BMW 7 Series vs Mercedes-Benz S-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 54% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| 7 Series | S-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 2 302 104 | R 2 652 260 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 40 237/m | R 46 357/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 76% | 76% |
| Retained after 3 years | 54% | 54% |
| Value after 3 years | R 1 239 425 | R 1 427 945 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 1 062 679 | R 1 224 315 |
| Value after 5 years | R 857 960 | R 988 458 |
| Our tier | Luxury flagship & exotic | Luxury flagship & exotic |
BMW 7 Series →
BMW's flagship sedan has been on sale in South Africa continuously since the 1990s as the main rival to the Mercedes S-Class. Executive and chauffeur buyers dominate the small new market. Depreciation is severe, which makes lightly used examples look like bargains until the maintenance bills arrive.
Known for: flagship limousine with brutal depreciation
Mercedes-Benz S-Class →
Every generation of the S-Class lands in SA as the technology flagship of the whole market. New buyers are mostly chauffeur-driven executives, while used buyers get limousine luxury for a fraction of list price because depreciation is brutal. Running costs on older examples can sting.
Known for: flagship tech and chauffeur luxury
Common questions
Which holds value better, the BMW 7 Series or the Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
They are close to inseparable: 54% vs 54% 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 7 Series loses about R 1 062 679 over three years and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class loses about R 1 224 315. 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 7 Series runs about R 40 237 per month and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class about R 46 357, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.