[Jpapon]

So I’ve been trying to get myself an i3s lease recently, and I can’t seem to find anything under ~11k total cost.

So now I’m seeing that I have that 10k USAA discount on a purchase, and I’m wondering if it buying makes more sense.

With the discount, I can probably get down to 35k pre-tax, so about 39k out the door. There’s 10k in rebates, so that’s 29k.

What do you think an i3s will be worth in 3 years? I’m seeing many 2016s for about 18k... so something like that?

Am I missing something, or is it basically a wash between buying and leasing at the 3 year mark?

[jmg]

I'd say it's going to be a wash. There's not much incentive to buy unless you plan on keeping it for a longer period of time. UDEs are coming up, you can get another $1000 off for attending one of those. SCE has a $1000 rebate as well for 2019. Did you apply loyalty and lease cash towards your total cost? Don't forget the $2500 state rebate.

[yuduhpeach]

Originally Posted by Jpapon

So I’ve been trying to get myself an i3s lease recently, and I can’t seem to find anything under ~11k total cost.

So now I’m seeing that I have that 10k USAA discount on a purchase, and I’m wondering if it buying makes more sense.

With the discount, I can probably get down to 35k pre-tax, so about 39k out the door. There’s 10k in rebates, so that’s 29k.

What do you think an i3s will be worth in 3 years? I’m seeing many 2016s for about 18k... so something like that?

Am I missing something, or is it basically a wash between buying and leasing at the 3 year mark?

When I was in the market for my i3, I faced the same dilemma. Ended up leasing since I didn't intend on driving the car more than 3 years, less than 10k miles a year, and the added benefit of GAP protection from BMWFS. Really comes down to if you want to keep the car past 3 years or not.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by Jpapon

So I’ve been trying to get myself an i3s lease recently, and I can’t seem to find anything under ~11k total cost.

Strange, my current i3 lease is $6K total cost for the 24 month / 20K lease term.

I did max out UDE, employee / fleet rebate, etc.
The above # does not even include state kick-backs.

Originally Posted by Jpapon

So now I’m seeing that I have that 10k USAA discount on a purchase, and I’m wondering if it buying makes more sense.

You should be seeing the same (or more like $12-13K discount) on leases as well!

Originally Posted by Jpapon

With the discount, I can probably get down to 35k pre-tax, so about 39k out the door. There’s 10k in rebates, so that’s 29k.

What do you think an i3s will be worth in 3 years? I’m seeing many 2016s for about 18k... so something like that?

Probably lower.
Every year the EV market gets more and more entries, with longer range and quicker acceleration than the i3. The used car market is also over-saturated with i3 lease-returns (90+% of these cares get leased), so used i3 valuations are extremely soft.

Search autotrader.com for used i3s in your area, and brace for 2-year old cars with asking prices in the teens, some below $15K. Sales price will be lower still.
If you consider that they all started as $50+K MSRP cars, that's pretty rough.

Originally Posted by Jpapon

Am I missing something, or is it basically a wash between buying and leasing at the 3 year mark?

I've leaded 2 i3's, and the #s were even't close for lease over buy.
The key is to realize that all of the USAA/Fleet discounts on i3 are 100% pass through for leases as well, you just need to "collect" them from the dealer.

In my case, #s were overwhelmingly in favor of leasing (helps that there is 0% on EV leases in NJ).

YMMV,
a

[jmg]

Originally Posted by afadeev

Strange, my current i3 lease is $6K total cost for the 24 month / 20K lease term.

I did max out UDE, employee / fleet rebate, etc.
The above # does not even include state kick-backs.

You should be seeing the same (or more like $12-13K discount) on leases as well!

Probably lower.
Every year the EV market gets more and more entries, with longer range and quicker acceleration than the i3. The used car market is also over-saturated with i3 lease-returns (90+% of these cares get leased), so used i3 valuations are extremely soft.

Search autotrader.com for used i3s in your area, and brace for 2-year old cars with asking prices in the teens, some below $15K. Sales price will be lower still.
If you consider that they all started as $50+K MSRP cars, that's pretty rough.

I've leaded 2 i3's, and the #s were even't close for lease over buy.
The key is to realize that all of the USAA/Fleet discounts on i3 are 100% pass through for leases as well, you just need to "collect" them from the dealer.

In my case, #s were overwhelmingly in favor of leasing (helps that there is 0% on EV leases in NJ).

YMMV,
a

I'm not so sure the i3 lease deals of the past can be replicated right now, maybe on leftover 2018 stock? 0% NJ is pretty unbeatable too. I've seen some monster i3 lease deals out of NJ in the past. My two i3 leases were $177/mo and $199/mo including tax, 10k/30 month with max MSDs.

[tankertoad]

Aren't MSDs a thing of the past?

[jmg]

Originally Posted by tankertoad

Aren't MSDs a thing of the past?

No. They're back. But in my case I was grandfathered in from previous leases.

[Untdrums]

Correct my if I'm wrong, but MSDs are not available in all states. Even if you've done it before.

For example, I live in TX where we pay 6.25% sales tax on the FULL price of the car when leasing. We also sometimes have to pay annual property taxes on leases as well. I usually get hit with a higher payment in Feb or so of each year.

Anyway, I had MSDs on my last 2 leases and I was not able to do it again on my '18 440i GC or my '19 i3s I'm signing on tomorrow. I actually "lost" my MSDs when I traded in my '15 M235i for my 440. I never got my deposits back.

I am told that when I trade in my '15 i3 REX tomorrow, I'll get ALL of my MSDs back in about 4 weeks.

And yes, I'm doing trade-ins vs lease turn-ins (and getting my MSDs back) based on what I have in writing from my dealer this time around.

[ThatSquirrelPoweredE90]

What dealerships are you guys going to? Went to BMW of Irvine for a 2019 i3s BEV 36-month lease, I was quoted $3000 down, $432/month. Might as well just get a Model 3/Y.

Where can I find these ~$200-$250/month lease deals?

[jmg]

Originally Posted by ThatSquirrelPoweredE90

What dealerships are you guys going to? Went to BMW of Irvine for a 2019 i3s BEV 36-month lease, I was quoted $3000 down, $432/month. Might as well just get a Model 3/Y.

Where can I find these ~$200-$250/month lease deals?

I called every dealer in SoCal who has what I wanted in stock. I told them I calling every dealer and the biggest discount gets the sale. I eventually got one to do 10.5% off that no one else was willing to beat. I fronted the BMWCCA $1000 rebate, $2500 state rebate and $450 SCE rebate. On top of loyalty, lease cash, and 7 MSDs, monthly came to $182/mo not including tax. BMWCCA rebate has since been discontinued but SCE is now $1000 instead of $450.

[TimeFor]

Originally Posted by jmg

BMWCCA rebate has since been discontinued but SCE is now $1000 instead of $450.

Wow, didn't know the BMWCCA rebate was gone on the i3. What a bummer. Do you know if we can still do the AARP fleet rate discount? I'll need another i3 come October. Unfortunately, I'm not an SCE customer so thats another rebate I'll miss out on.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by TimeFor

Wow, didn't know the BMWCCA rebate was gone on the i3. What a bummer. Do you know if we can still do the AARP fleet rate discount? I'll need another i3 come October. Unfortunately, I'm not an SCE customer so thats another rebate I'll miss out on.

Not 100% sure, but I would also try the costco fleet (which is rumored to be back) and the USAA program.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by Untdrums

Correct my if I'm wrong, but MSDs are not available in all states. Even if you've done it before.

After years of discussing leases on this and other forums, and initiating leases in 3 states, I've never heard of anyone complaining about MSD restriction to any particular US state.

MSD is a free loan to BMW FS, in return for which, you get lower lease rate (MF). The loan is repaid at the end of the lease, with no interest on the principal. But you save money on interest payments for the lease, which usually makes this a profitable arrangement for the buyer.

I don't see why or how this proposition would be effected by your state of residence, although car leases and purchases do get taxed very differently by various states (from 0% to 8+%).

Originally Posted by Untdrums

I actually "lost" my MSDs when I traded in my '15 M235i for my 440. I never got my deposits back.

That doesn't sound right.
You never "loose your MSD" deposit - a few weeks after lease turn-in, BMW FS sends you a letter documenting lease-end termination math (+MSD - extra mileage charge -damage - lease termination fees) and credits the delta to your direct deposit account.

If your delta is negative (charges from vehicle damage and/or major excessive mileage at lease return exceeding MSD deposit), you will owe BMW FS money.

Originally Posted by Untdrums

I am told that when I trade in my '15 i3 REX tomorrow, I'll get ALL of my MSDs back in about 4 weeks.

And yes, I'm doing trade-ins vs lease turn-ins (and getting my MSDs back) based on what I have in writing from my dealer this time around.

You get MSDs back when you end the lease.
It does NOT matter whether you wait to the end of the lease term, or the dealer brights it forward by accepted leased vehicle for trade-in.

There is something very fishy going on with the info your dealer is feeding to you.
I would 3x check everything with BMW FS and at least another dealer source.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by TimeFor

Wow, didn't know the BMWCCA rebate was gone on the i3. What a bummer. Do you know if we can still do the AARP fleet rate discount? I'll need another i3 come October. Unfortunately, I'm not an SCE customer so thats another rebate I'll miss out on.

BMWCCA i3 rebate has definitely been zeroed out, and all rebates have been lowered for most BMW cars and trucks:
https://www.bmwcca.org/vehicle_rebate

But "fleet" rebates are still sort-of on (unless you are shopping for X7 or M-comp models):
https://form.jotform.com/83125576463158

By sort-off I mean that in the past, I would get a fixed $$ off the negotiated price.
The current "upto to $10K off" sounds ambiguous.

HTH,
a

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Untdrums

Anyway, I had MSDs on my last 2 leases and I was not able to do it again on my '18 440i GC or my '19 i3s I'm signing on tomorrow. I actually "lost" my MSDs when I traded in my '15 M235i for my 440. I never got my deposits back.

You can't lose it. You should call BMWFS because you're getting butt rammed.

Originally Posted by Untdrums

I am told that when I trade in my '15 i3 REX tomorrow, I'll get ALL of my MSDs back in about 4 weeks.

You can apply those same MSDs to your new lease. Old MSDs can be grandfathered in. I've done it before.