F90 vs G90 M5: Twin-Turbo V8 Power Compared

Nine hundred pounds. That's roughly the weight difference between an F90 M5 Competition and the new G90 M5, and it's the single number that explains almost everything else about how these two generations drive. Both cars use a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, both send power through an 8-speed automatic and M xDrive, and both wear the M5 badge with a straight face. But the S63 in the F90 and the hybridized S68 in the G90 are different animals, and the gap between them says a lot about where the M5 is headed.

If you're cross-shopping a lightly used F90 against a new G90, or just trying to figure out what to build next, here's how the two stack up.

Powertrain Evolution: S63 vs S68

The F90 M5 Competition's S63B44 makes 617 hp and 553 lb-ft from its twin-turbo V8 alone, no batteries required. It's a proven, tunable platform — Stage 1 tunes on the S63 routinely add 80-100 hp with nothing more than a flash, which is a big part of why the aftermarket around this chassis is so mature.

The G90 swaps in the S68, a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that BMW paired with an electric motor integrated into the transmission housing. The combustion side contributes up to 577 hp on its own, and with the electric motor's 194 hp layered in, combined output lands at 717 hp and 738 lb-ft. There's an 18.6 kWh battery under the trunk floor good for roughly 25 miles of EV-only range, which makes the G90 the first plug-in hybrid M5 in the car's history.

On paper the G90 wins the horsepower fight by a wide margin. In practice, that power has to move a much heavier car.

Weight, Chassis & Handling Trade-offs

This is where the story gets more complicated. The G90 M5 tips the scales at roughly 5,390 lbs — nearly 1,000 lbs heavier than the outgoing F90, mostly thanks to the battery pack, electric motor, and reinforced structure needed to carry them. BMW compensated with a wider track, retuned adaptive dampers, and rear-wheel steering, and reviewers have generally said the G90 hides its weight better than the spec sheet suggests. But hiding it isn't the same as eliminating it, and on a tight, technical track the F90's lighter curb weight still shows up in how quickly it changes direction.

For owners who spend more time on back roads and track days than drag strips, this is often the deciding factor. A well-sorted F90 on the right springs and bushings can feel more alive than raw numbers suggest, and it's why suspension and brake upgrades remain some of the most popular parts in the F90 M5 suspension collection — owners are chasing the sharper turn-in that the S63 chassis is capable of once you address the factory compliance built in for daily comfort.

Straight-Line Numbers

Despite giving up 100 hp on paper, the F90 M5 Competition is no slower in a straight line — if anything it holds its own against a heavier, more powerful successor:

• F90 M5 Competition: 617 hp, 553 lb-ft, 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds, top speed 155 mph (190 mph with the M Driver's Package)
• G90 M5: 717 hp combined, 738 lb-ft, 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.5 seconds, top speed 190 mph with the M Driver's Package
• Weight: F90 around 4,345 lbs vs. G90 at roughly 5,390 lbs
• Starting price: G90 M5 begins at $120,675 after delivery in the US, per the Bimmerpost G90 M5 pricing thread

The extra 100 hp in the G90 is mostly there to cancel out the extra weight, not to create a dramatically quicker car. That's not a knock on the G90 — it still moves with real urgency and the electric motor fills in turbo lag in a way the S63 simply can't — but it does mean the F90 remains a legitimately quick car by any modern measure, and a much cheaper way to get there on the used market.

Living With Each Generation

The S63 has had close to a decade in the field at this point, and the used-M5 buying calculus reflects that: strong aftermarket support, well-documented maintenance items (rod bearings and VANOS solenoids are the usual watch items on higher-mileage cars), and a wide range of bolt-on power. Cooling system upkeep matters more on this platform than most owners expect, especially on cars that see track time, which is why upgraded radiators and heat exchangers are consistently among the top sellers in the F90 M5 parts collection.

The G90 is a different proposition entirely right now. It's still under warranty for most owners, the aftermarket is thin because the platform is brand new, and the hybrid system adds a layer of complexity that shops are still learning. Early adopters are mostly sticking to reversible modifications — wheels, styling, and light suspension work — while waiting for tuners to fully map the S68's hybrid control software. If you're running a G90, the G90/G99 M5 parts collection is where that early-adopter catalog lives, and it's expanding every month as more parts get validated for the chassis.

Which M5 Fits Your Garage?

Neither car is the wrong answer, but they serve different priorities. The F90 makes sense if you want a known quantity: a well-understood chassis, a deep aftermarket, and a lower buy-in that leaves budget for meaningful modifications. The G90 makes sense if you want the newest technology BMW has put in an M5, don't mind paying a premium for it, and are willing to be patient while the tuning scene catches up. For owners cross-shopping both, the honest advice from the BMW M forums is consistent: buy the F90 to drive and modify today, buy the G90 if you want to own the platform's future.

FAQ

Is the G90 M5 actually faster than the F90 M5 Competition?
Officially, yes, by a small margin, but the extra weight the G90 carries largely offsets its extra 100 hp. Real-world acceleration is closer than the spec sheets suggest.

Can you tune the G90 M5's hybrid powertrain yet?
Tuning options are still limited compared to the mature S63 scene. Most early G90 tunes focus on the combustion engine's calibration rather than the full hybrid system.

Is the F90 M5 a good used buy in 2026?
Yes, provided you check maintenance history closely — rod bearings, cooling system condition, and VANOS solenoids are the items to inspect before buying.

What's the easiest first upgrade for either generation?
Brakes and cooling upgrades are the most common starting points for both platforms, since factory hardware is the first thing to show its limits under repeated hard use.

Whichever generation you're wrenching on, get the collection built for your chassis: browse the F90 M5 parts collection or the G90/G99 M5 parts collection to see what's available today.