When shopping for a luxury car lease, you’ll often see 36-month programs advertised as the “standard” option. But here’s an insider tip: many top automakers — including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Lexus, and Toyota — also offer 39-month lease programs with the exact same residual value as 36 months.

This small detail can have a big impact on your monthly payment, especially on high-MSRP vehicles like the Porsche Cayenne or BMW X5. Here’s why it matters and how you can use it to your advantage.

Why Residual Value Matters

Residual value is the estimated worth of your car at the end of the lease. The higher the residual, the less depreciation you’re financing, and the lower your monthly payment.

Normally, longer leases reduce the residual (because the car loses more value over time). But when brands set the 39-month residual equal to the 36-month residual, you’re stretching the same depreciation over three extra months — which lowers your payment without changing the vehicle’s end value.

Why Automakers Do This

Luxury brands often align 36- and 39-month residuals for a few reasons:

• Lower Payments for Shoppers
  Stretching the term helps customers fit into a price point without changing the structure of the deal.

• Inventory Timing
  Automakers like Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche prefer to balance lease maturities with new model-year launches. Offering 39 months gives them more flexibility.

• Seasonal Flexibility
  Some shoppers want their lease to end at a specific time of year — for example, after the holidays or before summer. A 39-month option makes that possible.

Example: 2025 Porsche Cayenne Lease

Let’s look at how this works in practice with a 2025 Porsche Cayenne, MSRP $100,000.

• MSRP: $100,000

• Selling Price: $92,000

• Residual (36 or 39 months): 55% ($55,000)

• Money Factor: 0.00220

36-Month Lease

• Depreciation: ($92,000 – $55,000) ÷ 36 = $1,028/month

• Rent Charge: about $185/month

• Total = $1,213/month (plus tax and fees)

39-Month Lease (same residual)

• Depreciation: ($92,000 – $55,000) ÷ 39 = $949/month

• Rent Charge: about $185/month

• Total = $1,134/month (plus tax and fees)

👉 That’s a savings of $79 per month, or nearly $3,000 over the life of the lease — simply by choosing the 39-month program.

Brands That Commonly Offer 36 vs. 39-Month Options

• Mercedes-Benz – C-Class, E-Class, GLE, and more

• BMW – 3-Series, X3, X5

• Porsche – Cayenne, Macan

• Lexus & Toyota – Often appear on SUVs and sedans when automakers want to move volume

Key Takeaway

If you’re leasing a luxury vehicle, always ask whether a 39-month program is available with the same residual as the 36-month option. It’s one of the simplest ways to lower your monthly payment without changing the car, the deal structure, or your overall lease experience.

At AutoCompanion, our lease calculator automatically compares 36- vs. 39-month programs when available, helping you see the numbers side by side before you commit.