Audi A6 vs BMW 5 Series
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Audi A6 wins on money kept: 60% retained after three years vs 56%, worth about R 19 316 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| A6 | 5 Series | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 184 100 | R 1 286 731 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 20 696/m | R 22 490/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 79% | 77% |
| Retained after 3 years | 60% | 56% |
| Value after 3 years | R 705 682 | R 724 997 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 478 418 | R 561 734 |
| Value after 5 years | R 518 290 | R 515 249 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Premium (established) |
Audi A6 →
Audi's executive sedan fought the 5 Series and E-Class locally through several generations before quietly dropping off the new-car price lists around 2024, with a new generation expected back by 2027. It built its name on comfortable cruising and strong diesel engines. Depreciation is steep, so used A6s deliver a lot of car for the money.
Known for: comfortable long-distance executive cruiser
BMW 5 Series →
A long-running executive staple, the 5 Series has been sold new in South Africa across every generation since the mid-1990s. The 520d and 530d diesels were the volume picks for years, and the current range is topped by the plug-in hybrid M5. Used examples are plentiful and prices fall quickly once the motor plan ends.
Known for: executive sedan with strong badge status
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Audi A6 or the BMW 5 Series?
The Audi A6. It keeps about 60% of its price after three years against 56% for the BMW 5 Series, a gap of 3 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Audi A6 loses about R 478 418 over three years and the BMW 5 Series loses about R 561 734. 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 A6 runs about R 20 696 per month and the BMW 5 Series about R 22 490, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.