Both EVs and German luxury cars are known for steep depreciation, so when you combine the two, the hit to value gets painfully real
April 8, 2025 at 18:30
- A loaded BMW i5 eDrive40 sold for just $46,250 with only 714 miles on the clock.
- Original MSRP of this i5 was $77,695, including several premium option packages.
- Depreciation hit hard, with the electric sedan losing $31,445 in just a few months.
Depreciation comes with the territory when it comes to EVs and luxury German cars—everyone knows that. Still, even seasoned car watchers might do a double take at how quickly some of these high-end electrics shed value. Take this 2024 BMW i5 eDrive40, for example. It’s already lost a staggering $31,445, despite having just 714 miles (1,149 km) on the clock. We’re talking about a car that’s barely broken in.
The i5 was recently auctioned off on Cars & Bids where it traded hands for $46,250. That’s an absolute steal for an all-electric German sedan of this quality and way less than the original price tag of $77,695. While we feel a little bad for the original owner, the winning bidder seems to have gotten an excellent deal. However, it’s certainly possible that it’ll continue to depreciate at a rapid rate.
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This version of the i5 is the eDrive40, the base model in BMW’s electric 5-Series lineup. It’s equipped with an 81 kWh battery that powers a single electric motor, delivering 335 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. According to BMW, that setup should get you around 295 miles of range on a full charge when paired with the optional 20-inch wheels, as seen here. Despite its entry-level status, the eDrive40 still does 0–60 mph in a very respectable 5.7 seconds. And that’s without a rollout for our Tesla readers.
Packed With Options
This particular i5 isn’t just a barebones base model either. The window sticker reveals that this car is fitted with the M Sport Package, M Sport Package Pro, and Premium Package, which add features like a heated steering wheel, interior camera, LED cornering lights, and a head-up display. It also has the Driving Assistance Pro Package and Connected Package Pro, adding real-time traffic updates, BMW remote services, and on-street parking information.
An EV Bargain?
As the car has barely been driven at just over 700 miles, it’s in excellent shape. The only visible flaws are a few minor scratches on the trunk lid—easily fixable with a bit of buffing. Otherwise, it’s practically new.
Aesthetics are subjective, but let’s just say we’re not in love with the styling of the current i5 or its gas-powered 5-Series siblings. Still, that might be easier to overlook when the price is slashed by over 40 percent. So here’s the real question: would you spend $46,000 like this buyer on an almost-new electric BMW with all the bells and whistles, even if it might keep shedding value?