Choosing between luxury, speed, and cost-effectiveness has never been easy. Life is full of trade-offs. Let’s say you want luxury and speed: you’ll end up paying far more than an economy car. Speed and cost-effectiveness might not always net luxury, like a used Camaro or Mustang, for example.
Cheap luxury might sound like a great idea, but even that could backfire. Let’s look at the 2013-2016 BMW M5, which the automaker calls the F10 generation of the 5 Series family. It’s the last rear-wheel-drive variant of the M5 luxury sports sedan. Plus, the model offers all the comfort features and is pretty quick. Don’t let the low price tag fool you into thinking it’s cost-effective to own.
All specifications come directly from the manufacturer. New prices are correct at the time of writing, and exclude destination, options, taxes, and potential dealership fees. Used prices vary depending on location, mileage, vehicle condition, and more.
High-Mileage F10 M5s Are Dirt-Cheap Now
2012–2016 BMW M5 F10 front 3/4 angle in blueBMW
After BMW put the M5 on a two-year hiatus in 2011 and 2012, the model returned for the 2013 model year. When it was new, the 2016 M5 had an MSRP of $94,100. The vehicle has since depreciated by roughly 66% on average over the last ten years. The entire F10 M5 (2013–2016) generation’s value has been relatively steady for the last year or so.
CarBuzz’s price trends show the 2016 model’s value at below $20,000 at the time of writing. A wider look at the market shows the average value of an F10 is $32,674. That takes 48 listings into account, with the most expensive sale coming out at $86,000 and the least expensive costing a buyer $12,628.
The $86,000 sale is an anomaly for a 2014 M5 Competition with only 8,000 miles, so we would ignore it unless you’re searching for a unicorn. More often than not, you can find examples of successful auctions ending at or around $30,000 for an average F10.
It’s actually not too difficult to find examples of F10 M5s for less than the price of a new Honda Civic. We searched the country for listings of average-condition models with relatively low miles, and came up with plenty of listings; here are a few:
- $27,997 for a 2016 M5 with 65,361 miles in Arizona
- $29,199 for a 2015 M5 with 67,952 miles in Kansas
- $30,199 for a 2013 M5 with 76,378 miles in Washington
There are even a bunch of dirt-cheap models with high mileage that we would probably avoid if we didn’t have a considerable repair budget, but we’re glad they exist nonetheless:
- $18,993 for a 2013 M5 with 118,014 miles in California
- $20,369 for a 2015 M5 with 149,458 miles in Ohio
- $22,220 for a 2015 M5 with 132,883 miles in Texas
Or Play It Safe With A Civic For The Same Price
2025-2026 Honda Civic Sport Touring front 3/4 angle in redHonda
The 2026 Honda Civic is a perfectly reasonable choice for those who want a reliable, affordable daily driver, but it lacks the badge, styling, speed, power, and luxury features of an M5. That said, buyers can choose among four sedan trims: the LX starts at $24,695, and the Sport starts at $26,695. There are two hybrid trims, including the Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid, which start at $29,395 and $32,295, respectively. Then, of course, you have the Civic Si. The Si variant is taking a gap year for 2027, but buyers can still swoop in for a 2026 model year at $31,495.
The Real Reason They’re Cheap: F10 M5 Ownership Costs
2013–2016 BMW M5 F10 rear 3/4 angle in blueBMW
So now you know how much an F10 M5 costs up front, but repairs and maintenance down the line are what really bite back. Data from RepairPal reveals that a 2013 BMW M5 costs an average of $1,246 per year to maintain and repair. Common repairs include a bad water pump, suspension control arm bushings, and sometimes replacing the transmission oil cooler assembly. Some of the most expensive M5 repairs, according to RepairPal, include:
- Brake Vacuum Pump Replacement: $1,041-$1,185
- Steering Knuckle Replacement: $1,147-$1,307
- Alternator Replacement: $1,825-$2,723
- Backup Warning System Sensor Replacement: $1,237-$1,372
- Seat Heater Replacement: $1,234-$1,341
CarEdge is another helpful source for determining how much you might spend on maintenance and repairs. Their data shows that an M5, in general, costs an average of $15,628 in maintenance over its first ten years. Since all F10 M5s are over ten years old by now, repairs only get more expensive as more parts wear out and break.
Not to mention that sports cars like the M5 cost much more to insure than an economy car like the Civic sedan. TheZebra data concludes that the 2016 M5 costs an average of $319 per month, or $3,826 per year, to insure for an average driver with a clean driving record.
The Honda Civic Lives Up To Its Reliable Reputation
2025 – 2026 Honda Civic Hybrid 11th Gen (FE) Facelift Sedan rear 3/4 angle in redHonda
The Civic retains its reputation for reliability year after year. CarEdge data shows the model will cost about a third as much to maintain and repair as an M5 over ten years. Owners can expect to spend an average of $5,632 over its first ten years on the road, which is $333 less than the average sedan. It also has a 16.08% chance of needing a major repair (one that costs over $500) in that timeframe, which beats the average by 0.88%.
RepairPal explains how buyers should expect average annual repairs to cost $368. Its most expensive repairs include an alternator replacement for $753-$1,236, a sunroof switch replacement for $415-$434, and an EGR valve replacement for $362-$450.
As for insurance, they’re safe and relatively slow, so TheZebra estimates the average cost to insure at $207 per month, or $2,479 per year, based on last year’s data.
Why The F10 M5’s Costs Are Worthwhile
2013–2016 BMW M5 F10 interior view of the dashBMW
We know how scary the maintenance costs on a used German luxury sports sedan can be. However, they might be all worth it when you actually get behind the wheel. The F10 M5 offers more bang for your buck than a Civic. They’re both worth about the same, but a Civic doesn’t come with V8 power, nor does it reach nearly 200 miles per hour.
Powertrain And Performance Specs Compared
2013–2016 BMW M5 F10 twin-turbo S63 V8 detail shotBMW
We aren’t saying an M5 and a Civic are directly comparable. There is no world where these two are on a level playing field, but the Civic helps put the F10 M5’s specs into perspective when you realize they’re worth about the same amount today. That said, the BMW brings a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 to the table, producing 560-575 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via your choice of a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic transmission. With the automatic, it can sprint to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 190 mph.
If you’d rather go the more affordable route in the long run, then the Civic is a safe bet. Its four trims split between two powertrains. The two cheaper trim levels get a 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder that makes 150 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque. The two more expensive trims add a hybrid system to the same 2.0-liter I4, bringing total horsepower to 200 hp. If you want a slightly more fun experience while keeping reliability and lower insurance costs, the Civic Si comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 that makes 200 hp, a six-speed manual transmission, and other upgrades, such as a limited-slip differential.
The M5 Is As Luxurious As It Is Powerful
2012–2016 BMW M5 F10 interior view of the front cabinBMW
The F10 M5’s main appeal is its high-powered RWD nature, but it can also be a pretty comfortable place to spend your time. We wouldn’t exactly call it a canyon carver, so most of your driving will be spent on surface streets and highways. That said, it’s nice to have materials like Merino leather, carbon fiber, and aluminum trim inside. Features also include an iDrive infotainment system, a heads-up display, and customizable M driving modes. Outside, 20-inch wheels and adaptive headlights complete the look.
To give the Civic a fighting chance, let’s talk about the Sport Touring Hybrid trim level. It comes with dual-zone climate control, heated leather seats, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and a power moonroof.
We’d Buy A Low-Mileage Example, If Possible
2012–2016 BMW M5 F10 wheel detail shotBMW
Mileage isn’t everything when choosing the right used car. Time ultimately degrades plastic and rubber, and rusts metal. That said, the F10 isn’t old enough to worry about rust and corrosion unless the previous owner lived in a northern state. At the end of the day, choosing a low-mileage, later-model-year F10 M5 might be your best bet for a less expensive ownership experience. If that’s not enough to set your mind at ease, there’s always the new Honda Civic.
Sources: BMW, Honda, CarEdge, Classic.com, RepairPal, Cars.com, AutoTempest
