BMW's decision to offer the M5 Touring as its only factory wagon in the United States has been put to the test over three months and 4,000 miles, revealing a car that excels at daily practicality but frustrates with a small fuel tank and an overwhelming array of settings. The long-term update on a G99-generation M5 Touring finished in BMW Individual Dakar Yellow shows that the initial appeal of a 717-horsepower estate car has given way to a more nuanced assessment of what it is like to live with a plug-in hybrid performance wagon.
The plug-in hybrid drivetrain, which pairs a twin-turbo V8 with an electric motor, has proven more useful than expected in urban conditions. In Chicago stop-and-go traffic, the M5 Touring covers about 40 miles on electric power alone, with the V8 only engaging when the driver selects Dynamic or Dynamic Plus modes. That electric-only range has made the car surprisingly docile in the city, even though the reviewer admits a preference for a simpler V8 with a mild-hybrid system. The wagon body has also justified its existence: it has carried two car seats or boosters for months while leaving room in the back for adults, and a 64-inch television fitted into the cargo area with space to spare on both sides. A brake regeneration setting was also found to improve ride quality, a discovery detailed in the accompanying video.
Not everything has endeared itself over 4,000 miles. The 16-gallon (60-litre) fuel tank is the most persistent complaint. Driven in a sporty manner, the car requires more frequent refuelling than its size suggests, and the working theory is that BMW kept the tank small to save weight. The second recurring issue is the sheer number of configurable settings. The M1 and M2 buttons on the steering wheel each store one configuration, but the plug-in hybrid adds options such as brake regeneration on top of the usual M menus, and two slots are no longer enough. The reviewer wants a third memory slot, ideally configured as a default for city driving. Suspension behaviour, potential running costs linked to the car's weight, and a complaint about the roof are covered in the video.
Despite those gripes, the fundamental appeal remains unchanged. The M5 Touring is a fast wagon, and BMW sells exactly one in the US, where neither the 3 Series Touring nor the 5 Series Touring is offered. The shape was the original attraction, well before horsepower or the plug-in hybrid drivetrain entered the equation, and months of routine use have not undermined that. The verdict is that the car would be chosen again, because none of the complaints touch what made it desirable in the first place. The long-term test continues, with the publication inviting readers to suggest what should be tested next.