Why BMW Is So Expensive? [ We Explained The Reasons ]

BMW dominates the luxury car market with authority, being one of the most expensive car brands. True indeed, cars from BMW are much costlier than its Japanese rivals, like Lexus. An intriguingly high number of BMW cars cost more than USD 100,000, with the costliest ones priced close to USD 150,000.

In case you realized how expensive BMWs really are only now, you might be wondering why.  Well, the design, build, and performance that these cars offer are the primary reason why cars from BMWs are so pricey. These factors set BMW apart from its competitors.

Why BMW is so expensive?

In case you get a quick glance over the prices of different luxury cars, BMW might appear to be exorbitantly pricey. You can find a cheaper alternative for most cars from this brand. So, what makes BMW so expensive, and why do people still buy their cars? Well, our explanation below should answer both the questions.

Status

Like just any other premium product in the market, BMW holds value as a symbol of status. BMW cars look exceptionally luxurious, which drives up their value in this aspect. People like to move around in vehicles that would elevate their class and appearance, and this is exactly what BMW offers. Considering that BMW targets rich buyers who seek vehicles that would symbolize their wealth, it comes as no surprise that cars from this brand are so pricey.

Build quality

So, is BMW expensive just because it makes you look rich? Not quite. BMW cars are among the best in terms of build quality, with the German car manufacturer blending durability and style perfectly. The high-grade materials and engineering efforts that go into the making of a BMW ensure that these cars would last long when maintained well. Even basic BMWs feature high-grade exterior build and interior finishing. Features like sound insulation, water insulation, sophisticated electronics, high-end metal sheets, quality paint, etc. are common in BMWs too.

Reliability

A number of cars from BMW have earned a bad reputation of being very unreliable. This is particularly a reason why many people find BMWs to be unreasonably pricey. However, in reality, a BMW can last impressively long if it receives adequate care. Let’s face it – A BMW is a high-maintenance car. If you were to take care of it as you would do for a Lexus, it may break down at times. This is because BMWs are high-performance cars with a number of intricate parts. Several BMW owners have reported having driven their cars for more than 500,000 miles.

Comfort

BMWs come with the promise of superior comfort and ride quality. For instance, economic cars from brands like Toyota generally feature cloth interiors. BMW, on the other hand, uses high-grade materials for interior finishing to deliver greater comfort. These cars come with excellent cabin insulation and body parts that feel nice to touch. The exceptional performance of the robust engine of BMW assures a smooth driving experience.

Performance

Yet another factor that sets BMWs apart is their performance. They come with high-performance and refined engines that excel in every performance metric. Be it the horsepower, acceleration, or braking, BMW is among the best. In fact, it doesn’t even take three seconds for the fastest cars of this brand to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles. Considering that the engine constitutes a major portion of a car’s price, it isn’t unusual for BMWs to be so costly.

Is buying a BMW worth it?

Whether a BMW would be worth your money depends on how you perceive the asset. In terms of value depreciation, cars from German car brands tend to lose value much faster than their Japanese counterparts, and the same applies to BMWs too. In fact, it takes cars from the BMW 7 Series and BMW 5 Series only five years to lose 70% of their starting value. This is because the supply of BMWs in the market by far exceeds the demand.

After all, car lovers can enjoy an astonishingly lower price while purchasing a BMW. If you are trying to buy a high-end car with a smaller budget, this is a good way to do it. However, most BMWs are past their warranty period by the time they end up in the used car market. You’ll have to carefully pick a BMW that isn’t too old and has received plenty of maintenance. Keep in mind that the routine maintenance costs of an older BMW would be significantly higher.

So, would it be logical to go for a BMW? Well, this largely depends on your priorities and aspirations. While BMWs generally do not offer the best value for money, they are almost unrivaled when it comes to performance, driving experience, exclusivity, and style. If a car with unmatched class, elegance, and performance is what you are after, a BMW would indeed be a good pick.

What makes BMW special?

The biggest factor that helps BMWs stand out is their status as luxury vehicles. These cars offer an unmatched level of comfort, something that rich car buyers are always after. Especially if you spend a lot of time in your car, a BMW can help you enjoy your day comfortably. The quality of the interior finishing, the sophisticated electronics, and the smooth driving experience all contribute to this. Other factors that set BMW apart from the rest include its:

• Amazing performance
• Quality components
• Stylish and elegant looks
• Long lifespan with adequate maintenance

On the road, a BMW always stands out from the crowd. The iconic logo and the typical design of BMWs make them easy to notice. Hence, if you seek a four-wheeler that would draw attention and enhance the impression you put up, a BMW is definitely one of your best options.

Is BMW very expensive to maintain?

One of the major drawbacks that have led to the low demand for BMWs is that these luxury cars are very expensive to maintain. As pointed out earlier, a BMW has various delicate parts to fine-tune its performance. These parts can break down in the absence of special care. Make sure to factor these costs in, if you are bracing up to purchase one of these prestigious cars.

• Repairs: BMWs typically require repairs more frequently than other luxury cars. Now, BMW engines are extremely sophisticated, with various special parts. Getting your BMW repaired by someone familiar with the brand’s technology can be quite expensive. The price and the frequency of repairs drive up the ownership costs of keeping a BMW.
• Spare parts: In case you need to replace any components of your BMW during repairs, you may have to import genuine parts. Not only are these parts pricey, but the transportation costs add up to the production costs too. BMW spare parts use special technology that is hard to find elsewhere. It is highly inadvisable to try replacing a BMW’s components with spare parts that aren’t from the manufacturer.
• Insurance: Getting your BMW insured can prove to be a costly affair too. As replacing or repairing a BMW after an accident incurs huge expenses for insurance companies, they also charge exorbitant premiums. On an average, a 30-year-old male has to shell out USD 4,049 per year to keep a BMW insured. Before you buy a BMW, check with your insurer to see how much the deal would cost you.

Conclusion

Ultimately, car enthusiasts can’t deny that models from BMW are some of the most expensive to purchase and maintain. You should consider buying one only if you are doing well financially and feel confident about being able to bear all the expenses. If you are looking for a car that would feel special and would be a pleasure to drive, a BMW might be apt for you. It all comes down to how you perceive a car’s value and how much you’re willing to spend on your dream car.