10 Affordable Sleeper Sedan Alternatives To The BMW M5

10 2005 Mercedes-Benz E 55 AMG (W211)

Avg. Used Price Range: $8,153 -$10,330

For around $10,000, you can buy yourself not just one of the best used Mercedes-Benz models with lower maintenance and repair costs, but you’ll also get one of the overall fastest cars from the early 2000s. Powered by a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine, the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E 55 can do 0-60 mph in just 4.2 seconds and reach a governed top speed of 155 mph.

2005 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG Engine and Performance Specs

Of course, that’s much slower than a new 2023 BMW M5, but remember one thing. The Mercedes-Benz E 55 AMG provides significantly more value for money than the 2023 BMW M5 since you can buy more than 10 E 55s for the price of a single M5.

9 2007 Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG (W221)

Avg. Used Price Range: $15,753 – $19,888

For those craving ultimate levels of luxury, but not at the expense of speed, we’d recommend checking out the W221-generation Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG. With a 604-hp twin-tubo 6.0-liter V12 under its hood, S 65 AMG models are both sleeper cars cheaper than a 2023 Toyota Camry V6 and have more power than the base model 2023 BMW M5.

2007 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Engine and Performance Specs

Apart from performance, the S 65 AMG features luxurious amenities such as heated and cooling massaging seats that are electronically adjustable, reclining back seats, and adaptive air suspension among others. Many of these features aren’t even offered with the BMW M5.

Related: Top 10 Sleeper Cars For Every Wallet: $5K, $10K, And Up To $20K

8 2014 Mercedes-Benz E 63 S AMG (W212)

Avg. Used Price Range: $26,585 – $30,562

For what feels like an eternity, BMW and Mercedes sat in the ultimate battle of fast sleeper sedans. This war is between the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG. fortunately, you can buy a W212-generation Mercedes-Benz E 63 S AMG for around $30,000.

2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 S AMG Engine and Performance Specs

Underneath the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E 63 S AMG lives a twin-turbo V8 engine that emits 577 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. As a result, the E 63 S achieves a 0-60 mph time of only 3.5 seconds and has a limited top speed of 174 mph. Without the M Driver’s Pack, the W212 E 63 S AMG is without a doubt faster than the 2023 BMW M5.

7 2016 Audi S8 (C7)

Avg. Used Price Range: $30,080 – $34,865

For those who want the luxuriousness of an S-Class, the performance of an M5, but the subtleness of a base model Audi, we’d recommend the 2016 Audi S8. With an interior like no other and the exterior of every other Audi model, the Audi S8 is the perfect fit for someone who wants to fly under the radar at unbelievable speeds.

2016 Audi S8 Engine and Performance Specs

Thanks to Audi’s impeccable Quattro all-wheel-drive system, the Audi S8 achieves a 4.0-second 0-60 mph time despite its 4,387-lb curb weight. That’s not as quick as the BMW M5, but again, for less than $35,000 on average, the 2016 Audi S8 gives you a better bang for your buck.

6 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Avg. Used Price Range: $31,723 – $34,894

Objectively speaking, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is both a more beautiful and more affordable sports sedan than the BMW M5. Unfortunately, it’s down on power with 505 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque from its 2.9-liter Ferrari-derived twin-turbo V6 engine.

2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Engine and Performance Specs

That said, its 191 mph top speed tells another story. Apart from the Maserati Ghibli and Quattroporte, no other Italian sports sedan comes close to the M5’s levels of performance.

Related: 10 Coolest Turbo V6 Sleeper Cars On The Used Market

5 2018 BMW M550i xDrive (G30)

Avg. Used Price Range: $33,899 – $36,224

If you want an F90 BMW M5, but don’t want to pay M5 prices, consider the BMW M550i. For around $35,000, a 2018 BMW M550i can be yours which features a detuned version of the M5’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine.

2018 BMW M550i xDrive Engine and Performance Specs

With 456 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque at its disposal, the xDrive M550i reaches 60 mph from a stop in under 4 seconds. Two other things the M550i does better than the M5 though are the fact that its ride isn’t as comprised, but rather more refined and comfortable, and that it’s even more understated than the M5.

4 2015 Tesla Model S P85D

Avg. Used Price Range: $33,056 – $38,091

We know that no one likes EVs, but considering that the 2015 Tesla Model S P85D can do 0-60 mph in merely 2.8 seconds, we have to mention it. And thanks to depreciation, the 2015 Tesla Model S P85D costs well below $40,000 on the used market today.

2015 Tesla Model S P85D Engine and Performance Specs

Tesla builds many sedans that can outrun the new Chevy Corvette with ease, but the Tesla Model S P85D is in a class of its own considering its affordable price and incredibly understated design.

3 2015 Audi RS7 Sportback (4G8)

Avg. Used Price Range: $34,232 – $37,945

Audi builds some badass sleeper cars we’d buy over a new Dodge Charger any day, and the RS7 is no different Just like the aforementioned Audi S8, the Audi RS7 is a muscular and luxurious four-door German sport sedan that has deceitful looks. Albeit more attractive than the conventional sedan, the Audi RS7 would never have you believed it houses a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 under its hood with 552 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

2015 Audi RS7 Sportback Engine and Performance Specs

Couple that huge amount of power with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system and a curb weight slightly less than its big brother, the S8, and you’re left with a coupe-shaped sedan that will do 0-60 mph on par with the BMW M5 (3.2 seconds). What’s even greater than its mid-$30,000 used price is the fact that the 2015 Audi RS7 Sportback has an electronically limited top speed of 190 mph.

2 2020 BMW M340i xDrive Sedan (G20)

Avg. Used Price Range: $36,675 – $41,474

If you want the same sense of speed and craftmanship of the BMW M5 but feel like the 5-Series itself is too big for your liking, consider a 3-year-old BMW M340i. With just three years worth of depreciation, you can pick up a 2020 M340i xDrive model for around $40,000.

2020 BMW M340i xDrive Sedan Engine and Performance Specs

It might not have a ghastly twin-turbo V8 under its hood, but the G20 M340i houses the iconic twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six dubbed the B58 that develops 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Despite being more than 200 hp behind the base model M5, the M340i still reaches 60 mph from stationary in 3.8 seconds due to its xDrive system and 3,968-lb curb weight.

Related: We Love The BMW 5 Series, But These 10 Sleeper Cars Can Outrun It

1 2016 Cadillac CTS-V

Avg. Used Price Range: $49,833 – $54,766

There are very few sleeper cars that can keep up with a Porsche 911 and a BMW M5, but the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V is one of the most muscular four-foor muscle cars ever built. Under its hood sits a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 LT4 V8 engine that emits 640 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, which is more powerful than even the M5 CS’s powertrain.

2016 Cadillac CTS-V Engine and Performance Specs

In the real world, those values allow the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V to put down a 3.5-second 0-60 mph time, which is marginally slower than the M5. However, the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V’s 201 mph top speed is what seals the deal for us alongside its surprisingly low used market value.