If you’ve ever saved up for an expensive dream car’s down payment, you probably realized its true cost all too late. Vehicles like the BMW M5 Competition are highly sought after, but their uniqueness makes them more expensive to service and repair. High-performance models are also some of the most expensive cars to insure.

Still, according to MotorTrend, insuring the BMW M5 is actually relatively affordable. The site examined the rates for a middle-aged man with a short commute and a driving record in good standing. Is the 2021 BMW M5 worth the price despite its inflated insurance rates?

What you can expect if you buy a BMW M5

The BMW M5 Competition comes standard with a twin-turbo V8 capable of 617 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. That’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the stickiest Pirelli P PZ4 tires, and AWD. Drivers can also perform powerslides easily by disconnecting the front axle.

The instant torque moves the M5 quickly off the starting line, reportedly in just 3.1 seconds. According to Motor1, the M5 Competition is incredibly satisfying to drive. It handles corners like a champ with its stiff suspension, evenly weighted steering, and nice damping. However, testers also think the Drive modes are a little confusing to navigate, and it’s difficult to save your preferred settings.

On the outside, there’s little to designate the BMW M5 Competition from any other unassuming sedan. True fans can detect the subtle differences, including blacked-out taillights, cooling vents, and an aggressive grille. The M5 Competition has 12 paint colors, plus exclusive optional leather bucket seats.

The seats feel outrageously comfortable in the cabin, where drivers have plenty of stretch-out space. The second row is predictably smaller, but with more generous legroom compared to other rivals. Unfortunately, the M5 Competition’s sporty underpinnings don’t exactly make it a comfortable cruiser.

The infotainment interface is housed inside a 12.3-inch touchscreen, equipped with sharp graphics and fast input response times. Standard features include wireless smartphone integration, a head-up display, and even a digital assistant similar to Apple’s Siri.

Motor1 was also impressed with the number of safety features included in the BMW M5 Competition. Automatic emergency braking, adaptive high beams, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist are all standard. The optional safety package includes traffic jam assist and one of the best autonomous driving systems on the market.

Pricing for the BMW M5

The standard BMW M5 retails for around $103,500, but the Competition models start at $111,100. However, appearance and technology options can easily inflate that price to almost $140,000.

Both M5 models also have dismal fuel economy ratings, so you’ll be spending more gas money on top of insurance and any car payments if you finance.

How much does insurance cost?

MotorTrend says that the BMW M5 Competition costs $3,777 to insure each year. That policy covers $50,000 worth of property damage, $300,000 for all injuries, and one person’s $100,000 injury liability. You could obviously modify these limits for a lower premium, but we wouldn’t recommend it considering the M5 Competition’s value.

All the M5 Competition’s most noteworthy rivals are more expensive to insure with the same policy. The Audi R8 Spyder costs $3,868 per year, while the BMW M8’s coverage rings up to $3,907. Both of the Tesla models included on MotorTrend’s list broke the $4,000 mark.

The most expensive car with MotorTrend’s insurance plan is the Maserati Quattroporte S GranSport at $4,823 annually. While it has excellent performance chops, MotorTrend says the interior doesn’t justify its high price tag. The Quattroporte has a lower MSRP, the BMW M5 Competition is more well-rounded in comparison.