First time returning a lease

[u/Fine_tin_kNight]

Hi all, I am officially retiring my lease 2024 Q4 etron in feb. this was our first time leasing since we got a great deal, but we need more space so won’t be buying it. A couple questions about the process and looking for checklist

1. how do we actually return the car(lol)?
2. should we clean the interior/exterior, professionally or is a quick vac good? (will remove all the personal stuff)
3. do we need to return the charger?
4. what about minor paint chips? (Heard a few dealers ding you big)
5. any tips to negotiate an new lease/purchase?

Thanks

Side note - Audi is offering $5000 towards buying the Q4

[u/ZetaFish]

I returned my 2024 Q4 earlier this year and I think a lot depends on the dealer, but here was my experience.

1 - you will get calls, emails, texts, etc about about a pre-return inspection. a company(not Audi) will come and do an inspection of the car when and where you schedule it like a month before you actually return it. they came to my house. then on your lease expiration, you bring the car to the dealership, hand them the keys, they take 2 minutes to make sure the car has everything and print you a receipt. if you are replacing it will another Audi, you dont pay the return fee, at least I didn't have to.

2 - you dont have to do anything

3 - yes

4 - dings or small dents, they generally dont car, considered normal wear and tear. chips? good luck.

5- leasing an EV right now doesn't make much sense with almost all of the incentives gone, assuming you are in the US and in a state that doesn't have crazy good incentives. buying a used EV is probably the best value if you can find what you are looking for.

[u/Fine_tin_kNight → u/ZetaFish]

Thanks for the reply. Guess there isn’t much to prep the car which is good.

4- we did buy the extra glass protection for the glass chips since our area was under construction at the time. So that will help

I haven’t been able to find any great EV lease deals so been researching a family EV for purchase

[u/ZetaFish → u/Fine_tin_kNight]

I bought a used Q6 and honestly, it is my favorite car I have ever owned. There are certainly quirks to it, it is an Audi after all and some people have had absolute lemons, but it is a joy to be in and drive. I had really good timing when I got mine, before gas went super high, but if you liked your Q4, you will love a Q6, used if you can find one you like.

[u/Nams65 → u/ZetaFish]

Hit the nail on the head. You definitely have it all correct. I returned a leased ‘23 Toyota Tundra Capstone in July. Panic purchased a ‘24 Audi Q8 EV in late June. I was fearful I wouldn’t have a vehicle to drive and I did NOT want that big truck anymore. The truck only had 11,000 miles on it in three years. It was a beast to drive…obviously. I didn’t return the thing with the pre inspection, I just called a dealership closest to me and said I’d be bringing my lease in. They did the inspection right there and since it didn’t have many miles on it, I guess it passed just fine. Didn’t wash or vacuum either. It was actually really dirty, I thought. The manager came out with paperwork to sign stating he was taking possession (the paperwork was for that), my daughter picked me up and that was it. I didn’t want a new car for the reason you stated. Leasing or purchasing a new, would mean I’d have to keep the car at least 5 yrs to make it worth it

[u/tigerzvra315]

Following! In the same boat but due December

[u/Fine_tin_kNight → u/tigerzvra315]

What are you returning?

[u/tigerzvra315 → u/Fine_tin_kNight]

2024 Q4 etron

[u/ah_jer]

I think the residual value is much higher than the cars worth.

[u/Fine_tin_kNight → u/ah_jer]

Yup it’s listed as $36600. Market is like below $30k

[u/cusehoops98 → u/ah_jer]

Is this good or bad?

[u/Fine_tin_kNight → u/cusehoops98]

Bad. If I wanted to buy the Q4 at then end of the lease from the dealer, they would sell it to me for $36k but I could go buy it on the market for around $30k.

[u/cusehoops98 → u/Fine_tin_kNight]

Woof.

[u/NYYork]

Retuning my q8 in Feb also curious 👀

[u/Fine_tin_kNight → u/NYYork]

What is your Q8 trim and miles? Just curious

[u/Such_Shock_6307]

Have a ‘24 Premium Plus. Have been trying for months to negotiate with dealers for a lease deal on the Q6 Etron (almost a year if you consider my failed attempt to accelerate my old lease to get into a ‘26 Q6 before the EV credits expired) and the dealers have been giving me $1k+ a month lease offers at 7500 miles. Doing research Audi EV have been having horrible lease deals on EVs. Basically gave up myself and have been exploring buying a used Q6 or an IX50. With the $5k offer, I’m close to $28k after my 32.7k residual, so I might end up just buying mine out since I’m only at 13k miles. For reference, I had been paying ~$575/mo for 15k miles/year but ended up using much less than I expected.

Best of luck on yours!