BMW 3 Series Depreciation
A BMW 3 Series will depreciate 58% after 5 years and have a 5 year resale value of $17,503.
Once driven off the new car lot, the BMW 3-Series loses value quickly, as do most BMWs. For new purchases, after four years, your 3-Series will be worth less than half of its original sticker price. However, if you want to let someone else get the new car smell, and you want to save a bunch of money, consider one that is a few years old, and still falls within BMW's "certified pre-owned program", also known as a CPO car. Some good deals can be found here, and given that their looks don't change much, no one will even know that it's not a brand new car.
The chart below shows the expected depreciation for the next 10 years. These results are for vehicles in good condition, averaging 13,500 miles per year. It also assumes a selling price of $41,964 when new. Enter your purchase price, expected ownership period and estimated miles driven annually. Our depreciation calculator will predict an expected resale value for the BMW 3 Series.
BMW 3 Series Depreciation
Years Old | Depreciation | Residual Value | Resale Value | Mileage | Resale Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | $7,209 | 82.82% | $34,755 | 13,500 | 2021 |
2 | $13,752 | 67.23% | $28,212 | 27,000 | 2022 |
3 | $16,131 | 61.56% | $25,833 | 40,500 | 2023 |
4 | $21,561 | 48.62% | $20,403 | 54,000 | 2024 |
5 | $24,461 | 41.71% | $17,503 | 67,500 | 2025 |
6 | $26,958 | 35.76% | $15,006 | 81,000 | 2026 |
7 | $27,633 | 34.15% | $14,331 | 94,500 | 2027 |
8 | $28,959 | 30.99% | $13,005 | 108,000 | 2028 |
9 | $31,721 | 24.41% | $10,243 | 121,500 | 2029 |
10 | $33,231 | 20.81% | $8,733 | 135,000 | 2030 |
BMW 3 Series Depreciation
Years Old | Depreciation | Residual Value | Resale Value |
---|---|---|---|
1 | $7,209 | 82.82% | $34,755 |
2 | $13,752 | 67.23% | $28,212 |
3 | $16,131 | 61.56% | $25,833 |
4 | $21,561 | 48.62% | $20,403 |
5 | $24,461 | 41.71% | $17,503 |
6 | $26,958 | 35.76% | $15,006 |
7 | $27,633 | 34.15% | $14,331 |
8 | $28,959 | 30.99% | $13,005 |
9 | $31,721 | 24.41% | $10,243 |
10 | $33,231 | 20.81% | $8,733 |
If you purchase a used BMW 3 Series that is 2 years old, then you could save $13,752 compared to buying new, and still have a relatively new model with plenty of useful life remaining. If you plan to keep this vehicle for 3 years then your total cost of depreciation would be $10,709. Try other age and ownership length combinations, or different vehicles to see if you can find depreciation sweetspots where this cost is the lowest. Hint: Try vehicles between 2 and 4 years old, as brand new vehicles depreciate quickly. Also, if this is a recently released model and buying a few years old isn't possible, consider another vehicle, or perhaps wait until more used 3 Series models become available.
The Best Model Years to Buy a BMW 3 Series
The 2016 BMW 3 Series is our top pick for the best model year value for the 3 Series. With the 2016, you would only pay, on average, 49% of the price as new, with 67% of the vehicle's useful life remaining. The 2015 and 2018 model years are also attractive years for the 3 Series, and provide a relatively good value. Our rankings consider multiple factors, including the 3 Series's price as new, current price, maintenance costs and remaining years of overall predictabe expenses. Our top ranked model year represents the most car for the money of the BMW 3 Series models.
BMW 3 Series Historical Depreciation
Year | New Price | Current Price | Maintenance | $ Decline | % Decline | % Paid | Value Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | $41,964 | $41,964 | $446 | $0 | 0% | 100% | |
2019 | $40,216 | $33,825 | $519 | $8,139 | 19.4% | 82.82% | |
2018 | $41,673 | $28,672 | $656 | $5,153 | 15.23% | 67.23% | Better |
2017 | $39,467 | $25,158 | $863 | $3,514 | 12.26% | 61.56% | Good |
2016 | $38,779 | $19,855 | $999 | $5,303 | 21.08% | 48.62% | Best |
2015 | $38,139 | $17,184 | $1,276 | $2,671 | 13.45% | 41.71% | Better |
2014 | $37,967 | $15,357 | $1,780 | $1,827 | 10.63% | 35.76% | Good |
2013 | $36,952 | $14,639 | $2,019 | $718 | 4.68% | 34.15% | |
2012 | $36,937 | $13,624 | $2,178 | $1,015 | 6.93% | 30.99% | |
2011 | $36,240 | $11,341 | $2,494 | $2,283 | 16.76% | 24.41% | |
2010 | $36,489 | $10,158 | $2,563 | $1,183 | 10.43% | 20.81% | |
2009 | $36,464 | $9,347 | $2,942 | $811 | 7.98% | 17.57% | |
2008 | $40,873 | $9,234 | $3,480 | $113 | 1.21% | 14.08% |
Year | Price | % Paid | Value Rank |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | $41,964 | 100% | |
2019 | $33,825 | 82.82% | |
2018 | $28,672 | 67.23% | Better |
2017 | $25,158 | 61.56% | Good |
2016 | $19,855 | 48.62% | Best |
2015 | $17,184 | 41.71% | Better |
2014 | $15,357 | 35.76% | Good |
2013 | $14,639 | 34.15% | |
2012 | $13,624 | 30.99% | |
2011 | $11,341 | 24.41% | |
2010 | $10,158 | 20.81% | |
2009 | $9,347 | 17.57% | |
2008 | $9,234 | 14.08% |
Other BMW 3 Series Costs of Ownership
Finding a car or truck that saves on depreciation costs is important. But, it's also imperative to view all major BMW 3 Series costs. This will ensure that you are finding the vehicle that provides you the best value, at the lowest cost. We've created tools that will also help you to save on the following ownership expenses: