S85 vs M54

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
M54 BEST 93/100
+53 points over S85
0 / 100
AVOID S85 BMW
0 / 100
BEST M54 BMW

Specifications

S85
M54
Brand
BMW
BMW
Verdict
AVOID
BEST
Reliability
40
93
Years
2005--2010
2000--2006
Displacement
4999 cc
2979 cc
Layout
V10
I6
Type
Petrol Na
Petrol Na
Power
507 hp
170--231 hp
Known Issues
3
4
Total Risk Cost
€6,000--€18,000
€530--€1,250

Character

S85

"E60 M5 V10. Derived from F1 tech — 8,250rpm redline. Rod bearing failure endemic. Throttle actuator failure (10 of them). VANOS bolt recall. SMG gearbox issues. Incredible engine, terrible reliability."

M54

"Peak old-school BMW. Raspy, high-revving, raw. The benchmark. 300k+ km routine."

Issues Comparison

S85 3

◆ CRITICAL
VANOS bolt failure (recall) €1,000--€3,000 40,000 km--80,000 km
◆ CRITICAL
Rod bearing failure €3,000--€10,000 50,000 km--100,000 km
▲ HIGH
Throttle actuator failure (10 butterflies) €2,000--€5,000 50,000 km--100,000 km

M54 4

● MODERATE
Cooling plastics — water pump impeller critical €200--€450 80,000 km--150,000 km
● MODERATE
DISA valve failure (intake manifold flap) €80--€200 80,000 km--160,000 km
● MODERATE
Double VANOS oil seal wear €150--€350 100,000 km--180,000 km
○ MINOR
Valve cover gasket oil leak €100--€250 100,000 km--200,000 km

Models

S85 1

M5 E60 2005--2010

M54 13

5 Series E39 2000--2003 3 Series E46 2001--2005 5 Series E60 2003--2007 5 Series E60 2003--2005 5 Series E39 2000--2003 Z4 E85 2003--2005 3 Series E46 2001--2005 5 Series E60 2003--2005 X5 E53 2000--2006 5 Series E39 2000--2003 Z4 E85 2003--2005 3 Series E46 2001--2005 Z3 E36/7 2000--2002
Full S85 Report Full M54 Report