Audi A3 vs BMW 2 Series
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Audi A3 wins on money kept: 60% retained after three years vs 57%, worth about R 45 463 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| A3 | 2 Series | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 769 000 | R 733 559 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 13 441/m | R 12 821/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 79% | 77% |
| Retained after 3 years | 60% | 57% |
| Value after 3 years | R 463 044 | R 417 581 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 305 956 | R 315 978 |
| Value after 5 years | R 342 149 | R 298 558 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Premium (established) |
Audi A3 →
The A3 has been Audi's volume passenger car in South Africa since 1997, sold as a Sportback hatch and a sedan. It shares its platform and engines with the VW Golf family while charging a premium for the badge and cabin. Used demand stays steady, and the S3 and RS3 hold value better than base cars.
Known for: golf underpinnings with upmarket cabin
BMW 2 Series →
BMW's 2 Series covers the rear-wheel-drive coupe and the front-wheel-drive Gran Coupe in South Africa, with the M2 at the top of the range. The Gran Coupe does most of the volume against the Mercedes CLA. The 2 Series Active Tourer MPV was also sold here from 2015 to around 2021 but never caught on.
Known for: affordable coupe style and the m2
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Audi A3 or the BMW 2 Series?
The Audi A3. It keeps about 60% of its price after three years against 57% for the BMW 2 Series, a gap of 3 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Audi A3 loses about R 305 956 over three years and the BMW 2 Series loses about R 315 978. Fuel, insurance and servicing can narrow or widen that, but the depreciation gap is the number to start from.
What do they cost per month?
On typical finance (10% deposit, 72 months, 11.75%), the Audi A3 runs about R 13 441 per month and the BMW 2 Series about R 12 821, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.