Lease Return Experiences

Rekla · 06-14-2010, 01:13 PM

I am contemplating to lease my next BMW.

What keeps me from doing so are these thoughts.... Is it true BMW is putting a magnifying glass over EVERY lease return and make you pay for all items that owners consider "wear and tear" but are per lease return definition not? Examples:
- Tire wear
- Curb rash or paint chips in rims
- Windshield chips
- Paint chips in hood
- (small) interior scratches (e.g. caused by seat-belts on the door trim)
- Drivers seat wear (marks from wallet, elbows, bolsters)
- No clear title (what if you were in a (no fault) accident but the repairs were done at authorized repair stations?)
- Excessive mileage

What are anyone's lease return experiences and should one reserve a $ amount at the end of the lease to cover some of the above? Is it safe to assume if you roll into a new BMW lease at the end of the old one, the items above will be looked at less closely?

Thanks for sharing.

ABSAUTOBODY · 06-14-2010, 01:51 PM

no if you intend to get another car they wouldn't care much.

Chriztofor · 06-14-2010, 01:54 PM

I hope this doesn't turn into another "buy v. lease" thread.

chillychan · 06-14-2010, 02:01 PM

interested in knowing as well.

Chriztofor · 06-14-2010, 02:08 PM

See post #9 forward (or read the whole thing)

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ease+insurance

MisterSkiMask · 06-14-2010, 02:09 PM

I too am interested, I will be returning my first lease this January.

There will be no issue with accidents, as long as they were repaired properly. Mileage stuff is in your contract.

I am just curious about the inspection.

Chriztofor · 06-14-2010, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

See post #9 forward (or read the whole thing)

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ease+insurance

To summarize: Buy the protection plan from BMW it covers wear and tear items! (ie dings, dirty leather seats, tires(not rims), rock chipped windshield etc etc etc. The plan also included a bonus 1,000 miles. Well worth it and pays for itself.

Cookiemonster · 06-14-2010, 02:23 PM

They are mellow. I did not even get a pre-inspection. Just bring it back freshly washed and looking good and no worries. In and out in under 30 minutes.

Chriztofor · 06-14-2010, 02:27 PM

^ They didn't nail you for ANYTHING? Not even the tires? If so, you were real lucky!

kgb1637 · 06-14-2010, 02:40 PM

The big thing is the tires, they can nail you if it came with runflats and you turn it in without them, if you're buying another BMW, they tend to overlook minor incidents others would have to pay. Some have had more in depth lease returns, mine are usually a simple overview of how it looks and everything is ok.

SteveMD · 06-14-2010, 02:47 PM

I turned in my E90 330i with tires below spec and they ignored it. I washed it and shined her up. I had no dings or scratches.

I drove out of there in my 335i though. Dunno what would happen if I was not getting another Bimmer.

Chriztofor · 06-14-2010, 02:57 PM

Wow, you guys are extremely lucky. The inspector was checking my wife's car with a fine tooth comb. I didn't care because I knew I was covered. We were missing manuals and the insurance covered that too! I want to hear, which I doubt people will post, how much they had to pay when they turned in their lease. Of course, people that didn't have to pay anything are the first to chime in, how about the ones with the $5,000 bill. I know someone got screwed. Come on I promise I won't say a word. I don't want the other posters who didn't pay anything to lull everyone into a false sense of security.

Zero.7 · 06-14-2010, 03:05 PM

I agree that the dealerships tend to be a lot more tolerant IF you lease another BMW at their dealership. Otherwise, that end-of-lease bill can climb up quickly. In general, if you take caer of your car reasonably well, I think you'll be okay. I have heard that tires and over mileage are where most people end up having to fork out more $$$.

Ndna Jnz · 06-14-2010, 03:08 PM

I spoke to the finance guy at the dealership (not where I purchased it from) and he said, no appointment, don't worry about the tint or exhaust tips. I have one 1/4 inch chip on the hood, and one small dent in very bottom of passenger door, which I'm just hoping they wont notice. I plan to park it in the shade. I spent yesterday replacing the front fender reflectors, original light bulbs for halos and fogs, door lock keyhole, and removing my V-1 hardwire. Today I plan to touch-up a small scratch. My original runflats have 3/16 tread depth on them, which is 1/16 more than required - whew! I currently have 49,946 miles on the odo. When I pull into the dealer's driveway in 2 weeks, I will have 50,002 miles. I paid for an extra 6k miles a few months ago. Good deal at 40% off.

I will post results after the actual turn-in.

I also spent 2 hours on Saturday at same dealership looking over new 2011 535i, as if I was going to buy or order one. Which I likely will, just not right now. Truly beautiful and awesome car.

Fingers crossed,
Jeff

Ndna Jnz · 06-14-2010, 03:11 PM

Btw, the finance guy also told me they wave the $350 turn-in fee if you have a new BMW on order. Also, if you have one on order, you can extend your lease up to 6 months with same payment until your new car arrives.

Jeff

rooster3.0 · 06-14-2010, 03:11 PM

The main thing they checked on my last 335 was the windshield. I had a small ding in the door that they didn't care about and no runflats either. I brought the car back pretty dirty and the inspector told that's the best way to return them.

Orient330iNYC · 06-14-2010, 05:18 PM

no problems with my return. 0 charge. as long as any damage is within the guidelines (bmw's are pretty generous) you're fine. as long as you take care of the car, no need for safe lease or whatever the insurance is.

jopa489 · 06-14-2010, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cni2i

I agree that the dealerships tend to be a lot more tolerant IF you lease another BMW at their dealership. Otherwise, that end-of-lease bill can climb up quickly. In general, if you take caer of your car reasonably well, I think you'll be okay. I have heard that tires and over mileage are where most people end up having to fork out more $$$.

Pretty much this. If you take reasonably good care of the car and it's free from obvious damage, you'll be fine. Tires need to be within spec - unless you're leasing another one, that's something you can expect. Miles are a given too. Scratches from the seatbeat on the interior trim? They won't care.

Atombyte · 06-14-2010, 09:55 PM

Hope you guys are right. I'm about to turn in my 335 coupe in the next 2 weeks. No real damage, but has a few scuffs and dings that can be expected from 3 years and 45k miles. Tires are my big worry. I bought new set of Michelen Pilot Sport PS2 run flats last Sept. and they wore much quicker than the original Bridgestones. They still have decent tread, but are easily more than 1/2 gone. I have ordered a new 3 series as well as a new X5, so I'm expecting forgiveness on any tire wear issues. I think I'm okay on anything else.

jopa489 · 06-14-2010, 09:58 PM

If they give you a BS line for 9-month-old OE tires after ordering TWO new vehicles, I hope you tell them to get bent.

You'll be fine though.

jrb · 06-14-2010, 10:05 PM

Have brought three leased cars back to BMW: two with another BMW in the pipeline from the dealer; a third with just a bring back.

All the inspections were very relaxed. The items that I'm aware will matter are tires past spec (and they do have to be pretty worn,) and windshield chips that are significant (that is, should have been replaced before because you would have been silly to drive with them: as I did by the way.) Small dings and undercar scrapes, and even wheel dings were passed.

nogard13 · 06-15-2010, 07:53 AM

I'm surprised to read a few things, such as there being a $350 turn-in fee.

I leased an Acura for 3 years, so that's the only experience I have with leases. But, Acura allows up to $1500 in "damages" to a lease turn in before they charge you a penny, and that includes tires (although, if you have bald tires, you're probably not left with much else to have dinged up). My car had rock chips galore, cracked fog light lenses, a tear in the driver's seat (from an Acura tech, which they denied doing), and a few chips in the windshield, but I wasn't charged a penny when I turned it in.

The inspector came out, looked over the car, and just signed off on it. From what I read in this thread, BMW wouldn't have done the same and I would've paid out my arse for them, is that correct?

06-14-2010, 01:13 PM	#1
Rekla Hug the road... Carpe Asphalt 105 Rep 722 Posts Drives: 2007 ///M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Central Coast, CA iTrader: (20)	Lease Return Experiences I am contemplating to lease my next BMW. What keeps me from doing so are these thoughts.... Is it true BMW is putting a magnifying glass over EVERY lease return and make you pay for all items that owners consider "wear and tear" but are per lease return definition not? Examples: - Tire wear - Curb rash or paint chips in rims - Windshield chips - Paint chips in hood - (small) interior scratches (e.g. caused by seat-belts on the door trim) - Drivers seat wear (marks from wallet, elbows, bolsters) - No clear title (what if you were in a (no fault) accident but the repairs were done at authorized repair stations?) - Excessive mileage What are anyone's lease return experiences and should one reserve a $ amount at the end of the lease to cover some of the above? Is it safe to assume if you roll into a new BMW lease at the end of the old one, the items above will be looked at less closely? Thanks for sharing. __________________ 2007 BMW ///M Coupe Last edited by Rekla; 07-09-2010 at 12:46 PM..
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06-14-2010, 01:51 PM	#2
ABSAUTOBODY First Lieutenant 14 Rep 332 Posts Drives: car Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: South El Monte, 626 iTrader: (3)	no if you intend to get another car they wouldn't care much.
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06-14-2010, 01:54 PM	#3
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	I hope this doesn't turn into another "buy v. lease" thread. __________________ If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
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06-14-2010, 02:01 PM	#4
chillychan Second Lieutenant 26 Rep 240 Posts Drives: 08 e92 335xi Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jersey City iTrader: (0)	interested in knowing as well.
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06-14-2010, 02:08 PM	#5
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	See post #9 forward (or read the whole thing) http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ease+insurance __________________ If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
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06-14-2010, 02:09 PM	#6
MisterSkiMask Banned 147 Rep 2,014 Posts Drives: I Can not say Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: you must not know iTrader: (0)	I too am interested, I will be returning my first lease this January. There will be no issue with accidents, as long as they were repaired properly. Mileage stuff is in your contract. I am just curious about the inspection.
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06-14-2010, 02:23 PM	#8
Cookiemonster Captain 16 Rep 791 Posts Drives: 2010 335XI e92 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jupiter iTrader: (2)	They are mellow. I did not even get a pre-inspection. Just bring it back freshly washed and looking good and no worries. In and out in under 30 minutes. __________________ 2007 335I sedan (retired) 2010 335xi coupe
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06-14-2010, 02:27 PM	#9
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	^ They didn't nail you for ANYTHING? Not even the tires? If so, you were real lucky! __________________ If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
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06-14-2010, 02:40 PM	#10
kgb1637 Lieutenant Colonel 21 Rep 1,519 Posts Drives: RS5 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0)	The big thing is the tires, they can nail you if it came with runflats and you turn it in without them, if you're buying another BMW, they tend to overlook minor incidents others would have to pay. Some have had more in depth lease returns, mine are usually a simple overview of how it looks and everything is ok. __________________ Retired - '08 E90 335i Sparkling Graphite/Gray Dakota Leather, ZSP, ZCW, ZPP, Navi, ipod, Sat
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06-14-2010, 02:47 PM	#11
SteveMD Colonel 196 Rep 2,485 Posts Drives: 2016 F10 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Raventown! iTrader: (3)	I turned in my E90 330i with tires below spec and they ignored it. I washed it and shined her up. I had no dings or scratches. I drove out of there in my 335i though. Dunno what would happen if I was not getting another Bimmer. __________________ 2006 E90 330i (retired) 2009 E90 335i (retired) 2012 E70 X5 50i M Sport (retired) 2016 F10 535i M Sport
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06-14-2010, 02:57 PM	#12
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	Wow, you guys are extremely lucky. The inspector was checking my wife's car with a fine tooth comb. I didn't care because I knew I was covered. We were missing manuals and the insurance covered that too! I want to hear, which I doubt people will post, how much they had to pay when they turned in their lease. Of course, people that didn't have to pay anything are the first to chime in, how about the ones with the $5,000 bill. I know someone got screwed. Come on I promise I won't say a word. I don't want the other posters who didn't pay anything to lull everyone into a false sense of security. __________________ If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
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06-14-2010, 03:05 PM	#13
Zero.7 Colonel 97 Rep 2,415 Posts Drives: F30 340i AW M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SOCAL iTrader: (6)	I agree that the dealerships tend to be a lot more tolerant IF you lease another BMW at their dealership. Otherwise, that end-of-lease bill can climb up quickly. In general, if you take caer of your car reasonably well, I think you'll be okay. I have heard that tires and over mileage are where most people end up having to fork out more $$$. __________________ '16 f30 AW 340i M-sport 8-speed Auto BMW ///M Performance Power and Sound Kit with Carbon Tips / Gloss Black Performance grilles
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06-14-2010, 03:08 PM	#14
Ndna Jnz gOld Member 4 Rep 48 Posts Drives: '07 E93 335i Monaco Blue/Gray Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E93 335i [0.00]	Turning in my leased '07 335iC in 2 weeks... I spoke to the finance guy at the dealership (not where I purchased it from) and he said, no appointment, don't worry about the tint or exhaust tips. I have one 1/4 inch chip on the hood, and one small dent in very bottom of passenger door, which I'm just hoping they wont notice. I plan to park it in the shade. I spent yesterday replacing the front fender reflectors, original light bulbs for halos and fogs, door lock keyhole, and removing my V-1 hardwire. Today I plan to touch-up a small scratch. My original runflats have 3/16 tread depth on them, which is 1/16 more than required - whew! I currently have 49,946 miles on the odo. When I pull into the dealer's driveway in 2 weeks, I will have 50,002 miles. I paid for an extra 6k miles a few months ago. Good deal at 40% off. I will post results after the actual turn-in. I also spent 2 hours on Saturday at same dealership looking over new 2011 535i, as if I was going to buy or order one. Which I likely will, just not right now. Truly beautiful and awesome car. Fingers crossed, Jeff
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06-14-2010, 03:11 PM	#15
Ndna Jnz gOld Member 4 Rep 48 Posts Drives: '07 E93 335i Monaco Blue/Gray Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E93 335i [0.00]	Forego $350 turn-in fee Btw, the finance guy also told me they wave the $350 turn-in fee if you have a new BMW on order. Also, if you have one on order, you can extend your lease up to 6 months with same payment until your new car arrives. Jeff
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06-14-2010, 03:11 PM	#16
rooster3.0 Major 27 Rep 1,306 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jersey iTrader: (4)	The main thing they checked on my last 335 was the windshield. I had a small ding in the door that they didn't care about and no runflats either. I brought the car back pretty dirty and the inspector told that's the best way to return them. __________________ Train with your head; not above it.
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06-14-2010, 05:18 PM	#17
Orient330iNYC Brigadier General 1469 Rep 3,553 Posts Drives: 2023 X7 40i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wall St iTrader: (2)	no problems with my return. 0 charge. as long as any damage is within the guidelines (bmw's are pretty generous) you're fine. as long as you take care of the car, no need for safe lease or whatever the insurance is. __________________ Present: 2023 G07 40i ZDH/ZDU/ZMP/ZMQ/2NH/ZPK/ZPP/ZRC/300/3AC Past: 2013 335i 6MT ZMM/ZDH/ZTP/3AG/494/508 Past: 2016 F34 335i xDrive ZCW/ZDA/ZDH/ZTP/ZMP/2V5/5DL Past: 2019 G01 M40i ZDA/2VF/ZPP/ZPX/688/3AC
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06-14-2010, 09:55 PM	#19
Atombyte First Lieutenant 40 Rep 361 Posts Drives: 2013 M3, 2016 535i, 2019 540i Join Date: May 2007 Location: SC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 540i [0.00] 2016 535i [0.00] 2013 M3 [0.00]	Hope you guys are right. I'm about to turn in my 335 coupe in the next 2 weeks. No real damage, but has a few scuffs and dings that can be expected from 3 years and 45k miles. Tires are my big worry. I bought new set of Michelen Pilot Sport PS2 run flats last Sept. and they wore much quicker than the original Bridgestones. They still have decent tread, but are easily more than 1/2 gone. I have ordered a new 3 series as well as a new X5, so I'm expecting forgiveness on any tire wear issues. I think I'm okay on anything else. __________________
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06-14-2010, 09:58 PM	#20
jopa489 Major General 122 Rep 6,594 Posts Drives: Anything with Wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	If they give you a BS line for 9-month-old OE tires after ordering TWO new vehicles, I hope you tell them to get bent. You'll be fine though. __________________ X7 LCI // Incoming C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
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06-14-2010, 10:05 PM	#21
jrb New Member 7 Rep 23 Posts Drives: '98 M3, '06 550, '09 911S Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	Have brought three leased cars back to BMW: two with another BMW in the pipeline from the dealer; a third with just a bring back. All the inspections were very relaxed. The items that I'm aware will matter are tires past spec (and they do have to be pretty worn,) and windshield chips that are significant (that is, should have been replaced before because you would have been silly to drive with them: as I did by the way.) Small dings and undercar scrapes, and even wheel dings were passed.
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06-15-2010, 07:53 AM	#22
nogard13 Second Lieutenant 34 Rep 221 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Durham iTrader: (0)	I'm surprised to read a few things, such as there being a $350 turn-in fee. I leased an Acura for 3 years, so that's the only experience I have with leases. But, Acura allows up to $1500 in "damages" to a lease turn in before they charge you a penny, and that includes tires (although, if you have bald tires, you're probably not left with much else to have dinged up). My car had rock chips galore, cracked fog light lenses, a tear in the driver's seat (from an Acura tech, which they denied doing), and a few chips in the windshield, but I wasn't charged a penny when I turned it in. The inspector came out, looked over the car, and just signed off on it. From what I read in this thread, BMW wouldn't have done the same and I would've paid out my arse for them, is that correct?
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