Do BMWs Hold Their Value? What To Know About Resale & Depreciation


in Car Costs and Prices
Vintage BMW

Source: Flickr

BMW was founded in 1919. It first began as an airplane engine manufacturer, eventually shifting over to vehicles and dominating the market ever since. There are many different options available from BMW, some fancier than others. If you’re interested in a BMW, it’s critical to ask one question - do BMWs hold their value?

The longer a BMW can hold its value, the more you will be able to sell it for and the less you must take it in for expensive repairs. Longevity in value matters, but it’s something many people forget to consider in their investment. Read on to learn more about the depreciation rate of BMW cars and other valuable information in this process. 

What Is The Depreciation Rate of a BMW?

Do BMWs hold their value? One of the first areas to look at when examining this statement is the depreciation rate of a BMW. This information will reveal how much a typical BMW will drop after each year and how much less of the initial value a BMW is worth after a specified number of years.

According to caredge.com, a BMW will generally not provide an excellent depreciation rate. They recommend investing in a new BMW altogether - once they are driven off the lot, their value will fall quickly and will continue to depreciate as time goes on until they are only able to be sold for a fraction of what they were once worth.

If you want a brand with an excellent history of value holding, we recommend looking elsewhere. Unfortunately, BMW is not the right choice for an excellent depreciation rate on the road. 


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How Much Will BMWs Resell For?

If you own a BMW or are interested in owning one for your life, it’s helpful to look at how much BMWs will resell before acting on the market. According to bmwofturnersville.com, a typical BMW has a resale value of 40% after five years - which is a terrible number for someone who wants to maximize the sale.

Of course, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on various sources (like the chart above) to ensure you’re making the right choice. If there is a high point on the market, you might be able to make more on your BMW or purchase one for less than anticipated. 

What Is The Best BMW To Purchase For Value Longevity?

If you’re determined to invest in a BMW, it’s helpful to examine the most reliable years with the best lifespans. These will provide better value for you and could potentially sell for more than the others on the market.

Here are the best years available for BMW:

  • 2006 BMW E90 330i
  • 2018 BMW i3
  • 2019 BMW F40
  • 2005 BMW 325i
  • 2016 BMW M4

These cars can last much longer than their counterparts.

Sometimes, these cars will cost a little more than their competitors up front. However, they’ll be worth it when you’re able to sell the vehicle for a decent price point when it’s time to get rid of it for a new vehicle. We recommend any of these six selections. 


ARE BMWs RELIABLE?

Are BMWs reliable? It’s a question that is asked countless times. And the truth is there’s no easy answer. You’ll find examples of notoriously problematic BMWs that have a trouble-free background.


What Is The Worst BMW To Purchase For Value Longevity?

On the other hand, there are some BMWs that we don’t recommend for their longevity. These are far worse than their counterparts and tend to depreciate much faster - meaning you won’t be able to sell them for nearly as much as you would other options.

Here are the BMWs to keep away from on the market:

  • BMW Series 7

These are the worst when considering value longevity and won’t be worth it.

Of course, there are some appealing aspects to the BMW Series 7 vehicle. However, if you want to put your focus on value longevity, you won’t find it in this car. We recommend any of the others instead. 

When Should You Sell Your BMW To Get the Best Value?

Every car seems to have an ideal time when you should sell the car. It’s helpful to know this number with your BMW so you can sell at the right time and thus maximize your profit potential. What is this moment for the BMW?

If we’re being honest, it’s best to sell a BMW after only 2-3 years of ownership. These vehicles plummet in their value quickly, so the faster you can sell them, the more you’ll get out of the vehicle. Otherwise, you’re wasting money as the BMW depreciates significantly. 


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BMW Vs. Mercedes-Benz Longevity

When pondering the question - do BMWs hold their value - it’s helpful to compare them to the longevity of a competing brand. One of the biggest competitions to BMW is the Mercedes-Benz - which of them comes out on top when considering how well they retain their value?

According to bmwofwarwick.com, BMW is the winner in the longevity area. Cars from BMW are predicted to last around 50,000 miles longer than the BMW, which is excellent if you’re trying to get a nice car and are set on the BMW. There are some perks to them.

Final Thoughts

Do BMWs hold their value? Unfortunately, BMW is one of the worst-performing car manufacturers on the market, though it’s not at the very bottom. It’s ideal to invest in a used BMW because the new ones only retain their value for a few years.

We hope this information is helpful! The more you know about the value of the BMW, the easier it will be to determine if it’s the right choice for your life. BMW is famous - but that doesn’t mean it has excellent longevity.



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