2026 BMW 3 Series 330i vs 2026 Tesla Model 3 Long Range
What owning it really costs, all in
The value it loses plus what it costs to run — the cheaper car to buy isn't always the cheaper car to own.
Going electric usually costs less to run — roughly $1,000 a year less than gas here. Over five years that's about $5,000 you keep — money that could grow in your car fund. These are rough estimates for about 12,000 miles a year; what you actually pay depends on local electricity and gas prices and how far you drive.
You don't have to decide today. Save a little each week and your car fund keeps growing — pick the car when you're ready and the down payment is already there.
Start my car fundHave the Downly app? Open it hereBuying either one means a big payment up front — around $8,723 for the 2026 BMW 3 Series 330i or $7,972 for the 2026 Tesla Model 3 Long Range. Leasing can let you keep that money working for you instead of handing it to the dealer. See your monthly and how much cash you'd keep — lease vs buy, side by side.
Questions people ask
At a fair price the 2026 Tesla Model 3 Long Range costs less — about $39,858, versus $43,616 for the 2026 BMW 3 Series 330i.
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 Long Range holds its value a little better — about 55% after three years, versus 50% for the 2026 BMW 3 Series 330i.
Looking at the whole picture — the value it loses plus what it costs to run — the 2026 Tesla Model 3 Long Range costs less to own over three years, about $18,858 (roughly 52¢ a mile), versus $25,216 for the 2026 BMW 3 Series 330i. The cheaper car to buy isn't always the cheaper car to own. A national-average guide, not a quote.
A common starting point is about 20% up front — that's roughly $8,723 for the 2026 BMW 3 Series 330i or $7,972 for the 2026 Tesla Model 3 Long Range. Start a fund and it keeps growing while you decide.
It's worth a look if you'd rather keep your cash. Buying either one means a big payment up front — around $8,723 for the 2026 BMW 3 Series 330i or $7,972 for the 2026 Tesla Model 3 Long Range. Leasing usually skips most of that, so that money stays yours instead of going to the dealer — Downly suggests putting $0 down on a lease. See lease vs buy for either car to compare the monthly and how much cash you'd keep.
Usually, yes. Charging the 2026 Tesla Model 3 Long Range at home runs about $700 a year, versus about $1,700 to fuel the 2026 BMW 3 Series 330i — roughly $1,000 a year less, or about $5,000 over five years. These are rough estimates for about 12,000 miles a year; what you pay depends on local electricity and gas prices.
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