2011 BMW Lease Rates – January 2011


UPDATE: 1-series and 3-series lease rates have been added! Enjoy!

LeaseCompare didn’t post any info on the 1-series and 3-series on their Facebook page, so that’s what’s missing here. Nevertheless, there have been major changes to BMW lease rates (residuals AND money factors), so you should reconfirm these numbers with your dealer. The M3 convertible’s MF is so low (0.0009), it almost looks like a typo. While the M3 sedan’s 36-month residual jumped like 6% (but it’s MF went out as well). This is a bit unusual to see, but definitely not uncommon. BMWFS has been known to adjust residuals from time to time. Anyway, the M3 convertible looks like the winner in my eyes this month, so if you have been waiting for one, this seems like your lucky month.


Here is a sample calculation based on TrueCar’s Southern California sale price and do not include local taxes. Please note that your dealer calculations may vary due to local fees/taxes.

2011 BMW M3 Convertible
MSRP – $69,625
Sale Price – $66,010
Monthly – $751+ tax
RWG Rating – 91.52

For Dealer Quotes, Click Here.


This month’s lease rates have been brought to you by LeaseCompare.


2011 BMW 128i Coupe Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 64% | .00135 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00135 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 42% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 33% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 128i Convertible Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 64% | .00120 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00120 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 43% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 34% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 135i Coupe Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 64% | .00120 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00120 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 41% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 33% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 135i Convertible Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 64% | .00120 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00120 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 41% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 33% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 328i Sedan Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 63% | .00105 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 57% | .00105 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 44% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 36% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 328xi Sedan Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 63% | .00105 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 57% | .00105 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 43% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 35% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 328i Coupe Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 63% | .00120 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 57% | .00120 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 43% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 35% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 328xi Coupe Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 63% | .00120 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 57% | .00120 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 44% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 36% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 328i Convertible Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 63% | .00105 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 57% | .00105 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 42% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 33% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 328i Wagon Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 64% | .00105 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00105 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 38% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 31% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 328xi Wagon Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 64% | .00105 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00105 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 40% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 33% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 335i Sedan Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 64% | .00150 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00150 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 39% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 32% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 335xi Sedan Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 61% | .00135 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 55% | .00135 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 38% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 31% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 335d Diesel Sedan Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 61% | .00125 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 53% | .00125 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 43% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 35% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 335i Coupe Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 63% | .00135 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 57% | .00135 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 40% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 32% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 335is Coupe Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 64% | .00165 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00165 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 39% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 31% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 335xi Coupe Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 64% | .00160 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00160 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 40% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 33% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 335i Convertible Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 64% | .00150 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00150 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 41% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 33% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 335is Convertible Lease
24month | 15k miles | residual 63% | .00150 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 57% | .00150 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 38% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 30% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW M3 Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 64% | .00205 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00205 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 39% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 32% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW M3 Coupe
24month | 15k miles | residual 64% | .00175 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00175 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 40% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 32% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW M3 Convertible
24month | 15k miles | residual 67% | .00090 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 61% | .00090 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 37% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 30% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 528i Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 62% | .00175 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00175 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 42% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 35% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 535i Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 62% | .00175 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00175 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 40% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 33% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 535i xDrive Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 62% | .00175 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00175 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 40% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 33% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 550i Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 59% | .00185 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 53% | .00185 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 38% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 31% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 550i xDrive Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 59% | .00185 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 53% | .00185 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 40% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 33% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 535i Gran Turismo Wagon
24month | 15k miles | residual 62% | .00175 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00175 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 38% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 31% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 535xi Gran Turismo Wagon
24month | 15k miles | residual 62% | .00175 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00175 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 38% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 31% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 550i Gran Turismo Wagon
24month | 15k miles | residual 62% | .00175 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00175 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 37% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 30% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 550xi Gran Turismo Wagon
24month | 15k miles | residual 62% | .00175 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00175 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 38% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 31% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 740i Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00165 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 52% | .00165 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 35% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 27% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 740Li Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00160 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 52% | .00160 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 36% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 28% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 750i Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00165 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 52% | .00165 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 33% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 26% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 750i xDrive Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00155 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 52% | .00155 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 35% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 28% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 750i ActiveHybrid Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00145 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 52% | .00145 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 31% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 24% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 750Li Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00155 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 52% | .00155 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 34% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 27% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 750Li xDrive Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00155 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 52% | .00155 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 36% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 28% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 750Li ActiveHybrid Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00140 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 52% | .00140 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 31% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 24% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW 760Li Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 44% | .00205 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 38% | .00205 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 29% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 22% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW Alpina B7 SWB Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 51% | .00205 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 45% | .00205 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 33% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 26% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW Alpina B7 SWB xDrive Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 51% | .00205 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 45% | .00205 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 33% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 26% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW Alpina B7 LWB Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 51% | .00205 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 45% | .00205 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 34% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 26% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW Alpina B7 LWB xDrive Sedan
24month | 15k miles | residual 50% | .00205 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 44% | .00205 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 33% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 25% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i SUV
24month | 15k miles | residual 62% | .00205 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00205 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 42% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 34% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i SUV
24month | 15k miles | residual 62% | .00205 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00205 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 42% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 34% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW X5 xDrive35i SUV
24month | 15k miles | residual 59% | .00175 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 51% | .00175 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 42% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 34% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW X5 xDrive35i Premium SUV
24month | 15k miles | residual 61% | .00140 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 55% | .00140 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 42% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 35% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW X5 xDrive35i Sport Activity SUV
24month | 15k miles | residual 62% | .00155 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00155 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 41% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 34% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW X5 xDrive35d Diesel SUV
24month | 15k miles | residual 61% | .00205 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 53% | .00205 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 44% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 36% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW X5 xDrive50i SUV
24month | 15k miles | residual 64% | .00185 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00185 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 35% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 28% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW X5 M SUV
24month | 15k miles | residual 57% | .00185 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 51% | .00185 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 36% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 28% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW X6 xDrive35i Crossover
24month | 15k miles | residual 63% | .00175 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 57% | .00175 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 39% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 32% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i Crossover
24month | 15k miles | residual 62% | .00155 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00155 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 36% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 30% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid Crossover
24month | 15k miles | residual 63% | .00060 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 57% | .00060 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 33% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 26% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW X6 M Crossover
24month | 15k miles | residual 53% | .00190 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 47% | .00190 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 36% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 28% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i Convertible
24month | 15k miles | residual 64% | .00100 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00100 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 33% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 25% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35i Convertible
24month | 15k miles | residual 64% | .00125 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00125 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 32% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 24% | .00230 base money factor

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is Convertible
24month | 15k miles | residual 64% | .00180 base money factor
36month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00180 base money factor
48month | 15k miles | residual 31% | .00230 base money factor
60month | 15k miles | residual 23% | .00230 base money factor

20 thoughts on “2011 BMW Lease Rates – January 2011

  1. Actually the Nov & Dec deals on the M3 convertible were better overall as they included the $1,500 Holiday cash and the car was $500 cheaper. These January lease terms are indeed phenomenal, but are still a few bucks more a month than last moth overall since the cash is gone and the car is priced higher.

  2. What is the deal with the 1500.00 dealer contribution on the 3 series. I am trying to get the dealer to include it as a cap cost reduction for my lease and they are saying that because they reduced the selling price from MSRP of 54,065.00 to 51,361.75 which is 2,703.25 that their reduction is greater than the 1500 BMW is making them contribute. Is the dealer contribution like dealer cash where the dealer buys the car from BMW at invoice then sells the car for slightly higher, they get the selling price less invoice plus the dealer contribution? Just curious. Looking at 2011 328i Convertible MSRP 54,065.00, selling price 51,361.75, MF .00105, residual 57% for 36/45k with taxes at 7.25% rolled into the lease, payment being 786.00. What do you think.

  3. Jeff, dealer contribution is basically whatever they want to discount you off the MSRP. So if your dealer is already giving you $2.7k off, then that’s your discount. Dealer contribution is not a rebate, so its not in addition to their discounted sale price.
    With that in mind, your payments are insane. $786? what’s your drive-off? $0?
    Even then it seems kind of high.
    Assuming you are paying all of your drive-off costs up front, which I highly suggest you have the dealer itemize, I’m getting a monthly payment of $704.6 per month WITH your taxes included.
    Double check your fees. I think they are really nailing you there.

  4. My drive off is zero, payment includes tax (7.25% in IL) with nothing due and signing except first and plates. How are you getting 704

    Here’s my Calc:

    Car Lease Calculator

    MSRP $54,065.00
    Base Cap Cost $51,351.75
    Additional Lease Costs
    Dealer Acquisition Fee $725.00
    Title Fee $95.00
    Plates $99.00
    Dealer Documentary Fee $156.08
    Electronic Filing $25.00
    Gross Capitalized Cost $52,451.83

    Capitalized Cost Reductions
    Down Payments $-
    Trade In Allowances $-
    Trade In Pay Off $-
    Lease Cash $-
    Marketing Support Cash to Dealer $-
    Net Capitalized Cost $52,451.83

    Lease Terms and Taxes
    Residual Percentage 57%
    Residual Value $30,817.05
    Money Factor 0.00105
    APR 2.5200%
    Term of Lease 36
    Sales Tax 7.25%

    Calculation of Lease Cost
    Depreciation $21,634.78
    Finance or Rent Charge $3,147.56
    Sales Tax on Lease $3,723.00
    Total of All Payments $28,505.35

    Total Lease Payment $23,921.48

    Calculation of Monthly Lease Payment
    Monthly Lease Payment $688.40
    Sales Tax on Lease Payment $103.42
    Total Monthly Lease Payment $791.82

  5. Ooooh you live in IL!!! No wonder! In IL, you pay sales tax on 100% of the car’s sale price. That would explain the $103 sales tax. Okay, now that makes sense. I don’t see anything strange on the fees, so that’s good. Looks pretty straight forward. Makes sure to cross shop the sale price a little just to make sure that’s the lowest price you can get. Other than that, It looks good since it’s a $0 drive-off deal.

  6. ok, I thought I was going crazy when I saw your 704 figure, I calc out my leases in excel so I was afraid I had a problem with my sheet. Yeah, Illinois sucks. What do you think of that BMW Owners Choice plan for people who live in Illinois where the taxes suck on leases. Ever heard of it or know anything about it.

    • @jeff. Yup I don’t like that program. Its like a lease in a sense, but it requires that you either purchase the car from them OR sell it back to them at the end. That means you have to assume the risk of depreciation, instead of the bank. That could come back to haunt you 3 years down the road should your car be worth far less than anticipated. If i wanted to do Owners Choice, I’d just buy the car. It makes more sense that way.

  7. G great site. I got a question, whats with the bigger markup on the 1 & 3 series for 2011? In 2007 I had a brand new 335i $42,000 sticker, 0 down just paid the fees that I had to pay in NJ for $521.89/month. Yesterday go to dealer & for a 2011 135 with 0 down they wanted $579 for a lease. Both the 2007 & 2011 were 12,000 miles for 36 months. At the price he was giving me its not worth to pay over half of the cars sticker price in a 3 year lease. Whats changed that a cheaper sticker on a 135 could cost more monthly than a more expensive 335 did cost 4 hours ago (back when the 335 just came out).

    • Mike, residual values and money factors are key in leasing. Different cars have different residuals, therefore, different payments. Its not all about down payments and monthly payments when you lease, so comparing a 335i 3 yrs ago with a 135i thats brand new may not be a fair. Remember that leases are based on projected resale value, therefore, that can change over time as well. Not to mention the interest rates. There’s a right time to lease a 1-series and a wrong time, the key is hoping that you can time it right and get the best deal you can get. I believe last month was a better time to lease a BMW.

  8. Actually to confirm I did pay $2500 on the 2007i originally that included my first payment & all the titles & everything else before receiving the car.

  9. G, thanks for your help. I think I just locked down my deal, he broke out the tax credits. Doing 728 for 36mo/36,000 miles with only 1st due at signing and IL taxes rolled into the lease. Residual 59%, MF .00125. I had to throw him a bone going .0002 over the BMWFS MF but he is throwing in a 1812 tax credit. Here are the details:

    Car Lease Calculator

    MSRP $54,065.00
    Base Cap Cost $51,315.00
    Additional Lease Costs
    Dealer Acquisition Fee $725.00
    Title Fee $99.00
    Plates $95.00
    Dealer Documentary Fee $156.08
    Electronic Filing $25.00
    Gross Capitalized Cost $52,415.08

    Capitalized Cost Reductions
    Down Payments $-
    Trade In Allowances $-
    Trade In Pay Off $-
    Lease Cash $-
    Marketing Support Cash to Dealer $-
    Net Capitalized Cost $52,415.08

    Lease Terms and Taxes
    Residual Percentage 59%
    Residual Value $31,898.35
    Money Factor 0.00125
    APR 3.0000%
    Term of Lease 36
    Sales Tax 7.25%

    Calculation of Lease Cost
    Depreciation $20,516.73
    Finance or Rent Charge $3,794.10
    Sales Tax on Lease $1,908.34 <——S/B $3,720.34 reduced by tax credit
    Total of All Payments $26,219.17

    Total Lease Payment $26,170.91

    Calculation of Monthly Lease Payment
    Monthly Lease Payment $675.30
    Sales Tax on Lease Payment $53.01
    Total Monthly Lease Payment $728.31

  10. G thanks for the info above. I get that residual & money factors are the important factor in leasing. Is it that overall BMW 1 series & 3 series are better to buy currently (at least in this month) than to lease? You mentioned about that comparing a 2007 335i (was brand new when I got the lease) vs a 2011 135 (would be new) is not necessarily a fair comparision. But if the 335 sticker was approximately 3,000+ more, but the payments are $60 less per month, would that show anything? Thanks again for the help, as I am just trying to grasp the full concept for ultimately deciding what to do.

    • @mike. Your monthly payments is made up for the difference between the sale price and the residual value plus the financing (MF) and the sales tax. Therefore, cars that lose value quicker over the course of the lease generally cost more to lease. Here’s an example using the following assumptions:

      -Sales taxes are same on both cars.
      -Money Factor is the same on both cars.

      Car A: MSRP of $40,000 and a projected residual of 50% over 3 years ($20,000). Sold for $36,000. Amount of lease loan is $16,000.
      Car B: MSRP of $35,000 and a project residual of 40% over 3 years ($14,000). Sold for $33,000. Amount of lease loan is $19,000.

      This mean that car B, even with a lower MSRP, will cost more to lease because the loan is bigger. Your comparison of a 2011 135i and a 2007 335i falls somewhere in this example. Since I don’t have numbers for the 07 335i, I can’t exactly dissect the deal and compare it to the 2011 135i. However, you can see how your sale price and residual value affects your payments. This is why you can lease a G37 for far less than you would on a 328i, even though the G37 probably has a higher price tag.

    • Paul, 1.9% and 4.9% is not the money factor, that’s the interest for financing a purchase. BMWFS doesn’t publish their money factors in percentages. That’s something GM and Ford usually do.
      As for the rebate, there is no rule that says its off invoice. From what I understand, BMW dealers will rarely sell you a car at invoice PLUS rebate. Maybe $500 over invoice + the rebate. A common practice is to ask the dealer for a discount then apply the rebate. I would recommend referencing TrueCar to see what your local prices look like.

  11. G, any comment on BMW’s multiple security deposit program? Seems much better than a cap coat reduction. Any stories of big deposits gone bad? I have a 3 series going off lease in 3 months and thinking about the 5. The multiple MSD program might make the payments more livable.

    Thanks.

    • @brian. I think Jake (one of my blog readers) has had some experience with MSD and swears by them. I personally think that MSDs are always a better option than cap reduction. However, if you somewhere else you can put your money (like an investment with guaranteed higher returns), that wouldn’t hurt either. The whole point is trying to save yourself some money and keeping your cash safe in the event of theft or total-loss accident.

Leave a Reply