| Understanding the residual value of used cars | | | | the original purchase price than those who |
| can help you make buying decisions that can | | | | purchased just about any other make or model |
| save you a great deal of money down the road. | | | | of luxury car. The buyer of the used BMW 330 |
| The residual value is the percentage of the | | | | receives not only a car more likely to retain |
| manufacturer's original value that a car | | | | a high residual value, but a car that holds |
| retains after ownership. | | | | an overall higher combined value in terms of |
| | | | style and general ownership happiness. |
| If a particular model of used BMW has a lower | | | | |
| residual value than another used BMW model, | | | | The Mercedes held 3 spots in the top ten with |
| it may be a sign that there are issues that | | | | its CLK class (#1 spot at 65%), the E Class |
| negatively impact a particular model. The | | | | (62%), and the SL Class (61%). Other models |
| residual value is also based on the level of | | | | in the top 10 were the Volvo XC90 (62%), the |
| demand for a particular vehicle, offering | | | | Infinity G35 (61%), the Land Rover LR3 (61%), |
| insight into how easily you'll be able to | | | | the Acura MDX (60%), the Lexus ES 330 (60%), |
| sell it. | | | | and the Lexus GX 470 (60%). Any of these used |
| | | | luxury cars is a great buy in terms of a high |
| Residual values are published every year and | | | | resale value. The lowest ranking car overall |
| very useful for used luxury car shoppers to | | | | in terms of residual value in 2005 was the |
| determine the approximate value of particular | | | | Dodge Neon with a 26.1% residual value. |
| models. The residual value equation can't | | | | |
| consider every factor in determining how well | | | | How 2005 used BMW's ranked according to |
| a car will hold its value. For example, an | | | | Kelley Blue Book |
| unexpected dive in manufacturer popularity | | | | |
| could greatly reduce demand for a particular | | | | In a recent study published by Kelly Blue |
| vehicle although the quality and reliability | | | | book called the "Kelley Blue Book of Residual |
| are still strong. | | | | Values," experts measured the actual value |
| | | | that various cars held over time. In this |
| With a little research about the residual | | | | study, the used BMW 5-Series won a top spot |
| value of various BMW models, you can learn to | | | | for retained value. Leading with 1st place |
| save yourself headache during ownership as | | | | for its ability to retain value was the BMW |
| well as money when it's time to resell. If | | | | Mini Cooper. Kelley Blue Book also forecasted |
| you're in the market for a used BMW, refer to | | | | that used BMW models across the board will |
| this guide to see how these used luxury cars | | | | retain their value best over the next 5 |
| stack up in terms of residual value. | | | | years. |
| | | | |
| How today's used BMW models stacked up | | | | Almost all of the top slots in the overall |
| against other luxury cars in 2005 according | | | | survey were awarded to luxury vehicles. No |
| to Automotive Lease Guide | | | | matter which type of use luxury car you |
| | | | choose, it's much more likely to retain its |
| Among used luxury cars, the BMW 330 series | | | | value than a non-luxury vehicle. If you're |
| won the #2 slot in terms of highest residual | | | | looking for a used luxury car with top |
| value (62%). This means that those selling a | | | | grades, the used BMW 330 series, 5-Series, |
| used BMW 330 will get a higher percentage of | | | | and Mini Cooper are winning choices. |