Audi A8 vs BMW 7 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 54% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| A8 | 7 Series | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 2 759 000 | R 2 302 104 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 48 223/m | R 40 237/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 76% | 76% |
| Retained after 3 years | 54% | 54% |
| Value after 3 years | R 1 485 413 | R 1 239 425 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 1 273 587 | R 1 062 679 |
| Value after 5 years | R 1 028 238 | R 857 960 |
| Our tier | Luxury flagship & exotic | Luxury flagship & exotic |
Audi A8 →
Audi's limousine never matched the S-Class or 7 Series for local sales, and from the 2022 facelift only the performance S8 remained on the South African price list at R2.76 million. Used cars offer enormous spec for the money. Values fall hard and fast, which is typical of the segment.
Known for: understated aluminium limousine
BMW 7 Series →
BMW's flagship sedan has been on sale in South Africa continuously since the 1990s as the main rival to the Mercedes S-Class. Executive and chauffeur buyers dominate the small new market. Depreciation is severe, which makes lightly used examples look like bargains until the maintenance bills arrive.
Known for: flagship limousine with brutal depreciation
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Audi A8 or the BMW 7 Series?
They are close to inseparable: 54% vs 54% 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 A8 loses about R 1 273 587 over three years and the BMW 7 Series loses about R 1 062 679. 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 A8 runs about R 48 223 per month and the BMW 7 Series about R 40 237, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.