[TimeFor]

I traded in my i3 lease last night and was surpised to hear the dealer tell me that lease turn-in inspections aren't done by them on the i3. Having leased several BMWs before this has always been the case. But apparently its different with the i3 and BMW themselves inspect those cars.

Anyone experience this?

There was nothing wrong with my i3 but kind of worry turning over the car and finding out some point in the future from BMW if there are any issues. I really got nothing from the dealer when turning over the car. Now I guess I just have to wait and see what BMW says with my trade-in.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by TimeFor

I traded in my i3 lease last night and was surpised to hear the dealer tell me that lease turn-in inspections aren't done by them on the i3. Having leased several BMWs before this has always been the case. But apparently its different with the i3 and BMW themselves inspect those cars.

Anyone experience this?

There was nothing wrong with my i3 but kind of worry turning over the car and finding out some point in the future from BMW if there are any issues. I really got nothing from the dealer when turning over the car. Now I guess I just have to wait and see what BMW says with my trade-in.

The same experience with my REX early lease turn-in last month.

I had to leave the car on the lot with the dealer, for BMW NA rep to come and receive it.
The only complication for me was that someone (dealer employee?) had stolen the L1 charging cable while the REX was waiting for the inspection. Luckily, my CA saw it with his own eyes during vehicle swap (I picked up new BEV), and is helping fight the $500 BMW FS charge for the missing cable. It's been ~5 weeks now, and the dispute is still ongoing.

The inspection report also listed 4" scratch on the pumper that I don't recall being there, but I wasn't charged for that.

YMMV,
a

[EINSER M]

Originally Posted by TimeFor

I traded in my i3 lease last night and was surpised to hear the dealer tell me that lease turn-in inspections aren't done by them on the i3. Having leased several BMWs before this has always been the case. But apparently its different with the i3 and BMW themselves inspect those cars.

Anyone experience this?

There was nothing wrong with my i3 but kind of worry turning over the car and finding out some point in the future from BMW if there are any issues. I really got nothing from the dealer when turning over the car. Now I guess I just have to wait and see what BMW says with my trade-in.

That is correct, the inspection cannot be done by the dealership. You just have to wait for the good or bad news
Typically nothing out of the ordinary happens though from what I've seen, all lease returns have been handled correctly.

[TimeFor]

BMW is telling me I owe $350 for excessively worn tires? Does that sound right? My car had $18,500 miles on it.

[EINSER M]

Originally Posted by TimeFor

BMW is telling me I owe $350 for excessively worn tires? Does that sound right? My car had $18,500 miles on it.

It should be $150/tire below 3/32

[-c-]

Originally Posted by TimeFor

BMW is telling me I owe $350 for excessively worn tires? Does that sound right? My car had $18,500 miles on it.

My tires where almost slicks at 20k miles.

Problem is i3 tires wear faster than normal tires.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by TimeFor

BMW is telling me I owe $350 for excessively worn tires? Does that sound right? My car had $18,500 miles on it.

If you never replaced them, yes, it's very likely.

This is not just i3.
Most BMW models need a new set of tires at around 20K miles, or are close enough to the lease-return 4/32nds threshold to get dinged.

Basically, if you are leasing an i3 or any 3-series for two years, you will need to buy a new set of tires before lease return (unless you have a set of winter or track tires, and run on them for more that 50% of the year).
If you are leasing for 3-years, you might be on the verge of needing a second set before lease return.

Originally Posted by EINSER M

It should be $150/tire below 3/32

Correct on the surcharge amount (plus tax!), but it's assessed if the most worn-out part of the tread is below 4/32nds (1/8th). They literally take measurements at multiple points across the tread, and record the lowest one found.

BMW has been extremely anal about this measurement process, and I've seen and heard of highly questionable results from that exercise.

a

[TimeFor]

Originally Posted by EINSER M

It should be $150/tire below 3/32

I got a report in the mail today. I'll post it when I get home if any one is curious. Looks like it was done by a 3rd party company.

They said rear tires were 2/32 and front were 3/32 & 4/32 and are charging $175/ea for the rears + tax. So total was $380 something. Still waiting on my 7 MSD refund though.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by TimeFor

I got a report in the mail today. I'll post it when I get home if any one is curious. Looks like it was done by a 3rd party company.

They said rear tires were 2/32 and front were 3/32 & 4/32 and are charging $175/ea for the rears + tax. So total was $380 something. Still waiting on my 7 MSD refund though.

Strange - has BMW FS recently jacked up the prices on rear tires?
Or did you have 20" tires?

If 20", it makes sense, and they are charging you what it would have cost you to buy a new set of tires yourself, without cost of shipping or installation. So not too obnoxious. Still sucks.

I got dinged on excessive mileage.
Highly not surprising, but at least they knocked down the overage from $0.25/per (in lease agreement) to $0.18/per.

a

[TimeFor]

Originally Posted by afadeev

Strange - has BMW FS recently jacked up the prices on rear tires?
Or did you have 20" tires?

I had 20" tires. Ok Thanks

[HZX540e]

MB does the same thing, 3rd party inspection, so I recorded a detailed video of the car at the dealer before turning it in.