Used BMW M5 Ignition Switch

All generations of the BMW M5 up to and including the F10 (2011–2016) used a conventional barrel-type ignition switch that you physically turn with a key. From the F90 generation (2018 onwards) BMW moved to a push-button start system, so those cars do not have a traditional ignition switch in the same sense. If your M5 is an F90, you may be looking for the start/stop button or the ELV steering lock module rather than an ignition switch. Confirm exactly which component has failed with your breaker, quoting your registration, to make sure you get the right part.

The E39 M5 ran from 1998 to 2003 and the E60 M5 from 2005 to 2010, and these are entirely separate generations with different steering column assemblies and barrel fittings. An ignition switch from the E39 is not a straightforward swap onto an E60, and mixing parts across these generations is not recommended. Confirm the correct part number with your breaker against your registration before buying.

No — the ignition switch on the M5 is not affected by trim or specification levels such as Competition or individual options packages. The switch is determined by the generation of the car (E34, E39, E60, F10, or F90) rather than how the car is equipped. That said, if your car has been fitted with a different steering column or ignition lock as part of a security repair or previous work, it is worth mentioning this to your breaker.

In many cases the ignition switch barrel itself is shared between the M5 and the equivalent standard 5 Series of the same generation, since the M5 typically uses the same steering column architecture. For example, an E60 530d and an E60 M5 may share the same switch unit. However, because coding and immobiliser pairing can vary, always confirm compatibility with your breaker using both vehicles' registrations before purchasing.

Both 2013 and 2015 M5s fall within the F10 generation (2011–2016), so the ignition switch is likely to be the same unit across those years. There was a minor facelift to the F10 M5 around 2013–2014 but this did not fundamentally change the steering column or ignition switch design. Confirm with your breaker that the part numbers match against both registrations before committing, as minor running changes can occur within a generation.

A faulty ignition switch can cause no-start or intermittent electrical issues, but on the M5 the immobiliser, ELV steering lock, and ignition switch are closely linked, and the root cause is not always the switch barrel itself. A used switch will typically need to be paired or coded to your car's EWS or CAS immobiliser system, so a breaker supplying just the mechanical part may not fully resolve the fault without additional programming. We'd recommend getting the fault diagnosed first, then confirming with your breaker what exactly needs replacing.