It's funny to see Apple fans who contort to all kinds of shapes trying to justify why Apple charges $19 for a 20-cent cable or $75 for a fast charger that everyone else manages to toss in. Now BMW does the same thing and everyone loses their minds!!
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BMW Plans to Turn CarPlay Into Subscription-Based Service Next Year
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I don't think that is what is going on. I own a 3-series and am pretty familiar with the option packages, and as far as I know to get CarPlay, you need to get the whole iDrive/NAV setup. I don't see a way to order CarPlay without iDrive/NAV.
For example, if you go to BMW's web site and pick the cheapest, stripped 320i there is, then jump to options to add CarPlay, you get this showing you need to add the iDrive/NAV for $2,250 extra on top of the $300 for CarPlay. For whatever reason, BMW has always made it somewhat of a bad value to order CarPlay.
I'm guessing because it'll look bad in their balance sheets that the $2,500 package is being passed over by the free option that works better than the package.
Also, no way to recoup development costs on that $2500 package or pay the contracts with the Nav company.
So let me get this straight... I'm going to spend $50k for the 'privilege' of buying a fancy BMW, and then BMW wants me to pay them $80 per year to be able to use the infotainment system, that I just bought...
How much are you going to charge me to use the heating system? How about the headlights if I want to drive at night, will there be a fee for that? Maybe I can rent the use of my windshield wipers so I can drive when it rains? Maybe there will be an annual fee to use the Air Conditioning system - that is certainly not a critical function, I don't really need that in the summer, I can just roll down the windows while driving a $50k vehicle.
How much are you going to charge me to use the heating system? How about the headlights if I want to drive at night, will there be a fee for that? Maybe I can rent the use of my windshield wipers so I can drive when it rains? Maybe there will be an annual fee to use the Air Conditioning system - that is certainly not a critical function, I don't really need that in the summer, I can just roll down the windows while driving a $50k vehicle.
I will never pay subscriptions model for something like that in a car. I could never imagine to pay monthly or yearly for having a radio (hardware), car seats or headlights. And no matter if it is BMW, Volvo or Fiat. Nonsense!
BMW are a disgrace for attempting to charge a subscription for Apple CarPlay, Japanese companies such as Suzuki in the Uk do not charge, and even VW have a facility called carnet which has a typical charge of £100 on a VW Polo. From now on the only vehicles purchased will be from USA, Japan, Korea, and our own Landrover brand. BMW company profits will suffer and it serves them right.
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I kind of wonder if this is being targeted to used car sales. I presume that if the $300 is paid up front then any secondary owner would have full access to CarPlay without having to pay anything. Now the used car buyer will be required to purchase a subscription without a 1 year freebie even. When I was looking around at a BMW 3 or Audi A4 last year that $300 was surprising. I didn’t end up going with either but this would get me thinking about buying a BMW used even.
VW FTW! Just bought an OEM VW Carplay radio and put it in my 2013 beetle for $170.
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CarNet is a remote control service though, so the service charge is expected, just like OnStar on GMs.
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CarNet is a remote control service though, so the service charge is expected, just like OnStar on GMs.
It’s not even close to being the same. To be the same, Apple would charge you $6.00 a month to use a charging cable. How would you feel if Apple charged you $6 a month to use a cable ($72 a year) for the life of you using that charging cable?
Not really... I recently bought a 2017 GMC Canyon and you either upgrade to a SLE "package" for about $4,000 that includes CarPlay, or you can individually order the upgraded stereo that includes CarPlay for $375. Either way, it is not free.
At least you get an upgraded stereo at the same time. This BMW option is more like when AT&T was charging people to use their iPhone as a wifi hotspot when it was the same data either way.
Taken this way I see your point. However, it's a physically different radio that includes CarPlay. Before Carplay existed, there was the same type of stereo upgrade available (bigger screen, different UI/SW) but minus Carplay of course. When Carplay rolled out, that upgrade also then included Carplay. Hence my position that Carplay (the software) is free. Nonetheless, a valid point from your side and presented in a neutral, factual way. Hat tip to you.
BMW (and apparently others, from reading the comments) are charging to use the software. That is obscene. Cars are full of useful software that control safety, climate, sound, lights, and engine controls. Will those be monetized next?
Agree. Actually, if you've configured any luxury cars lately, they already do this to some extent. Things that are standard on other "lesser" branded cars are high dollar options on luxury branded cars.
I don't understand the reasoning behind this, but it does allow for this to be a competitive advantage if offered for free from BMW's competitors.
Just cause I drive an expensive car doesn't mean I want to pay $80/year for a service someone else can get for free in a $17k car or something I can negotiate into the price of the car. You can sure I didn't pay MSRP for my fully optioned car. With a fixed one-time price, I can even eliminate this cost but when the price is moved into a subscription model that I pay directly to BMW then I can no longer save on this.
Having money and being able afford a nice car is not an excuse to be ripped off. Don't get that confused. If you're willing to be or don't care about being screwed every step of the way, that's your prerogative. I'll argue over $1 if I feel it's not right.
Used car buyer also gets access to the steering wheel and horn. They ought to switch to subscriptions on those, too.
CarPlay is a feature I now look for in a car. I've been a happy BMW owner in the past, I don't have a problem paying for options that I want (once)... but I draw the line at this subscription crap. No I won't pay $30/month for an in-car internet subscription. Not interested in XM subscription either. And there is no way I'm paying a yearly fee for CarPlay. That would be a constant source of irritation. Stupid. 
