I've just received my 2019 R, a replacement for the 2016 R. I decided to do another lease, but I'm wondering which mods I can get away with and which ones I should avoid doing, assuming I will return it. I took the wheel adaptors off the old car and put them on the new car already - no big deal there. I had a clear bra sprayed on the old car - nobody even noticed it and I can't imagine the dealership or even the next owner would be upset about that, but it is permanent. What about window tint? Lowering springs? A slight interior change (I'd like to do an ivory door panel piece to match the ivory seats.)? De-badging? Does anyone really know for certain what is allowed and what isn't? I know that they want the car back basically like they gave it to you, but what if you made it better? Any advice you guys/gals have would be appreciated!

 

Usually a leased car is expected back exactly as delivered to you minus usual wear and tear. Springs are not going to fly for sure. I understand that CHASE is the leasing bank, and they are a royal pain...

 

One man's better is ....

 

True - I understand mods are personal and beauty is subjective.

 

I can't see myself renting an F-Type, even though mine is stock. The care and adoration, soft hands, high quality car care products it demands and receives from me are for an owned car not a borrowed one, let alone mods.

And those that want to mod usually buy the car.

This is still a free world, sort of, so like the song goes, "Do What You Like".

 

You, sir, win the forum today for this post.
Buy the car and do what ever you want to do to it. I've never leased a car in my life and don't intend to.

 

Don1954 is right, I am essentially renting a car. Leasing isn't for everyone and there are benefits and drawbacks. I have leased in the past and ended up buying the cars that I liked, and returned the ones that I didn't. In this case, I "built" the car so it feels like it's mine already. I guess until I decide whether it gets a permanent garage space I should just stick to mods that can be undone. I might still do the clear bra though - the dealership offers it (at a much higher price) so I can't imagine that would be a deal breaker at lease return.

 

As previously mentioned lease cars are theoretically to be returned as delivered. I personally would never buy a used car (previously leased or otherwise) with a lot of mods as they usually are not to my taste (appearance mods - spoilers, stripes, etc...) or indicates the car has been run pretty hard and fast (drive train / suspension mods). To each his own.

 

I've modded every car I've leased. I just trade them in before the lease is up.

 

 

1. Tires
2. New rims, but keep old ones for lease return

1. ECU tune, cannot be undone
2. Lowering or lifting, unless you are willing to reverse it
3. Repaint, cannot be undone
4. Chrome delete or similar, unless you are willing to reverse it
5. Custom spoiler, custom body kit
6. Intake, unless you are willing to reverse it

With lease, if you read fine print, you are liable for keeping car stock and they can charge you shop rates and OEM prices for reversing it. For example, if you return lowered car you could be charged for suspension R&R to get it back to stock. However, if it isn't extreme stancing they will be motivated to sell it as-is. Now, if you go from lease to lease dealer will be unmotivated to do anything about your mods. However, they won't shield you from next owner's troubles. For example, you ECU tune (and void engine warranty), return the car, next owner suffers engine failure - you could end up covering costs of engine replacement.

 

I tint the front passenger windows on most of my cars. Lease or not.