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BMW 3 Series Depreciation

A BMW 3 Series will depreciate 37% after 5 years and have a 5 year resale value of $31,331.

Once driven off the new car lot, the BMW 3-Series loses value quickly, as do most BMWs. For new purchases, after three years, your 3-Series will be worth about 60% 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 12,000 miles per year. It also assumes a selling price of $49,613 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.

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BMW 3 Series Depreciation Calculator

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BMW 3 Series Depreciation

Years Old Depreciation Residual Value Resale Value Mileage Resale Year
1 $3,518 92.91% $46,095 12,000 2022
2 $4,465 91.00% $45,148 24,000 2023
3 $5,457 89.00% $44,156 36,000 2024
4 $13,807 72.17% $35,806 48,000 2025
5 $18,282 63.15% $31,331 60,000 2026
6 $23,204 53.23% $26,409 72,000 2027
7 $26,925 45.73% $22,688 84,000 2028
8 $29,773 39.99% $19,840 96,000 2029
9 $30,547 38.43% $19,066 108,000 2030
10 $31,261 36.99% $18,352 120,000 2031

BMW 3 Series Depreciation

Years Old Depreciation Residual Value Resale Value
1 $3,518 92.91% $46,095
2 $4,465 91.00% $45,148
3 $5,457 89.00% $44,156
4 $13,807 72.17% $35,806
5 $18,282 63.15% $31,331
6 $23,204 53.23% $26,409
7 $26,925 45.73% $22,688
8 $29,773 39.99% $19,840
9 $30,547 38.43% $19,066
10 $31,261 36.99% $18,352

Buying a BMW 3 Series New vs Used

If you purchase a used BMW 3 Series that is 2 years old, then you could save $4,465 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 $13,817. 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.

What About BMW 3 Series Insurance Costs?

The average cost to insure a BMW 3 Series is about $2,367 per year. This adds up to around $11,835 after 5 years of vehicle ownership. Unlike depreciation, this expense can often be lowered by shopping around for lower insurance premiums. Comparing quotes will ensure that you are not overpaying if you already own a BMW 3 Series. Or, if you are just researching, then it would be money-wise to know this cost before buying. Try our Competitive Quote Tool or the form below to get free quotes. Advertising Disclosure

The Best Model Years to Buy a BMW 3 Series

The 2022 BMW 3 Series is our top pick for the best model year value for the 3 Series. With the 2022, you would only pay, on average, 100% of the price as new, with 100% of the vehicle's useful life remaining. The 2021 and 2016 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
2022 $49,613 $49,613 $450 $0 0% 100% Best
2021 $49,484 $46,503 $529 $3,110 6.27% 92.91% Better
2020 $41,964 $38,187 $654 $8,316 17.88% 91%
2019 $40,216 $35,792 $854 $2,395 6.27% 89%
2018 $41,673 $31,096 $1,020 $4,696 13.12% 72.17%
2017 $39,467 $26,207 $1,282 $4,889 15.72% 63.15% Good
2016 $38,779 $22,456 $1,812 $3,751 14.31% 53.23% Better
2015 $38,139 $19,463 $2,023 $2,993 13.33% 45.73% Good
2014 $37,967 $17,403 $2,219 $2,060 10.58% 39.99%
2013 $36,952 $16,713 $2,511 $690 3.96% 38.43%
2012 $36,937 $16,212 $2,548 $501 3% 36.99%
2011 $36,240 $12,987 $2,860 $3,225 19.89% 27.94%
2010 $36,489 $12,468 $3,312 $519 4% 25.09%
Year Price % Paid Value Rank
2022 $49,613 100% Best
2021 $46,503 92.91% Better
2020 $38,187 91%
2019 $35,792 89%
2018 $31,096 72.17%
2017 $26,207 63.15% Good
2016 $22,456 53.23% Better
2015 $19,463 45.73% Good
2014 $17,403 39.99%
2013 $16,713 38.43%
2012 $16,212 36.99%
2011 $12,987 27.94%
2010 $12,468 25.09%

BMW 3 Series Depreciation Rankings

Depreciation Rankings

We've ranked over 200 models from best to worst for Depreciation. See where the BMW 3 Series ranks for Depreciation compared to other vehicles. Also check out how the 3 Series stacks up in our rankings for Maintenance, Insurance and Overall Costs.

Depreciation Rankings

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: