A Used BMW Car With A Great Resale Value Is Good Investment For Retirees

According to CarEdge's valuation data, the BMW X3 holds about 47.99% of its original value after five years and it has seen a steady price increase between 2020 to 2023. In 2020, the X3 was around $42,945 for the base trim and the following year's model started from $43,995. By 2022, the entry-level X3 began at about $44,000 and the 2023 model started from about $47,195. With an average price of $44,535 across the 2020 to 2023 models, Car Edge places the resale value after five years at $29,844. 

GoBankingRates lists the BMW X3 as a smart investment for retirees because of its solid mix of comfort, safety features, and strong resale value over time. It's five-year depreciation rate of 52%, meaning it retains 48% of its original value, makes it a great buy for budget-conscious buyers. That's higher than key rivals like the Audi Q5, which holds 43.2% of its value in five years.

For retirees, these numbers matter. A car that holds its value offers more flexibility when the vehicle needs a change, making resale or trade-in easier. Plus, with slower depreciation, the overall cost of ownership stays lower. Add in built-in features like adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning, and the X3 offers both peace of mind and long-term value that, though it's not in the low-budget range, is a good buy nonetheless.

Car Edge shows that the total five-year cost to own a BMW X3 is about $71,368 for a new model, and much lower if you buy a used X3 as depreciation isn't as great a factor. That covers the loss of value over time, insurance premiums, fuel, and the regular tune-ups and repairs needed to keep the X3 running. It is higher than the five-year cost of owning the Lexus NX ($56,393), the Audi Q5 ($64,303), and the Mercedes-Benz GLC ($70,957). Even so, it is still lower than the cost of ownership of the Jaguar F-PACE ($96,751).

RepairPal reports that the BMW X3 averages $1,034 per year in repair and maintenance. On reliability, J.D. Power's Quality & Reliability scores show the BMW X3 have high scores across the 2020 to 2023 model years. For the 2020 model, the X3 earned an 80 out of 100, solidly average, with no major surprises or breakdowns. This is same for the 2021 model.

Then came a mid-cycle refresh for the 2022 model, moving the score up to 85 and pushing it into J.D. Power's "Great" category. That uptick reflects real improvements in fit, finish, and durability. By 2023, the X3 model held steady at 82, keeping its "Great" rating. Moving to fuel efficiency, across the core gas-powered trims, the X3 delivers 27 miles per gallon (mpg) combined in both the 2020 and 2021 models. Then, it settles at 25 mpg for 2022 and 2023 models. This gives an overall average of about 26 mpg for the 2020 to 2023 models.

Every X3 from 2020 through 2023 invites you into a calm, easygoing ride. In the 2022 model, BMW swapped in plush, perforated SensaTec cushions that still keep you at that ideal upright height, good news for hips and knees on longer journeys. Out back, a flat cargo floor and a 40/20/40 split rear bench let you fit golf bags, grocery bags, or weekend gear without fuss, while the hands-free power tailgate pops open with a kick of your foot. Inside, the 2020 and 2021 models offer dual-zone comfort, and starting with 2022 model year you get tri-zone automatic climate control so every passenger can dial in their perfect temperature.

Tech is equally friendly. All four model years (2020 to 2023) share BMW's Live Cockpit with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and voice-driven iDrive 7; 2022 to 2023 models can be fit with a larger 12.3-inch cluster for bigger, clearer gauges. Wireless Apple CarPlay has been standard since 2020, and wireless Android Auto joins the roster from 2021 forward, eliminating cord clutter.

On safety, Active Guard, which is forward-collision warning with automatic braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warning, is present across the entire 2020 to 2023 models. The 2022 update layers on cruise control with braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an optional Traffic Jam Assistant that can steer, brake, and accelerate in slow highway traffic.