[bimmer4life24]

Seems like everyone has been happy leasing a BMW. My father has leased both a Mercedes and a Lexus in the past and had a horrible experience with both manufactures. In particular, there were a lot of fees associated within the lease. They would give him a hard time every time he had to take the car in for service. Fees almost every time.

Has anyone experienced this with BMW? Paying fees during the lease? Or maybe had a bad experience returning the vehicle back to them?

I understand the dings and dents, if any, when returning the vehicle. But are there any other fees I should know about? Or is BMWs lease program one of the best out there and I should have no worries getting into one.

Any type of feedback with past experiences would be much appreciated.

[Esteban15]

most dealers have acquisition fees...around 750...then they encourage the insurance for 250 a year for 5000 coverage in case of dings.....insurance is third party to my knowledge..and until recently they made you come back every six months during the lease to take a look...now I understand its six months before lease is over.. BMW likes three years leases so they can then sell pre owned certified with one year left on warranty....to my knowledge above..may depend on State ..check and verify yourself

[Lucky13]

The biggest cost would be tire wear, you can't bring it back with slicks. They will send you a package at the end to explain how big scratches, dings, dents can be and how much tread you need to have. I've leased several and never had any issues. They had a third party (not the dealership) go over you car at the end, I think they do this so you don't get pissed at the dealership. They were pretty fair each time, they actually picked up the car at turn in at my house once and at work another time. They will tell you at that time if they are keeping any of your security deposit.

[BEM-S4]

Keep in mind if you stick with a BMW for your next car lots of sins will be forgiven (over your miles, borderline tires, etc.).

[Lucky13]

I actually turned my last lease into another BMW dealer that I didn't buy it from. BMWNA owns these so the dealer has the option of keeping the car or they send it to auction. The dealer I turned it in to sent it to auction (back in late 2009) because SUV sales sucked at that time. I actually had a bad paint repair job on the front bumper but they didn't care because I bought a Mini Clubman S from them and they approved the inspection and sent it to auction.

[five3three]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Keep in mind if you stick with a BMW for your next car lots of sins will be forgiven (over your miles, borderline tires, etc.).

How flexible is this mileage forgiveness. And what do you do, just be over and risk either paying more or being forgiven? And is this forgiven by the dealer or by contacting BMWFS?

It seems to me like mileage is a more fixed thing so not sure how this would work. I understand the waiving of the disposition fee if you get another one.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by five3three

How flexible is this mileage forgiveness. And what do you do, just be over and risk either paying more or being forgiven? And is this forgiven by the dealer or by contacting BMWFS?

It seems to me like mileage is a more fixed thing so not sure how this would work. I understand the waiving of the disposition fee if you get another one.

Depends on the dealer. If you're double or triple your miles or something ridiculous it might be an issue, but if you're at 12k per year for 36 months and you come in 5k over or whatever and are getting another $50K+ car, they won't bat an eye about making it go away for you.

If you are over and are not getting another BMW, you can buy more miles cheaper during the lease than at the end and save yourself some money.

[bimmer4life24]

So no one has came across any mind blowing fees that made you do this

[maxdriver]

It is nice to have the option of purchasing additional miles prior to lease end if you are going to be over the agreed upon limit.

My lease has been smooth so far, but the key for me will be at turn-in time....especially if we don't go with another BMW...

No doubt I'll be buying another set of tires before lease end, but hey you got to pay to play...

[Bama335]

Originally Posted by bimmer4life24

So no one has came across any mind blowing fees that made you do this

I've leased cars from BMW, Lexus, Infiniti, Nissan and VW and I've never had any of the mind-blowing fees you described. On about half of those leases, we walked away without getting another car from the same mfg or dealer.

Yes, I do keep my cars well maintained: extra oil changes, plenty of washing, vacuuming and waxing during the term - the majority have gone into the CPO programs after turn-in. Many folks get dinged for tires, if you're close to the 4/32" minimum come lease end, hit ebay for a set of used tires rather than pay the dealer charge - a new set of tires from the dealer (especially RFT) would certainly qualify as mind-blowing expense.

If you watch your total miles and maintain the car at a minimum per the mfg recommendations, bring it back with tires over the minimum tread and no major dings, you should be ok.

If you are over miles, expect to pay whatever is written into your lease, although as some have mentioned, if you re-lease with BMW, they will waive the turn-in fee, give you $500 or $750 for loyalty and may forgive you some of the miles if the dealer is planning on buying that car.

Also, with BMW, you can buy extra miles before the contract end at a discounted rate.

[bimmer4life24]

Originally Posted by Bama335

I've leased cars from BMW, Lexus, Infiniti, Nissan and VW and I've never had any of the mind-blowing fees you described. On about half of those leases, we walked away without getting another car from the same mfg or dealer.

Yes, I do keep my cars well maintained: extra oil changes, plenty of washing, vacuuming and waxing during the term - the majority have gone into the CPO programs after turn-in. Many folks get dinged for tires, if you're close to the 4/32" minimum come lease end, hit ebay for a set of used tires rather than pay the dealer charge - a new set of tires from the dealer (especially RFT) would certainly qualify as mind-blowing expense.

If you watch your total miles and maintain the car at a minimum per the mfg recommendations, bring it back with tires over the minimum tread and no major dings, you should be ok.

If you are over miles, expect to pay whatever is written into your lease, although as some have mentioned, if you re-lease with BMW, they will waive the turn-in fee, give you $500 or $750 for loyalty and may forgive you some of the miles if the dealer is planning on buying that car.

Also, with BMW, you can buy extra miles before the contract end at a discounted rate.

Good to know. Thanks for the info

[Esteban15]

there is an acquisition fee on a lease....only way to get out of it later is to buy the car...anyone that can tell me the loan department didn't try to sell you or pressure you on additional warranties...may have been so excited on the lease ..they just signed on the dotted line...and said thank you ..

[bimmer4life24]

Anyone know if when u get into a lease it hurts your credit score? Is it just like financing a new car or does it not bring down your credit score at all?

[chris719]

An auto loan is an auto loan, it doesn't matter. Only difference is the amount reported will be the total of the payments for the lease generally, not the whole cap cost of the car.