BMW Lease Payoff

[Patjam77]

Hey guys, I'd like to take in some of you peeps infinate wisdom! :help

I am currently 10 months out from my lease being over in my '08 335xi and I have the bug to get another car. Has anyone had any success with BMW FS or a dealer getting you out of your lease with out getting hosed? My trade in, if a dealer was being fair (but what dealer is) is oh so close to the pay-off amount. I estimate I would be like $1500 in the negative.
Any information you gentleman can impart would be awesome.

One other thing as well. I'd like to stick to an XI but dang if the RWD's are just $3-5000 cheaper here around Philly. If I get snow tires, think I'll be OK? Or just stick to the XI and have peace of mind?

Thanks guys!!

[zavor]

http://www.leasetrader.com/

[bluewater328]

If you're going to lease another vehicle from them, a lot of dealerships will be able to take your lease in early -- but make sure you get this in writing by someone in management. had a friend turn in a lease early for another, but still got the old bill for a couple of months. Dealer took care of them in the end and they didn't pay, but they should have made sure that happened first.

They may do something for you if you're going to buy a new or used car as well, but you'll have to check. They will definitely try and give you a deal to buy your current car after the lease is finished.

[floydr]

One other thing as well. I'd like to stick to an XI but dang if the RWD's are just $3-5000 cheaper here around Philly. If I get snow tires, think I'll be OK? Or just stick to the XI and have peace of mind?

Snow tires and easy throttle use should get you around almost as well as AWD - all you'll lose is some hill-climbing ability, and you'll actually be better in braking and cornering.

[LuvMyE92]

BMW often has incentives for current lease holders to buy or lease a new BMW. These are not advertised, but your SA should know all about them.

This is another case where it really pays to just go to the dealer and ask them rather than a bunch of Internet peeps.

[robroy72]

I sold my leased Audi S4 prior to getting my 335i; advertise it, find a buyer & have them pay BMWFS directly (assuming your buyout is approx. pvt party value).

[mryakan]

I had 1 month left on my lease and my new car was ready, but neither BMW nor the dealer were willing to take it in early without me paying the last month lease. To BMW, you owe them all the payments no matter what. Buying a new car is handled separately (via incentives, etc). The dealer will only assist you with the old lease if they are making enough money off the new car. In other words, you get less margin for negotiating on the new car in this case and in the end you will not be any better off.
The best way is to supress that urge for a new car for another 10 months. Otherwise it will be a lot hassle and will cost you. You have a great car anyway, why the urgency to get a new one so soon!

[2bms]

I gave my previous car back 6 months early to get my current 335i. No penalty, in fact I got a great deal. No increase in payments, but went from a well-equipped 330i that needed new tires and a windshield (that's why I took it in there in the first place, not because I was shopping for a replacement!) to a fully-equipped 335i. Mind you, that was about 18 months or so ago, when the economy was heading rapidly towards the toilet and the dealer might have been thinking that he was never going to able to sell or lease a new car ever again. I guess if the timing is good, anything is possible. It has to suit both parties.