BMW 5 Series vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 56% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| 5 Series | E-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 286 731 | R 1 331 478 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 22 490/m | R 23 272/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 77% | 77% |
| Retained after 3 years | 56% | 56% |
| Value after 3 years | R 724 997 | R 750 210 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 561 734 | R 581 268 |
| Value after 5 years | R 515 249 | R 533 167 |
| 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
Mercedes-Benz E-Class →
The E-Class has long been the choice of established professionals who find the C-Class too small. Recent generations sell in modest numbers new but keep a solid reputation for comfort and technology. Depreciation is heavy in the first few years, typical of large German sedans.
Known for: comfort-first executive sedan
Common questions
Which holds value better, the BMW 5 Series or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
They are close to inseparable: 56% vs 56% retained after three years. Buy on price, spec and the deal you can get, not on resale.
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 Mercedes-Benz E-Class loses about R 581 268. 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 Mercedes-Benz E-Class about R 23 272, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.