The 2021 BMW M4: How It Depreciates Over Five Years

When you first sit behind the wheel of a brand‑new 2021 BMW M4, the roar of the 3.0‑liter twin‑turbo and the sharp, aggressive styling can feel almost intoxicating. The sticker price, hovering around $71,000 for the base coupe, makes you think you’ve bought a piece of engineering art. Yet, like every high‑performance luxury car, the M4’s value begins a quiet march downhill the moment you drive it off the lot.

Fast‑forward five years, and the numbers tell a fairly predictable story: the 2021 M4 loses roughly 45 % of its original price. In real dollars that’s a drop of about $31,000, leaving a resale value near $40,000 if the car has been well‑kept. It’s not a catastrophic plunge, but it’s noticeable, especially when you stack it against rivals like the Audi RS5, which tends to cling a few points tighter to its initial cost.

Why does the M4 shed that much? A couple of things play a part. First, the market for high‑output German coupes is crowded; every year brings a newer, shinier model that siphons off attention. Second, buyers in the used‑car arena often fret over maintenance costs—BMW’s reputation for pricey repairs doesn’t help. Lastly, the sheer volume of new‑car supply can saturate the resale market, nudging prices down.

That said, the M4 isn’t a total loser. Its depreciation curve flattens after the third year. The biggest dip happens between year one and year three, when the novelty wears off and the car’s mileage climbs past the 30,000‑mile mark. From there, you’ll see a more gradual slide, roughly 5‑6 % per year, assuming no major accidents or neglect.

If you compare it to a similarly priced sports sedan like the Mercedes‑AMG C63, the M4 actually holds its ground a little better. The C63 tends to dip closer to 50 % over the same period, likely because its V8 heritage appeals to a narrower slice of enthusiasts who are willing to pay a premium for that sound.

Bottom line? Buying a 2021 BMW M4 is still a solid choice if you love the driving experience and plan to keep the car at least three years. Expect a healthy dip in value, but also know that after the early steep decline, the car stabilizes, and you’ll still have a machine that feels fresh and exciting long after the warranty expires.