Audi A5 vs BMW 3 Series
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 59% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| A5 | 3 Series | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 123 000 | R 920 231 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 19 628/m | R 16 084/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 78% | 78% |
| Retained after 3 years | 59% | 59% |
| Value after 3 years | R 657 570 | R 538 839 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 465 430 | R 381 392 |
| Value after 5 years | R 477 983 | R 391 678 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Premium (established) |
Audi A5 →
Originally the coupe, cabriolet and Sportback offshoot of the A4, the A5 nameplate took over as Audi's compact executive sedan in South Africa from August 2025. The new generation runs a 2.0 TFSI in front-wheel drive or quattro form and starts around R1.12 million. Older A5 coupes and Sportbacks are widely available used at a big discount on their original prices.
Known for: sleek styling on a4 mechanicals
BMW 3 Series →
Rosslyn built the 3 Series for local and export markets until 2018, and it remains the definitive compact executive sedan in South Africa. Huge used supply across the E90, F30 and G20 generations makes it one of the most traded premium cars in the country. The M3 is a sought-after used buy, though running costs are serious.
Known for: compact executive benchmark built in sa for decades
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Audi A5 or the BMW 3 Series?
They are close to inseparable: 59% vs 59% retained after three years. Buy on price, spec and the deal you can get, not on resale.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Audi A5 loses about R 465 430 over three years and the BMW 3 Series loses about R 381 392. 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 A5 runs about R 19 628 per month and the BMW 3 Series about R 16 084, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.