I have leasing questions-- answers needed PRONTO!
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Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 200
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From: Southern California
'07 S550, '03 FXDWG
I have leasing questions-- answers needed PRONTO!
As some of you might have seen, I posted my stock S550 wheels and tires on eBay. The reserve is met, so if I do nothing, they'll sell.
I put nice Pirelli PZeros on 20" D'Vinci chrome wheels. Quality stuff, and really makes the car (IMHO).
My lease is with U.S. Bank, and after talking with them, they say the car (per the lease) needs to be returned with original equipment after the lease. Now, I figure: if the car was leased WITH the equipment installed by the dealer, this wouldn't be an issue. I CAN ask U.S. Bank for the OK to put the wheels on, but that will take some time. My eBay auction ends in less than two days.
So, my questions:
1) In the clause of the contract, it says that modifications must be given permission by U.S. Bank. If I do this, what have you guys heard about them ok'ing it?
2) If I don't solicit the approval, what will happen three years later? When I turn in the car, do inspectors notice these things? Does the bank REALLY care? What do they do?
I don't want to have to keep the wheels in my garage for three years if I don't have to, nor do I want the hassle/price of finding the same wheels three years later. I've never changed wheels on a leased car before, so I have no experience. I would think when they require the car be with original equipment, they just don't want modifications of significance (seats, airscoops, flames, etc).
Thanks in advance for your advice!
I put nice Pirelli PZeros on 20" D'Vinci chrome wheels. Quality stuff, and really makes the car (IMHO).
My lease is with U.S. Bank, and after talking with them, they say the car (per the lease) needs to be returned with original equipment after the lease. Now, I figure: if the car was leased WITH the equipment installed by the dealer, this wouldn't be an issue. I CAN ask U.S. Bank for the OK to put the wheels on, but that will take some time. My eBay auction ends in less than two days.
So, my questions:
1) In the clause of the contract, it says that modifications must be given permission by U.S. Bank. If I do this, what have you guys heard about them ok'ing it?
2) If I don't solicit the approval, what will happen three years later? When I turn in the car, do inspectors notice these things? Does the bank REALLY care? What do they do?
I don't want to have to keep the wheels in my garage for three years if I don't have to, nor do I want the hassle/price of finding the same wheels three years later. I've never changed wheels on a leased car before, so I have no experience. I would think when they require the car be with original equipment, they just don't want modifications of significance (seats, airscoops, flames, etc).
Thanks in advance for your advice!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,517
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Originally Posted by JAdmiral
As some of you might have seen, I posted my stock S550 wheels and tires on eBay. The reserve is met, so if I do nothing, they'll sell.
I put nice Pirelli PZeros on 20" D'Vinci chrome wheels. Quality stuff, and really makes the car (IMHO).
My lease is with U.S. Bank, and after talking with them, they say the car (per the lease) needs to be returned with original equipment after the lease. Now, I figure: if the car was leased WITH the equipment installed by the dealer, this wouldn't be an issue. I CAN ask U.S. Bank for the OK to put the wheels on, but that will take some time. My eBay auction ends in less than two days.
So, my questions:
1) In the clause of the contract, it says that modifications must be given permission by U.S. Bank. If I do this, what have you guys heard about them ok'ing it?
2) If I don't solicit the approval, what will happen three years later? When I turn in the car, do inspectors notice these things? Does the bank REALLY care? What do they do?
I don't want to have to keep the wheels in my garage for three years if I don't have to, nor do I want the hassle/price of finding the same wheels three years later. I've never changed wheels on a leased car before, so I have no experience. I would think when they require the car be with original equipment, they just don't want modifications of significance (seats, airscoops, flames, etc).
Thanks in advance for your advice!
I put nice Pirelli PZeros on 20" D'Vinci chrome wheels. Quality stuff, and really makes the car (IMHO).
My lease is with U.S. Bank, and after talking with them, they say the car (per the lease) needs to be returned with original equipment after the lease. Now, I figure: if the car was leased WITH the equipment installed by the dealer, this wouldn't be an issue. I CAN ask U.S. Bank for the OK to put the wheels on, but that will take some time. My eBay auction ends in less than two days.
So, my questions:
1) In the clause of the contract, it says that modifications must be given permission by U.S. Bank. If I do this, what have you guys heard about them ok'ing it?
2) If I don't solicit the approval, what will happen three years later? When I turn in the car, do inspectors notice these things? Does the bank REALLY care? What do they do?
I don't want to have to keep the wheels in my garage for three years if I don't have to, nor do I want the hassle/price of finding the same wheels three years later. I've never changed wheels on a leased car before, so I have no experience. I would think when they require the car be with original equipment, they just don't want modifications of significance (seats, airscoops, flames, etc).
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Your selection of wheels is a great one but I would think they (US Bank) will hold you to the contract. If you complete that sale on eBay you may end up looking for replacements in 3 years. Tough one J...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Most all Leasing Companies require that the vehicle be returned as delivered. The only exception is accessories made or offered by the vehicle manufacturer. Its very possible that at lease end you will have to pay the leasing co the cost of replacing your aftermarket wheels with the std wheels, including labor. Its also doubtful that they will give you permission to put the aftermarket wheels on if you request it. Remember most all mods detract from the resale value of the vehicle no matter how expensive or how nice you think they are. They will catch this very easily as they always look for wheel changes. Also, they are not required to return your wheels to you after making the change. Just figure that the wheel change cost you lots more than you already paid.
Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Marlton, NJ
Judging by most of my past leases.........the leasing companies always tell me that "reasonable" modifications are OK as long as it doesn't take away from the value of the car. Also they say that I will not benifit form the car's increased value or get any added credit for the mods when I turn the car in.
In my opinion........if you don't want to chance it, the solution is very simple. Keep your stock wheels and put them back on the car before you turn it in. In the mean while........enjoy your new car and wheels for the next 3 years! Put the new wheels on eBay when you turn the car back in!
In my opinion........if you don't want to chance it, the solution is very simple. Keep your stock wheels and put them back on the car before you turn it in. In the mean while........enjoy your new car and wheels for the next 3 years! Put the new wheels on eBay when you turn the car back in!
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 785
Likes: 113
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
2020 S63 Coupe, 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha, 2018 McLaren 720S, 2022 Porsche 911 TurboS, 2022 Tesla Model X
My lease is with US Bank and they offered low residual and MF, with overall monthly payment within $10 of MBCredit's best lease rate. The MBCredit lease had a hugely inflated residual and high MF, so basically you were paying too much interest and not enough depreciation.
If your lease is anything like mine, you'll want to purchase the car at lease end and trade or resell it. In that case the aftermarket wheels and other mods won't make any difference.
If your lease is anything like mine, you'll want to purchase the car at lease end and trade or resell it. In that case the aftermarket wheels and other mods won't make any difference.
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