Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) BMW April 1st

Never had this problem with my Morris Minor in-fact I never had a heated rear window either.

So to buy a feature on the car £250
To licence a feature £15 month.

If they only charge you for the month this is used that’s wonderful. I don’t use the heated wheel/seat for 10 months a year.

So if they are doing it on a monthly model I am happy. If it is annual they are going to make enemies as you say.

Let’s not look at the waste and consumption model shall we.

I smell bean counter.

When I posted this I really should have added that we have heated seats in both the armchairs but they have never been used, this probably has more to do with the climate we live in down here. For that reason we never consider a heated wheel but horses for courses.

The idea of a monthly rental just seems totally bonkers to me, and as as you say bean counters spring to mind, I'll bet he got a house point for coming up with that one.

I have a neighbour that does the PCP thing and struggles to keep his miles below 5k, He is the first to admit that he doesn't have the cash available for outright sale though, in that I suppose he is not alone and why they are seemingly popular.

That's too extreme for me. Whilst I'm not proposing that unfettered capitalism is "good" it surely isn't as bad as totalitarian state? Just look at the availability of news information at the moment, for instance. Obviously we mostly prefer centrist govs with a leaning away from totalitarian ideals, surely? In fact totalitarianism does not allow centrist leanings so is worse even in it's initial state.

I fail to see how a bum heater in a BMW is a sign of the perils of capitalism... you can choose to (a) have a cold bum (b) pay in a different way for a BMW hot bum (c) buy a different car (d) forego the car and get an Uber / taxi as needed. If capitalism = choice then I'm all for it!

I was looking at Renault EV’s a while back. Two options of buy the battery or do a monthly rental for it. This was when there were queries about battery life, disposal etc.
I smell bean counter influence as does Alistair. Why do modern cars get stuffed full of so much tech, toys, unnecessary options?
I just bought a new Sportage on PCP ( waiting to see the situation in 3 years for future options). Lovely car but so much added on stuff. I’ve set the basic stuff to function as I want ( still learning).
The lane drift system is crap. The way it varies in kicking in is worrying in some situations. On bends it seems to sense the lane markings as they curve into the sensor field of view and the steering wheel twitches. Reading the manual about the auto braking anti collision system... over 4 pages describing situations when it might not work!!!
I like driving the car but am baffled by the logic of fitting such systems that have so many potential failings. Fitness of purpose? What is the minimum legal and safe standard to be met?
Still so much to discover/ learn. One at a time to get to my need for them sorted.
As for EV specs. Battery capacity versus drain imposed by all the added power needing stuff?

My BMW i8's warranty, software extras and servicing are all on a monthly subscription - so I pay monthly, at a discount, and avoid (I hope) any surprise bills, while keeping the car maintained and its software up to date.

In some ways I'm surprised that the Servicing doesn't explicitly promote "keeping your vehicle's software up to date" as in the medium-long term it's the thing that'll keep cars in their best health.

Will

I have understanding for both points of view. Purely intuitively I would like (as a 60+ years person) that it belongs to me personally for which I have paid. A subscription for the seat heating I consider emotionally as a foreign intervention in my property. In addition, it makes very negative emotions if I equate a monthly or annual subscription payment with medieval usury of a prince.

On the other hand, the whole society is moving towards renting, borrowing, subscriptions, leasing and so on. The question of owning vs. using. In principle, the subscription for heated seats is a good option when it concerns a rental car, for example, or even a leased vehicle. So if a next user is already firmly planned.

However, I think that the trend of development scares us. Because one can imagine it still worse, which will take place everything at interferences from central place. As with an iPhone, BMW or others could say in the future, Your hardware is outdated and will not accept furthermore updates. You have to buy a new car. In this case, an owner is forcibly degraded to a temporary user.

It is like with many things, it makes us older uncomfortable, who grows up young with it and does not know it differently, becomes the paying sheep without asking questions. By the way, besides the manufacturer, the state could also intervene in the software, e.g. limited speed as a penalty or for old drivers, etc.

BMW - the ultimate snooze machine.

Sorry to offend any BMW lovers, but BMW are my least favourite car manufacturer. They all look the same. The proliferation of M models is tedious. Some of their current designs are truly hideous - the new BMW 3 series with its atrocious grill is an affront to decency and good manners. Many of their drivers (present company accepted) are hooligans. And now this heated seat abomination gives me another reason to dislike them.

Sorry - end of rant.

Heinz,

The state is already intervening in car software, aren't automatic car speed restrictors about to become a legal requirement. I agree with you with regard to the generational differences, I own everything outright , I do not like rental agreements/commitments of any kind.

I don't think this rental imitative is necessarily an accounting idea, but most likely sales as it will generate income streams (revenue) for future years so helping to hit sales targets. Once you sell something outright you can only sell it once and include it in your sales number, rent it out and you have a regular income stream.