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BMW heated seats subscription costs $18 per month in South Korea

motor1.com

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Re: BMW heated seats subscription costs $18 per month in South Korea

#71

Post by dexterdog »

senectus1 wrote: post #66

so you buy the car, fully equipped with the heat seating... but you can't turn it on unless you pay a subscription fee? I had to double check this wasn't an Onion article. thats one of the most dumbest brand burning idea's I've ever seen. I'm happy enough with my Mid range Rav4 Hybrid that comes with seat heaters and no subscription fee thanks...

It's not a terrible idea for a lot of stuff. It's much more economical to add many features on all vehicles than to package them. Then you can individual menu out the items to the people who want them.

Re: BMW heated seats subscription costs $18 per month in South Korea

#72

Post by dexterdog »

notfromhere wrote: post #9
sp527 wrote: post #7

They have an option to buy it outright that appears to be priced at the same level as a typical upgrade. They also have 1 and 3 year subscriptions. This is actually a net win for both BMW and for consumers. You can do things like "try extensively before you buy" or even choose to only subscribe during the winter (which they probably expect a lot of people to do). BMW benefits because they're almost certainly expandin…

You’re paying for the permission to turn on hardware you already paid for

But you would pay more for it if they had to put it in only certain models based on the packaging. They've done it with satellite radio for a long time now.

Re: BMW heated seats subscription costs $18 per month in South Korea

#73

Post by ridgered4 »

benj111 wrote: post #37
LeeroyWasHere wrote: post #13

They're working on much worst things... Prepare for car microtransactions.

I wonder what the going rate would be to deploy airbags at the point of impact. I suppose the challenge would be getting consent in-between the crash becoming inevitable and actually happening

Didn't this already happen with some motorcycle safety system that required a monthly payment or it would get disabled?

Re: BMW heated seats subscription costs $18 per month in South Korea

#74

Post by RamRodification »

woofyman wrote: post #52
2143 wrote: post #31

I seriously hope this doesn't catch on. For cars with internal combustion engines, the company tends to get constant income via service thanks oil filters, other filters, and a whole bunch of stuff that needs to be replaced (assuming people take it to authorised service centers, which I assume most people do when the car is relatively new). With the transition to EV, those avenues dry up because EVs need lesser maint…

In 15 years, I’ve only been to the dealer for recalls.

How does that affect second-hand value for you (if you intend to ever sell)? Where I live, a lack of documentation from official or authorized dealership servicing is a big red flag when buying a used car.

Re: BMW heated seats subscription costs $18 per month in South Korea

#75

Post by rockinghigh »

nradov wrote: post #58
2143 wrote: post #31

I seriously hope this doesn't catch on. For cars with internal combustion engines, the company tends to get constant income via service thanks oil filters, other filters, and a whole bunch of stuff that needs to be replaced (assuming people take it to authorised service centers, which I assume most people do when the car is relatively new). With the transition to EV, those avenues dry up because EVs need lesser maint…

Some EVs actually require more maintenance. For example, due to incompetent engineering and sloppy assembly, Tesla ranks below most ICE vehicles. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/18/tesla-ranks-30th-in-unoffici...

Neither this article nor my personal experience with Tesla support your claim.

> Tesla owners reported more problems with their exterior and interior than with other systems like propulsion, battery or infotainment and navigation.

Tesla issues aren't about maintenance, they are mostly about quality control. Maintenance on Tesla is simple: air filters, brakes, tires, air conditioning.

https://www.tesla.com/support/car-maintenance

Re: BMW heated seats subscription costs $18 per month in South Korea

#76

Post by 2143 »

2Gkashmiri wrote: post #48
2143 wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's assuming manufacturers wouldn't already include the price of rentable hardware in the cost of the car. Would any manufacturers do that? Why would a manufacturer fit in hardware for heated seats into a car, and not charge you for it? Because they hope you will subscribe to the heated seats? This argument breaks down in markets like India, middle East, Malaysia etc where it's hot and humid, and nobody would want…

in india, the car market starts at around 4 Lacs Inr or $5000. people tend to now buy cars for like 4-9L or $5000-$12000. the cheapest EV on the market is tata tigor ev for like inr 12Lacs or $15000 and those prices are on the high end spectrum of the general market and mass adoption is only possible if prices are price-matched or be close to the ICE cars. in that situation, it is not possible to add "features" that…

I don't see how your conclusion follows your premise.

> people tend to now buy cars for like 4-9L or $5000-$12000

Sure the majority of the sales are for cheaper models, but go to any tier-1 or tier-2 city and you'll see plenty of BMWs, Mercs, Audis, Jaguars, Land Rovers, and whatever else is under the sun. Like, stand on any random junction, and I guarantee that the won't even be a single minute where you won't be able to spot a >₹50 lakh car ($62000). Yes the sales numbers are objectively much lower, but still you see plenty of them.

> those prices are on the high end spectrum of the general market

Here's a sales analysis for May 2022. How many of those are in the price range you mentioned: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/252707-may-2...

People have moved past the ₹12 lakh mark a while ago. It's more like ₹25 lakhs now. I see plenty of Hyundais, Hondas, Kias, and Toyotas. None of them exactly have a cheap model anymore.

Heck, there's such a huge number of Toyota Innova/Crysta on the road that it's practically invisible now. And top end Crysta retails at ₹25 lakhs (≈ $31000).

> in that situation, it is not possible to add "features" that the people don't care about

Move up the price range and you start to see nonsense (in this country) features like heated seats. My E-class has a panoramic sunroof which I never open because the sun is scorching here, and the glass' greenhouse effect cooks everyone inside so the AC has to work harder.

> there are manufacturers who are failing NCAP testing and they are pushing to not make such testing mandatory because in their opinion

European manufacturers here have always done well in terms of safety. Not entirely sure about other Asian brands. As for Indian brands, new Tata and Mahindra cars pass GNCAP with 5 stars, though Maruti still has a lot to improve.

Re: BMW heated seats subscription costs $18 per month in South Korea

#77

Post by james_pm »

senectus1 wrote: post #66

so you buy the car, fully equipped with the heat seating... but you can't turn it on unless you pay a subscription fee? I had to double check this wasn't an Onion article. thats one of the most dumbest brand burning idea's I've ever seen. I'm happy enough with my Mid range Rav4 Hybrid that comes with seat heaters and no subscription fee thanks...

https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/12/22831105/toyota-subscrip...

In case you thought Toyota wouldn't do the same thing.

Re: BMW heated seats subscription costs $18 per month in South Korea

#78

Post by rockinghigh »

atwood22 wrote: post #23

Super weird decision from BMW. The brand is all about luxury and performance at all costs. Trying to nickel and dime on seat heaters just seems cheap.

BMW did the same when they charged $80/year for Apple CarPlay for their 2019 models. They stopped shortly after.

Re: BMW heated seats subscription costs $18 per month in South Korea

#79

Post by ClumsyPilot »

We are rapidly moving towards Feudalism.

If someone can charge you for using things you already bought and 'own', then average man has no property rights. The fee could be increased at any time, or new fees could be introduced.

As the housing crysis deepens, average person will never own a home either.

So average person will be in the same position as a medieval serf, conpletely dependand on the whims of the lord, probably living in debt starting from the student loan and dying in debt.

Re: BMW heated seats subscription costs $18 per month in South Korea

#80

Post by andrekandre » 

  > A similar subscription plan is offered for a heated steering wheel and it costs $10 per month, $92 annually, and $161 for three years. You can also buy it outright for $222.
isnt this what in the old days was what they (adam smith et al) meant when they talked about economic rents and (rent) free markets...?
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