[hudlander]

My 2018 X3 got totaled.
Originally was going to try a CPO X5, but I find it bad value.
Then was looking at leasing a new X3, but I don't care much for the re-design and agin do not think its great value (my 2018 X3, I got CPO in 2021 at good value).

It occurred to me I could try and takeover a current lease, just wanted to know:

1. Anybody done this before? Is this legit, good, or sketchy?
2. Is swapalease the main go to site or I missing another?

Thanks.

[tturedraider]

It’s super common. Especially with high end cars like BMW, Mercedes, and Audi. It can be a pretty good deal for you!! Swap-a-lease is one of the most popular connection services. You will actually do the swap through BMWFS. Lots and lots of posts about this. Do some searching.

[BlkGS]

Great way to get screwed. You can get someone's problem vehicle swapped to you without any warranty because they modded it and be stuck with a piece of junk you've got to pay out of pocket to fix.

Why not just buy a CPO X3?

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

Great way to get screwed. You can get someone's problem vehicle swapped to you without any warranty because they modded it and be stuck with a piece of junk you've got to pay out of pocket to fix.

Why not just buy a CPO X3?

OP, in 19 years on Bimmerpost and Bimmerfest I have seen many, many posts from people who have assumed leases and I have never seen a single post from someone who had this situation. There’s no need to be paranoid. Diligent, yes. Paranoid, no.


By the way, if you find a vehicle you want to buy rather than take over the lease that works exactly the same way as buying a car from someone who has a loan on their vehicle. Leases have payoffs just like loans do. One difference is, depending on the state, you might have to go through a dealer, which has the potential of involving paying additional sales tax. Some states will not allow you to purchase the car directly from BMWFS, so if the vehicle is titled in one of those states it would probably work better to just assume the lease.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

OP, in 19 years on Bimmerpost and Bimmerfest I have seen many, many posts from people who have assumed leases and I have never seen a single post from someone who had this situation. There’s no need to be paranoid. Diligent, yes. Paranoid, no.


By the way, if you find a vehicle you want to buy rather than take over the lease that works exactly the same way as buying a car from someone who has a loan on their vehicle. Leases have payoffs just like loans do. One difference is, depending on the state, you might have to go through a dealer, which has the potential of involving paying additional sales tax. Some states will not allow you to purchase the car directly from BMWFS, so if the vehicle is titled in one of those states it would probably work better to just assume the lease.

I would only take over a lease after having a full inspection done on the vehicle. That's the perk of a CPO car, it comes with an inspection.

[DocL]

I took over the lease from someone on my 2018 F80. It was easy to do through BMW Financial. Car was inspected by a BMW dealer and checked out clean. I got an awesome deal on the exact car I was looking for for over 10 months. I bought it off the lease and have had it for six years.

It's one of the best ways to save money. especially if you think you are going to keep it after the lease is up.

[hudlander]

Originally Posted by DocL

I took over the lease from someone on my 2018 F80. It was easy to do through BMW Financial. Car was inspected by a BMW dealer and checked out clean. I got an awesome deal on the exact car I was looking for for over 10 months. I bought it off the lease and have had it for six years.

It's one of the best ways to save money. especially if you think you are going to keep it after the lease is up.

Exactly, my thinking was since this is done through BMW Financial, and under warranty, the car is likely to be fine.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

Great way to get screwed. You can get someone's problem vehicle swapped to you without any warranty because they modded it and be stuck with a piece of junk you've got to pay out of pocket to fix.

Why not just buy a CPO X3?

Just get it inspected. The likelihood of someone modding (to the point of voiding the warranty) a run of the mill X3 is fairly low.

[tturedraider]

This just came up in the B58 group on Facebook if you’re interested. It’s in the Atlanta, Georgia area. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16B...ibextid=wwXIfr

[Mo2002]

My sister used swapalease for a lease transfer on a M550i. We had someone go out and take photos and videos. Car arrived just as expected. After a few hundred miles, the car started to lose pressure in one of the tires. After further inspection, we found the wheel was bent and was repaired by the previous owner in a pretty crappy way. Wheel couldn't be repaired and required a new wheel to be purchased.
When we took it for replacement of brake pads, the tech did an overall inspection. Suspension arm bushings were cracked and mounts for rear flex disc were cracked. This is stuff you can't know unless you have a tech do an inspection.

[hudlander]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Just get it inspected. The likelihood of someone modding (to the point of voiding the warranty) a run of the mill X3 is fairly low.

It would be an X5.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by hudlander

It would be an X5.

Even more less likely to have been modded.

[STi from DSM]

I see people on the G80/G82 sites swapping all the time. Just be sure you calculate in the $500 transfer fee as well as any down payment to the person swapping (as this is also common for them to ask outrageous down payments) as you will want to have a monthly figure in mind. Swap a lease is the most common one I have heard of, but the only forum that really has a lot of them will be the G80/G82 forums on here. Possibly the new M5 might have a section for it and maybe the old F90 might have a few.
Be on the lookout for mods as mods can remove a warranty. Ask for a carfax to ensure warranty is still active and hasn't been voided due to having too many aftermarket things on it. Make sure that everything looks to be in good working order. I have to mention this again too make sure they are not asking for a ridiculous down payment. Some people think that they can charge $200k for a car that is worth $80k. Be sure to do your math correctly. Also, make sure they have adequate mileage left on the lease. I have seen lots of people drive the shit out of their cars only to leave about 7-9k miles left for a 14 month left of lease buyout. You want to be able to drive what you are buying. Also be sure the buyout price is listed and is acceptable. If you want to buyout the vehicle at the end you don't want to lose money.

This guy was lease swapping his 2024 M850i for a really good deal.
https://f92.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2178075