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Don't buy BMWs

MuttleyCAFC
MuttleyCAFC Posts: 47,728
edited July 2022 in Not Sports Related
Just heard that BMW are trialling a new subscription payment system in England. You have the option of heated seats, but if you don't choose it, your car will have the heated seats but you need to pay £20 a month to have the feature enabled wirelessly. If people accept this it potentially stirs up a hornets' nest.
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Comments

  • Covered End
    Covered End Posts: 51,991
    Is it me or does the above make no sense?
  • SporadicAddick
    SporadicAddick Posts: 6,854
    BMWs will be fitted with features that wont be activated unless you subscribe, such as heated seats and heated steering wheels.
  • bobmunro
    bobmunro Posts: 20,843
    Not sure what the issue is, Mutts. As now, you can spec them when you buy, or don't spec them which will reduce the purchase price. Then just use them (or not) when you want to - e.g. in the colder  months.
  • MuttleyCAFC
    MuttleyCAFC Posts: 47,728
    edited July 2022
    I think the issue is where it will end if successful. Pay to have fog lights work?
  • Covered End
    Covered End Posts: 51,991
    bobmunro said:
    Not sure what the issue is, Mutts. As now, you can spec them when you buy, or don't spec them which will reduce the purchase price. Then just use them (or not) when you want to - e.g. in the colder  months.
    I agree, when you buy you can have a whole host of optional extras.
    I wouldn't be bothered in the slightest that I haven't got heated seats if I hadn't paid for heated seats.
  • bobmunro
    bobmunro Posts: 20,843
    MuttleyCAFC said:
    I think the issue is where it will end if successful. Pay to have fog lights work?
    If the law says all cars must be fitted with front and back fog lights then manufacturers can't make them optional - they will be standard spec.

    The basic premise is that if you want to reduce the upfront costs of the car by not spec'ing extras then you can do so - but no need to retro fit anything if you change your mind or want to use them only at certain times.

    As I said, you can still add them to the options list if you want when you buy the car and they then won't be subject to subscription. 

     
  • Bigfatpete
    Bigfatpete Posts: 723
    BMW are not trialling it, it’s in place already, my 18month old bmw has adaptive light system available but I didn’t pay for it. From day 1 I was offered through the main screen to add for 1 off payment or monthly charge.
  • MuttleyCAFC
    MuttleyCAFC Posts: 47,728
    It isn't a feature in all markets which feels like they are trialling it.
  • soapy_jones
    soapy_jones Posts: 21,350
    RedPanda said:
    They don't come with working indicators either 
    You do get a free cnut though...
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  • MrOneLung
    MrOneLung Posts: 26,849
    RedPanda said:
    They don't come with working indicators either 
    I just asked my wife if the indicators are working and she said yes, no, yes, no,yes, no ….
  • charltonkeston
    charltonkeston Posts: 7,359
    I think bmw are on to a winner here. It will drastically cutdown on multiple components and be another revenue stream for them. 
  • MuttleyCAFC
    MuttleyCAFC Posts: 47,728
    addick1956 said:
    Covered End said:
    Is it me or does the above make no sense?
    It does because car companies are wise to the fact that heated seats in electric  cars is cheaper  than using a heater. Tesla reduce the battery range in the same way. 
    Tesla reducing the battery range is a good example of where this goes.
  • AFKABartram
    AFKABartram Posts: 57,824
    I don’t think there’s anyone in the South East under the age of 25 who doesn’t drive a BMW, Merc or Audi. 

    Cost of living crisis and all that…
  • CharltonDave85
    CharltonDave85 Posts: 502
    I think saying to people don't buy something just because you don't agree with it is a bit odd. At the end of the day people will spend there hard earned money on what they like and what makes them happy 😊 
  • BigRedEvil
    BigRedEvil Posts: 11,071
    Can see this being successful. People love a subscription 
  • SE10Addick
    SE10Addick Posts: 2,963
    I’m sure someone will or, already has, worked out a way to hack it
  • Lincsaddick
    Lincsaddick Posts: 32,348
    Buy a BMW/Merc/Audi and pay a fortune for ? .. the badge, though they are generally pretty good vehicles, but well overpriced i m o

  • Covered End
    Covered End Posts: 51,991
    I've driven BMWs for 15/20 years and not once have I had an issue (although I now soon will).
  • IdleHans
    IdleHans Posts: 10,963
    AFKABartram said:
    I don’t think there’s anyone in the South East under the age of 25 who doesn’t drive a BMW, Merc or Audi. 

    Cost of living crisis and all that…
    That's because they're all living with their parents

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  • randy andy
    randy andy Posts: 5,454
    bobmunro said:
    Not sure what the issue is, Mutts. As now, you can spec them when you buy, or don't spec them which will reduce the purchase price. Then just use them (or not) when you want to - e.g. in the colder  months.
    One issue is resale price. No matter what features your car has you're basically only ever reselling the base model as BMW will want money every month off the new owner for those features.

    So currently you'd pay extra for those nice features, but you'd at least get part of that back at resale. In future you're going to have to pay every month to rent those features and you'll recoup nothing.
  • ROTW
    ROTW Posts: 642
    I have a 2005 Honda, and it is as comfortable as the expensive Audi Q5 I had to give up (diesel) and at the moment far more reliable. Modern cars have far too many functions that can be costly when they fail.
  • Gribbo
    Gribbo Posts: 8,484
    Would love an old mint condition E30
  • thai malaysia addick
    thai malaysia addick Posts: 18,333
    edited July 2022
    @AFKABartram charges me £5 per month for an LOL button and £3 for a Quote button. I’ve got a free trial on the Like button that runs out soon. Bloody rip off.
  • cafcfan
    cafcfan Posts: 11,198
    edited July 2022
    I might be out of date on this but in the past, German cars for the UK market were MUCH higher specced than those for the home market.  This may be because most German Mercs are just cooking models used as taxis. In short, Mercs, Audis and BMWs are just bog standard cars in Germany.  I can't see the German consumers falling for this little trick.

    Edited to add: The last courtesy car I had when mine was in for service had a heated steering wheel. It was fabulous. As for heated seats, even my sister's ancient Nissan Puke has them fitted!
  • Stig
    Stig Posts: 29,021
    AFKABartram said:
    I don’t think there’s anyone in the South East under the age of 25 who doesn’t drive a BMW, Merc or Audi. 

    Cost of living crisis and all that…
    Probably more of an issue with the housing market than COL. Loads of youngsters on decent money with cash in the bank who are still nowhere near to getting a mortgage. Might as well drive around in a 'prestige' car while you wait for mum and dad to die.
  • Redrobo
    Redrobo Posts: 11,330
    To be fair it sounds a good idea. When you sell the new owner can activate what they like. 

    The question is, will you be able to discontinue an extra?
  • Stig
    Stig Posts: 29,021
    thai malaysia addick said:
    @AFKABartram charges me £5 per month for an LOL button and £3 for a Quote button. I’ve got a free trial on the Like button that runs out soon. Bloody rip off.
    Can do you a hacked version TMA, shall we say £6 for the pair. No questions asked 😉
  • Blackheathboy
    Blackheathboy Posts: 230
    Love heated seats …wake up stiff .. soon sorted . 
  • T_C_E
    T_C_E Posts: 16,418
    AFKABartram said:
    I don’t think there’s anyone in the South East under the age of 25 who doesn’t drive a BMW, Merc or Audi. 

    Cost of living crisis and all that…
    Guilty as charged M'Lud ;)

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