BMW M5 Base, Competition, Touring & More

“Base” usually means the regular M5 rather than a Competition, CS, or Touring version. It does not mean stripped down. In the newest generation, the standard Sedan has 717 horsepower, adaptive suspension, rear-wheel steering, leather upholstery, and extensive cabin technology.

In the F90 era, the Competition sharpened the regular M5 with 617 horsepower, a lower and firmer suspension, stiffer engine mounts, a sport exhaust, and dark exterior details. It kept the same four-door layout and adjustable all-wheel-drive system.

No. The Competition was a standalone trim in 2019 and 2020, while later F90 cars could use the Competition name for an equipment package instead. Check the model year and build details rather than relying only on a used-car listing title.

Pick the regular F90 M5 if everyday comfort matters more. Pick the Competition if you want firmer responses, more exhaust sound, and slightly more power. Both remain luxurious four-door sedans, but the Competition’s suspension and engine mounts give it a more intense feel.

The 2022 CS goes further than the Competition with 627 horsepower, reduced weight, carbon-fiber body pieces, standard carbon-ceramic brakes, CS-specific chassis tuning, and four individual seats. The Competition is less specialized and has a conventional five-seat cabin.

The CS suits a track-minded driver who wants the focused, limited-production F90 version. Its lighter construction, carbon-ceramic brakes, special chassis tuning, and four-seat layout matter more for hard driving than for ordinary commuting or family use.

No. The 2022 M5 CS has four individual seats: two carbon bucket seats in front and two separate rear seats. That makes it less flexible for passengers than the regular M5 and M5 Competition, which use a conventional five-seat layout.

The newest Sedan and Touring share a 717-hp plug-in-hybrid system, adjustable all-wheel drive, adaptive suspension, and rear-wheel steering. The Touring adds a wagon body, a folding rear seat, a larger cargo area, and a panoramic glass roof.

No. In the seventh-generation lineup, both the M5 Touring and Sedan use the same 717-hp plug-in-hybrid V8 system. The Touring’s main distinction is its wagon body and added cargo flexibility, not a lower-output drivetrain.

The newer M5 Touring is the more practical fit. It keeps the Sedan’s core performance hardware but adds a 40:20:40 folding rear seat and up to 57.6 cubic feet of cargo space. Its panoramic roof, four-zone climate control, and premium audio also suit long trips.

No. In the newest lineup, “Touring” identifies the wagon body rather than a stronger engine or sharper performance tier. It uses the Sedan’s 717-hp plug-in-hybrid drivetrain and core chassis hardware while adding cargo space and a folding rear seat.

The F90 Competition adds a lower, firmer suspension tune, stiffer engine mounts, an M Sport exhaust, black exterior trim, and black-chrome exhaust tips. Those changes make it feel and sound more focused than the regular M5, not merely quicker on paper.

The 2022 M5 CS has carbon-ceramic brakes as standard equipment. They are part of its track-focused setup, along with carbon-fiber body pieces, reduced weight, special chassis tuning, and 627 horsepower.

The newest standard Sedan includes a 717-hp plug-in-hybrid system, adjustable all-wheel drive, adaptive suspension, rear-wheel steering, Merino leather, a 14.9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, premium audio, and key driver-assistance features.