The lease on my 03 MCS is coming to an end soon and I"ll be turning it back in. I just got my "lease end guide" in the mail and I'm a little confused about the run flat tires. Does any one know if I have to have run flats on my MINI when I turn it back in or will the Yokohama ES100 suffice?


Kindest Holiday Regards
CasaMini :impatient

 

I don't know for sure, but my best guess is all they will look at is the tread depth of the tires. If you have tread on them you are most likely fine.

 

Well, bmw being they way they are, will probably dock you for not having the runflats on the car.

It was a feature when you bought the car. Its like getting the car with a sunroof, taking the sunroof out, and trying to turn it back in.

I dont lease becuase its a legal scam, so dont quote me on it.

 

I'd think that they would have to have them. Try to find a set from a new owner that does not want them and make a trade.

 

Having turned my wifes two Audi's back to the lease company all I can say is the folks that took them in hadn't a clue. Both checked tread depth with a penny. No they weren't supposed to be run flats, but the speed rating on one of those cars tires wasn't as delivered. He never noticed.

 

These are not "MINI" people. They are typically, just messengers for the bank. They wouldn't know runflats from a donut.

 

Yes, good idea, cover the tires liberally with colored candy sprinkles just to be safe.

 

Yes this is correct. ^^^

 

Might want to call anonymously and ask. If they say, "Huh?" you're good to go. Otherwise, find out what the surcharge will be - that way you can make an informed decision. At$150-250 a pop, you don't want a grand 'gotcha' upon turn in. You can probably do a straight swap with someone who wants better tires...

 

They will definitely notice the non-runflat tires. Not all the lease agents are car people, but at some point a car person (probably a dealer) will examine the car to make sure it has everything that was on it when you/they originally purchased it. They can look the other way for lots of things, but non-runflat tires are a big deal on a car that doesn't have a spare.

 

Short answer, they have the right to charge you for four new stock tires at dealer cost, and are not required to install them.

After the drone accepts your car as a return, it it taken to an inspection site for detailed comparison of window sticker with what is on the car as returned.

The wording on my lease was that the tires had to be the same type and quality as installed. I ordered two of the same tires from Tirerack and had them installed before I returned the car.

Trade tires and wheels with someone who wants non-runflats. Be sure and measure the tread depth, because they will.

Lease returns are a BIG profit maker for car dealer.

 

im not sure if the car gets re-sorted at an inspection facility which
you are liable to. if the inspector gives you a signed "OK" and you are
released from the lease, that should be the end.

meaning, if the inspector has no clue about tires then you're free to
return it with ES100's or watever tire as long as it has enough tread
left. the inspector and dealer's primary objective is to sell the car. if
the car is in sellable condition i don't think they really care what tires
are on there.

does MINI sell used cars as "MINI Certified Pre-owned" or something?
if so, things might be a little different.

i would just act dumb and let the inspector take a look at the car and
let them decide if your tires are okay or not. if they don't care, they
don't care...they're going to take it to an auction anyway and sell it.
if they do care, just make another appointment for the inspection
and get some used runflats. no big deal, imho.

 

Usually they have 30 days to asses the car. You wont know what will happen until then. They may not care or they may. There is no way to know.

 

There is a "Lease return guide" deep buried within MINIUSA.com with photos and such that details what is "acceptable" and not "Acceptable" when you return your MINI from a lease. Of course this assumes you leased the car with BMW Financial Services. If you leased through a different bank, what constitutes acceptable/unacceptable at time of vehicle return may vary.

But the MINIUSA lease return guide is a good place to start.