Not that they were subscription based but VAG (VW, Audi, Lamborghini) has filtered settings based on which country the car was delivered to. I have a module that I can plug into the OBD2 port that allows me to write code to the various modules to turn functions back on or even modify how the functions operate. There will be solutions for sure, you just wont be able to take it to the dealership or they will turn them back off and possibly void your warranty depending on how the agreement is written.
I've never had a desire for a BMW anyway. I did ride in one once, and the seats were the most uncomfortable that I had ever experienced.
Just makes you wonder what the end game is. You know this is just a test and if successful they will keep pushing and roll out more "subscription based features" on their cars.
"Yes you bought the car but if you actually want to DRIVE IT that's $99 a month for us to unlock the starter"
"Yes you bought the car but if you actually want to DRIVE IT that's $99 a month for us to unlock the starter"
Every company wants recurring subscription based revenue. It’s a way for them to lock in revenue and makes it easier to forecast and budget while holding customers captive.
And in the mind of the customer, it’s created a relationship that somehow makes it harder for them to walk away.
And in the mind of the customer, it’s created a relationship that somehow makes it harder for them to walk away.
The midstream sector of O&G started this over a decade ago via minimum commitment contracts. It helps bump up investors' value of a company by a pretty solid margin to hedge market cycles as much as possible. I understand why they do it, and I am even a little excited about them including additional hardware expecting subscriptions, because there is a solid chance it will have holes in the security that can be exploited for free options.
Hard no from me. Both my wife and I have 330's with some subscription based options but I don't find them useful so we don't bother. We outright refuse to pay more for items already installed though. My guess is that once the e-cars really take over in another 10-20 years literally everything will be subscription based in that literally every car will be identical but you'll have to pay monthly to unlock each feature. Look at Tesla, they already do this with many of their options.
Another step in the direction of not actually owning any of the stuff that's yours. I personally hate subscription services on damn near everything. Some things you don't have much of a choice on because of the nature of what it is but charging for something that you paid for to start with and does not take extra effort or upkeep from the person you bought it from is ridiculous.
What is the monthly fee? It might be worth it. A friend just got her Toyota stolen. (Apparently they are amond the easier to steal?)
A couple of weeks later the Lighthorse (tribal) police found it in the parking garage of the casino roller painted white and the underneath part of the dash as well as most of the rest of the car just torn completely up.
I know my friend would happily have retroactively paid for the tracking service when she saw that the vehicle was missing from her driveway.
That said, there are "monthly fee" tracking services that I could add to my cars very easily and, of course, ,I have not done so.
^^ do-it-self tracker option for iPhone owners ....one time cost of $27
Apple AirTag
Apple AirTag
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