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submitted 2 years ago by L4s@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

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

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[-] lando55@lemmy.world 41 points 2 years ago

"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@sh.itjust.works 40 points 2 years ago

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@lemmy.world 10 points 2 years ago

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

[-] mosiacmango@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

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@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 years ago

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@lemmy.world 22 points 2 years ago

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

[-] foggy@lemmy.world 15 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

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@lemm.ee 9 points 2 years ago

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

[-] BombOmOm@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

On my 7th Subaru now.

But, what is your opinion on lesbians? :p

[-] foggy@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

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@lemmy.world 0 points 2 years ago

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@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

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@lemm.ee 6 points 2 years ago

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@lemmy.world 7 points 2 years ago

Smells like pushing the customers to unauthorized modifications. 😈

[-] Elric@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

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

this post was submitted on 09 Sep 2023
304 points (98.4% liked)

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