BMW 4 Series vs Ford Mustang
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The BMW 4 Series wins on money kept: 57% retained after three years vs 55%, worth about R 160 208 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| 4 Series | Mustang | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 005 063 | R 1 340 000 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 17 567/m | R 23 421/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 77% | 76% |
| Retained after 3 years | 57% | 55% |
| Value after 3 years | R 572 135 | R 732 344 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 432 928 | R 607 656 |
| Value after 5 years | R 409 061 | R 511 281 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Premium (established) |
BMW 4 Series →
Essentially a two-door 3 Series, the 4 Series has been sold in South Africa since 2014 in coupe, convertible and Gran Coupe forms. The M4 accounts for a large share of local interest in the nameplate. Depreciation runs steeper than the 3 Series because the body styles are more niche.
Known for: 3 series style with two doors
Ford Mustang →
Officially sold here since 2016, when South Africans first got a factory right hand drive Mustang. The 5.0 V8 GT does most of the selling and the seventh generation arrived in 2024. Limited supply means values hold up better than most sports cars.
Known for: v8 muscle car in factory right-hand drive
Common questions
Which holds value better, the BMW 4 Series or the Ford Mustang?
The BMW 4 Series. It keeps about 57% of its price after three years against 55% for the Ford Mustang, a gap of 2 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The BMW 4 Series loses about R 432 928 over three years and the Ford Mustang loses about R 607 656. 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 4 Series runs about R 17 567 per month and the Ford Mustang about R 23 421, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.