BMW Cost to Own
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Across 3 BMW models, 5-year depreciation, fuel and national-average insurance run from about $51,517 for the 3 Series to $74,266 for the X5 (75,000 miles). Depreciation is the biggest line for every one, and the 3 Series is cheapest to fuel at $13,340. New BMW models include BMW Ultimate Care Scheduled Maintenance.
BMW models compared
5 years, 75,000 miles, bought new. Total = depreciation + fuel + national-average insurance ($6,410).
| Model | Depreciation | Fuel / energy | 5-yr total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Series | $31,767 | $13,340 | $51,517 |
| X3 | $35,833 | $13,834 | $56,077 |
| X5 | $52,382 | $15,474 | $74,266 |
— = no citable figure. Insurance varies by driver, location and coverage; see car insurance cost by state.
BMW maintenance schedule
BMW's published oil-change interval: condition Based Service (CBS): the car's BMW Maintenance System forecasts engine-oil service by date and mileage from sensors, elapsed time and driving profile. BMW Ultimate Care Scheduled Maintenance: 36 months or 36,000 miles. We list the schedule rather than a dollar figure because BMW doesn't publish service prices.
BMW Ultimate Care Scheduled Maintenance
Term: 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever first, from original in-service date (2026 vehicles bought from an authorized US BMW center); transferable to subsequent owners
Covers: At no cost when called for by the BMW Maintenance System: engine oil and filter, brake fluid replacement, vehicle check, M 1,200-mile running-in service, plus 'combine with engine oil' items — cabin microfilter(s), remote key battery, engine air filter, spark plugs, and front differential/final drive oil (M). Excludes brake pads and discs (incl. carbon ceramic), parking brake shoes, wiper blades, engine drive belt, tires, alignment/rotation, and services done early or outside authorized BMW centers.
Source: 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care)
Oil changes
Normal: Condition Based Service (CBS): the car's BMW Maintenance System forecasts engine-oil service by date and mileage from sensors, elapsed time and driving profile. The booklet equates the 2nd oil service with approx. 20,000 miles (i.e., roughly 10,000 miles per oil service).
Severe or special conditions: No fixed severe schedule; CBS shortens intervals for short trips, cold starts, idling, stop-and-go and high-rpm driving.
Source: 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care)
| Interval | Items | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Every engine oil service (per CBS) |
| 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) |
| Every 2nd oil service (approx. 20,000 mi) |
| 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) |
| Every 3rd oil service (approx. 30,000 mi) |
| 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) |
| Every 4th oil service (approx. 40,000 mi) |
| 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) |
| Every 5th oil service (approx. 50,000 mi) |
| 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) |
| Every 6th oil service (approx. 60,000 mi) |
| 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) |
| Per CBS (date-based) |
| 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) |
| Long-life |
| 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) |
| 1,200 miles (M models only) |
| 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) |
More BMW research
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to own a BMW?
Across 3 BMW models, 5-year depreciation, fuel and national-average insurance run from about $51,517 for the 3 Series to $74,266 for the X5 (75,000 miles). Depreciation is the biggest line for every one, and the 3 Series is cheapest to fuel at $13,340. New BMW models include BMW Ultimate Care Scheduled Maintenance.
Is BMW maintenance expensive?
BMW's published oil-change interval: condition Based Service (CBS): the car's BMW Maintenance System forecasts engine-oil service by date and mileage from sensors, elapsed time and driving profile. BMW Ultimate Care Scheduled Maintenance: 36 months or 36,000 miles. We list the schedule rather than a dollar figure because BMW doesn't publish service prices.
Sources and method
Each model line follows the same formula as the model pages: depreciation from CarWhere’s used-market study, fuel from EPA ratings × EIA national prices, insurance from NAIC’s national average. Maintenance comes from the manufacturer’s own schedule.
- CarWhere car depreciation by model study — CarWhere Research (data as of 2026-10-25)
- Fuel economy data (vehicles.csv) — U.S. EPA / DOE, fueleconomy.gov
- Weekly U.S. retail gasoline and diesel prices — U.S. Energy Information Administration (week of November 2, 2026)
- Auto Insurance Database Report (average expenditure) — NAIC, via CarWhere state study (2023 data)
- 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) — BMW
- BMW Maintenance Plans — Ultimate Care (bmwusa.com, redirects to bmwusaservice.com/ultimatecare) — BMW