Head-To-Head Resale Comparison

BMW 3 Series vs Dodge Charger: resale value, depreciation and costs

We compared 3,182 listing observations from the 2026 market cycle to see which model retains more value, costs less used, and brings the stronger ownership numbers.

By CarResaleValue Editorial · Updated August 2026 · Sources: observed used-car listings, EPA, NHTSA and RepairPal

The Short Answer

Dodge Charger holds more value after five years

In the 2026 market cycle, the BMW 3 Series is estimated to retain 56.5% of its original value after five years, while the Dodge Charger retains 63.1%. That is a 6.6-point edge for the Dodge Charger; year, trim, mileage, condition and local demand still determine the price of a specific vehicle.

Comparison Scorecard

The numbers that change the decision

Green cells mark a measurable advantage, not an overall verdict. Price and coverage are shown without declaring a winner because the right tradeoff depends on your budget and the exact vehicle.

BMW 3 Series vs Dodge Charger resale value and ownership metrics
MetricBMW 3 SeriesDodge Charger
5-year value retainedSmoothed estimate in the 2026 market cycle56.5%63.1%
5-year depreciationEstimated share of original value lost43.5%36.9%
Average used asking priceMedian asking prices averaged across covered model years$29,130$26,372
Average original MSRPOriginal sticker prices averaged across covered years$50,154$42,534
Latest combined fuel economyLatest BMW 3 Series vs 2026 Dodge ChargerNot available88 MPG
Average annual repair costRepairPal model-level estimateNot availableNot available
RepairPal reliability ratingOut of 5.0Not availableNot available
Latest NHTSA overall rating2022 vs 20235 / 5 stars5 / 5 stars
Listing observationsEvidence behind the model-level curves1,1582,024

Year By Year

Compare overlapping model years

These 12shared model years make age-matched shopping easier. Depreciation compares each year's normalized asking price with its original MSRP.

Shared model-year depreciation and median asking prices for the BMW 3 Series and Dodge Charger
Model yearBMW 3 Series depreciationBMW 3 Series median priceDodge Charger depreciationDodge Charger median price
20260.1%$72,1489.0%$52,839
202517.7%$40,09043.2%$35,040
202424.7%$36,18547.5%$38,920
202330.4%$33,51819.5%$31,792
202238.2%$27,98926.8%$25,686
202144.6%$24,69927.7%$25,364
202046.1%$27,59034.3%$22,648
201952.9%$22,99039.0%$20,408
201860.9%$20,99047.7%$18,183
201766.5%$15,59750.0%$17,161
201670.6%$12,96955.9%$15,398
201570.7%$14,79262.7%$13,025

Buyer Fit

Which one should you buy?

Start with the tradeoff you care about, then verify the exact year, trim, mileage and service history. A model-level advantage can disappear when two individual used cars are not equivalent.

Choose the BMW 3 Series if...

  • You are targeting one of the 3 shared model years where it posted lower measured depreciation than the Dodge Charger.
  • You found a specific example with the stronger year, trim, mileage, condition or service history; those details can outweigh a model-level average.
  • Its $29,130 average median asking price fits your budget after you check the same-year rows below.
Research every BMW 3 Series model year

Choose the Dodge Charger if...

  • Five-year value retention matters: its estimate is 63.1%, 6.6 points above the BMW 3 Series.
  • You are targeting one of the 9 shared model years where it posted lower measured depreciation than the BMW 3 Series.
  • Its average median used asking price is $2,758 lower across the covered model years.
Research every Dodge Charger model year

Beyond The Score

How these models fit the used market

Resale value is only one part of the choice. Segment role, supply and the mix of years on sale help explain why two similarly priced vehicles can depreciate differently.

BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series coverage spans 2015-2026.

Dodge Charger

Dodge Charger coverage spans 2015-2026.

Go Deeper

Open the full model-year research

Compare trims, mileage, recalls, fuel costs and current listing examples before deciding on one specific car.

BMW 3 Series depreciation guideDodge Charger depreciation guide

Keep Comparing

More comparisons for your shortlist

See how the BMW 3 Series and Dodge Charger stack up against other close alternatives using the same resale-value framework.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which holds its value better, the BMW 3 Series or Dodge Charger?

Dodge Charger has the stronger five-year result in this comparison. The BMW 3 Series is estimated to retain 56.5% of its original value after five years versus 63.1% for the Dodge Charger, using the same 2026 observation cycle. The difference is 6.6 percentage points. This is a model-level curve, not an appraisal for one VIN; trim, mileage, condition, options and location can change an actual resale price.

Is the BMW 3 Series or Dodge Charger cheaper to buy used?

Across the model years in this dataset, the Dodge Charger has the lower average median asking price at $26,372, about $2,758 below the BMW 3 Series average. That broad average is a starting point, not a like-for-like quote, because each model can have a different year range, trim mix and mileage distribution. The year-by-year table is the better place to compare vehicles of the same age before checking listings near you.

Which is less expensive to maintain, the BMW 3 Series or Dodge Charger?

The available model data does not provide a complete annual repair-cost estimate for both vehicles, so this page does not name a maintenance-cost winner. Use the RepairPal ratings where shown, review recalls and complaints in each model-year guide, ask for service records, and budget for an independent pre-purchase inspection. Age, mileage, powertrain and previous maintenance usually matter more than a single broad reliability score.

How does CarResaleValue compare the BMW 3 Series and Dodge Charger?

CarResaleValue normalizes observed used-car asking prices to a standard 12,000 miles per year, applies a 5% asking-to-sale adjustment, and compares the result with original MSRP references. A smoothed retention curve produces the five-year estimate when the data contains an observed five-year cohort. This page combines 3,182 listing observations across 24 model-year records, then adds EPA fuel economy, NHTSA safety data and RepairPal ownership indicators where available.

Comparison methodology

This page combines 3,182 listing observations across 24 model-year records. Asking prices are mileage-normalized to 12,000 miles per year, adjusted by a 5% asking-to-sale estimate, and compared with original MSRP references. Five-year figures use a smoothed curve only when an observed five-year cohort exists. EPA, NHTSA and RepairPal fields are shown independently and may cover different model years. Read the full CarResaleValue methodology. You can also browse the sedan resale value ranking.