BMW starts selling heated seat subscriptions - $18 per month

[Anonymous]

This is wild. It hasn't hit the US yet. They slowly started putting features behind subscriptions two years ago.

https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/12/23204950/bmw-subscriptions-microtransactions-heated-seats-feature

BMW is now selling subscriptions for heated seats in a number of countries — the latest example of the company’s adoption of microtransactions for high-end car features.

A monthly subscription to heat your BMW’s front seats costs roughly $18, with options to subscribe for a year ($180), three years ($300), or pay for “unlimited” access for $415.

It’s not clear exactly when BMW started offering this feature as a subscription, or in which countries, but a number of outlets this week reported spotted its launch in South Korea.

BMW has slowly been putting features behind subscriptions since 2020, and heated seats subs are now available in BMW’s digital stores in countries including the UK, Germany, New Zealand, and South Africa. It doesn’t, however, seem to be an option in the US — yet.

[Anonymous]

This is so weird, who pays for this?

[Anonymous]

Are heated seats equiped as standard? Does one pay extra to have the equipment then would also have to pay for them to heat? Would the subscription be instead of paying extra for the equipment. I could see it might be more efficient for manufacturer to install equipment as default then offer free for people that want to use it.

[Anonymous]

How weird. I have heating and cooling seats but a subscription to make them work seems very odd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are heated seats equiped as standard? Does one pay extra to have the equipment then would also have to pay for them to heat? Would the subscription be instead of paying extra for the equipment. I could see it might be more efficient for manufacturer to install equipment as default then offer free for people that want to use it.

Sorry, last line should be ". . .offer for a fee for people that want to use it."

[Anonymous]

What? I have a bmw and the seats can be heated. No need to subacribe

[Anonymous]

Well Lexus charges a subscription fee for the remote start feature on my car. And I assume other employ similar crappy tactics. It's one reason why my next car won't be another Lexus. I think it's a really low ball move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are heated seats equiped as standard? Does one pay extra to have the equipment then would also have to pay for them to heat? Would the subscription be instead of paying extra for the equipment. I could see it might be more efficient for manufacturer to install equipment as default then offer free for people that want to use it.

This. Plus, in the us, it will be perfectly legal to pay a third party to hook up the already wired seats to a switch cutting out BMW's subscription.

[Anonymous]

Awful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well Lexus charges a subscription fee for the remote start feature on my car. And I assume other employ similar crappy tactics. It's one reason why my next car won't be another Lexus. I think it's a really low ball move.

Yep, and I hate it so much. Periodically they send me an email asking if I'd like to pay them $8 a month for the privilege of being able to remote start my car. NO, Lexus, I would not.
I want to buy a car that does what I want it to do (and I'm happy to pay for whatever options I choose at that time) without ongoing fees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well Lexus charges a subscription fee for the remote start feature on my car. And I assume other employ similar crappy tactics. It's one reason why my next car won't be another Lexus. I think it's a really low ball move.

Yep, and I hate it so much. Periodically they send me an email asking if I'd like to pay them $8 a month for the privilege of being able to remote start my car. NO, Lexus, I would not.
I want to buy a car that does what I want it to do (and I'm happy to pay for whatever options I choose at that time) without ongoing fees.

That’s awful. My Subaru Forester has remote start as part of its included features. I don’t like this trend of charging for every little thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well Lexus charges a subscription fee for the remote start feature on my car. And I assume other employ similar crappy tactics. It's one reason why my next car won't be another Lexus. I think it's a really low ball move.

Especially for a “luxury” car- so much for luxury!!

[Anonymous]

Not thrilled about the idea that someone else has remote access to anything in the operation of my vehicle such that they can turn it on or off at will from afar. What could co wrong?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well Lexus charges a subscription fee for the remote start feature on my car. And I assume other employ similar crappy tactics. It's one reason why my next car won't be another Lexus. I think it's a really low ball move.

Yep, and I hate it so much. Periodically they send me an email asking if I'd like to pay them $8 a month for the privilege of being able to remote start my car. NO, Lexus, I would not.
I want to buy a car that does what I want it to do (and I'm happy to pay for whatever options I choose at that time) without ongoing fees.

I’ve been looking at new cars with an eye toward buying in the fall and this is a total dealbreaker for me. I hate it just on principal. It will be interesting to see if this is across the board for all models (or which ones it is) and if there remains a back door option for a one time payment like we are all accustomed.

I loathe the nickel and diming of microtransactions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not thrilled about the idea that someone else has remote access to anything in the operation of my vehicle such that they can turn it on or off at will from afar. What could co wrong?

Well I have news for you.... they already have this.