Why are used BMW 7 Series so cheap?
4 Answers
Because the BMW 7 Series faces market competition pressure, new cars are experiencing significant price reductions, so it's normal for used cars to be cheaper. Here is relevant information about the BMW 7 Series: 1. Development History: The BMW 7 Series is BMW's top-tier luxury sedan series, with a body style of a 4-door sedan and a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The BMW 7 Series is the flagship model of BMW, and it is only available in sedan form. The manufacturer is BMW, and it replaced the previous generation model, the BMW New Six, in 1977. 2. Body Dimensions: The length, width, and height of this series are 5212mm, 1902mm, and 1478mm respectively, with a wheelbase of 3210mm.
Honestly, I used to wonder why there's such a huge price gap between used 7 Series and new ones until I did my own research. These luxury cars start depreciating wildly from day one, especially during the first 3-5 years. Maintenance costs are insane – just replacing a valve cover gasket can cost 4,000-5,000 RMB, and transmission solenoid issues might set you back over 10,000. Their electronic systems are notoriously finicky too; if the air suspension fails, the whole car can literally squat down, making repairs much more complicated than regular vehicles. Even if average families could afford to buy one, they couldn't sustain the upkeep, forcing them to sell at steep discounts. Used car dealers typically reserve 20,000-30,000 RMB just for reconditioning these models, which ultimately drives down the resale value.
I reckon the main deterrent is the exorbitant maintenance costs. Just think about it, parts for these luxury cars are outrageously expensive—replacing brake pads and rotors at a 4S shop can cost 8,000 RMB. The older N54 engines are also notorious for oil leaks, leading to endless repairs. Most buyers of used 7 Series are businesspeople looking to make an impression, but if they encounter severe oil consumption issues, they'll immediately knock 20,000–30,000 RMB off the price. Used car dealers always bring diagnostic tools to check for trouble codes when appraising a car. If they spot transmission jerks or an engine warning light, they’ll slash the offer by tens of thousands. The real kicker is that with more and more China-6 compliant cars on the market, even transferring ownership of an older 7 Series has become difficult, so prices are plummeting fast.
It all boils down to money issues. New car prices are inflated with excessive markups - the optional extras alone could buy you a Passat. When it becomes a used car, people only care about the vehicle condition, not brand premiums. The old 7-series also has terrifying fuel consumption - 18L/100km in city driving is commonplace. Brake discs and tires wear out quickly too - a full set of tires can cost over 20,000 yuan. Accident-damaged cars fare especially badly - replacing a single headlight assembly can set you back 40-50k yuan, to the point where even used car dealers avoid them. There are also chronic issues like blue smoke from aging valve stem seals - even after repairs, the leaks persist. Spending 200k on a car but needing to budget another 100k for repairs? Only a fool would take that deal at original price.
