Here’s how much a 2020 BMW i3 has depreciated in 5 years

The BMW i3 wasn’t just a car; it was a rolling science experiment. It featured a passenger cell made entirely of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), sustainable eucalyptus wood on the dash, and rear doors that opened backward. By 2020, the i3 was entering its twilight years. The “weirdo” of the BMW lineup had received its final battery upgrade (the 120 Ah pack), pushing the all-electric range to a respectable 153 miles. It was the best version of the car, but it was also absurdly expensive for a subcompact hatchback that looked like an angry toaster. Now, in late 2025, with the i3 long discontinued and replaced by the more conventional i4 and iX, has the carbon fiber wonder held its value? Or has the market treated it like obsolete tech? Let’s crunch the numbers. The question The 2020 i3 came in two main flavors: the pure electric BEV and the REx (Range Extender), which carried a tiny two-cylinder gas scooter engine in the trunk to charge the battery on the fly. We are also looking at the i3s, the “sporty” version with flared wheel arches and stiffer suspension. In November 2020, a well-equipped BMW i3s with the Range Extender—the one most enthusiasts wanted—carried a sticker price that could easily hit $52,000. Even a base model started north of $44,450. That is luxury SUV money for a city car with four seats. So, what is that engineering marvel worth today? The numbers According to current market listings in late 2025: 2020 BMW i3s REx (New): ~$52,000 2020 BMW i3s REx (Used, 2025): ~$14,500 Depreciation: ~$37,500 Value Retained: ~28% Percent Lost: ~72% Look away, original owners. This is carnage. A 72% drop puts the i3 in the Hall of Fame of depreciation, right alongside the Maserati Quattroporte and the Mercedes S-Class. The i3 didn’t just depreciate; it plummeted. How it compares The i3 makes even the Nissan Leaf look like a stable investment. Tesla Model 3: As we’ve seen, the Model 3 lost about half its value. The i3 lost nearly three-quarters. The market simply values Tesla’s tech and range over BMW’s carbon fiber construction. Mini Cooper SE: The i3’s corporate cousin. The Mini is less practical and has less range, yet it holds value slightly better (~40% retained) simply because it looks like a normal car and people love Minis. Chevy Bolt EV: You can buy a Bolt for about the same price as an i3 (~$14,500), but the Bolt started at $37k, not $52k. The BMW owner lost nearly double the actual dollars compared to the Chevy owner. The “tire” wildcard Why is the i3 so cheap? Aside from the polarizing looks, it’s the maintenance anxiety. The i3 rides on specific, tall-and-skinny Bridgestone Ecopia tires that look like pizza cutters. They are expensive, wear out quickly (especially on the rear), and are often out of stock. Furthermore, while the carbon fiber tub means the car will never rust, it also means insurance companies are terrified of it. A minor fender bender that cracks the carbon structure can total the vehicle instantly because you can’t just “hammer it out.” This fragility keeps used values suppressed. The verdict If you bought a 2020 BMW i3 new, you took one of the biggest baths in automotive history. You paid for R&D, not for resale value. You effectively leased a concept car for $600+ a month in depreciation alone. But for the used buyer? This is the coolest car you can buy for under $15,000. You are getting a rear-wheel-drive, carbon-fiber chassis vehicle with an interior that feels like a modern art museum. It is zippy, incredibly easy to park, and undeniably special. Just make sure you budget for those weird tires—and maybe keep a little prayer candle lit for the air conditioning compressor. Depreciation Grade: F- (A financial black hole)Used Value Grade: A (A supercar chassis for Corolla money)