BMW 3 Series vs Infiniti Q50
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The BMW 3 Series wins on money kept: 59% retained after three years vs 51%, worth about R 336 577 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| 3 Series | Q50 | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 920 231 | R 399 000 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 16 084/m | R 6 974/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 78% | 71% |
| Retained after 3 years | 59% | 51% |
| Value after 3 years | R 538 839 | R 202 262 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 381 392 | R 196 738 |
| Value after 5 years | R 391 678 | R 145 182 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Orphan & discontinued |
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
Infiniti Q50 →
Infiniti's volume model in SA, launched in 2014 from R399,000 with a Mercedes-sourced 2.2 diesel plus a 3.5 hybrid and later a 2.0 turbo petrol. It undercut the 3 Series and C-Class on price and standard kit. Depreciation turned brutal once the brand left in 2019, which makes it a lot of used car per rand today.
Known for: undercutting the germans on spec
Common questions
Which holds value better, the BMW 3 Series or the Infiniti Q50?
The BMW 3 Series. It keeps about 59% of its price after three years against 51% for the Infiniti Q50, a gap of 8 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The BMW 3 Series loses about R 381 392 over three years and the Infiniti Q50 loses about R 196 738. 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 BMW 3 Series runs about R 16 084 per month and the Infiniti Q50 about R 6 974, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.