As an update to this thread
In MB Leases there is a special section now that juices everyones payoff by 4% (more or less) reads as follows
"21b.) Purchase Option → Before Scheduled Termination
"1.) Standard lease - Early Purchase Option Price - If this is a standard lease as indicated on page 1 of the lease, the early purchase option price is the sum of a.) any lease payments or other amounts due under the lease at the time of termination plus all fees and taxes assessed on or billed in connection with this lease or the vehicle, plus an amount equal to the vehicle turn-in fee, plus the adjusted lease balance, plus 4% of the adjusted lease balance."
So looks like MB will be applying a premium of 4% of remaining payments (net of interest) plus dispo to all buyouts moving forward, which is especially punitive to people selling their lease very close to when they bought it (esp for the G-Wagon lessee’s). Another example of why finance can be a better route on these.