Does buying a used BMW C Evolution make sense?

The first electric GT scooter from BMW, the C Evolution, revolutionized decarbonized mobility in the city. But what about its relevance in 2024?

At its presentation in 2014, ten years ago now, the BMW C Evolution was seen as an eccentric scooter. Considered too expensive, its detractors promised it an anonymous career, even a painful commercial failure. Priced at nearly 16,500 euros, it was twice as expensive as the best of its thermal competitors accessible with a car license, the Piaggio MP3 500. And yet…

The key to its success was its integration into the category of 125 cc equivalents, thus being eligible for drivers with a car license A1 for over 2 years. However, with a peak power of 48 horsepower, the BMW C Evolution immediately outperformed all maxi scooters in terms of acceleration. This made it indispensable to customer profiles eager to always have the latest trendy toy.

The BMW C Evolution, with its 8 kWh battery, offered up to around 100 km of range, and at least 60 km without any concern for driving style. Finally, its exemplary reliability, stemming from a manufacturing rigor that meets automotive standards, reassured when Chinese products were already known for their precarious reliability.

A still very high price

At a time when the energy transition is now taken for granted to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, considering a used BMW C Evolution is legitimate. But a quick glance on La Centrale is enough to understand that the price remains very high for this premium vehicle. Of course, there is still some room for negotiation between the listed price and the final transaction price.

Nevertheless, one must still count on around 8000 euros for an example showing more than 20,000 kilometers “on the batteries.” Some higher-mileage models start at 3900 euros, but prices can continue to soar above 10,000 euros.

However, at this price point, the buyer faces a dilemma: why buy a used BMW C Evolution when its successor, the CE 04, is only slightly more expensive when new? The latter is much more technologically advanced, which makes sense as it is more modern.

The CE 04 mainly offers very attractive long-term rental options without a down payment that allow one not to tie up money over time. We always return to the starting point: what is the relevance, in 2024, of buying a car, motorcycle, or electric scooter? Their anachronism is too rapid to be profitable.

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