[BMWZ4]

True, but if eventually all manufacturers move to this model, then what?

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by dkerr

I received the same survey and answered NO to all options. Subscriptions work for some things but I think it is particularly unsuitable for these. If my car is equipped for driving assistant or parking assistant then I would expect these to work without a subscription model.

What particularly bothers me is that this sort of technology gets out-of-date really fast. In 3 or 4 years time I do not want to be paying for 4 year old technology. And a subscription model is really bad for people that do not lease and keep the car for say 6 years.

Subscriptions work if it buys you regular updates. So, e.g. might work for navigation or even CarPlay where updates can be pushed down to your car. But I don't see driving or parking assistants to be easily kept up-to-date with software downloads as future improvements are likely going to require new hardware... e.g. improved sensor technology.

Bottom line, bad idea BMW.

DAK

ok, I agree with this to the extent that if the sub charge begets occasional SW updates for said services, that might make it more palatable for some. Thing is, we don't know if that's their intention or not since that information wasn't (apparently) included in the survey.

Maybe they do plan to offer (at the dealer) updates. Who knows...

[GearRex]

As long as 'dumb assess' are willing to pay for this, companies will go for it.

I am 57, so this is stupid dumb for my generation.

I guess this is what getting old means...

[David70]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

True, but if eventually all manufacturers move to this model, then what?

Big IF as I still haven't seen a subscription that works, then they will have provide something I am will to pay for as a subscription. As this technology moves down market to the $20k-$30k cars and some manufacturers don't go along with the program it becomes increasingly difficult for BMW to charge more for the car and then for subscriptions.

Parking Assist - no chance, I am really good at parking and cars all come with backup cameras or soon will. Driver Assist - also pass, have most of it turned off on my car now, sure wouldn't pay a monthly fee for what it actually does. Maybe insurance gets involved with "discounts" and the numbers would work out to pay by the month even if I don't want it.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by David70

Big IF as I still haven't seen a subscription that works, then they will have provide something I am will to pay for as a subscription. As this technology moves down market to the $20k-$30k cars and some manufacturers don't go along with the program it becomes increasingly difficult for BMW to charge more for the car and then for subscriptions.

Parking Assist - no chance, I am really good at parking and cars all come with backup cameras or soon will. Driver Assist - also pass, have most of it turned off on my car now, sure wouldn't pay a monthly fee for what it actually does. Maybe insurance gets involved with "discounts" and the numbers would work out to pay by the month even if I don't want it.

Originally Posted by David70

Big IF as I still haven't seen a subscription that works, then they will have provide something I am will to pay for as a subscription. As this technology moves down market to the $20k-$30k cars and some manufacturers don't go along with the program it becomes increasingly difficult for BMW to charge more for the car and then for subscriptions.

Parking Assist - no chance, I am really good at parking and cars all come with backup cameras or soon will. Driver Assist - also pass, have most of it turned off on my car now, sure wouldn't pay a monthly fee for what it actually does. Maybe insurance gets involved with "discounts" and the numbers would work out to pay by the month even if I don't want it.

Agree. Those 2 in particular...could never see myself paying a sub to help me park my car lol

[Impact1]

It's free with a new f150.

[anotheran]

They're really trying to screw the used car buyers here. Options don't get depreciated so it'll cost the used buy as much as the new buyer. Also bmw AG gains a new revenue stream from ppl they normally wouldn't

[BigT]

Originally Posted by GearRex

As long as 'dumb assess' are willing to pay for this, companies will go for it.

I am 57, so this is stupid dumb for my generation.

I guess this is what getting old means...

Oh yeah, I feel the same.
But every day I care less

[OJRD]

The subscription business model is a newish approach. Most service based companies such as Netflix, TomTom maps, Adobe etc, have all adopted the subscription model. However, the incentive is that the service is updated.

This is a double edged sword, I believe it forces corporations to hold back on technology, but it also forces innovation/progress.

If BMW did charge for that service, are we just paying for that version of the software? That would force people to go pirate.

If BMW updates the service quarterly for instance with software updates. How would you go about updating large software updates/patches?