13:31 12-07-2026

BMW M5 E39: The S62 V8 Is Reliable, but Repairs Don't Come Cheap

American outlets highlight the naturally aspirated S62 V8 in the BMW M5 E39 and Z8 as durable but expensive to keep in shape. Here's what to check before buying.

American outlets have taken a closer look at the reliability of the naturally aspirated 4.9-liter V8 in the BMW S62, fitted to the M5 of the E39 generation and the Z8 roadster. In M5 trim, the engine produced 400 hp and 500 Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, and pushed the sedan to 100 km/h in roughly 5.3 seconds.

Despite a design that was complex for the late 1990s — individual throttle bodies and a Double VANOS system — the S62 can hold up over very high mileage. Reports mention M5 examples that have covered several hundred thousand kilometers, though a single high-mileage car is no guarantee for every engine out there. How well a specific unit has aged depends far more on service history, how the car was driven, and the quality of past repairs.

Typical weak points include wear in the VANOS components, the plastic timing chain guides, rod bearings, and clogging in the secondary air system. On older cars, fixing these issues can get expensive, especially if a previous owner skipped preventive maintenance for years.

So the S62 isn't a cheap or trouble-free engine by any stretch. Its real strength is staying reliable over the long haul when properly maintained. Before buying a BMW M5 E39, the odometer reading matters less than a documented history of VANOS servicing, timing chain work, and lubrication system upkeep.