Did I goof by skipping "wear & tear" and "tire protection" plans for new lease?
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Joined: Jun 2016
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2017 C300 Coupe
Did I goof by skipping "wear & tear" and "tire protection" plans for new lease?
This is a 36m/12k miles lease. I did purchase the prepaid maintenance (even though Schedule A seems like just a glorified oil change) since I was told that the residual percent also applied to it (i.e. I would only pay 40% of the $975 sticker price).
I passed on the "wear & tear", tire protection plans, and other plans that were being offered because I was tired and already close to my absolute budget limit. Question: was that a stupid move on my part? Also, is break pad replacement almost a 100% certainty after 3 years and about how much should I budget for it? Finally, I was told that I could only purchase these plans when signing the lease - is that correct or just BS?
Some background: when I returned my BMW I had full extended coverage so paid nothing above disposition fee. The inspector told me that my tires would have had to be replaced and I had a lot of scrapes on the front bumper cover due to the car riding low (my fault, should have bought something to protect it).
Any advice for preventative actions to keep me from having a huge bill at turn-in greatly appreciated!
I passed on the "wear & tear", tire protection plans, and other plans that were being offered because I was tired and already close to my absolute budget limit. Question: was that a stupid move on my part? Also, is break pad replacement almost a 100% certainty after 3 years and about how much should I budget for it? Finally, I was told that I could only purchase these plans when signing the lease - is that correct or just BS?
Some background: when I returned my BMW I had full extended coverage so paid nothing above disposition fee. The inspector told me that my tires would have had to be replaced and I had a lot of scrapes on the front bumper cover due to the car riding low (my fault, should have bought something to protect it).
Any advice for preventative actions to keep me from having a huge bill at turn-in greatly appreciated!
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Joined: May 2008
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2016 C300
I avoid any third party protection packages sold by the F&I guy. Usually just a huge profit generator for the dealership and not much protection. The lease already allows you latitude as far as normal wear and tear goes. The tire packages I've seen, by First Choice, don't cover curb damage or cosmetic damage at all. I bent a rear on my S550, $1100 from the dealer. First Choice denied the claim under a clause in the policy that stipulates they'll only replace a bent rim if the tire will no longer hold air. No coverage.
I think you made the right call. I had a 2013 A5 on lease that had a bunch of stuff f'd up on it. Rather than turning it in, I traded it at a Toyota dealership on a car for my kid. Value was such that the trade money paid off the remaining lease payments plus the residual and I walked away clean. I guarantee their inspection was nowhere near what Audi would have put it thru and charged me for.
I think you made the right call. I had a 2013 A5 on lease that had a bunch of stuff f'd up on it. Rather than turning it in, I traded it at a Toyota dealership on a car for my kid. Value was such that the trade money paid off the remaining lease payments plus the residual and I walked away clean. I guarantee their inspection was nowhere near what Audi would have put it thru and charged me for.
Last edited by Mike5215; Jun 27, 2016 at 12:43 AM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
2017 C300 Coupe
I avoid any third party protection packages sold by the F&I guy. Usually just a huge profit generator for the dealership and not much protection. The lease already allows you latitude as far as normal wear and tear goes. The tire packages I've seen, by First Choice, don't cover curb damage or cosmetic damage at all. I bent a rear on my S550, $1100 from the dealer. First Choice denied the claim under a clause in the policy that stipulates they'll only replace a bent rim if the tire will no longer hold air. No coverage.
I think you made the right call. I had a 2013 A5 on lease that had a bunch of stuff f'd up on it. Rather than turning it in, I traded it at a Toyota dealership on a car for my kid. Value was such that the trade money paid off the remaining lease payments plus the residual and I walked away clean. I guarantee their inspection was nowhere near what Audi would have put it thru and charged me for.
I think you made the right call. I had a 2013 A5 on lease that had a bunch of stuff f'd up on it. Rather than turning it in, I traded it at a Toyota dealership on a car for my kid. Value was such that the trade money paid off the remaining lease payments plus the residual and I walked away clean. I guarantee their inspection was nowhere near what Audi would have put it thru and charged me for.
I'm going to take my time getting used to the new car and will be doing reading on how to drive better so I can avoid Mr. Curb.
Using a leased car as a trade in at another company's dealership is something that I've briefly read about and will need to understand better. Sounds like, as long as I'm above water with the value of the car, it's a way to solve many potential headaches.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
Originally Posted by PineBark
Thank you for sharing your experience, Mike!
I'm going to take my time getting used to the new car and will be doing reading on how to drive better so I can avoid Mr. Curb.
Using a leased car as a trade in at another company's dealership is something that I've briefly read about and will need to understand better. Sounds like, as long as I'm above water with the value of the car, it's a way to solve many potential headaches.
I'm going to take my time getting used to the new car and will be doing reading on how to drive better so I can avoid Mr. Curb.
Using a leased car as a trade in at another company's dealership is something that I've briefly read about and will need to understand better. Sounds like, as long as I'm above water with the value of the car, it's a way to solve many potential headaches.
The manufacturer doesn't give a crap about the car once it leaves the lot. And lease returns are just headaches for the dealership. The nice thing about leasing is that the value of the car at the end of the term is set in stone, so you always have the option of walking away clean.
