Would you buy a car that was leased?

[Fred]

I'm going this evening to look at a 1998 Z3. It appears to be pretty nice (in the pictures). Bootsy was nice enough to run a carfax on it for me (thanks again, Bootsy!) and it shows that the car was leased. No issues are reported, but I don't have any experience with a leased car. Are they typically treated like a rental car? Would you buy one? Thanks for any info.

 

[Amber Clymer]

It would all depend to me really. Clean carfax, and then what you see in person. If it is all sounds good to you, then sure. I just sold a leased vehicle of mine, and I personally took extremely good care of it because it was such a nice car. But, it all depends on what you see in the carfax & what you see/hear in person. Good luck Fred!

 

[Aaron Yarbough]

If the car looks good and has been maintained well then I would not have a problem with purchaseing a lease return. IMO most people treat leaseing fairly well because of the potential penalties charges for excessive wear, etc. Most leases fall under the factory warranty period so usually the maintenance is done as required.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Fred,



Leased cars are typically treated better than owned cars, which are typically treated better than rental cars.



I know this having leased a couple of cars and by talking with several others that leased and following the off-lease market. As Lil Red said, having to return the car and having to pay for excessive wear or other damage makes one treat a leased vehicle with much more care than they would (typically) if they owned it.



TJR

 

[Fred]

That's all good to hear, and it makes sense. It does seem one would take better care of a lease car to keep from getting charged for excessive wear or other damage. Thanks all!

 

[Johnny O]

With a '98, it's probably been off-lease and owned for a while. Most leases go for 3 to 5 years.

 

[Fred]

Here it is. Man, I hope it's a nice one. Most that I've found so far have tan tops and interiors. My wife, whose car it will be on her birthday, likes the black top and black and red interior.

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[Michael Cacioppo]

Fred, leased cars are fine. Do a carfax to determine if major damage has occurred. She will love it. I have a 2000 2.8 5 speed and it is just a great fun car. Well built. Good luck with her birthday present.

 

[WXMotorSports DecalsPartsAccs]

Just know BMWs are expensive to maintain. I'd send it to a BMW mechanic to check out the vehicle.

 

[Johnny O]

What SST said. My dad got a new BMW in 2000, lesson learned was that they are great cars so long as they are on warranty. BMW doesn't stand for Bring My Wallet for nothing.

 

[Fred]

Why? Are they un-reliable? I've never had one. Or is it the labor rate for a BMW mechanic that's so expensive?



I worked as a tech at a GM dealer for a few years and (so far) haven't had to pay anyone to work on my cars.



Edit: I bought the ST, knowing I might have to replace the tranny some day.

 

[Geoff Barker]

The maintenance costs on European cars in general are high but then because of this they last a long time. The BMWs are the most reliable of the German cars, better than VW, Audi and Mercedes. They are also fun to drive. A friend of mine bought a used Z3, in fact he found a ZM3, the high performance model, and he is very happy with it.

 

[Aaron Yarbough]

The maintenance and upkeep on BMWs can (and will) get expensive. They are okay, but in my opinion over rated and not as reliable as other less expensive competitors out there. The parts are expensive, do a little research and price the starter, alternator and water pump.....that should give you an idea on what you might be looking at down the road with a car that's almost 10 years old.

 

[Rich Stern]

Fred, are you "wrench handy?" I ask because you really need to be aware of the very high cost of maintenance of used German luxury cars. Great cars, but they break like any other car (more often than some), and the costs to keep them running are high. If you can do your own oil/brakes/shocks/clutch/battery etc., it's a better situation.



A friend of mine bought a BMW 7 series when times were good. Awesome car. But he then fell on hard times. He can now neither afford to get a new car, and the cost to keep the BMW on the road is really hurting him.



My young neigbhor had her heart set on a 2001 Mercedes wagon, high mileage, but in really nice shape. I tried to dissaude her (she had saved enough to pay cash for some really good, new, reliable cars), but she went ahead. Within weeks it needed parts for the anti-lock system, cost was over $1000 for the repairs. And this young lady has an older sister that dumped a ton of money trying to keep a high miles BMW 318 on the road, only to finally walk away from it when it just became too much.



There is a reason many new German cars are now sold with free maintenance during the warranty period.



If you can afford the maintenance, my power to you...it's a beautiful car. Just know what you are buying.

 

[Gavin Allan]

The maintenance costs on European cars in general are high but then because of this they last a long time. The BMWs are the most reliable of the German cars, better than VW, Audi and Mercedes. They are also fun to drive. A friend of mine bought a used Z3, in fact he found a ZM3, the high performance model, and he is very happy with it.

Z3 isn't a European car! They make 'em in Spartanburg, South Carolina!

 

[Dingo]

Yes it is. The parts are european designed, and the company is european. Where it's assembled is irrelevant.

 

[WXMotorSports DecalsPartsAccs]

Z3 isn't a European car! They make 'em in Spartanburg, South Carolina!

Then the maintenance will be even worse...LOL



The X3 and X5 are made in the states and they have a high history of being in the shop often.



Fred - parts and labor are expensive. And, make sure you take it to a place that works strictly on German cars. Trust me lessoned learned the hard way.



Also, the Z3 resell value is very poor. Your probably getting a good deal on it. The car is basically a step child of BMW enthusiast since it was made in the states and didn't sell all that well.



If the wife wants a beemer that bad buy a new 3-Series with the extended warranty. Our warrantly on our M3 (with extended) covers everything bumper to bumper for 120K miles. Even the clutch and brake rotors/pads get replaced. And, those parts are not cheap.

 

[Johnny O]

Friend of mine used to own a high-end import repair shop. He's semi-retired now but will do work if you sweet talk him enough and your car is worthy of passing through his garage door. NASCAR shops aren't this clean. Anyway, he's a factory-trained Benz mechanic from Germany and moved to the U.S. about 30 years ago. Told me that Beemers are like a fine watch, they run well but have to be treated right and are delicate in a lot of ways. He said he knew a lot of people who bought a BMW but didn't buy a second one. Again, I'm not badmouthing the car, but upkeep can be expensive and for a lot of things a dealer is the only place that will touch them.

BTW, my friend drives Cadillacs.

 

[Chase Straw]

my old boss bought a mini (made by bmw) and had it serviced at the dealership, if i remember correctly the hourly rate for service and repairs was $117 in arizona, thats is way too much for me.

 

[Fred]

Wow.



Yeah, Rich, I am pretty wrench handy. Not too worried about any work on a car, except I won't attempt rebuilding an auto trans.



She's wanted a Z3 for a long time. Maybe I'll just chance it and if it's too much trouble, it can go to the next unsuspecting sucker. LOL.



Thanks everyone, for all the good info.