[bubsterino]

Hi gang -

My 228i lease is up June 30, 2017 - been an amazing car, but looking forward to the M240 (or mayyyyyybe the M2). A few quick ones on the BMW lease return process (I've leased three cars before, and I know the process can be different):

1) I know BMW uses the ding-o-meter to measure scratches/dents. How "tough" are they about enforcing that, especially to the extent you are going to lease another BMW? My experience with Lexus was that they were pretty loose on the return if you were getting into another one...

2) What about curb rash on tires / rims?

3) Back bumper - it's a disaster, as I street park in DC?

4) Finally, is it fairly standard that BMW reaches out to pull-ahead the lease within 6 months? Is there any way to inquire about it?

Thanks all, and Happy Friday / Driving.

B

[BEM-S4]

Pull ahead now for instance on lots of cars like 3 but not 2. At least from what I've seen 2 programs have been pretty limited but that could change.

That said they haven't really been around long enough that a 3 month pull ahead for example would even really apply to anyone yet but who knows.

[ralawren]

If you are not satisfied with the return process you can always "trade" the car in. Of course there is no free lunch, but you may find a dealer more interested in the new sale and will take the risk that the cosmetic items will not cost too much for repair.

[RoundelM3]

Lease return requires the car to be in the same configuration as at delivery (including RFT tires) and reasonably good cosmetic condition. They will charge you for anything required to bring the car into saleable condition, particularly the cosmetic items if they require any painting or replacement of parts.

[kdog26372]

I did 6 month ahead lease return on my X3 into the M235i. Pretty easy process and they'll give you a general idea of what deductions will come once they look at your car. I was building the M235i so that was going to be 2-3 months as needed to allotment first. But, basically I needed 2 new tires and a minor paint scuff on the side. Because I had some time, I found 2 used tires that matched the others for $150 total and had local shop fix the paint area for $250. I believe BMW was charging about $500 for the tires and the same for the paint deduction. So I saved $600 doing it on my own. When you are returning your car vs selling it, it will need to meet the lease terms for turn in condition, always cheapest to do that stuff on your own.

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by bubsterino

Hi gang -

My 228i lease is up June 30, 2017 - been an amazing car, but looking forward to the M240 (or mayyyyyybe the M2). A few quick ones on the BMW lease return process (I've leased three cars before, and I know the process can be different):

1) I know BMW uses the ding-o-meter to measure scratches/dents. How "tough" are they about enforcing that, especially to the extent you are going to lease another BMW? My experience with Lexus was that they were pretty loose on the return if you were getting into another one...

2) What about curb rash on tires / rims?

3) Back bumper - it's a disaster, as I street park in DC?

4) Finally, is it fairly standard that BMW reaches out to pull-ahead the lease within 6 months? Is there any way to inquire about it?

Thanks all, and Happy Friday / Driving.

B

I swear my wife's 2008 535XiT had nearly $2k worth of various bits of damage. That was our 4th BMW and I was in the process of picking up our 5th BMW. My SA checked the car and came back with a clean turn in report! I was stunned and pleased.

[DS_BMW]

Did you purchase lease protection? Do dealers find about pull ahead plans on the 1st of each month like residuals?

[Rayscott]

Curb rash yes. BMW charged me 150 ea to repair 2 wheels, a new wheel was 450, back bumper if it is a mess, yes

[aerostar]

Last time I checked (around 3 months ago) my lease pull ahead was 3 months.

[bubsterino]

Originally Posted by DS_BMW

Did you purchase lease protection? Do dealers find about pull ahead plans on the 1st of each month like residuals?

i did not...

[bubsterino]

Originally Posted by kdog26372

I did 6 month ahead lease return on my X3 into the M235i. Pretty easy process and they'll give you a general idea of what deductions will come once they look at your car. I was building the M235i so that was going to be 2-3 months as needed to allotment first. But, basically I needed 2 new tires and a minor paint scuff on the side. Because I had some time, I found 2 used tires that matched the others for $150 total and had local shop fix the paint area for $250. I believe BMW was charging about $500 for the tires and the same for the paint deduction. So I saved $600 doing it on my own. When you are returning your car vs selling it, it will need to meet the lease terms for turn in condition, always cheapest to do that stuff on your own.

got it. so maybe i get them do to an assessment of the car and if they tell me i need new tires for example, i will take it to mr tire and take advantage of my tire insurance (i am NOT paying these guys 450 per tire) and also determine their cost to fix things vs my body shop guy.

seems like a reasonable plan no?

[bubsterino]

Originally Posted by ralawren

If you are not satisfied with the return process you can always "trade" the car in. Of course there is no free lunch, but you may find a dealer more interested in the new sale and will take the risk that the cosmetic items will not cost too much for repair.

by "trade", you mean i purchase out the remainder of the lease and try to sell to another dealership / car max etc?

[bubsterino]

Originally Posted by roundel335

Lease return requires the car to be in the same configuration as at delivery (including RFT tires) and reasonably good cosmetic condition. They will charge you for anything required to bring the car into saleable condition, particularly the cosmetic items if they require any painting or replacement of parts.

when I got the car I tried the muffler delete, which I ended up hating. The body shop put on the original muffler, the only thing that you can see is that they soldered the original piping together. Do you think I'll get dinged for that?!

[geep81]

This may or may not be useful, but I traded in my Mercedes lease at the BMW dealer. They bought out my lease (I was 2 yrs into a 3yr lease on a CLA, they paid just over 30k to buy it out). I didn't have to deal with any inspections/lease turn in drama at all. They did obviously inspect the car, but I don't think it was to the level Mercedes would have when I turned it back in. It had some minor cosmetic issues and I didn't hear a peep from BMW about it.

I just chalked it up as the things they might do to get a sale on a $$$ car. I may do the same with the BMW when it's time. It was so easy.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by geep81

This may or may not be useful, but I traded in my Mercedes lease at the BMW dealer. They bought out my lease (I was 2 yrs into a 3yr lease on a CLA, they paid just over 30k to buy it out). I didn't have to deal with any inspections/lease turn in drama at all. They did obviously inspect the car, but I don't think it was to the level Mercedes would have when I turned it back in. It had some minor cosmetic issues and I didn't hear a peep from BMW about it.

I just chalked it up as the things they might do to get a sale on a $$$ car. I may do the same with the BMW when it's time. It was so easy.

It's much easier to do that when you are switching brands - and it's also much harder to exit BMW leases in general. Just compare to an Audi w a 50% residual, getting out clean is VERY easy compared to a BMW at 65%. On a $50k car for example you'd need something like $10k+ extra to get out of the BMW clean 2 years in.

FYI you also didn't hear a peep from BMW because they couldn't care less. The Benz dealer bought the car and either kept it to sell or sent it to auction. BMW got their money, they're out of it.

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by bubsterino

when I got the car I tried the muffler delete, which I ended up hating. The body shop put on the original muffler, the only thing that you can see is that they soldered the original piping together. Do you think I'll get dinged for that?!

You mean welded it together? Hard to say on that one, but as long as it was done properly (no leaks, rust, etc.), it shouldn't be a problem.

[geep81]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

FYI you also didn't hear a peep from BMW because they couldn't care less. The Benz dealer bought the car and either kept it to sell or sent it to auction. BMW got their money, they're out of it.

The Mercedes was on the BMW lot for a sticker of a little less than they bought it out for for a couple weeks and then it was gone.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by geep81

The Mercedes was on the BMW lot for a sticker of a little less than they bought it out for for a couple weeks and then it was gone.

That's typically what happens. Depending on when you catch them in the month, where they are on quota, what's been going on at auction and what their wholesalers are telling them etc etc all matters. I traded my dad's Allroad 1 year into a 3 year lease at a BMW dealer and they got me out of it squeaky clean and sent it straight to auction. Shopped around half a dozen dealers and was offered everything from $27k to $34k.

[abomb60]

When I brought my 2014 535i in at lease end (actually they let me out of the lease 3 months early if I leased a new car) the end of lease process was the sales manager walking around the car for about 6 seconds. I had 1 minor dent that was smaller than the circle on the ding-o-meter and a small bit of road rash on two of the wheels. He didn't check anything else just said "I remember ordering this car!" and that was it.

[Pparana]

Wheels, curb rash over 4" is chargeable. Bumper ding o meter measurement. Like most have said, if your getting another bmw, usually not that hard, if they bitch, you can work it into the next deal or fix. Best to know what your dealing with first.

[brocklanders]

Does any one know about multiple rock chips in the windshield? I have seven rock chips they are all repaired but still noticeable.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by brocklanders

Does any one know about multiple rock chips in the windshield? I have seven rock chips they are all repaired but still noticeable.

As long as repaired should be fine