Tires on a Lease Return

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted by clarkflower
I have a question on a Mercedes Lease return with 30,000 miles.

My sons who is about to be deployed with the military, his car has pretty low tread tires. What do they expect...ie shouldn't the tires be bald.

Options
4 real cheap tires. Is that OK
4 Used tires

Does anyone know the real rules?

Thanks


Usually it is pretty hard to find a matching set of 4 real cheap used tires (or 2+2). If you only have 2 worn out or 1, get a set of used make sense.

Personally, I'd order online for a cheap set of closeout and bring them to a mom and pop for install. No need for the best but at least something of a reputable brand (i.e. Bridgestone, Yoko, Continental, not sure if Kumho would work but call and ask ahead of time or email with paper trail), etc.

 

[nthach]

Originally Posted by y_p_w
I've been car shopping recently, including looking at some of the used cars available on lots. I suspect that a lot of them are previously leased and then had their tires replaced with the absolute cheapest tire that would meet requirements. Many of them had practically brand new tires, but often off-brands like Primewell or Barum. Still - they were new if someone really doesn't want to replace them.

My parents bought a one-owner LS430 from a JLR dealer in the South Bay, and to my surprise, they've installed Goodyear Eagle RS-As on it. Not the best tire for that car, I tell my parents you have cop car tires on it(I see the CHP and Oakland PD replace their tires with RS-As, SFPD/Berkeley PD use Firestone Firehawk Pursuits) and I'm taking very little care of them. But compared to some of the Chinese I've seen car lots and dealerships install, it could be worse.

Barum is a Conti brand, America's Tire sells them. Primewell is getting better these days, and Milestars ain't bad.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted by nthach
Originally Posted by y_p_w
I've been car shopping recently, including looking at some of the used cars available on lots. I suspect that a lot of them are previously leased and then had their tires replaced with the absolute cheapest tire that would meet requirements. Many of them had practically brand new tires, but often off-brands like Primewell or Barum. Still - they were new if someone really doesn't want to replace them.

My parents bought a one-owner LS430 from a JLR dealer in the South Bay, and to my surprise, they've installed Goodyear Eagle RS-As on it. Not the best tire for that car, I tell my parents you have cop car tires on it(I see the CHP and Oakland PD replace their tires with RS-As, SFPD/Berkeley PD use Firestone Firehawk Pursuits) and I'm taking very little care of them. But compared to some of the Chinese I've seen car lots and dealerships install, it could be worse.

Barum is a Conti brand, America's Tire sells them. Primewell is getting better these days, and Milestars ain't bad.

I'm not quite sure if the consumer/OE version of the RS-A is the same as the police version. I found this one specifically selling a police version of the tire.

https://www.americastire.com/buy-tires/goodyear-eagle-rs-a-police/p/29765

I specifically remember RS-As because that was one of the few tires that were available at the time (mid-90s) in the stock 195/55R-15 size for my Integra GS-R. I saw another one at a tuneup shop once getting an oil change, and the owner had replaced the tires with relatively cheap 195/60R-15 tires.

 

[Huie83]

When I returned my lease Ford Explorer the documents said the tires needed 4/32nd or more. I had 36K on it when I returned it. The inspector took a quick glance around the vehicle interior and exterior, checked the mileage and signed off on it, maybe 5 minutes. I wouldn't sweat it as long as they have some decent tread.

 

[JTK]

In regards to the original question, if your plan is to turn a car in at the end of the lease and walk away, the tires have to be what is spelled out in the contract. Typically matching and with a safe/usable amount of tread left on them.

If you are turning the lease in for another lease or purchase, the sky is the limit. I've turned leases in early, over miles and with well worn snow tires on them and wasn't penalized for any of that.

The key to that is, you have to be willing to buy or lease something from that dealership at that moment and make not being penalized for your lease return part of the deal.

You've got zero equity in the darn thing anyway, you might as well make it do something for you.