These 2000s Luxury German Cars Are Now All Under $10,000

There is no escaping the fact that buying a new German luxury car is going to be expensive; brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Audi have been turning out some of the most illustrious models on the market for decades, and you sure pay for them. However, just because your budget may not stretch to a new German car, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the luxe life.

Today, scores of used luxury German cars from the 2000s can be purchased for less than $10,000. From the lofty heights of their MSRPs to dirt-cheap, these luxury German cars offer all the classy and sporty interiors we love, some weapons of engines under the hood, and, still, a lot of on-road kudos.

The models in this list of cheap used German luxury cars are ranked by price and are ordered from cheapest to most expensive.

2002 Audi A8

Average Used Price: $3,658

Boasting full-time Quattro AWD, either a 310-horsepower V8 or a 420-horsepower W12, oodles of legroom (41.3 inches up front and 38.4 inches in the rear), and 17.6 cubic feet of cargo space, the sub-$4,000 average auction price for the 2002 A8 is a steal. You get multi-zone climate control, adaptive xenon lights, full leather upholstery, real-wood trim, and a classy, refined finish all around the interior; if you aren’t looking for the most up-to-date tech and are more interested in old-school German comfort, the ’02 Audi A8 is the way to go.

Rest-to-60 times are somewhere in the six-second range, so considering its age, dimensions (198.2 inches (L) x 74.6 inches (W) x 56.9 inches (H)), lumbering weight of over 4,000 pounds, and acres of room inside, it is no slouch. However, arguably the best luxe feature comes from underneath. If you keep your eye on the used market, you can find examples that are fitted with the originally optional self-leveling air suspension, so you get a very composed ride alongside a stately interior for next to no money.

2005 BMW 330Ci

Average Used Price: $4,047

As the top-tier non-M model of the 2005 BMW 3 Series lineup, the 330Ci offers a huge amount of performance and luxe internals for very low prices. The average used price today is just north of $4,000, and for that small amount of money, you get a 3.0-liter inline-six with VANOS that kicks out 225 horsepower at 5,900 rpm as standard. If you find a model that has been fitted with the ZHP engine package, you get an extra 10 horsepower and a slightly different setup in the shape of a different camshaft and an upgraded MB54B30. Either engine model you choose, though, will mean you get a very rev-happy NA mill that can get you to 60 mph in around 6.3 seconds.

The cabin is athletic-feeling and luxurious, with heated front seats, a Harman Kardon audio rig, high-end materials adorning all the surfaces, and physical buttons around the cockpit that only complement what the 2005 330Ci is most renowned for: its driving feel. Weight distribution is 50:50; it is rear-wheel drive; it only weighs between 3,285 and 3,704 pounds; you get a hydraulic steering rack, a very tuned front MacPherson strut, and multi-link rear suspension on a Z-axle that work together to tighten up handling, and the smooth inline-six under the hood means that there are minimal vibrations, even when you’re gunning it. It is a lot of bang for your buck.

2008 Audi A5 3.2 Quattro

Average Used Price: $5,215

What you get with the 2008 Audi A5 3.2 Quattro is effectively a GT coupe. It combines the crisp Bauhaus-inspired exterior design with a wide stance and muscular shoulder line with a 265-horsepower naturally aspirated FSI V6 that delivers smooth, linear power with a top speed of 155 mph. Audi’s Quattro AWD system offers decent traction in the wet, while a balanced chassis and firm, GT-like suspension offer tidy cornering, so you get easy cruising and fun in the twisties all year round.

Inside, the 2008 Audi A5 is as German as you’d expect, with heavily bolstered leather seats, aluminum trim, a driver-oriented dash, and Audi’s early-gen MMI system. The cabin itself is plastered with luxe materials in the shape of leather and soft-touch materials, while tight switchgear, a clean cockpit-style layout, panoramic sunroof, and ambient lighting make it feel genuinely upscale for its price and age. To round it off, you get lots of legroom in the front and 16.1 cubic feet of storage space; all in all, it is a comfortable and capable luxury coupe that is as ideal for long-distance slogging as it is for a little fun on the weekend.

2006 Volkswagen Phaeton 4MOTION

Average Used Price: $5,375

The first and most important thing to know about the 2006 Volkswagen Phaeton is that it is available with a W12 under the hood that is good for 444 horsepower. We rarely see a W12 equipped in well-priced models, so for such an epic example of one to be under the hood of a VW for less than $5,500 is a real treat. 4MOTION AWD is a standard fit; the levels of cut-price Bentley luxury don’t end at the W12, and you get a very well-insulated cabin, walnut wood trim, soft-close doors, padded leather seating, adaptive air suspension, and a fully-digital climate control system that keeps everything comfortable for you and your passengers.

The exterior design is subtle yet classy and imposing, and you certainly wouldn’t expect the level of performance that it can give up; in reality, it is one of the ultimate sleeper sedans. Volkswagen threw out the rule book when they rolled out the criminally short-lived Phaeton and bucked their own trends of the time, so we are very grateful that prices are so low today, and the Phaeton hasn’t gained more of a collectible and cult status. According to Classic.com, the highest auction prices belong to the W12-equipped models, but at high-end prices of just shy of $12,000 (with many examples available for much lower prices), we are really not complaining, considering what you get from it.

2007 Mercedes-Benz C 350 4MATIC

Average Used Price: $5,682

Offering a huge amount of premium driving in a compact sedan package, the 2007 C 350 4MATIC sits at the top of the 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class lineup (before going to AMG levels). For less than $6,000, you get a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 that can get you to 60 mph in the mid-six-second range, impressive traction courtesy of the 4MATIC rig, and a fine blend of comfort and sporty handling, thanks to well-tuned geometry and suspension. Everyday driving is relatively simple thanks to the small dimensions and perky V6, while cruising on long hauls is very comfortable, even considering its smaller-than-flagship stature.

Front legroom is comfortable at 41.7 inches, and rear legroom is reasonable at 33 inches, while the maximum cargo capacity of 12.2 cubic feet is roomy enough for everyday errands and weekend trips. However, where the 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class stands out is in interior comfort and detailing. The seating is wrapped in leather; wood trim flows around the cabin; you get heated power front seats; a high-end audio system provides clear (for the time) sounds, and the ergonomic controls and classy design in the cockpit are on-brand for pre-massive-screen Mercedes models.

2005 Audi S4 Quattro

Average Used Price: $6,323

Available as a coupe or a cabriolet, the 2005 Audi S4 Quattro combines year-round driving, a luxe interior, a striking exterior design, and a hefty 4.2-liter NA V8 squeezed under the hood that kicks out 340 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, all at prices under $6,500. While the S4 is not a muscle car, the beefy V8 ( the best engine configuration) and its overall setup do bring a muscular ethos that is relatively rare for luxury German cars. Quattro AWD gives you surefooted traction in a lot of on-road conditions; the thick stabilizer bars and firm springs offer tight cornering, and performance-tuned dampers round off the balance of luxury and sporty.

The 2005 Audi S4 is effectively the zenith of early 2000s athletic Audi design, and for a very low price, you get Recaro sports seats, quad exhaust outlets, brushed aluminum trim, clear red-backlit gauges, and tight panel fittings. At the base level, it is enough. However, originally optional extras (which will be fitted in some examples on the used market) include heated seats, larger wheels, navigation, and better audio packages. Discreet badging on the body hints at its real intent, and so do the slightly larger standard-fit wheels than what is equipped to the same MY A4, but from first glance, you wouldn’t expect the mid-five-second rest-to-60 times and limited top speed of 155 mph.

2009 Mercedes-Benz S 550 4MATIC

Average Used Price: $7,571

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class lineup is the epitome of luxury offered by the German marque, and the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S 550 4MATIC is the highest-specced model you can get without encroaching into AMG and Maybach territory. Under the hood sits a 5.5-liter V8 that shifts out 382 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque, getting you to 60 mph in as little as 5.4 seconds. But that is just the start; you also get the highest level of luxury that is possible from a Mercedes-Benz in the 2000s. The cabin is decked out with hand-finished leather, real wood trim, ambient lighting, and multi-contour ventilated and heated seating that was originally optional with massage functions.

Inside, the flagship 2009 S-Class boasts 41.9 inches of front legroom and a very generous 42.3 inches of rear legroom, so both you and your passengers have enough room to move on long journeys. Underneath, the S 550 4MATIC rides on AIRMATIC adaptive air suspension that adjusts on the fly and according to how you are driving. That means you get a soft and easy feel down the highway and a tight, engaging feel through the fast corners.

“The overall impression is the S550 is a lion in waiting. We never got the car to break its stride, no matter how hard we drove it. If we threw it into a corner, the ESP would bring us right through; if we punched the gas pedal, the suspension leveled, and the transmission would adapt so there were no abrupt shifts. Mercedes did its homework; no matter how hard we tried, the S550 would not show its teeth.”

– Philippe Daix, TopSpeed Journalist

2009 BMW 535i xDrive Sports Wagon

Average Used Price: $7,763

Striking a stellar balance between practicality, style, and sportiness, the nearly 17-year-old BMW 535i xDrive Sports Wagon, as one of the crowning jewels of the 2009 BMW 5 Series lineup, proves that we are missing out on the awesome European wagon market here in the U.S.A. The Sports Wagon is one of the purest 5 Series wagons for those of you who want a luxurious, performance-focused, and pure driving experience. Under the hood is a bi-turbocharged N54B30 inline-six that puts out 300 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 300 pound-feet of torque at between 1,400 and 5,000 rpm; you can hit 60 in 5.7 seconds, and the top speed is electronically limited to 150 mph, with more legs available in de-restricted models.

Maximum cargo capacity sits at 58.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded away; there is 41.5 inches of front legroom and 36 inches of rear legroom, and there is seating for up to five people inside. However, outside of everything practical the BMW wagon offers, it is also a proper performance weapon. The Sports Wagon is equipped with a rear-biased xDrive AWD system, a sport-tuned chassis with multi-link rear suspension, hydraulic steering, a stiff aluminum subframe, and variable assist steering. In short, you get all the practicality of an SUV with the performance credentials of a classy performance sedan.

2008 BMW 760Li

Average Used Price: $8,590

Boasting true limousine-level luxury in the always plush BMW 7 Series sedan lineup, the 2008 BMW 760Li pairs a beast of a V12 with an opulent, comfort-first interior and very stately exterior presence. Under the hood is a naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V12 good for 438 horsepower and 444 pound-feet of silky power. It is mated to a six-speed auto box, which combined means you can hit 60 mph in as little as 5.4 seconds. Sprint times are very impressive for a sedan of this stature and weight (4,916 pounds). Plus, you get an exceptional level of refinement, all for under $9,000.

Inside, the cabin is very richly appointed with leather seats, power-adjustable front and rear seating, a DVD player (of its time), Bluetooth connectivity, and DSP-enhanced Surround Sound. The 760Li’s long wheelbase allows for a very roomy 43.3 inches of rear legroom; 18 cubic feet of cargo space is available, and rear climate control completes the limo experience. The exterior design is exceptional for its price point and boasts 19-inch Star Spoke alloys, polished chrome highlights around the small kidney grille and B-pillars, and an old-school yet still relevant overall look today.

2004 Audi TT Quattro

Average Used Price: $9,028

With average used prices of just over $9,000, the 2004 Audi TT Quattro offers a huge amount of bang for your buck. Alongside the always-respectable Quattro AWD system, the 2004 Audi TT is equipped with a narrow-angle VR6 V6 that shifts out 250 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, mated to Audi’s slick DSG dual-clutch six-speed transmission for exceptionally seamless shifting. You get a MacPherson front setup and an independent multi-link rear rig to complement the AWD setup, and alongside the canyon-carving fun you can have, sprint times are respectable at 6.3 seconds.

On the outside, the TT Quattro is pure Bauhaus, with clean circular profiles, a low-slung coupe body, a subtle rear diffuser, a low-cut sloping rear, and a sporty spoiler to keep the rear end pinned down at speed. Xenon headlights and a lowered front grille give it an aggressive stance that still looks modern on the road today, while the interior is geared more towards the athletic side of Audi. You get leather-trimmed sports seats, paddle shifters, aluminum inlays around the cabin, heated seats, and an early infotainment system (which we are sure you can swap out with relative ease if you want something a bit more up to date).

Sources: Classic.com, KBB, J.D. Power