2011 BMW X5 xDriveM
The 2011 BMW X5 xDriveM is a SUV. It has a 4.4-litre turbocharged eight-cylinder engine producing 555 hp (414 kW), with a 6-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. 0–60 mph takes 6.5 seconds and top speed is 130 mph (209 km/h).
ABOUT THE 2011 BMW X5 XDRIVEM
The 2011 BMW X5 M is the M division’s high-performance version of the second-generation X5 (E70), built at BMW’s Spartanburg plant in South Carolina. It uses the twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre S63 V8, rated at 555 hp and 500 lb-ft, with xDrive all-wheel drive and a six-speed M Sport automatic with paddle shifters.
BMW M goes turbo
Introduced for the 2010 model year together with the X6 M, the X5 M was one of the first two M cars to use all-wheel drive and the first to use turbocharging. Its S63 engine places the turbochargers between the cylinder banks and uses a cross-bank exhaust manifold so that the exhaust pulses reach the turbos evenly. The 2011 car is the second year of production and is broadly unchanged from the launch model.
What it is like
Adaptive dampers, Dynamic Performance Control torque vectoring on the rear axle and lowered, stiffened suspension let the heavy SUV corner far better than its size suggests. The cabin keeps the regular X5’s five-seat layout and boot space, but adds M sports seats and instruments. Fuel use is high: the EPA rated it at 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway (about 19.6 and 13.8 L/100km).
Buying one today
Commonly reported S63 issues include turbocharger and oil-leak repairs, oil consumption, valve-stem seals, injectors and cooling problems caused by the heat between the cylinder banks. Brakes, tyres and suspension parts are expensive to replace. A detailed service history is essential.
Rivals
Its rivals were the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG and Range Rover Sport Supercharged.
Written by CarDetails.org. Last reviewed October 31, 2026.
SPECS
| Make | BMW | Model | X5 xDriveM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 2011 | Version / Trim | BMW 2011 X5 xDriveM |
| Body Style | SUV | Doors | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | Ext. Colour | Alpine White, Jet Black, Black Sapphire Metallic, Space Gray Metallic, Titanium Silver Metallic, Glacier Silver Metallic, Mineral White Metallic, Mineral Gray Metallic, Imperial Blue Metallic, Carbon Black Metallic, Melbourne Red Metallic |
| Steering | LHD / RHD | Manufactured In | United States |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive (AWD) | Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Engine | 4.4L 8-cyl Turbo | Engine Size | 4,400 cc |
| Power | 555 hp / 414 kW | Torque | 680 Nm / 500 lb-ft |
| 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) | 6.5 sec | Top Speed | 130 mph (209 km/h) |
| Fuel Economy | 12 mpg city / 17 mpg hwy | ||
| Wheelbase | 2,933 mm | Kerb Weight | 1,945 kg (4,288 lb) |
HOW IT COMPARES WITH OTHER 2011 SUVS
Compared with other 2011 SUVs in our database, its 555 hp is 111% more than the average 2011 SUV (264 hp), and it reaches 60 mph 1.6 seconds quicker than average.
| 2011 BMW X5 xDriveM | Average 2011 SUVs | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 555 hp | 264 hp (82 cars) | +111% |
| Torque | 680 Nm | 304 Nm (82 cars) | +124% |
| 0–60 mph | 6.5 s | 8.1 s (87 cars) | -20% |
| Top speed | 130 mph | 116 mph (87 cars) | +12% |
| Kerb weight | 1,945 kg | 1,880 kg (96 cars) | +3% |
| Engine size | 4,400 cc | 3,490 cc (96 cars) | +26% |
Averages are calculated from all cars of the same model year and body type in the CarDetails.org database that have the figure listed. For 0–60 mph, a negative difference means quicker.