I leased a new 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-250. The lease terminates in May and the vehicle is in excellent condition. As many of you know, MB has a turn-in fee of $595.
I know they’ll waive the fee if I lease another MB, however, does anybody have a good strategy for getting out of paying the fee if I just turn the car in and walk away? Since it’s in the contract, I don’t see where I have any leverage without leasing another MB. A turn-in fee is one of my least favorite aspects of leasing.
Sell the car to carmax or similar.
It is in the contract. You are legally obligated to pay it if you turn it into Mercedes and do not lease again from them. No getting out of it.
Thank you. Food for thought.
Thank you for replying.
Set it on fire and claim the insurance! too extreme? 
It’s all mental, you have to look at the total cost of a lease rather than its separate components. If you want to avoid it in the future, get an amazing deal with zero down and no MSDs and lease trade out of it halfway through the lease.
You’re right. Thank you.