BMW 5 Series vs Infiniti M
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The BMW 5 Series wins on money kept: 56% retained after three years vs 50%, worth about R 399 998 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| 5 Series | M | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 286 731 | R 651 154 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 22 490/m | R 11 381/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 77% | 71% |
| Retained after 3 years | 56% | 50% |
| Value after 3 years | R 724 997 | R 325 000 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 561 734 | R 326 154 |
| Value after 5 years | R 515 249 | R 231 602 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Orphan & discontinued |
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
Infiniti M →
Infiniti's 5 Series rival arrived with the 2012 SA launch as the M30d diesel and M37 petrol, loaded with equipment for around R651,000. It found very few local buyers. Used examples are near-invisible in the classifieds and priced accordingly.
Known for: kit-heavy executive sedan rarity
Common questions
Which holds value better, the BMW 5 Series or the Infiniti M?
The BMW 5 Series. It keeps about 56% of its price after three years against 50% for the Infiniti M, a gap of 6 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The BMW 5 Series loses about R 561 734 over three years and the Infiniti M loses about R 326 154. 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 5 Series runs about R 22 490 per month and the Infiniti M about R 11 381, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.