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BMW Stops Subscription Service For Heated Seats After Backlash

https://www.carscoops.com/2023/09/bmw-has-stopped-its-subscription-service-for-heated-seats-after-widespread-backlash/

BMW believes software and service-related functions like driving assistance and parking assistance work well as subscription services

BMW Stops Subscription Service For Heated Seats After Backlash::BMW believes software and service-related functions like driving assistance and parking assistance work well as subscription services

15 comments

lando55

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"We tried to sell you stuff that should have come stock and you got pissed and the press picked it up so we're gonna stop.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to announce our plan to start selling additional products that should come stock."

mattrick

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They’re trying justify it as being able to add on heated seats months or years after vehicle purchase, but they’re ignoring the fact that it’s not an option that you pay one time for but instead a monthly subscription designed to extract money from their customers for the lifetime of the vehicle.

I’m not the biggest fan of including hardware that’s only usable behind a software flag but if it’s a one time payment I can at least rationalize it as a way to simplify production. The spokesperson acting like this was actually meant to be a pro consumer move is bullshit.

vector_zero

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Or, maybe just give everyone the feature rather than paywalling it.

mosiacmango

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Locking it behind a subscription also means they get to sell it to each new owner, so they can capture income from the used market too.

It's 100% anti-consumer. Its why they are still going ahead with it it for driving/parking assist. Other brands have also moved remote start behind software instead of a radio fob for the same reason.

A new income stream made possible by computerization. Expect to have to "hack" your car going forward. Luckily brands like comma.ai are already out there helping with the self driving part.

Dariusmiles2123

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Yeah a one time fee would kind of be if you get the vehicle for a good price, but a subscription is crazy.

Still, I’m attracted to bmw’s even if I don’t like that selling practice.

cybersandwich

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Between Idrive and the news about that, I stopped looking at BMWs for my next vehicle.

foggy

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To be fair, the mere fact that there exists an association between bmw drivers and a lack of proper use of turn signal left me a non BMW customer from the start.

Hey BMW, if you want more folks to buy your cars, stop marketing to douchebags.

Or don't, idgaf. On my 7th Subaru now. Still very happy.

ThirdWorldOrder

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It’s pretty clear that BMW drivers don’t pay for the turn signal subscription

BombOmOm

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On my 7th Subaru now.

But, what is your opinion on lesbians? :p

foggy

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Joke answer:

For em!

Real answer: if we aren't mutually agreeing that fucking is on the table then idgaf what you do.

I'd say libertarian, but.. ya know...

AndreaHill

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I used to ask tow truck drivers (when I occasionally met one) which brand car they tow the most. It was always without hesitation “Subarus”

foggy

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I have driven about 1.5M miles over 7 Subarus.

Only issues I ever had were a cracked gasket (part recalled, fixed for free), and occasional alignment issues when I was younger that were more my fault than anything.

imgonnatrythis

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Well you got out early then. If you kept looking you would have seen the XM. That's the thing that stopped me from looking. They clearly have no soul whatsoever.

n3cr0

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Smells like pushing the customers to unauthorized modifications. 😈

Elric

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You have to be an idiot to buy a BMW.... a prerequisite