BMW i8 vs Porsche 911
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Porsche 911 wins on money kept: 52% retained after three years vs 48%, worth about R 588 945 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| i8 | 911 | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 755 000 | R 2 760 000 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 30 675/m | R 48 240/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 72% | 75% |
| Retained after 3 years | 48% | 52% |
| Value after 3 years | R 848 538 | R 1 437 483 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 906 462 | R 1 322 517 |
| Value after 5 years | R 551 788 | R 976 016 |
| Our tier | Luxury flagship & exotic | Luxury flagship & exotic |
BMW i8 →
A plug-in hybrid sports car with butterfly doors, the i8 was sold in South Africa from 2015 to 2020 in coupe and later roadster form. Power came from a 1.5-litre three-cylinder paired with an electric motor. Values dropped steeply at first but have settled as it gains modern-classic status.
Known for: butterfly-door hybrid sports car
Porsche 911 →
The 911 has been sold continuously in South Africa across every generation and remains the benchmark sports car here. Coupe, cabriolet and Targa bodies are offered, with the current 992.2 range from about R2.76 million and GT models attracting long waiting lists. Well-kept 911s depreciate slowly and GT3 and Turbo variants often trade above their original list prices.
Known for: holding value better than almost any car
Common questions
Which holds value better, the BMW i8 or the Porsche 911?
The Porsche 911. It keeps about 52% of its price after three years against 48% for the BMW i8, a gap of 4 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The BMW i8 loses about R 906 462 over three years and the Porsche 911 loses about R 1 322 517. 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 i8 runs about R 30 675 per month and the Porsche 911 about R 48 240, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.