BMW M5 F90 Parts

If you were around for the E39 M5 debates or watched the M5 community slowly warm up to the F10 generation, you already know how polarizing a new M5 can be at launch. The F90 changed that conversation almost immediately. When BMW dropped the 2018 M5, they handed enthusiasts a 600hp twin-turbo monster wrapped in an all-wheel-drive system that actually makes sense - M xDrive with a genuine 2WD mode that lets you hang the tail out like a proper M car. Five years in, the F90 generation has proven itself not just as a factory weapon, but as one of the best platforms for serious performance builds in the modern BMW lineup.

The heart of the F90 is the S63B44T4 - a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that BMW has been refining through the F10 M5, X5M, X6M, and M8 lineups. Don't confuse it with the N63 in the standard 550i crowd; the S63 is a dedicated M engine with revised internals, higher-flow turbos, improved oil management, and a forged crankshaft from the factory. In base Competition trim (which accounts for nearly every US-spec F90 sold), you're starting at 617hp and 553 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed M DCT automatic. That's a legitimate launch platform even before you touch the tune. The Competition package also nets you revised suspension calibration, deleted active roll stabilization on the rear, and a stiffer overall chassis setup - it's the one to have if you're building anything serious.

Let's be straight about the S63: it's not a fragile engine, but it's not bulletproof at big power numbers either. The stock turbos - twin twin-scroll units producing around 22–23 psi - are good for roughly 700–720whp on a quality tune before you start hitting their efficiency ceiling. At stock boost and a conservative tune, the S63 responds exceptionally well to engine software alone, with reputable figures in the 630–660whp range from a pure flash. For most street drivers, that's where the conversation ends. But if you're pushing further, know your priorities.

The main areas to address before chasing big numbers: rod bearings are a known concern on high-mileage or hard-driven S63s, especially if the car has seen any sustained high-rpm use on track. Many experienced M5 owners pull and inspect the bearings preventatively around 40,000–50,000 miles. It's a significant job, but far cheaper than a spun bearing at turn-in on your favorite backroad. The high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) is another component worth monitoring - upgraded units from Fuel-It and AMS are popular preventative measures before any serious power build. Oil consumption can also be elevated on higher-mileage units; keep your levels checked between changes and don't run anything leaner than 0W-40 full synthetic.

For the exhaust side, the F90 responds dramatically to a cat-back or full downpipe setup. The stock exhaust is competent but deliberately muffled for emissions compliance - a quality mid-pipe or full exhaust system from Akrapovič, Remus, or Eisenmann opens up that S63 V8 sound in a way that changes the character of the car entirely. If you're running a tune, downpipes with high-flow cats are the move - they feed the turbos more efficiently and give the calibrator real room to work with.

On the suspension front, the F90's adaptive setup is sophisticated enough that casual track day drivers often leave it largely stock. But if you're running regular HPDE events or pushing hard at the ring, upgraded sway bars from H&R or Eibach, along with a quality coilover setup from KW or Öhlins, transform the handling balance significantly. The factory geometry leaves some camber on the table - getting a proper alignment with added negative camber front and rear makes a noticeable difference in high-speed stability and tire wear on track.

For the F90 owner who's primarily on the street with the occasional track day, the sweet spot is a stage 1 or stage 2 tune paired with a full exhaust system, upgraded charge pipes, and a cooling system refresh. Bootmod3 and MHD are the dominant tuning platforms for the S63, and both have active community support with proven maps for the F90. Add a set of quality wheels and tires - Michelin Pilot Sport 4S or Cup 2s in a staggered 20-inch fitment are the go-to combination for street performance - and you have a car that will embarrass nearly anything at a stoplight while still riding comfortably on the highway.

If you're building toward track use, the priorities shift toward thermal management, braking, and chassis stiffness. The factory brakes are good, but not for repeated hard stops - a BBK from Brembo, AP Racing, or Stoptech is a meaningful upgrade before sustained lapping. Add a brake fluid flush to Motul RBF 700 or ATE Type 200 before every event regardless. Body and aero upgrades - a front splitter, rear diffuser, and deck lid spoiler - start to matter at F90 speeds on track, where the car's size and weight become factors you're actively managing. A full engine oil cooler upgrade and auxiliary transmission cooler round out a serious track setup.

The F90 M5 is a car that rewards owners who know what they want from it. Whether you're extracting another 80 horsepower from a well-tuned S63 or building a track-day weapon that still drives home on a Monday morning, the platform has the bones to support it. The parts are proven, the community knowledge is deep, and the ceiling is genuinely high. This is one of the best Bimmers BMW has built in the modern era - and it only gets better with the right upgrades behind it.