BMW i4 vs BYD Seal
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 44% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| i4 | Seal | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 500 000 | R 1 007 900 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 26 218/m | R 17 616/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 65% | 66% |
| Retained after 3 years | 42% | 44% |
| Value after 3 years | R 625 155 | R 439 412 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 874 845 | R 568 488 |
| Value after 5 years | R 406 929 | R 294 424 |
| Our tier | Premium EV | Premium EV |
BMW i4 →
The i4 is BMW's electric Gran Coupe, on sale in South Africa since 2022. It sits in showrooms alongside the 3 and 4 Series and undercuts the iX. Slow local EV uptake keeps volumes small and depreciation steep.
Known for: electric gran coupe
BYD Seal →
BYD's electric sports sedan went on sale in October 2024 from just under R1 million. The AWD Performance version reaches 100km/h in under 4 seconds, undercutting German rivals on power per rand. Volumes are small and depreciation is steep, as with most seven-figure EVs in SA.
Known for: supercar-baiting acceleration for sedan money
Common questions
Which holds value better, the BMW i4 or the BYD Seal?
They are close to inseparable: 42% vs 44% 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 i4 loses about R 874 845 over three years and the BYD Seal loses about R 568 488. 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 i4 runs about R 26 218 per month and the BYD Seal about R 17 616, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.