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Depreciation, used prices, ownership costs and model-year data compared
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BMW 5 Series Depreciation & Resale Value
Skip the new-car premium: a 2016 runs about $42,850 below its original MSRP.
The BMW 5 Series is a midsize luxury sedan spanning turbocharged four-, six-, and eight-cylinder engines, plug-in hybrid power, and rear- or all-wheel drive.
Market context: The observed window crosses the 2017 G30 redesign; engine family, xDrive, M Sport equipment, electrification, and generation therefore matter alongside age when comparing resale values.
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Open a side-by-side comparison of five-year value retention, depreciation by model year, used asking prices, repair costs, MPG and safety data.
At a glance
Key takeaways
Biggest drop
2017→2016
+7.9% in one year
Smart-buy year
2016
~$13,000 median
Depreciation by Model Year
| Model year | Depreciation from MSRP |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 60.5% |
| 2019 | 65.3% |
| 2018 | 68.6% |
| 2017 | 71.8% |
| 2016 | 79.7% |
| 2015 | 81.9% |
Based on 1,001 real used-car listings. Each listing's price is adjusted to a standard 12,000 mi/year for its age and compared to the vehicle's original MSRP; figures reflect a 5% asking-to-sale estimate.
Resale Value by Age
Estimated value of a typical BMW 5 Series as it ages, from a ~$53,900 new price.
| Age | Retained | Est. value | Lost that year | Total lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yr | 89% | $48,036 | −$5,864 | −$5,864 |
| 2 yrs | 76% | $41,066 | −$6,970 | −$12,834 |
| 3 yrs | 65% | $35,108 | −$5,958 | −$18,792 |
| 4 yrs | 56% | $30,014 | −$5,094 | −$23,886 |
| 5 yrs | 48% | $25,659 | −$4,355 | −$28,241 |
| 6 yrs | 41% | $21,936 | −$3,723 | −$31,964 |
| 7 yrs | 35% | $18,753 | −$3,183 | −$35,147 |
| 8 yrs | 30% | $16,032 | −$2,721 | −$37,868 |
Interactive tool
What's your 5 Series worth?
Estimate a used 5 Series's value from its year and mileage, using our depreciation model.
Estimated value
$11,700
about typical mileage
At 120,000 miles (about typical for a 10-year-old car, ~120,000 mi). Estimate only — actual value depends on condition, trim, options, and local demand.
Should You Buy a Used BMW 5 Series?
For used buyers, the BMW 5 Series is an average bet for resale. The smartest pick is a 2016 (around $13,000) — it sits just past the steepest depreciation, so the first owner already absorbed the biggest loss. Favor the 540i xDrive trim for the best resale, and always pull a vehicle-history report before buying.
Pros
- Proven longevity — examples regularly list past 150,000 miles and still sell for around $10,322.
- The 540i xDrive trim holds its value best if resale matters to you.
Watch-outs
- The steepest single-year drop hits between 2017 and 2016 — buying brand-new costs you that loss.
What Affects BMW 5 Series Resale Value
Value falls fastest from the 2017 to the 2016 model year — a 7.9%-point jump in a single year. That makes the 2016 5 Series a value sweet spot — the previous owner absorbs the worst of the drop, and you still get a relatively recent car.
Trim matters: the 540i xDrive holds its value best (about 63.1% average depreciation), while the 528i gives up the most (around 82.0%). Choosing the right trim can be worth thousands at resale.
Which BMW 5 Series Trims Hold Value Best
Share of original MSRP retained, averaged across model years.
540i xDrive
36.9% kept· 112 listings
540i
34.7% kept· 108 listings
530i xDrive
32.5% kept· 188 listings
530i
31% kept· 196 listings
550i xDrive
20.1% kept· 20 listings
535i xDrive
19.9% kept· 81 listings
528i xDrive
19.3% kept· 91 listings
How Long Does the BMW 5 Series Last?
Mileage profile across 1,001 listings.
Over 100k mi
36.2%
Over 150k mi
2.2%
Highest mileage
200,000 mi
Price at 120k+ mi
$10,322
Roughly 36.2% of listed BMW 5 Seriess have already crossed 100,000 miles — most on the market are still relatively low-mileage.
Smartest Year to Buy
The 2016 BMW 5 Series sits just past the steepest depreciation drop, with a typical asking price around $13,000 — about $42,850 off its original MSRP.
View 2016 details →Price & Depreciation by Year
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year to buy a used BMW 5 Series?
The 2016 5 Series is the value sweet spot: it sits just past the model's steepest one-year depreciation drop, so the first owner has already absorbed the biggest loss. Expect to pay around $13,000 for a typical example, and the 540i xDrive trim will hold its value best from there. As always, a well-maintained, accident-free example with average mileage for its age is worth paying a little more for than a cheap car with a questionable history. Whatever year you settle on, budget for a pre-purchase inspection — at a couple hundred dollars, it's the cheapest insurance against an expensive surprise down the road.
Which BMW 5 Series trim holds its value best?
The 540i xDrive retains the most value, depreciating about 63.1% on average across model years in our data. Trim choice can swing resale by thousands of dollars over a few years, because desirable trims stay in demand on the used market while stripped-down or niche trims sell at a discount. It's also worth comparing the trim premium new versus used — a pricier trim sometimes depreciates enough to become the smarter used buy. If you expect to resell, the 540i xDrive is the safer bet; if you're keeping the car long-term, buy the trim with the features you actually want and worry less about resale.
Methodology
Depreciation is computed from 1,001 real used-car listings. Each listing's asking price is normalized to a standard 12,000 miles per year for the vehicle's age, adjusted by a 5% asking-to-sale estimate, and compared against the original base MSRP for that VIN's trim. Headline 1/3/5-year figures reflect a smoothed retention curve fitted across all model years (the typical trajectory); individual years in the table above can run above or below it with market conditions. Full methodology. Updated August 2026.