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NV F90 M5 Tested
NV F90 M5 Tested: From Fast to Ferocious
The BMW F90 M5 is already an exceptionally capable performance sedan in factory form. With its combination of power, luxury and all-wheel-drive traction, it provides an outstanding foundation for carefully selected performance upgrades.
We recently had the privilege of working on one of these incredible vehicles—and the results exceeded our expectations.
Preparing the F90 M5
We began by installing a set of Strada Performance downpipes.
Strada Performance has built a strong reputation for high-quality performance hardware, and these downpipes provided the improved exhaust flow required for the next stage of the build.
Once the installation was complete, we conducted several Dragy runs to establish the vehicle’s baseline performance.
All testing was completed in full street trim. No interior components were removed, and no weight-reduction measures were used.
The F90 M5 recorded the following baseline results:
- 0–100 km/h: 3.87 seconds
- 100–200 km/h: 7.06 seconds
- Quarter mile: 11.35 seconds at 201 km/h
These were already impressive figures for a comfortable, full-weight street car—but we knew there was considerably more performance waiting to be unlocked.
MHD Custom Tuning and xHP
The next step was to install the MHD tuning platform and apply an xHP transmission flash.
MHD allowed our team to develop a custom ECU calibration for the vehicle’s specific hardware and requirements. The xHP transmission software complemented the additional engine performance by optimising the gearbox calibration and helping it manage the increased torque more effectively.
Both MHD and xHP products are available through the NV Performance online store. Our team can also assist with compatible remote-tuning services for customers outside our immediate area.
With the software installed, we began logging, testing and refining the custom MHD calibration.
The Results
After completing the calibration, we returned to the same real-world testing process to measure the improvement.
0–100 km/h
- Before: 3.87 seconds
- After: 2.91 seconds
- Improvement: 0.96 seconds
100–200 km/h
- Before: 7.06 seconds
- After: 5.74 seconds
- Improvement: 1.32 seconds
Quarter Mile
- Before: 11.35 seconds at 201 km/h
- After: 10.42 seconds at 218 km/h
- Improvement: 0.93 seconds and an additional 17 km/h at the finish
The difference was immediately noticeable across every measured performance category.
A Genuine 10-Second Street Car
What makes the result particularly impressive is the simplicity of the setup.
The F90 M5 was equipped with:
- Strada Performance downpipes
- A custom NV Performance MHD calibration
- An xHP transmission flash
That was enough to transform the vehicle from an already rapid 11-second sedan into a genuine 10-second street car.
All runs were completed in full street trim without removing weight from the vehicle. It retained the comfort, practicality and everyday usability that make the F90 M5 such an exceptional platform.
Real-World Testing
We use real-world acceleration testing alongside data logging to measure how a vehicle performs under genuine driving conditions.
Dyno testing remains a valuable development tool, but timed acceleration runs allow us to evaluate how effectively the vehicle puts its power down on the road. By recording results before and after tuning, we can clearly measure the effect of each modification and calibration change.
The improvement from 11.35 to 10.42 seconds over the quarter mile demonstrated just how much performance could be unlocked from this F90 M5 with a focused selection of upgrades.
We cannot wait to see what this vehicle achieves when it reaches the racetrack.
Keep an eye out for this 10-second street beast at a track near you. 🏆