BMW 4 Series vs Mercedes-Benz CLE
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 117 077 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| 4 Series | CLE | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 005 063 | R 1 261 081 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 17 567/m | R 22 042/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 77% | 76% |
| Retained after 3 years | 57% | 55% |
| Value after 3 years | R 572 135 | R 689 212 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 432 928 | R 571 869 |
| Value after 5 years | R 409 061 | R 481 169 |
| 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
Mercedes-Benz CLE →
Launched in SA during 2024 to replace both the C-Class and E-Class coupes and cabriolets. It is a low-volume image car sold in CLE 200, CLE 300 and AMG forms. The nameplate is too new for a settled resale record.
Known for: two-door successor to c and e coupes
Common questions
Which holds value better, the BMW 4 Series or the Mercedes-Benz CLE?
The BMW 4 Series. It keeps about 57% of its price after three years against 55% for the Mercedes-Benz CLE, 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 Mercedes-Benz CLE loses about R 571 869. 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 Mercedes-Benz CLE about R 22 042, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.