BMW announce new over the air update options including hardware

[ems328i]

If this comes to pass then I will not be buying a new BMW again:

https://www.carscoops.com/2020/07/bm...eats-and-more/

Basically, if you buy a used BMW (as I do fairly often) then even if the car already has, for instance, heated seats, then you would have to pay a monthly fee to use them. Software updates/subscriptions are one thing, but for hardware too?

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by ems328i

If this comes to pass then I will not be buying a new BMW again:

https://www.carscoops.com/2020/07/bm...eats-and-more/

Basically, if you buy a used BMW (as I do fairly often) then even if the car already has, for instance, heated seats, then you would have to pay a monthly fee to use them. Software updates/subscritions are one thing, but for hardware too?

BMW has already attempted a similar software upgrade with paid map updates and a failed CarPlay subscription experiment. Taking a page right outta the Tesla playbook and just another way to squeeze the paying customer. Techies will eventually find a work around for this.

[RED_Y_]

They are basically taking over coding.

[devlinsky]

Taking over and killing it at the same time. More features depend on the BMW side and hard wired into their online system, less field for the indy coders.

[ponytuning]

This is basically BMW's statement that it has become a brand that caters to vehicle lesees only and not someone who would like to own one. Noted.

[LarryM4C]

Originally Posted by ponytuning

This is basically BMW's statement that it has become a brand that caters to vehicle lesees only and not someone who would like to own one. Noted.

Most BMWs (57%) are leased when new, and they have been this way for many years.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a1...nly-purchased/

[ems328i]

Originally Posted by LarryM4C

Most BMWs (57%) are leased when new, and they have been this way for many years.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a1...nly-purchased/

True for the US, far less so here in Europe...

[mrfochon]

Great ! Someone will figure out how to hack it and then you ll be able to enable all features.
Nothing resist forever. And cars are a prime target due to the price tag, exposure and market impact.
I ll be the first to short bmw

[devlinsky]

Shorting rare exotics - maybe. BMWs? C'mon

[mrfochon]

Originally Posted by devlinsky

Shorting rare exotics - maybe. BMWs? C'mon

Short as market shorts / puts.. just before a negative news

[LarryM4C]

Its positive news. It allows customers to only buy what they need (even though the tech is already in the car, subsidized by global sales). It lets them build their cars all the same on the assembly line (reducing cost per feature), and charge only the owners who actually want to use it... Like a toll road, or increasing insurance premiums for smokers. Win win.

Also allows used car buyers to customize their car's features different to what the original buyer wanted.

[CatalinP]

Originally Posted by LarryM4C

Its positive news. It allows customers to only buy what they need (even though the tech is already in the car, subsidized by global sales). It lets them build their cars all the same on the assembly line (reducing cost per feature), and charge only the owners who actually want to use it... Like a toll road, or increasing insurance premiums for smokers. Win win.

Also allows used car buyers to customize their car's features different to what the original buyer wanted.

Thanks mate, the first smart answer in this thread.

[devlinsky]

Originally Posted by LarryM4C

Its positive news. It allows customers to only buy what they need (even though the tech is already in the car, subsidized by global sales). It lets them build their cars all the same on the assembly line (reducing cost per feature), and charge only the owners who actually want to use it... Like a toll road, or increasing insurance premiums for smokers. Win win.

Also allows used car buyers to customize their car's features different to what the original buyer wanted.

With all due respect, you don't seem to work in the automotive industry. TPS System adopted by most of the industry, including BMW of course, proofs that the benefits you indicate do not exist and will not exist since it would require the whole supply chain industry to be turned upside down.

[1norseman]

the article states that updates belongs to the car, not the user.

Tesla has been the subject of controversy for disabling Autopilot features on used cars. However, BMW says that the upgraded features will apply to the car and not the user meaning that even when a car is sold, the selected features should be retained. It added that it is still working out all of the details for used cars.

[CatalinP]

He did not say that the features will reset once the car is sold... He said that the new owner will be able to add features that he likes on top of what the car had... Doh

[Cranswick852]

Best of luck to BMW if they aspire to 'disabling' my comfort seats, or my leather dash. Even my DHP? Really?

[smyles]

This is the company that quietly removed autodimming on the passenger side mirrors, began charging for CPO transfers, etc. etc.

Anyone who thinks they won't begin disabling features - not right away, but after awhile, when ppl get used to yet another "new norm", - is naive.

[CatalinP]

Originally Posted by Cranswick852

Best of luck to BMW if they aspire to 'disabling' my comfort seats, or my leather dash. Even my DHP? Really?

Who said that??

[ponytuning]

Originally Posted by CatalinP

He did not say that the features will reset once the car is sold... He said that the new owner will be able to add features that he likes on top of what the car had... Doh

Then this change is nothing like Tesla's strategy, otherwise we'll soon see car manufacturers charging owners for things we have taken for granted like:

- engine runtime
- miles driven
- no of occupants in car
- towed weight
- headlight and tailight runtime
- number of times doors can be opened or closed
- number of hours the media system can be used
- number of times the car be started (think of a hardware fuse)

Next follows the coin operated car...

[ed116]

this would be simpler to hack ... using something like burp suite you can basically copy the command that is sent to bmw at the end of every month and just push a false command for those devices not actually subscribed ...

[gvarr03]

I'm glad I have my loaded 2015 X5 that I plan on keeping until the wheels fall off. I'm disappointed in BMW 'new plan' to charge for certain options via subscription...I guess better get the loaded beamer now

[ponytuning]

Originally Posted by gvarr03

I'm glad I have my loaded 2015 X5 that I plan on keeping until the wheels fall off. I'm disappointed in BMW 'new plan' to charge for certain options via subscription...I guess better get the loaded beamer now

Same here. I do wonder if BMW will compensate customers for the time they will not be able use the features they're paying while the cars are sitting in the shop for repairs.
I'd also like to see prices, it the they are unrealistic then Im sure aftermarket solutions will become widespread like for heated seat and steering wheel covers, and even safety systems. I know mobileye was selling solutions for bmw to read speed limit before they were acquired by Intel.