s85 bmw Page 10

The BMW S85 is the gloriously over‑engineered 5.0‑litre, 40‑valve V10 from the E60/E63 M5/M6, all bark at 8,250 rpm and a surprisingly civilised growl at cruise.

Figure on 373 kW, 520 Nm, an 8,250 rpm redline, and a penchant for 10W‑60; most cars run a 7‑speed SMG (with a few rare manuals).

• Rod bearings: wear over time; preventative replacement is common among careful owners.
• Throttle actuators: failures trigger limp mode; refurbished units and fresh gears help.
• VANOS high‑pressure pump/lines/solenoids: leaks or failure can get expensive.
• SMG pump and hydraulics: clutch/shift tantrums that respond to maintenance and software updates.
• Coil packs, idle control and oil leaks: misfires, rough idle, and the usual gasket weeps.

Keep it obsessively serviced and it’ll thrill you daily, but make sure your budget can do warm‑up laps too. Consult official documentation for exact figures.