[Hypermile]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Next up:

- Subscribe to your digital dashboard! If you don't particularly care how fast you are going, you are all set - no fees. Otherwise, that's a nominal fee of $4.99 a month which we think is a generous offer considering the price of a speeding ticket.

- Pay per use fuel gauge indicator. Always keep your tank topped off? Great, you've got no need for any indicator then. For owners who want a little more peace of mind, we offer the monitor at a $5.99 monthly fee. It is a matter of economics vs. running out of fuel and calling for assistance.

- Rear-door opt in. Don't typically have passengers in the car? You'll won't usually have to pay to use your doors then. For those that need the back seat on regular basis, we have two payment plans - one for both doors, and one for passenger side only for the family of three. Prices start at $12.99/mo.

- Optional blinker package. Blinker lights will be made optional - we have listened to the marketplace and our customers do not use these on a regular basis. All part of the $1000 ZBL package which includes front and rear blinker lights and interior indicators. Possible on-demand subscription service forthcoming.

Also coming on a trial basis for pay-as-you-go plans next year - HUD, rear view mirror, manual-shift/paddle-shift user interface, air-bag deployment, and USB/power outlets.

[Die ///M Rakete]

No reason for alarm. Apple CarPlay offers no additional functionality over the iDrive interface and it's simply eye candy for the Apple faithful.

Yes, you CAN live without it

[4corners]

I'm tired of corporations digging into my wallet for every nickel and dime. Sell me the product and leave me alone.

I will be buying older cars without computers.

[Saphirschwarz]

Originally Posted by evanevery

One teeny, weeny, little thing... Its called "Waze".

THIS.

[cozye]

Originally Posted by V-Viper

I hope this is not how people view BMW owners. First we don't use our blinkers and now telling people to buy a Ford if they're upset about an extra $80/yr to connect their phones to their car.

Regardless of the value-add/non-value , this is terrible optics as well. Car websites and FB groups are already writing about this. BMW charging people $5/month for to connect their phones to their car.

Your missing the point. The Ford comment was in reference to that car including CarPlay "for free"

Secondly you can connect your phone to the BMW for free as well. There is no charge to do this.

What difference does it make to charge you up front vs a subscription? None, unless you keep the car for a long time and love using CarPlay, in which case you don't mind paying

[cozye]

Originally Posted by sspade

Fair enough. Ive got my focus full juggling calls, Nav, notebook and radio let alone Car Play. I usually have my phone in hand for email and text.

I am one that truly uses their vehicle as a mobile office. Not particularly on the old side at 30 years but for some reason this feature feels like it would be more trouble and less efficient than using my actual iPhone.

I do have Professional Nav FWIW....

With all that being said. I dont think $80 per year is exorbitant if you are someone that uses this regularly.

As do I. If you have the option, I'd try using it for a month. I think you will find it a lot easier and less distracting to use the CarPlay and not your actual phone. As soon as you get used to it, your in the "office" time will be a lot simpler and safer. That's my experience anyway

[cxp]

Goodbye, BMW. I will not pay a subscription for basic functionality. This is greed, pure and simple.

My last six cars have been BMWs. My next car will not.

[///My5UV]

This reminds me of how every cheap hotel in the country seems to give you free wifi but 4-stars charge $15/day. Just nuts.

I'll skip it, thanks.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Mo@BMWofFairfax

Keep in mind, it also opens up the use of more than one system. Have an iPhone or a Google phone and an Amazon Alexa? You'll be signing up for both of those subscriptions.

This is where it will get costly.

I am good with only one.

If I need more help I will call my real assistant.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by Saphirschwarz

THIS.

Waze is crowd-sourced, meaning its utility is only as good as an area's other users make it. Howzat work out in, say, rural Idaho, or the Scottish highlands?

Waze has a horrible graphic design. My grandmother could design maps that are more readable.

Waze forces you to physically look at the phone (I figure Android Auto allows Waze functionality, so this may only apply to CarPlay).

Waze is funded by sponsored content, including logos that appear on the map screen that can't be turned off. I don't give a flip where the nearest McDonald's or KFC is, and I don't want to be forced to see those logos.

For those who like the app; I understand why. But its utility is limited, and its business model is a deal breaker for some, including me.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Game

Interesting. I'm going to assume it's exactly the same as any 2018 BMW. Maybe the Audi MMI doesn't cover all the essentials therefore making CarPlay more usable? The only real advantage it has over the BMW IDrive is the ability to text. Other than that, the IDrive does just about everything else (and better).

It does have all the essentials.

[Teutonic]

Terrible move with very costly consequences.
It is not about the money though, as much is about the message BMW is sending and about the principle behind the ideea.
Not to mention a luxury brand should offer standard many things, especialy when little players offers those services.

BMW continues to bring more negative.
There are so many wrong moves that BMW did lately....

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by ///My5UV

This reminds me of how every cheap hotel in the country seems to give you free wifi but 4-stars charge $15/day. Just nuts.

[Sarc] WAIT! You didn't opt for their Premium Internet package for $24.99 that gives you faster speed?

[positiveions]

pfffttt. Not fond of companies who try to suck more money out of me.

[redvitesse]

My two cents... as others have stated partly a way to get more $$ out of the customer but then bmw has been doing this for years $2800 to add folding seats as an option on a $40,000 car.

But really it is better cost wise for what they feel is their current customer base.. ie those that lease for 3 years and turn in. For those that buy and own for 6+ years, less so but then bmw as with most manufactures don't care for these type of owners anymore. As someone that buys used 2 years old and keeps for 8 years it will cost more but then again Bluetooth streaming with iOS for me is just fine.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Waze is crowd-sourced, meaning its utility is only as good as an area's other users make it. Howzat work out in, say, rural Idaho, or the Scottish highlands?

Waze has a horrible graphic design. My grandmother could design maps that are more readable.

Waze forces you to physically look at the phone (I figure Android Auto allows Waze functionality, so this may only apply to CarPlay).

Waze is funded by sponsored content, including logos that appear on the map screen that can't be turned off. I don't give a flip where the nearest McDonald's or KFC is, and I don't want to be forced to see those logos.

For those who like the app; I understand why. But its utility is limited, and its business model is a deal breaker for some, including me.

Waze is highly used in Europe, it shows potholes, accidents, police presence, radars, etc. And is extremely good. And yes, relies on others but boy, every Guy I know in Europe is using it.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by Tracus

Waze is highly used in Europe, it shows potholes, accidents, police presence, radars, etc. And is extremely good. And yes, relies on others but boy, every Guy I know in Europe is using it.

The U.S. ain't Europe.

Sorry, but I don't completely trust populist apps because they're only as good as the people that use it ...

... just as someone shouldn't completely trust populist forums such as this one because they're only as good as the people who use it. Yes, there's some valuable info available and some good users with a wealth of knowledge, but much of the content is useless chaff that has to either be endured or waded through. I don't want that in a resource that I need to use at a glance.

[TheBobmanNH]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

The U.S. ain't Europe.

Sorry, but I don't completely trust populist apps because they're only as good as the people that use it ...

... just as someone shouldn't completely trust populist forums such as this one because they're only as good as the people who use it. Yes, there's some valuable info available and some good users with a wealth of knowledge, but much of the content is useless chaff that has to either be endured or waded through. I don't want that in a resource that I need to use at a glance.

"trust" is a bit strong. If you use Waze for even a few days you should be able to determine if it's worthwhile for you. For me the crappiness of the app itself (design-wise, and stability-wise) makes it a non-starter but as far as accuracy of the crowd-sourced information in my area, I found it pretty spot-on.

Google owns Waze so most of the relevant information is on Google Maps (not speed traps, unfortunately, but anything causing a slowdown) in a much better (and more stable) package.

[techwhiz]

I don't like subscription options for software.
I'm in the technology industry and subscription models just blow.
Epic Fail!!!!!

[farns2345]

Haha just saw an article on CNet referring to this calling it next level gouging - and they're absolutely right.

[bartman32]

So BMW wants to be the first to charge a subscription to a service that Apple makes and is a hardware install...

First of all BMW's implementation of Carplay is SHIT! Why can't I listen to Sirus XM and have my googlemaps give me directions at the same time? Haven't tired that yet? Well let me tell you, every time your little assistant cuts in it switches you to Carplay and leaves you there! Apparently, you should be streaming.

BMW's nav SUCKS! I'm traveling down the freeway and it tells me I need to get off in 5 miles. Would you like to tell me the name of that offramp? I suppose to BMW it doesn't matter until I'm about 2 miles out. In my mind I'd like to know if it thinks I should get off at Main street or Broadway so I can decide which I think is better. Of course, Carplay would let me do that but I suppose I'll have to pay for that in the future?

By the way, yes my BMW is a great sportscar. But as I recall BMW is also a luxury brand and as such I expect it would have some good technology in the car. Yet, my Fiat has better phone integration and if I compare the tech in my BMW to say... Tesla you have a LONG way to go. I get BMW isn't Tesla but at the same time these days people and millennials are looking at cars as technology as much as fun cars. It seems to me BMW is on the verge of needing to decide if they are going to be a sportscar or a luxury/tech car. Unfortunately as time moves on and cars become more autonomous the "sportscar" will become a harder sell.

I love my M2 for what it can do on the track but scream at the tech in it regularly. Now you want me to pay a subscription for a hardware unit in the car that you aren't having to pay for? No.

[akf30]

Car play is trash useless lol.