BMW 5 Series vs Lexus ES
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Lexus ES wins on money kept: 60% retained after three years vs 56%, worth about R 211 564 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| 5 Series | ES | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 286 731 | R 851 500 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 22 490/m | R 14 883/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 77% | 80% |
| Retained after 3 years | 56% | 60% |
| Value after 3 years | R 724 997 | R 513 433 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 561 734 | R 338 067 |
| Value after 5 years | R 515 249 | R 379 692 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Premium (established) |
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
Lexus ES →
South Africa only got the ES nameplate in 2013, and the front-wheel-drive ES 300h hybrid is now the cheapest way into a new Lexus sedan. It undercuts the German midsize establishment on price and running costs while offering more cabin space. Resale is average for the class but reliability complaints are rare.
Known for: comfort and value against german rivals
Common questions
Which holds value better, the BMW 5 Series or the Lexus ES?
The Lexus ES. It keeps about 60% of its price after three years against 56% for the BMW 5 Series, a gap of 4 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 Lexus ES loses about R 338 067. 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 Lexus ES about R 14 883, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.