Cars / BMW 3 Series
BMW 3 Series depreciation in UAE
A BMW 3 Series loses about 19.0% of its value per year in UAE. Buy one new for AED 236,000 and after 3 years it's worth roughly AED 125,538 (53% retained); after 5 years, about AED 82,417 (35%). Driving more than ~20,000 km/year pushes resale lower.
By UAE standards the BMW 3 Series is among the faster-depreciating models, with steep losses in the early years, which is exactly what tips a buy-vs-rent decision one way or the other over a few years of ownership.
So should you buy it or rent it? At default assumptions the break-even long-term rental rate is about AED 4,681/month: rent below that and renting wins; above it, buying wins. Your price, financing, and mileage move this number, so run yours:
Buying wins · over 3 years
AED 0
cheaper than renting, all costs in.
Break-even rent: AED 4,681/month. Below that, rent; above it, buy.
If you buy: AED 168,503 total
| Down payment / cash price | AED 236,000 |
| Insurance | AED 17,465 |
| Registration | AED 1,260 |
| Maintenance | AED 4,720 |
| Opportunity cost of capital | AED 28,320 |
| Resale value (credit) | −AED 119,261 |
Expected resale, net of selling costs: AED 119,261 (range AED 106,035 to AED 133,675)
If you rent: AED 187,200 total
| Rental payments | AED 187,200 |
Fuel and Salik are excluded on both sides; you pay them either way.
BMW 3 Series depreciation in UAE, by the numbers
| Estimated new price | AED 236,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual depreciation rate | 19.0% per year |
| Estimated value after 1 year | AED 191,220 (81% retained) |
| Estimated value after 2 years | AED 154,937 (66% retained) |
| Estimated value after 3 years | AED 125,538 (53% retained) |
| Estimated value after 5 years | AED 82,417 (35% retained) |
| Typical resale range at 3 years | AED 111,616 to AED 140,711 |
| Break-even rent (default assumptions) | AED 4,681/month |
| Data behind this curve | market fit · 94 data points · R² 0.96 |
Figures assume a new purchase at typical mileage. The calculator above lets you set your actual price, age, odometer, financing, and holding period.
Frequently asked
How much does a BMW 3 Series depreciate per year in UAE?
Roughly 19.0% per year, based on our fit of 94 UAE listings. Higher-than-average mileage accelerates the loss.
What will a BMW 3 Series be worth after 3 years?
Around 53% of what you paid, about AED 125,538 on a AED 236,000 car at typical mileage (with a realistic range either side; we show a 10-90% band, not a single false-precision number).
Should I buy or rent a BMW 3 Series in UAE?
It hinges on the monthly rental rate you can get. At default assumptions (3 years, cash, 20,000 km/year), the break-even is about AED 4,681/month: if you can rent below that, renting wins; above it, buying wins. Use the calculator to plug in your actual numbers.
Curve fit: market data · n = 94 · R² = 0.96 · updated 2026-07-04 · methodology