I got my 2011 Cooper last week and got suckered into this 'excess wear and tear' package for $749 that covers up to $5000 in wear and tear items. I got it as this is my first lease (owned my last Cooper) and now considering cancelling it after I found out I have a 60-day cancellation period.

What are peoples experience with these 'packages'?

I got a rock chip in the windshield literally 10 minutes after driving off the lot so I know I'll have to replace the windshield before I turn it in three years from now if I cancel the coverage. Most likely I will get more rock chips though, so might have to replace it anyway.

The policy covers damage to glass, paint, lights, dents, interior damage and tyres too if they are less than 1/8th wear on return. I don't expect the stock tyres to last 45,000 (my lease mileage) so I know I will be replacing them at least once. I just don't want to have to replace them again if they wear down more than 1/8th before the lease term ends.

After reading the MINI lease return document, it seemed the allowance for a lot of the 'covered' items were already within a reasonable range, so kind of unsure what to do!

My question is, at $749, is it worth cancelling it and pocketing the money, or keeping it knowing I have to spend about $300 for a new windshield and about $400 for new tires (at least once) but still covered for whatever other damage 'in-excess' I might have?

 

Just picked up my 2012 and bought the same lease coverage. It's my first lease so I figured screw it. I drive 30 miles to and from work so I know i'll get chips and dings just from that. Plus if I curb a rim or something. I don't know, it sounded like a good idea to me. I know this doesn't help, im just curious if we got hosed as well.

 

I've leased lots of cars and have never had any excess wear, so I would say it's not worth it. I normally buy wheels/tires I really like, storing the OEM ones until turn in. After the lease sell them and make some of your money back.

I use insurance for glass, as well.

 

Hey,

Thanks for the replies. 50/50, great, lol!

I'm just weighing expenses and how they may add up to $749 quicker than I might expect. Like I said above, if I have the coverage, I don't have to worry about the rock chip I have - if I get more rock chips or have to replace the windshield anyway, that would happen with or without coverage. If I cancel, I already know I have to pay about $300 for a new windshield (my insurance deductible is $500 and not worth dropping it down lower). Same thing with tyres. I know I'll have to replace them once, but if i have to replace them again just before the lease turn in just so they are at least 1/8 tread, then that's another $400 or so.

I'm already up to $700 just with that...

 

Check with your insurance regarding your windshield. In many states, glass replacement is covered with no deductible. I currently have chips in the windshields of each of our vehicles. I picked up the one in my MINI about a month after I bought it. We have zero deductible glass coverage in our state, but I have elected to wait on all of them, because they are all small and not very noticeable, and because I really want to keep the original glass as long as I can.

 

Yeah, I don't live in one of those states, so deductible applies.

I'm seriously considering canceling it though as there is also a small chance I might purchase the car at lease end, so in that case the excess wear and tear coverage would be useless.

So what have other people who have leased with MINI and not gotten the excess wear and tear package experienced in terms of turn-in? Have you been charged for excess wear and tear and if so, on what?

I have heard a lot of times they even waive excess wear and tear if you buy another vehicle from them (which I plan to do if I don't buy after the lease). Also, I heard tyres are actually considered normal wear and tear?

 

For State Farm if you have comprehensive coverage Glass is covered under that. But that could be due to me being in IL.

 

I think I'm just going to cancel the Excess Wear and Tear, especially since I'm almost certainly going to have to replace the tyres before turning in and there's a chance I might buy the car at the end if the value holds up above the residual. I've been reading a lot of times they waive things or give you a 'credit' if you are under mileage, especially if you buy/lease another car (which I will most definitely be doing if I don't buy this one). The normal wear and tear guide is also pretty lenient. I'd rather use the money towards the tyres and fixing the windshield (if needed) and take my chances. I'm just going to lower my comprehensive deductible to $250.

 

Actually just found out I can have the $0 glass deductible here in TX, but you have to add it to your insurance. It's about $80 more per year, but I think that's worth it if I only replace the windshield just once!