Beware Lease Return "Used Tire" Scam!

Beware Lease Return "Used Tire" Scam!

Ever worry what it's going to be like to return your car when the lease is up? Well, if you lease one from Nick Alexander BMW, you really should. Car dealers aren't known for ethics, but this one seems to have taken things to a new low.

After leasing a brand new 5 Series for 3 years, I arranged to bring it back to the dealer and followed all instructions. The car was in great shape, under its allotted mileage and returned 2 weeks early. I headed to the dealer and expected a quick drop off.

After all, BMW is all about luxury and customer experience, right?

When I arrived, I met the person in charge of inspections and she took a look at the car. After what I thought was a pleasant introduction, her tone turned serious and she started to tell me about how worn the tires are.
My response was essentially, "you mean the tires that you leased me for 3 years are worn about 3 years?"

Missing the point, she insisted that BMW would charge me $300/tire if I returned them in current condition. But wait! The inspector had a solution for the problem!

See where this is going? I should have.

The inspector explained that if I go to a specific "used tire dealer" (which, by the way, I can't believe is even a thing) I could replace the BMW tires with random shady tires and the inspector wouldn't charge me the fee. I reluctantly agreed and headed off as instructed.

When I met the owner of the tire shop, he already knew I had been sent by the inspector at Nick Alexander BMW. He quoted me $125/tire to put used tires on the car. When I asked if he could do better on price, he slipped and said "I have to give her 50%." Taken aback, I asked him to clarify. "Give who 50%?" He explained that he needs to kick back half of the cost of the used tires to someone at Nick Alexander BMW.

I was floored. I finally got it. Nick Alexander BMW says tires are bad. Dealer sends gullible customer to sketchy used tire shop. Used tire guy kicks half back to dealer. Gross!

I drove home in disbelief. After processing what I'd been subjected to, I tried to bring the situation back above board. I was disgusted and angry but ultimately I just wanted this off of my plate, so I contacted senior leadership at BMW. What followed was a series of denials and finger pointing but certainly no problem solving. I gave the car back as-is just to be done with it.

Today, I received a bill for $2,518.55 in the mail.

Not only did Nick Alexander BMW try to scam me into buying used tires for which they get a kickback, waste my time for almost an entire day, they then sent me an inconceivable bill that I'll now have to fight with some other branch of the bureaucracy.

Personally, I'm done with BMW forever. However, I'm writing this today in hope that I can spare others at least the pain of working with Nick Alexander BMW.

There are plenty of other dealers in Los Angeles. Avoid this one at all costs. Nick Alexander BMW may seem fine when you're leasing a new car but beware what they'll put you through at the end.