Sedan comparison
Tesla Model 3 vs BMW 5 Series
Which costs less to own over 5 years? Compare purchase price, fuel, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation — then customize with your own numbers.
Both vehicles are in the sedan class — a fair apples-to-apples comparison.
Tesla Model 3 vs BMW 5 Series: Quick Verdict
Based on average driving (12,000 miles/year), the Tesla Model 3 saves approximately $21,499 over 5 years compared to the BMW 5 Series. Lower charging costs and reduced maintenance offset the EV's higher purchase price.
Tesla Model 3
$38,990
purchase price
BMW 5 Series
$57,700
purchase price
EV saves
$21,499
over 5 years
Customize your mileage, gas price, and electricity rate below to get a personalized comparison.
Your Numbers
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Average American drives ~13,500 miles/year
Charge at home overnight — cheapest option
Tesla Model 3 Saves You Money
EV saves you
$21,499
over 5 years
EV saves per month
$205
fuel + maintenance
The Tesla Model 3 saves you $21,499 over 5 years compared to the BMW 5 Series.
EV saves you
$21,499
over 5 years (all-in)
EV saves per month
$205
fuel + maintenance
Operating cost payback
Immediate
achievable within ownership
Vehicles compared
Model 3 · BMW 5 Series · Camry Hybrid
EV · Gas · Hybrid
Full Cost Breakdown
| Tesla Model 3Electric | BMW 5 SeriesGas | Toyota Camry HybridBestHybrid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $38,990 | $57,700 | $30,450 |
| Monthly Fuel | $33 | $125 | $67 |
| Annual Fuel | $390 | $1,500 | $808 |
| Total Fuel | $1,950 | $7,500 | $4,038 |
| Total Maintenance | $2,750 | $7,000 | $4,750 |
| Total Insurance | $10,000 | $12,500 | $8,500 |
| Resale Value | $22,224 | $31,735 | $21,315 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | $31,466 | $52,965 | $26,423 |
Tesla Model 3
Electric
BMW 5 Series
Gas
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Hybrid
Cost Over 5 Years
Why This Result
The EV costs less from the start when factoring in all ownership costs. Lower charging costs and reduced maintenance give the EV a clear cost advantage at your mileage. The Toyota Camry Hybrid falls in between at $26,423 total.
Fuel vs Charging
Charging the Model 3 costs about $390/year vs $1500/year for gas in the BMW 5 Series. That's $1110/year in fuel savings alone.
Maintenance
EVs have fewer moving parts — no oil changes, less brake wear, no transmission fluid. The Model 3 saves roughly $4250 in maintenance over the ownership period.
Depreciation & Resale
The BMW 5 Series holds 55% of its value vs 57% for the Model 3. Purchase price and resale value are often the largest factors in total cost of ownership.
Insurance
EV insurance tends to run higher due to specialized repair costs. We've included $2,000/year for the Model 3 vs $2,500/year for the BMW 5 Series in the total comparison.
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I'd save $21,499 over 5 years with a Tesla Model 3 vs BMW 5 Series. Check yours → isevworthit.com
About the Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is a fully electric sedan with an efficiency of 0.25 kWh per mile. Priced at $38,990, it costs around $550/year to maintain and $2,000/year to insure. It's widely regarded as the Best Value EV option in its class.
About the BMW 5 Series
The BMW 5 Series is a gas-powered sedan achieving 28 MPG. Priced at $57,700, it costs around $1,400/year to maintain and $2,500/year to insure. This is a direct apples-to-apples comparison within the same vehicle class.
How We Calculate Total Cost
Total cost of ownership includes purchase price, fuel or charging costs over your ownership period, annual maintenance, annual insurance, minus estimated resale value based on depreciation. This gives you the true all-in cost of each vehicle — not just the sticker price.