCREAM TO HIM THAT THERE WAS FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PARKED, OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND NO MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING YARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED AND HE WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE LOCAL DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE HAD REPLACED THE ENGINE WHICH WOULD HAVE HAD APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE'S ODOMETER WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-05-19
- VIN: WBSNB93508C
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING MY BMW M5, THE VEHICLE BECAME MOMENTARILY UNSTABLE WHILE DRIVING ON STATE ROUTE 52 BETWEEN WALKER VALLEY AND ELLENVILLE AROUND A TURN @ ~50MPH. SHORTLY AFTER THE ABS AND DSC LIGHTS BECAME ILLUMINATED. I HAVE SEVERAL VEHICLES SO I DID NOT DRIVE THIS CAR AND COULD NOT GET REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY DUE TO COVID-19. I AM NOT SURE THE EXACT DATE IN WHICH THIS OCCURRED BUT DROPPED OFF TO ORANGE COUNTY BMW ON 5/19/2020. AFTER INSPECTION IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPLETE DSC UNIT (HYDRO / ELECTRIC) COMPLETELY FAILED. MEANING THERE WAS ALTERED STABILITY CONTROL, ABS BRAKING AND COME TO FIND OUT STEERING. THE STEERING SENSORS WERE DIAGNOSED AFTER THE NEW DSC UNIT WAS INSTALLED AND COULD NOT BE PROGRAMMED DUE TO FAULTY STEERING SENSORS. NOT ONLY WAS THIS SOMETHING EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO HAPPEN, IT WAS ALSO EXTREMELY COSTLY TO REPAIR. TO BMW'S CREDIT THEY DID COVER THE FAULTY STEERING SENSORS BUT THE DSC UNIT THAT KEEPS THE VEHICLE HEADING IN THE DIRECTION THAT YOU STEER THE CAR.....WAS NOT. I ATTACHED THE INVOICE FROM BMW CONFIRMING ALL THAT WAS STATED ABOVE. I AM SURE THIS HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THIS WAS DOCUMENTED. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-09-01
- Fire: 1
- VIN: WBSNB93598C
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: ALL WIRES LEADING INTO THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE DETERIORATED AND ARE BARE. IT KEEPS SHORTING OUT THE LIGHTS AND SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD. THIS IS A GARAGE KEPT CAR WITH 80K MILES. APPEARS MANY MANY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP.
POWER TRAIN,SEATS,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-03-10
- VIN: WBSNB93598C
- Components: POWER TRAIN,SEATS,ENGINE
- Summary: VANOS, ENGINE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-10-30
- VIN: WBSNB93578C
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE SUNROOF DRAINS OF MY VEHICLE OVERFILL OR CLOG CAUSING WATER TO LEAK IN THE TRUNK AND WHEEL WELL. THE CARS WHEEL WELL HOLDS THE CARS BATTERY, RDC, AND PDC MODULES. SURROUNDED BY FOAM WHEN WATER REACHES THE MODULES THEY ARC AND SPARK CAUSING THEM TO HEAT UP AND MELT. ALSO LOCATED IN THE TRUNK IS SEVERAL OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS XM RADIO AMP, ETC. IF NOT CAUGHT IN TIME COULD CAUSE FIRE AND MAYBE EVEN DEATH. YOU CAN'T TELL WHEN THEY ARE OVERFILLED/CLOGGED UNTIL IT'S TO LATE. I HAVE REPLACED THEM 2 TIMES BOTH TIMES ALMOST CAUSING FIRE TO THE CAR. HERE IS A LING SHOWING THAT BMW ACKNOWLEDGES THE ISSUE AND IS NOT FIXING IT. FROM SOMEONE ELSE TOO. HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/ATTACHMENT.PHP?ATTACHMENTID=265090&D=1296781065 HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=259095&PAGE=1
AIR BAGS,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-09-25
- Crash: 1
- VIN: WBSNB93568C
- Components: AIR BAGS,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
- Summary: ON SEPT 25, 2014, I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 BMW M5 AND TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN I WAS HIT FROM THE REAR, SHOVED ON TOP AND OVER A MEDIAN AND INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR AND THEN STRUCK AGAIN FROM THE FRONT. I DO NOT KNOW HOW FAST THE DRIVER THAT HIT ME WAS GOING, HOWEVER, NONE OF MY AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE WERE DEPLOYED. I AM UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CHARACTERISTICS IN WHICH EACH AIRBAG WOULD BE DEPLOYED AND I REQUESTING THE NHTSA TO PERFORM THAT REVIEW. *TR
2008 Bmw M5 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2008 Bmw M5.
- Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
- Summary: BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
- Consequence: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
- Manufacturer: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
- Summary: 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 HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
- Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.
- 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 CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
Negative 2008 Bmw M5 car reviews
Positive 2008 Bmw M5 car reviews
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This car is a true pleasure to drive every day, with its smooth and powerful engine and precise steering and handling. Despite its unassuming appearance, this car boasts a truly impressive engine that outperforms anything else on the road, regardless of price. Driving this car is an absolute joy, with an exhilarating engine wail and a satisfyingly responsive handling. Even at idle, the engine has a pleasant sound that only gets better as you pick up speed. I find myself wishing for more opportunities to drive this car, as it has become my happy place. The only downside is that I wish I had more open road to really let it loose. The third gear is particularly sweet, with a beautiful sound at 7,000 RPM. I'm curious about trying 4th gear at 8,000 RPM, but I know that would be too fast. What do you think about 4th gear at 8,000 RPM?
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It's been almost a year since I got the car and I must say, it's been a great daily driver and an amazing track car! The M5 outperforms most cars and is surprisingly easy to drive. Although the SMG takes some time to master, once you get used to it, it's very smooth. Launching the car using the SMG as a clutch is a breeze. It's definitely one of the easiest cars to drive, but the gas mileage could be better. On the track, it's a beast! You can drive it hard, but be careful as it may overheat and the brakes may fade. It's worth noting that traction control cannot be completely disabled.
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I noticed that you've owned some pretty impressive cars in the past, including an NSX, S2000, E46 M3, Porsche TT, and F360. However, I completely agree with you that the new M5 is simply amazing. It has power everywhere, handles like no other, and has space for 5. It's truly an impressive car.
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This is a 4 door race car. Performance and handling are as good as the Porsche I used to own. The difference is that this is an everyday driver. I'm glad to hear that you find the iDrive intuitive with a little effort. The SMG is the same - with some experience, it becomes second nature.
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The new BMW M5 has a different character than the previous model. It has less low rpm torque, but more mid and high range power. Learning to use the SMG transmission well is like learning an action video game or how to tango with a new dance partner. Once you've got the rhythm and the timing, it's a great transmission. However, it may take 5,000-10,000 miles to get used to it. That's why some reviewers tend not to like it. The same goes for iDrive. It may be clunky for tuning different radio stations, but it's very handy otherwise once you've learned how to use it. Unlike the Editor's M5 Review, I find the steering to be very good and much better than on my prior model M5. The only downside is the fuel economy and driving range.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2008 Bmw M5 problems:
2008 BMW M5 e60 common problems | BMW M5 Forum and M6 ...
Apr 22, 2016 ... It's hard to tell with these cars unless they have had the SMG, vanos pump and rod bearing replaced since those are the common and expensive ...
Just bought a E60 M5. now that it's working fine with no problems ...
Jul 19, 2022 ... I believe a revised SKU was introduced in 2008 to fix the issues. There are 4x, genuine units are now below 200$ ea. Ionic Sensors; happens ...
Known E60 M5 issues | BMW M5 Forum and M6 Forums
Apr 23, 2013 ... Rod bearings, Vanos pump/solenoids, stuck open injectors, SMG clutch throw out bearing and sleeve, SMG pump, leaking oil coolers, leaking ...
Common issues in high mileage E60 M5's
Feb 9, 2016 ... Dear Friend, I own a 2008 M5 E60(6-speed) with about 114,000 miles here in California. My car has been at the dealer twice this month for ...
Are there any problems commonly found on the BMW E60 M5 ...
Aug 7, 2015 ... Common problems on the E60 M5 and its S85 V10 engine: Throttle Actuators - the S85 V10 has 10 individual throttle bodies which are ...
Other years of Bmw M5
Are you having problems with your 2008 Bmw M5?
Fred Strosin 2025-04-04
I bought an 06 BMW M5 in May with 68,000 miles. On the drive home, the oil cooler broke and started leaking oil. That was a $1500 repair, an addition to the money I just spent purchasing the car and approximately $1000 in taxes. A few weeks later, the passenger restraint malfunction showed up. The battery cable had to be replaced. I spent nearly $1000 on that particular issue, maybe more. Shortly after, I began to get transmission malfunctions, as well as engine malfunctions which placed the car in limp mode. I spent $7000 fixing the transmission problems and just a few months later, I'm having problems again. I've lost $15,000 this year because of the M5 and I'm done.