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BMW Patents Proprietary Screws That Only Dealerships Can Remove

carbuzz.com

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Re: BMW Patents Proprietary Screws That Only Dealerships Can Remove

#21

Post by georgefrowny »

gessha wrote: post #15
HPsquared wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People are indeed slowly checking out of buying new cars.

Problem is if we bury our heads and drive old cars, when they give out and it’s time to buy a new car, all the news cars will have so much of this crap in them they will be unusable and you will be stuck with a lemon.

It's also basically impossible to have any EV that isn't an iPad on wheels.

I'm not even opposed to the mod-cons, it's just the irreparability, lock-in, touchscreen-centrism and planned obsolescence they basically all shoehorned into their new platforms.

Re: BMW Patents Proprietary Screws That Only Dealerships Can Remove

#27

Post by arealaccount »

mrweasel wrote: post #13

Great, now I need an extra large bit set. I really don't see the point of this, it won't take a year for that bit to appear on shelves at the local hardware store if people need it. I have bit sets containing ever imaginable "security" bit, security torx are pretty much standard in set now. So are the weird flathead with the middle cut out. You almost can't buy an iFixIt kit without Apples stupid pentalob bit. This i…

I think the schtick is they can block these tools from being sold via trademark infringement.

Thats why the BMW logo is in fact necessary

Re: BMW Patents Proprietary Screws That Only Dealerships Can Remove

#28

Post by markus_zhang »

cookiengineer wrote: post #10

That already is old news, lots of manufacturers do that. For example, the Passat 3B and later platforms introduced proprietary screws for the wheels and brakes, so you weren't able to change them yourself. Same for all kinds of sensors that will go rogue when the car is turned off and you change a sensor on the engine. All firmware gradually was modified each generation to allow less modifications and less self repai…

Guess eventually people will buy the cheapest cars and treat it as a consumer product that breaks down every few years, like a laptop. Or simply find a remote job and rent a car.

Welcome to the Dystopian world.

Re: BMW Patents Proprietary Screws That Only Dealerships Can Remove

#29

Post by mwexler »

Watch makers have moved to this model over the last few years as well. The Swatch group has restricted access to movements and parts by acquiring major movement manufacturers, forcing the industry to use duplicate parts, some produced in violation of patents (dep on region). The patents attempt to protect proprietary approaches adding complexity through unique pieces, which rarely add functionality or new value.

BTW, none of this is surprising from BMW. They were the first to try a subscription model for in-car features like Carplay... Or seat heaters. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a30139034/bmw-apple-carpla... and https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/bmw-relents-on-heated-seat-...

Re: BMW Patents Proprietary Screws That Only Dealerships Can Remove

#30

Post by kotaKat »

Youden wrote: post #16
kotaKat wrote: post #8

… So they didn’t want to just pay Bryce Fastener to give them their own “proprietary” screw? They’ve been in this market for decades with “custom” security screws for vendors, among other things. https://www.brycefastener.com/

Isn't it relatively trivial to remove one of these by epoxying something to it or using a drill or dremel to modify it in some way (e.g. dremel a slot that a standard flathead can turn, or drill and use a screw remover)? Or is the purpose less to prevent people from removing the screw and more tamper evidence? Even in that case, with a photo or impression of the screw head, an unauthorized key/bit could be produced w…

The button head is designed to be low profile and is rounded off enough to prevent tools from getting a good bite into it to cut a slot; on top of that they’ve designed these fasteners to torque super tight down (including ‘claw-like’ serrations on the bottom of the screwhwead) to basically require their tool so the bit doesn’t snap off if you try to make a duplicate.
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