BMW offer subscription heated seats
Discussion
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-62142208?xtor=...
£15/month!
Initial reaction was this is crazy.
However I can also see a logic in BMW getting frustrated with initial buyers not speccing them, and the impact on 2nd hand cars getting overlooked by buyers who just expect them and will pass on a car without them. Plus it's a second bite at a revenue stream.
I suspect on a second hand car a dealer will quietly enable the function to improve stock appeal..
It does seem a bit of a waste of everyones time & money just making them (and much other kit) just standard in the first place.
I assume these functions will be via touch screen rather than having buttons that don't work!
£15/month!
Initial reaction was this is crazy.
However I can also see a logic in BMW getting frustrated with initial buyers not speccing them, and the impact on 2nd hand cars getting overlooked by buyers who just expect them and will pass on a car without them. Plus it's a second bite at a revenue stream.
I suspect on a second hand car a dealer will quietly enable the function to improve stock appeal..
It does seem a bit of a waste of everyones time & money just making them (and much other kit) just standard in the first place.
I assume these functions will be via touch screen rather than having buttons that don't work!
There are a number of options on VAG cars where all the hardware come fitted (or very cheaply) but the functionality is only switched on when you buy the option. My car came with a road sign recognition option (£75) but you can enable all the lane guidance type functions with VAG.com software.
I suspect the same will happen with BMW.
I suspect the same will happen with BMW.
Can anybody from a leasing company comment?! - they'll be the average purchaser, I'd have assumed. I'm shooting my mouth off as I have no idea what their options are, but this is the internet and that is my prerogative. So now suppose they won't now be able to charge market rates for an upgrade after negotiating a lower rate due to guaranteed bulk purchase - well, little/no win for the consumer then, but I bet BMW are happier.
Starfighter said:
There are a number of options on VAG cars where all the hardware come fitted (or very cheaply) but the functionality is only switched on when you buy the option. My car came with a road sign recognition option (£75) but you can enable all the lane guidance type functions with VAG.com software.
This kind of thing has been going on for a few years. It makes sense in terms of efficiency from a production point of view - (maybe) less so from a cost/accountancy point of view. But, is everybody who buys a base car already effectively paying for the hardware in the first place, then the manufacturer gets an additional bonus for every car that's specced up? And, they also might get to buy the hardware at a much lower price from the OEM supplier due to the higher volumes? MarkJS said:
bmwmike said:
Cars really are just rolling iPads aren't they.
When I speak to people I know that are really into Tesla's/EV's etc, for many of them that's exactly what they want. Sad but true...People will pay the subscription and that's that.
I don't know why the environmentalists aren't kicking off though. Asleep at the wheel as usual. Cars carrying around this dead weight of unused options can't be good can it
It’s ridiculous. If you pay for the hardware when you buy the car you are making a choice to have the feature.For them to fit the hardware and choose not to activate it is pathetic.
It shows the state of modern culture that you are discouraged from buying a car outright and using its features without having to pay monthly for add ons.
It shows the state of modern culture that you are discouraged from buying a car outright and using its features without having to pay monthly for add ons.
I honestly dont see what the fuss is about.
If you pay for the heated seats option when specing the car from the factory then there is no subscription cost and you can use as much as you want.
If you dont pay for the heated seats option then they install it anyway at their cost and you can pay to access down the line if you want.
I only see it as upside:
Only want heated seats in January when its freezing then its just 15 quid...
Looking to buy a second hand car but the owner didnt pay for heated seat which you want... now you can just pay the lump sum to access them when you buy as they have already been installed.
Just my opinion of course...
I do think this is getting blown out of proportion now by the whole £15 a month headline.
Surely if someone really wanted the heated seats they would just pay the one off fee of £350 and it's done? I imagine that is what you would pay BMW to fit them on a configurator (if not more) anyway?
Surely if someone really wanted the heated seats they would just pay the one off fee of £350 and it's done? I imagine that is what you would pay BMW to fit them on a configurator (if not more) anyway?
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