Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Purchase a new $100k Mercedes recently (CLS450, pretty well equipped). BMW wasn't even on my radar due to their stupid CarPlay nonsense.

Hope it was worth the extra few dollars a year they were trying to extract from buyers, as they made me completely skip over BMW as an option...
 
Wow! How cheap to charge for CarPlay. No wonder they are losing so many sales to Tesla.
 
I tried the free demo and just found that the built-in infotainment (Deezer subscription) and sat nav was already great. Never worried me that I couldn't use CarPlay. I assume I can use it to for free now, which is okay, I guess.
The great thing about CarPlay is that your system is always up to date. The maps are new, the UI is new - you won't be facing the issue of 5 years down the road having a pretty outdated system. I have a 2005 accord - fancy model - but its state of the art navigation and entertainment (in its day) is terrible.
 
I mean if your already shelling out for an overpriced brand its not surprising that they think they can get more money out of you.
Just like Apple innovates ( then google and Samsung follow then finally generic Chinese brands do the same), It's the luxury cars like BMW, Mercedes, Lexus and others that push innovation forward, before these features trickle down to the Nissans toyotas and Mazdas and eventually Hyundais and kias
 
Another reason for me to not buy one of their cars. A friend of mine owns a (nice) car audio shop. He won't touch recent-vintage BMWs.

I have a BMW moto, and interfacing with the OBD II isn't as plug and play as most vehicles. But hey, I get to go to the dealership to reset service warnings.
 
Last edited:
Do people still buy BMW’s? I was a lifer till I finally switched to a Tesla. I only wish I made the move sooner.
Thats mustve been a real "culture shock", when you switched from a car, with premium interior materials, to a car with cheap scratchy plastic interior.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Breezygirl
Charge US customers $80 per month for the ultimate software for the Ultimate Driving Machine. Make it free for everyone else.
 
Chevy charged me $400 to update my Volts software because ‘various’ bug fixes were availability. None of them resolved my issue, and the update added new issues. There shouldn’t be any sort of additional cost for maintaining software on a car, especially one developed and supported by another company.
 
I mean if your already shelling out for an overpriced brand its not surprising that they think they can get more money out of you.
BMW costs more to own in the first 10 years of its life than any other brand on the road....by thousands.

BMW is a fool’s car. Their cars are designed to require boatloads of extra money to sustain.

I love the way they drive, but after seeing their shady practices, they can go drive in a lake.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GalileoSeven
There was bound to be *one* brand that pulled this s***. I'm surprised it was a premium brand like BMW instead of something downmarket like Hyundai/Kia or Nissan.

When those brands and others include it as *standard* and you're charging for it?? Well....I don't need to tell you how that looks.
 
Switched from BMW to Lexus and could not be happier. Beware drivetrain malfunctions and random stuff popping off that costs 10x other brands for repairs.
[automerge]1575557498[/automerge]
Spoken by someone who has never driven or owned a BMW.

I have owned 3 and have an X5 sitting in my driveway. They are not worth the hassle.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: GalileoSeven
For the record, its not just regular CarPlay, it was the first implementation of wireless CarPlay (via wifi). And in that instance, yea its nicer than the plug in version (which I have on my other cars as well). Its nice to pull up CarPlay without taking your iPhone out of your pocket. Or if it needs a charge, my BMW also came with a wireless charging pad, so just throw it on the charger and forget about it. Anyway, the regular bluetooth connection works just as good for playing Apple Music. All the playlists show up and scrolling with the iDrive knob is like going old school iPod, so I wasn't missing Carplay that much. Still glad BMW decided to make wireless CarPlay free.
 
My new one came with 4 years free maintenance in Canada do they not in the US anymore?
They changed it in 2017 for the US it’s now only 3 yrs free maintenance.


For model year 2015 or 2016 BMWvehicles sold or leased on or after July 1,2014, the BMW Maintenance Programis provided for the first 4 years or 50,000 miles whichever comes first. This is abenefit of the first registered owner only. (A maintenance refresh policy must be purchased for coverage to transfer to the 2nd owner.
All model year 2017 BMW vehicles and newer sold or leased come with BMW Ultimate Care standard for the first 3 years or 36,000 miles whichever comes first.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Breezygirl
If your BMW had ‘Apple Carplay preparation‘ as a paid for option on purchase then it will be free now...but if you did not have that they just charged you the subs pricing to use it. Now I see I need to ‘purchase’ Apple CarPlay preparation‘ @ $335 to be able to get the subs ‘free’.....oh well I love Carplay and my X3 so guess it is what it is.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Breezygirl
BMW costs more to own in the first 10 years of its life than any other brand on the road....by thousands.

BMW is a fool’s car. Their cars are designed to require boatloads of extra money to sustain.

I love the way they drive, but after seeing their shady practices, they can go drive in a lake.

I agree. Its a similar thing with most "luxury" car brands. Not only do they cost more up front, but the costs to maintain them are way over priced. A mechanic friend of mine once told me, "if you wan't a Mercedes, make sure you have enough money for two, because you'll end up spending what you paid for the car in maintenance"
 
  • Like
Reactions: GalileoSeven
Oh yeah. If you have a BMW motorcycle with TFT (LED) display, your firmware can be updated. Some updates unlock significant functionality improvements. Updating requires bike to be connected to Ethernet at dealership for 1-2 hours. Cost is free if under warranty, if not, ~$250.00. Innovating!
 
Nobody.. When I'm making a $90-100K vehicle purchase, $80 a year wouldn't sway me. After negotiating your very best price, before you sign, just tell the dealer "I don't agree with paying for CarPlay, I figure to have this car 4 years, you need to adjust the bottom line by another $320. Wouldn't;'t even be a point of negotiation for me.

Though countless here will chime in that they have cancelled their M8 or Alpina B7 X-Drive orders because of this.

I'm out.. this thread is simply a story where BMW made a business decision, it didn't work out to their benefit, and they changed course. Was the initial decision prudent? No, and they made an adjustment.

FFS people.. BMW sided with the consumer and changed course.

Now the others bashing BMW, fair enough, I'm thinking a high percentage of you never owned one. (or many)
This goes both ways tho no? Doesn’t enter your consideration because it’s insignificant. And by the same token bmw scraping the cauldron for every insignificant cent possible makes them look beyond cheap. It’s moustache twirling deplorable even.

if it were successful, that price would have been steadily climbing no doubt. They saw it as a business experiment to be expanded in ways no doubt. Make a few buckets well into the secondhand market.

Its shameful, and tarnishes the brand. Considered and written by 2 car bmw owner.
 
Thanks for your valuable feedback... Enjoy your jetta

no, enjoy my Lexus. Won’t touch German cars after the horrid experience of a bmw. Hopefully next one is a tesla.

Sure bmw are fun to drive, when they aren’t in the shop! After 4 engine issues a year for 4 years with a new bmw, I only feel puke when I think of my bmw ownership experience.

glad Tesla is hurting bmw sales in North America! Just a matter of time till tesla kills them everywhere else!
 
  • Like
Reactions: GalileoSeven
I agree. Its a similar thing with most "luxury" car brands. Not only do they cost more up front, but the costs to maintain them are way over priced. A mechanic friend of mine once told me, "if you wan't a Mercedes, make sure you have enough money for two, because you'll end up spending what you paid for the car in maintenance"
Owning a luxury car can get pricey, no doubt. I just think it’s a bit shocking how much more a BMW costs over the course of the first 10 years compared to Mercedes/ Jaguar / Lexus etc.
 
It's a business decision, they don't all work out.

As for "BMW arent even good cars" Well that is your opinion, I have a slight feeling you have never owned a new one to make such a statement. I'm not overly brand loyal, but my BMW experience has been stellar.
[automerge]1575492875[/automerge]

Did you even read the article?
[automerge]1575492930[/automerge]


Did you bother to read the article, or just smell blood into water and jump in.

Reading is fundemental

I have people who do it for me, do I need to let one go sleep with the fishes?
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.