Audi RS 3 vs BMW 5 Series: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The BMW 5 Series costs about $7,869 less

That's $109 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic$1,981/moTrue cost

5 Series 530i xDrive Sedan✓ $1,872/moTrue cost

2026 Audi RS 3

Closest matching trim: RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic

Sticker (MSRP)$78,250

+$14,333→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$92,583

+ running costs→↓− $38,343 resale

True cost$1,981/moA month to own, after resale

2027 BMW 5 Series

Closest matching trim: 5 Series 530i xDrive Sedan

Sticker (MSRP)$73,900

+$13,783→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$87,683

+ running costs→↓− $36,211 resale

True cost$1,872/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	$78,250	✓ $73,900	5 Series by $4,350
Freight and fees, before tax	✓ $3,682	$3,696	RS 3 by $14
Sales tax (HST)	$10,651	✓ $10,087	5 Series by $564
Drive-away price	$92,583	✓ $87,683	5 Series by $4,900
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	$20,579	✓ $17,982	5 Series by $2,597
Insurance (estimate)	$17,883	✓ $17,355	5 Series by $528
Maintenance (estimate)	$12,850	$12,850	—
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	$18,420	✓ $17,390	5 Series by $1,030
Lost return on your money	$18,598	✓ $17,652	5 Series by $946
Resale after 6 yrs	✓ −$38,342	−$36,211	RS 3 by $2,131
Total
True cost	$142,661	✓ $134,792	5 Series by $7,869
True cost a month	$1,981/mo	✓ $1,872/mo	5 Series by $109
You pay each month	$2,186/mo	✓ $2,060/mo	5 Series by $126
Practical
Fuel type	Premium gas	Premium gas	—
Seats	5	5	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	Not published	Not published	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	Not published	Not published	—
Length	—	5.06 m	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	49%	49%	—
US crash test	Not rated yet	Not rated yet	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic $78,2505 Series 530i xDrive Sedan ✓ $73,900Cheaper by 5 Series by $4,350

Freight and fees, before tax

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic ✓ $3,6825 Series 530i xDrive Sedan $3,696Cheaper by RS 3 by $14

Sales tax (HST)

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic $10,6515 Series 530i xDrive Sedan ✓ $10,087Cheaper by 5 Series by $564

Drive-away price

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic $92,5835 Series 530i xDrive Sedan ✓ $87,683Cheaper by 5 Series by $4,900

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic $20,5795 Series 530i xDrive Sedan ✓ $17,982Cheaper by 5 Series by $2,597

Insurance (estimate)

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic $17,8835 Series 530i xDrive Sedan ✓ $17,355Cheaper by 5 Series by $528

Maintenance (estimate)

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic $12,8505 Series 530i xDrive Sedan $12,850Cheaper by —

Loan rate

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic 6.5%5 Series 530i xDrive Sedan 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic $18,4205 Series 530i xDrive Sedan ✓ $17,390Cheaper by 5 Series by $1,030

Lost return on your money

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic $18,5985 Series 530i xDrive Sedan ✓ $17,652Cheaper by 5 Series by $946

Resale after 6 yrs

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic ✓ −$38,3425 Series 530i xDrive Sedan −$36,211Cheaper by RS 3 by $2,131

Total

True cost

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic $142,6615 Series 530i xDrive Sedan ✓ $134,792Cheaper by 5 Series by $7,869

True cost a month

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic $1,981/mo5 Series 530i xDrive Sedan ✓ $1,872/moCheaper by 5 Series by $109

You pay each month

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic $2,186/mo5 Series 530i xDrive Sedan ✓ $2,060/moCheaper by 5 Series by $126

Practical

Fuel type

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic Premium gas5 Series 530i xDrive Sedan Premium gasCheaper by —

Seats

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic 55 Series 530i xDrive Sedan 5Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic Not published5 Series 530i xDrive Sedan Not publishedCheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic Not published5 Series 530i xDrive Sedan Not publishedCheaper by —

Length

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic —5 Series 530i xDrive Sedan 5.06 mCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic 49%5 Series 530i xDrive Sedan 49%Cheaper by —

US crash test

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic Not rated yet5 Series 530i xDrive Sedan Not rated yetCheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale for both is typical for their type and brand (unless you lease). Their stickers differ by $4,350.