If BMW really cared about their customers having more flexibility, why not give them the choice of paying upfront, or paying yearly.
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BMW Plans to Turn CarPlay Into Subscription-Based Service Next Year
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If BMW really cared about their customers having more flexibility, why not give them the choice of paying upfront, or paying yearly.
“BMW may ultimately decide against this idea if it receives enough negative feedback from customers, but we'll have to wait and see.”
In other words, they’ll decide against it.
My BMW came with CarPlay as part of an option package. There’s no way I want to deal with a subscription just to keep a feature active.
In other words, they’ll decide against it.
My BMW came with CarPlay as part of an option package. There’s no way I want to deal with a subscription just to keep a feature active.
For me the introduction of the FWD models were the worst news ever to come out of Munich.
Carplay, Android, whatever.
This is a prime example of a "screwing you because we can" monthly fee. There is zero recurring cost to BMW for this. There is arguably perhaps a one cent (okay, maybe a dollar) cost to BMW for enabling the feature on your particular car, but that's only because they went out of their way to build in the capability to enable/disable it (depending on whether or not you pay a $300 one-time fee, in their previous scheme).
It's fine to charge extra for a feature that you spent extra resources developing, it's even reasonable to ship that extra capability in the car, but dormant-until-a-one-time-fee-is-paid, since that's cheaper and more practical than building and swapping out two different versions of the infotainment system. But renting the capability to use something that's part of the owner's car and has no overhead once it's switched on? That's greed gone wild.
It's fine to charge extra for a feature that you spent extra resources developing, it's even reasonable to ship that extra capability in the car, but dormant-until-a-one-time-fee-is-paid, since that's cheaper and more practical than building and swapping out two different versions of the infotainment system. But renting the capability to use something that's part of the owner's car and has no overhead once it's switched on? That's greed gone wild.
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I won’t be surprised if Apple is getting a cut of the subscription money...
Just so people know though if you keep your new BMW for 4 years it’s a cheaper option then buying the CarPlay system from BMW:
http://www.theverge.com/2018/1/16/16897326/bmw-apple-carplay-subscription-google-alexa-detroit-auto-show-2018
Is anyone really surprised that BMW, a company that sells to affluent customers, wouldn't want to extract additional revenue?
That's said, the idea of paying a subscription for something that isn't a service is pretty ludicrous. You're literally paying $x a month to keep software already installed on your car running.
That's said, the idea of paying a subscription for something that isn't a service is pretty ludicrous. You're literally paying $x a month to keep software already installed on your car running.
My 3 year/36k covered anything relating to repair. My extended does the same.
Anything maintenance related, generally speaking, I do myself.
I can think of much worse news, starting in 1933, to come out of Munich. But I can agree that wrong wheel drive is a pox.
BMW must need more $$ since they are obviously not making enough on the price of their new cars.
My 2018 Nissan Leaf has CarPlay without a subscription payment, and whether car manufacturers offer it is a huge determining factor when I consider new (or used) cars. I bought a used 2010 Nissan truck last year, and since it didn't come with CarPlay, we opted for the alpine ilx-107 aftermarket unit and love it. (it is wireless!) I think BMW is going to hear a lot of backlash from it's customer base over this issue. But hey, if you had told me 15 years ago people would pay a monthly fee to listen to music, I would have called you crazy.
My 2018 Nissan Leaf has CarPlay without a subscription payment, and whether car manufacturers offer it is a huge determining factor when I consider new (or used) cars. I bought a used 2010 Nissan truck last year, and since it didn't come with CarPlay, we opted for the alpine ilx-107 aftermarket unit and love it. (it is wireless!) I think BMW is going to hear a lot of backlash from it's customer base over this issue. But hey, if you had told me 15 years ago people would pay a monthly fee to listen to music, I would have called you crazy.
And some people like the Android interface. It is great you like and even prefer the default interface of your infotainment center. I think the point here is that BMW is looking to charge for CarPlay. From your comment, we'll put you down as that is a dumb idea BMW.
I think BMW should change their slogan. BMW, the ultimate nickel and dime you machine.
That's not necessarily true. We are trading my wife's MB at the end of this year. MB, BMW, and a Model 3 Tesla (if they can get the things made) were legit options. But I'll be damned if I'm going to pay extra for something that is included in every other car that offers that option.
Um, the first year is *FREE* so your maths is wrong.
Works out at $240 for a car at the 4yr point. It’s only year 5 it gets more expensive.
This should really come as no surprise. Nobody's better at nickel-and-diming for options than the Germans, particularly BMW and Porsche. Go configure a base Porsche Macan and compare the price to that same Macan once you throw in a bunch of options. Same with any BMW. Not condoning the behavior, just pointing out that the German luxury car manufacturers are incredibly good at making money.
what other reason? like you not being able to afford a BMW in the first place? if you're not the target market, who cares?
This is exactly why people who buy BMWs are switching to premium Japanese and US. It is also why companies like Tesla are able to gain traction in the competitive auto space.