“Which BMW Models Hold Their Value Best: A CarVertical Study”

A study by car history company carVertical revealed which BMW models retain more value and which ones depreciate much faster.

Jeeps hold their value better

In the last ten years, jeeps have become extremely popular. This is no exception in the BMW model line either. Of all the models of the BMW brand, the X series vehicles retain their value best, beating the well-known models from the 3 and 5 series.

The residual value of a three-year-old BMW X1 model is 62.4% of the original price. Accordingly, the purchase value has fallen by 38%. After five years, the value drops to 48.8%, while after ten years – to 24.5%.

In all car age groups, BMW Jeeps hold their original value the best. The residual value for a three-year-old X3 model is 49.8%, X5 – 66.6% and X6 – 73.3%. Compared to other BMW models, these figures are very good.

Of course, X models don’t last forever. The older the car, the more its value falls. A ten-year-old X6 has only 21.7% residual value. For other Jeep models in the same age category, the values ​​are quite similar. In X1 it is only 24.5%, X3 – 28.4% and X5 – 20.3%. Although the X6 is one of the most expensive models in the SUV class, it loses most of its value after ten years.

Buyers of the latest BMW cars want luxury service and the latest innovations. However, these factors are less important in the used car market. Instead, buyers choose cars with low maintenance costs.

Some models lose more than half their value in three years

7 series cars are among the most expensive BMW models. But immediately after leaving the dealership, the value drops rapidly. A three-year-old 7-series model has a residual value of 40.5% of the original price. But it can drop to as low as 14.4% as soon as the car crosses the ten-year mark.

The BMW 7 Series is designed for motorists who value luxury service and status. However, difficult and expensive maintenance makes this BMW model less desirable in the used car market. Buyers are looking for a used car that requires as little money as possible to repair. In this sense, an old BMW 7 series car is not appropriate.

Due to the popularity of Jeeps, the market share of standard class cars has decreased and consequently their residual value. BMW 3 and 5 series cars lose half their value within the first three years. After ten years, the residual value of the 3-series models drops to 18%, while the 5-series drops to 19.3%, well below any X-series model.

Sports coupes are a good investment, but there is a catch

While some exclusive models, such as the 6 Series, have a high residual value (90.9%) in the first three years, it declines rapidly thereafter. A five-year-old 6-series car has only 56.2% of its original value remaining, which is a significant drop in two years.

After five years of use, the manufacturer’s warranty expires, which significantly increases the maintenance costs of the 6 series. Considering that it is a luxury model, most motorists do not want to risk potentially high repair costs and the market price is shrinking.

This is no wonder, because many used cars are sold with hidden defects, the repair of which can be quite expensive. Luxury cars such as the BMW 6 Series are among the riskiest in this respect. Car salesmen have a lot to gain by twisting the truth a little. As a result, buying expensive coupes – even after five years of use – is recommended only after researching the history of the car and carefully checking the technical condition.

The same applies to sporty BMW models such as the M2, M3 or M5, which retain a high market value over the years. Some older generation M series cars can be even more expensive than they were 10-20 years ago when they rolled off the factory assembly line. However, their increase in value is not related to the wishes of everyday drivers. These machines are coveted by collectors and enthusiasts.