This was to be expected. The German luxury cars (Audi, BMW, Mercedes) option everything to death with very high prices. While I want CarPlay added to my 2017 Mazda6 I will certainly not pay for it. I suspect this will be one step too far for most. However, most of the cars from these three are leased and not purchased so I can see many not caring.
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BMW Plans to Turn CarPlay Into Subscription-Based Service Next Year
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Hey all, I am starting a new service where you pay me $3 a month to use your iPhone in the case I've designed. Any takers?
[doublepost=1516200136][/doublepost]Wow, I hope Apple steps in and stops this ********.
BMW plans to offer CarPlay as a subscription-based service beginning next year, rather than charge a one-time fee, reports The Verge.
The automaker will charge $80 per year for access to CarPlay starting next year, with no fee during the first year of ownership of a new BMW, according to Don Smith, technology product manager for BMW North America.
BMW currently charges a $300 upgrade fee to drivers who want CarPlay, available in its 2017 model year and newer vehicles.
Smith believes switching to a subscription-based pricing system will provide BMW owners with more flexibility. "This allows the customer to switch devices," he said, while mentioning Android as a specific example.
BMW doesn't currently support Android Auto, although Smith said Google Assistant is coming to new BMW models later in 2018.
Smith also argued that the annual fee could actually work out to be cheaper for somebody with an average length lease, as the total cost after four years after the free first year of access would be $240, cheaper than the one-time $300 charge.
Of course, those who don't trade in their BMW once every four years can expect the CarPlay subscription fees to add up significantly over the long term. All the while, many other automakers now offer CarPlay as a standard feature.
BMW may ultimately decide against this idea if it receives enough negative feedback from customers, but we'll have to wait and see.
Article Link: BMW Plans to Turn CarPlay Into Subscription-Based Service Next Year
CarPlay is standard on all Chevy models including the spark. That’s a $14k car! BMW is a joke. My 2017 Audi S3 also came with it standard. No extra charge.
Paying a monthly fee for an inferior interface is laughable. Both Android auto and apple carplay suck.
Pretty sure they couldn't get away with charging this to people who have already paid $300 for CarPlay.
It case it didn't hit you in the face, people are finding overwhelming fault with a company charging ANYTHING EXTRA for Carplay, whether one time fee ($300) or subscription ($80/mo). Maybe you haven't shopped for cars in the last 5 years, but no other car manufacturer charges EXTRA for Carplay or Android Auto and most come with BOTH for no extra charge.
The easy solution would be for BMW to offer both options - either $80/year or $300 for life of the car.
Very creative thinking. Yet every other car manufacturer manages to pay their R&D costs and make money, AND manage to NOT rape their customers with ridiculous subscription offers for something that's included for free from every other manufacturer.
You must work for BMW. "We love our customers so much, we'll nickel-and-dime them to death, even though no other car maker does and they will love us back by buying new cars every other year".
And here we go again. Another way overpriced subscription for added software features.
In Switzerland BMW had to pay around $163 million USD (CHF 157'000'000) penalty for unallowed price agreement in November 2017. The penalty has been confirmed by the Tribunal Federal (the "Swiss supreme court"). It was the highest penalty in history spoken by the WEKO (similar to the FCC in the US).
In my opinion BMW is a greedy overpriced brand with way too high prices. There are car brands with better
cost-benefit ratio out there. One more reason to avoid this car brand.
In Switzerland BMW had to pay around $163 million USD (CHF 157'000'000) penalty for unallowed price agreement in November 2017. The penalty has been confirmed by the Tribunal Federal (the "Swiss supreme court"). It was the highest penalty in history spoken by the WEKO (similar to the FCC in the US).
In my opinion BMW is a greedy overpriced brand with way too high prices. There are car brands with better
cost-benefit ratio out there. One more reason to avoid this car brand.
To be fair, the bmw native interface is a dumpster fire (maybe it’s gotten better recently? Sucks in my car)
does it matter? Are they going to charge extra for Bluetooth because it costs them something to put the chip in their audio system? Where does it stop? BMW's have plenty of profit margin in them. If Hyundai can offer Carplay and Android with their systems without a fee or subscription, so can BMW.
[doublepost=1516200963][/doublepost]
Yet another reason BMW should offer a more superior product for their customers without charging them for it!
Monetize monetize monetize! Get ready; they’ll start charging for the radio next.
Swapped my 328xi for an Audi after 8 months, and I’m happier than ever I did.
Swapped my 328xi for an Audi after 8 months, and I’m happier than ever I did.
I agree. It should be included. Or at least, In the Teutonic auto tradition, a one-time fee.
A hardware feature being turned on/off in conjunction with a sub based model seems so _odd_ to me.
"I forgot to pay my airbag service last month, glad I didn't get into an accident ..."
"I forgot to pay my airbag service last month, glad I didn't get into an accident ..."
How is it a lawsuit waiting to happen? This does not affect any owners who already have CarPlay or that will buy it outright as an option.
Personally, I think this is great. I'm not really sold on CarPlay. This gives me a chance to try it out. If I like it my cost really won't be more than if I bought it as an option. If I don't like it then I saved a few bucks.
This isn't a whole lot different than the XM tuner in my car. That used to be an extra cost option too. It's standard now with one of the common packages. You get a year's service included. After my year ran out I didn't bother subscribing.
It’s VERY different than your xm tuner. BMW isn’t charging you for xm. Xm is. And xm has annual costs of providing the xm service whereas bmw has no annual costs to provide you CarPlay.
BMW plans to offer CarPlay as a subscription-based service beginning next year, rather than charge a one-time fee, reports The Verge.
The automaker will charge $80 per year for access to CarPlay starting next year, with no fee during the first year of ownership of a new BMW, according to Don Smith, technology product manager for BMW North America.
BMW currently charges a $300 upgrade fee to drivers who want CarPlay, available in its 2017 model year and newer vehicles.
Smith believes switching to a subscription-based pricing system will provide BMW owners with more flexibility. "This allows the customer to switch devices," he said, while mentioning Android as a specific example.
BMW doesn't currently support Android Auto, although Smith said Google Assistant is coming to new BMW models later in 2018.
Smith also argued that the annual fee could actually work out to be cheaper for somebody with an average length lease, as the total cost after four years after the free first year of access would be $240, cheaper than the one-time $300 charge.
Of course, those who don't trade in their BMW once every four years can expect the CarPlay subscription fees to add up significantly over the long term. All the while, many other automakers now offer CarPlay as a standard feature.
BMW may ultimately decide against this idea if it receives enough negative feedback from customers, but we'll have to wait and see.
Article Link: BMW Plans to Turn CarPlay Into Subscription-Based Service Next Year
Wow! Wait until you have to subscribe to "Keep My Headlights On"
I do wonder if there are any licensing fees from Apple to use CarPlay, but a forever, reoccurring charge This subscription comes with a free iPhone X right? Right!? Volkswage,Chevy, Cadillac and Hundai give you car play for free. Audi as well it seems BMW’s now come standard with a loot box.