I am looking to get out of a 525 lease with 20 months left on the lease. I have heard about "swapalease" and "leasetrader.com" as possible places to find someone to take over a lease. Has anyone had experience are know of someone who has had good or bad experience with such an effort. I love this car, but am changing jobs and want to get out of the lease, until the next opportunity comes along. I could also go back to the dealer, but am not sure why they would be willing to discount the lease buyout. This board is a wealth of knowledge, any suggestions.

depending on the car....your best bet may be to sell the car. I just sold my leased 04 530, and while it appeared I had some equity in the car, I ended up selling it for what the payoff was. I was 19 months into a 36 month lease. My experience was that in spite of the dealer's promises to get me out of my lease and into my new car.......there really weren't any good ways to get out of the lease.....the lessors are in it to make money, after all!! Try checking bluebook values....and see how upside down you are.......

Good luck!!

Swapalease works well. Usually someone will assume your lease and pay for the transfer fee that BMWFS charges.

BMW charges $500 for the transfer of a lease. As for them allowing you to get out of your lease without you buying the car or finding someone to assume it, good luck. BMWFS wouldn't even let me out of my lease one month early to get into my 550. IMHO, BMW does absolutely nothing to show that they appreciate my business and could care less if I stay with them or not.

It's the same with all leases, remember the three E's:

Early termination
Excess Mileage
Excess wear and tear

Any of these and you will get stung.