BMW F90 M5 — Best Aftermarket Upgrades

The BMW F90 M5 is the most complete super saloon ever produced. Its S63 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 produces 600bhp in standard form and 625bhp in Competition specification — figures that would have been considered hypercar territory a generation ago. Its M xDrive all-wheel-drive system puts that power down with a confidence and consistency that rear-wheel-drive M cars of the past couldn't approach. And its ability to function as a genuinely comfortable, refined everyday car while hiding that performance potential makes it one of the most impressive automotive engineering achievements of the modern era.

But the F90 M5's very competence creates an interesting challenge for the aftermarket. A car this well-rounded from the factory doesn't obviously need anything. The upgrades that make the most sense are those that sharpen specific aspects of the car's character — making the aggressive more aggressive, the fast faster, and the visual presence more reflective of what the engineering underneath is capable of.

This guide covers the best aftermarket upgrades for the BMW F90 M5 and how to approach each one.

Carbon Fiber Front Splitter

The F90 M5's front end is wide and purposeful — the large lower intake, the prominent M-specific bumper, and the wide track all contribute to a stance that looks properly serious from the front. A carbon fiber front splitter builds on this, extending the lower bumper line and adding genuine front downforce that complements the car's high-speed stability.

The F90 M5 and F90 M5 Competition share the same front bumper structure, meaning splitter options are compatible across both variants. The Competition's slightly more aggressive visual package means a carbon splitter sits particularly naturally on it — the contrast between the Competition's standard dark chrome trim and exposed carbon weave is one of the cleanest aesthetic combinations available on any modern BMW.

For a car that is regularly used at high speed — on unrestricted autobahn sections, track days, or simply fast road driving — a front splitter on the F90 delivers aerodynamic benefit that is genuinely felt as well as seen. At the speeds the S63 makes accessible, front-end aerodynamic stability is not a trivial consideration.

Exhaust System Upgrades

The S63 V8 in the F90 M5 is an exceptional engine but one whose factory exhaust is, like most modern BMW M cars, significantly muted by noise regulation requirements. The factory variable exhaust system offers a reasonable spread of character between its comfort and sport modes, but even in its loudest setting it doesn't reflect the engine's true acoustic potential.

A valved cat-back exhaust system transforms the F90's sound character dramatically. In closed mode it remains completely civilised — quieter than or comparable to the factory setup. In open mode the S63 reveals a deep, authoritative V8 roar that is entirely appropriate for a car producing this level of performance. On overrun, a quality valved system produces the kind of crackle and pop that makes every lift of the throttle an event.

High-flow sports cat downpipes combined with an ECU remap push the F90 further still. The S63 responds exceptionally well to reduced exhaust restriction — power gains of 80–120bhp over standard are regularly achieved with downpipes, intake, and a supporting tune on the F90 M5. This transforms a already rapid car into something with genuinely extraordinary straight-line performance.

Decat downpipes are the maximum flow option and are best reserved for track-only builds. On a road-registered F90 used in emissions-tested regions, high-flow sports cats are the appropriate choice.

Carbon Fiber Rear Diffuser and Boot Spoiler

The F90 M5's rear end is defined by its quad exhaust arrangement and wide haunches, but the standard rear diffuser — while functional — is understated compared to the car's overall visual drama. A carbon fiber rear diffuser replacement transforms this, adding visual depth and a race-derived aesthetic that better reflects the performance the car is capable of.

The best carbon diffusers for the F90 are designed around the car's quad exhaust outlet positions and integrate with the factory bumper's lower section without requiring modification. Fitment precision at the rear is critical — gaps between the diffuser and bumper edges are immediately visible on a car this wide.

A carbon fiber boot lid spoiler completes the rear visual package — adding aerodynamic punctuation to the F90's long roofline and giving the car a more purposeful profile from the rear three-quarter angle. Low-profile lip spoilers work particularly well on the F90's saloon body, maintaining the car's executive proportions while adding visual focus to the rear end.

Suspension Upgrades

The F90 M5's adaptive suspension is among the most sophisticated fitted to any road car. Its ability to shift between genuinely comfortable and genuinely track-capable within a single damper unit is remarkable, and for most owners the factory setup is difficult to improve upon for road use.

For owners who track their F90 regularly, coilover conversion kits provide the consistency and adjustability that the factory adaptive system — designed primarily for road use — cannot match over multiple hard track sessions. A track-optimised coilover setup on the F90 transforms its behaviour at the limit, providing the kind of predictable, consistent responses that fast lap times require.

For road-focused owners who want a modest visual and dynamic improvement, a quality lowering spring set dropping the car 15–20mm is a more accessible upgrade that improves the F90's stance and reduces body roll without sacrificing the daily usability that makes the car special.

Carbon Fiber Mirror Caps and Interior Trim

The F90 M5 Competition comes with carbon fiber mirror caps as standard — but standard M5 owners and those who want to extend the carbon theme further will find mirror caps and interior trim upgrades among the most immediately satisfying modifications available.

Carbon fiber interior trim for the F90 — dashboard inserts, centre console trim, door card accents, gear selector surround — brings the cabin visual language closer to the M motorsport heritage that underpins the car's engineering. Combined with the factory carbon fiber available on Competition models or as dealer options, a full carbon interior package transforms the F90's cabin from executive saloon to something with a much stronger performance identity.

Cold Air Intake

An aftermarket cold air intake is one of the more straightforward performance upgrades on the F90 M5 and one of the most cost-effective entry points into S63 engine tuning. The factory airbox is restrictive compared to a well-designed aftermarket intake, and the improvement in throttle response and induction sound is noticeable immediately after installation.

On its own an intake upgrade delivers modest power gains. Combined with downpipes and an ECU remap it becomes part of a complete engine breathing package that allows the tune to extract significantly more from the S63's considerable potential.

Building the F90 M5 the Right Way

The F90 M5 rewards a systematic approach to upgrading. Because the car is so well-rounded from the factory, the best results come from building coherently — exhaust and tune together, aero as a complete package, suspension matched to how the car is actually used — rather than adding random individual parts without a clear direction.

The car's size and weight mean that visual upgrades have a proportionally large impact on its presence. A carbon splitter, diffuser, and boot spoiler on the F90 M5 transforms how the car looks from every angle — from executive saloon to something that looks properly purposeful. Combined with exhaust and power upgrades, the result is a car that genuinely reflects its performance capability in a way the standard car, for all its brilliance, does not.

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