On 7/13/2022 11:48 AM, Mike Gordon via olympus wrote:
Well yesterday I heard of BMW's new plan to charge $18.00 per month to keep the seat warmers
working!!! Really??!!!! I looked it up to be sure and indeed it was true--not yet
implemented in US but they are thinking about it. There may be options to subscribe for a
year ($180), three years ($300), or pay for “unlimited” access for $415. Mind
you the hardware is all there; it is just a software implementation. Can you imagine missing
a payment in New England in Jan with BMW sending an over the air signal to disable the
feature and freezing your arse off??
It may sound bad, but is it, really? According to Edmunds, on a 2022 530i:
Heated steering wheel $190
Front and Rear Heated Seats $350
Heated Front Seats - 3-stage heating $500
According the the nypost, “Front Seat heating gets things nice and cosy in no time,” reads BMW’s UK site. “Activation
after purchase is quick and easy.”
So, would you like to pay $500, up front, or $415 for "unlimited access"?
I buy one where I live, where I never remember to use the ones in our Audi, then move 2, 3, 5 years in, to somewhere it
gets cold, and pick a subscription price. How have I been taken advantage of? Hasn't BMW lost money?
I don't know the production economics of building all seats the same, with heating coils built-in, but I'll bet they are
compelling.
Sure, we like to think we "own" our cars, free and clear. But is that really so? When the high pressure fuel pump on our
Audi went wonky, did we have any choice but $8xx for the part? Let it go on, the cam follower wears through, ruins the
cam, and things get REALLY expensive.
And yes, we don't like our cars to be computer operated, but that ship has long
ago sailed.
Very Adobe like.
I like the Adobe model. Over the years I've been on it, they have constantly improved LR and PS. They are way better
than when I signed up. I doubt if BMW is planning to improve the seats. 😁
https://www.businessinsider.com/bmw-subscription-features-heated-seats-steering-5-series-2022-7
Can you imagine paying north of 50K and having this happen? I will not buy
another Bimmer.
Spite. Nose. Face?
Today we get a message from this very fancy ranch (rather expensive to start)
that they will provide a special gel pad enabled saddle for a daily
subscription fee. Mind you the daily rate on this place is already through the
roof. (not my first choice to go, but long story). I would think tuchuses
(Tuchi???) of a certain age are entitled to certain considerations from the
get-go and should not require an extra subscription. Am I wrong??
Maybe. Should they just give everyone those saddles, and raise everyones' rates accordingly? I thought we 'Murkins liked
choice? Should that 95# teenage daughter pay for it?
Outrage seldom, if ever, does any good. As to it's medical effects, this adjusted quote may apply, "Outrage is like
taking poison and expecting it to kill someone else."
Outrage Less Moose
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What if the Hokey Pokey *IS* what it's all about?
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