⚖️ An honest comparison

Chinese EV vs a Used German for the Same Money

Before you decide "I'll just get a used BMW or Audi" — let's stay with the numbers and compare honestly, feature for feature.

📅 Updated: June 2026⏱️ 9 min read

In Latvia, most buyers in this budget think the same thought: "I'll just get a used German premium car — a BMW, Audi or Mercedes." It is a sensible default and often a good choice. But over the last couple of years another option has landed on the table, and it deserves an honest comparison — not an ad, but numbers beside numbers. Let's look at what exactly the money buys.

Why this is the real fork

If your budget is around €40,000–65,000, you have probably already made one quiet decision: to look for a used German premium car. That is understandable — the badge is familiar, the dealer is nearby, and you know what to expect. Most people make this choice without even thinking about it.

And that is exactly why it is worth testing. "Just a used German" is a default, not a comparison. Before you spend the money, it is fair to put real numbers side by side and ask: what exactly does this sum buy in each option — how much power, how much tech, how much warranty?

This article does that. We will not claim one choice is always right. We will place the Xiaomi SU7 Max beside the BMW i4 and i5 at absolute prices, compare power and tech feature for feature, and say honestly where each option wins.

The headline match-up: prices on the table

It is clearest seen side by side — one class, absolute prices including VAT. Read it and decide for yourself:

Xiaomi SU7 Max AWD 673 HP · 830 km (CLTC) · 101 kWh CATL · 800V · 0–100 in 2.78s	€39,100	3 years / 100,000 km · EU service
BMW i4 Premium electric sedan	€55,000	Factory warranty depends on age/mileage
BMW i5 Premium electric sedan	€64,000	Factory warranty depends on age/mileage

It is one class and one idea of an electric sedan. The badge, the absolute price and the warranty status differ — we let the numbers speak, with no percentages and no trick phrases.

If you are after a premium sedan with even newer tech, it is worth knowing the AVATR 06 too (€45,330, 650 km CLTC, 72.9 kWh CATL, 800V, Huawei ADS) — you can set it beside the Audi A6 e-tron (€65,000) or Mercedes EQE (€65,000) the same way: absolute prices, you compare.

Power & tech, feature for feature

Here is the honest view of where each car genuinely leads. There is no single "best" — only what matters more to you.

Power	SU7 Max: 673 HP, 0–100 in 2.78s	Depends on model and year; premium versions are strong, base trims are slower
Charging	800V architecture — very fast DC charging	Many used models are still 400V; 800V only in the newest, pricier ones
Software	OTA updates over the air, the latest interface	Depends on the year; older models get fewer OTA updates
Driver assist	AVATR 06: Huawei ADS; modern assists as standard	Good systems, but the full suite is usually only in higher trims
Range (CLTC)	SU7 Max: 830 km · AVATR 06: 650 km	Competitive, but a used battery's real range can be lower

The warranty gap most people miss

This is the part people often forget when comparing. A used German has almost always already run out of factory warranty or is nearing its end. The standard cover on BMW and Audi is typically 2–3 years — so on a 4–5-year-old car it has most likely lapsed, and every repair comes out of your pocket.

The Chinese EV in this comparison comes with a full 3-year / 100,000 km factory warranty, serviced in the EU. That means the main drivetrain, electronics and battery are covered — if something underperforms, it is the maker's problem, not yours.

This is not a small point. A single major out-of-warranty repair can cost several thousand euros. When comparing "for the same money," it is fair to also compare "with the same safety net" — and here the newer car with a warranty gains a quiet but real edge.

More on exactly how service and warranty work in Europe: Who services a Chinese EV in the EU? Service & warranty.

Running costs & the battery question

Both cars are electric, so energy cost is similar — the main thing is whether you charge at home or at public fast chargers. EVs in general have fewer parts to maintain than a petrol car: no oil changes, no clutch, no timing belt, no exhaust.

The battery is often the biggest part of the worry, so it is worth settling. Our models use CATL batteries — the same world's-largest maker that supplies Tesla, VW and Mercedes. It is often literally the same battery as in a Western EV, just with a different badge on the hood.

The LFP chemistry used in these batteries is chosen precisely because it lasts longer and is safer. Real-world degradation is only about ~5–10% per 100,000 km — not "half the car."

If the battery itself is your main worry, read the separate article: Who actually makes the battery in a Chinese EV? The CATL story.

Where a used German still wins

An honest comparison also means saying where the other side is stronger. A used German has real advantages:

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Brand familiarity

BMW, Audi and Mercedes are decades-old badges with a clear reputation. For many that is valuable peace of mind.

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Dealer & service density

German brands have a wide network of official dealers and workshops — more places to turn to, and more independent mechanics who know the car.

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Known resale value

The resale market for German premium cars is mature and predictable. The Chinese-EV market is younger, so future value is less predictable.

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Parts availability

For popular German models, parts and wear items are widely available at any workshop and on the market.

If these points matter most to you, a used German can be the right choice — and it is fair to say so. This article is not about persuading; it is about letting you decide with all the facts on the table.

A simple 4-question test

If you are unsure, answer these four questions for yourself. The answers usually show fairly quickly which option fits you.

What matters more to me — a familiar badge and a nearby official dealer, or power and the latest tech at a lower absolute price?

Do I want a full factory warranty for the next 3 years, or am I willing to take on out-of-warranty repair risk?

How much do 800V fast charging, OTA updates and modern driver assists matter to me day to day?

How important is predictable resale value after 3–5 years versus a lower purchase price now?

If your answers lean toward power, tech and warranty, a Chinese EV is a serious candidate. If they lean toward the badge, the dealer network and known resale, a used German is still a sound choice.

Frequently asked questions

Is a used German EV the same value as a new Chinese EV at this price?▼

It depends on what you value. For similar money the Xiaomi SU7 Max (€39,100) beside the BMW i4 (€55,000) offers more power (673 HP) and newer tech (800V charging, OTA updates). A used German, in turn, comes with a familiar badge and a denser dealer network. The key practical difference is warranty: a used car is often already out of factory cover, while our models come with a 3-year / 100,000 km factory warranty.

Does a used BMW/Audi still have factory warranty left?▼

Often, no. The standard factory warranty on BMW and Audi is typically 2–3 years, with or without a mileage cap. A used car older than 3 years or past the mileage threshold is usually out of cover — the buyer pays for repairs themselves. It is always worth checking before you buy. Our Chinese EVs come with a full 3-year / 100,000 km factory warranty, serviced in the EU.

Is the Chinese EV's battery as good as the German one (CATL/LFP)?▼

It is often literally the same battery. Our models use CATL batteries — the same world's-largest maker that supplies Tesla, VW and Mercedes. Many Western EVs buy from the same shelf. LFP chemistry is chosen precisely because it lasts longer and is safer. Read more in the separate article on who actually makes EV batteries.

Which has better tech — 800V charging, OTA, driver assist?▼

In several areas the Chinese models are technologically newer, simply because they are newer cars. The Xiaomi SU7 Max and AVATR 06 use an 800V architecture for faster charging; the AVATR 06 comes with Huawei ADS driver assist. OTA (over-the-air) updates are standard. A used German can have excellent tech for its year, but the latest features are usually only in the newest models, which cost considerably more.

What are the running costs of each over 3 years?▼

Both are electric, so energy cost is similar — the leading factor is your charging habit (home vs public fast chargers). The bigger difference is unplanned repairs: on a used out-of-warranty car a single major repair can cost several thousand euros, while during the warranty period the maker carries that risk. EVs in general have fewer parts to maintain than a petrol car — no oil, clutch or timing belt.

When does a used German still make more sense?▼

If a familiar badge, a nearby official dealer, a wide service network and known resale value matter to you, a used German can be the right choice — and that is worth saying honestly. If power, the latest tech and a full factory warranty at a lower absolute price matter more, then a Chinese EV is a serious candidate. It is a trade-off, not a clear win for one side.

Want to see which EVs are available in this price class?

If you want to see the specific models at absolute prices, with power and a 3-year / 100,000 km warranty — see the EV guide →

See the EV guide →