More BMW shenanigans - enter SaaS (Suspension-as-a-Service)

[KrisZ]

Louis is spitting facts lately about some super anti-consumer behaviors from our beloved brands.

BMW is trying their pay wall model again, but this time with their active suspension.
Let's see the reaction of consumers this time around. People didn't receive well their heated seats and other comfort features as a subscription.

Let's see if the "enthusiasts" are more or less gullible.


As usual with his videos, lots of cussing, so search for this on Youtube as I don't want a vacation by embedding his videos.

gullible

 

[DriveHard]

capitalism...can't blame them for trying. I guess we will see how the masses respond.
For me...I would find a way around it.

 

[MRC01]

An aspect of this that I find interesting is how it relates to the "right to repair" movement. There is a fine line, nay, a grey area overlap, between "right to repair" and "right to mod/hack/crack".

I am so glad that I own a car old enough that this doesn't affect me. And I always will.

 

[OVERKILL]

Wow, this is nuts, do they think they are Microsoft? LOL

 

[JavierH19]

I'll have whatever they're smoking. What's next I gotta pay monthly for my abs pump to kick on for a "premium life and death braking experience"

 

[97prizm]

Louis is spitting facts lately about some super anti-consumer behaviors from our beloved brands.

BMW is trying their pay wall model again, but this time with their active suspension.
Let's see the reaction of consumers this time around. People didn't receive well their heated seats and other comfort features as a subscription.

Let's see if the "enthusiasts" are more or less gullible.


As usual with his videos, lots of cussing, so search for this on Youtube as I don't want a vacation by embedding his videos.

View attachment 236719
gullible

I think Mercedes Benz went this route in Europe for the EQS by adding a 2k price bump for the higher top speed and 4ws. Apparently they thought long and hard and don't think it's extra in the USA. The weird thing is from browsing BMW's various websites the M2 whether manual or automatic is the same price but the manual transmission is a 2k Euro premium in Europe.

 

[Kurtatron]

Your suspension service has been suspended. Please purchase supplemental cushion to avoid back pain.

 

[Arch Stanton]

capitalism...can't blame them for trying. I guess we will see how the masses respond.
For me...I would find a way around it.

Easy way around it. Buy a car from a manufacturer that doesn't do this BS.

 

[Pablo]

Some folks here won't say anything bad about this practice until Toyota does it.

 

[JavierH19]

Easy way around it. Buy a car from a manufacturer that doesn't do this BS.

I don't think they sell Ladas in muricaland though. Even if they did they I don't think they have module communication to be able to disable features. Well that's even if they had features to disable in the first place. Well I guess they could install a quarter machine in the dash so I can start the engine. Though the kgb agent won't be happy with me and my stringed quarter hanging off the column shifter next time he randomly comes to sneak into the car at night to drain the quarter box and will likely put a bomb under it as punishment when I try to start it in the morning.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Louis is spitting facts lately about some super anti-consumer behaviors from our beloved brands.

BMW is trying their pay wall model again, but this time with their active suspension.
Let's see the reaction of consumers this time around. People didn't receive well their heated seats and other comfort features as a subscription.

Let's see if the "enthusiasts" are more or less gullible.


As usual with his videos, lots of cussing, so search for this on Youtube as I don't want a vacation by embedding his videos.

View attachment 236719
gullible

I'd maybe consider it if BMW warrantied the system for greater of 10 years/150k miles. When the shocks blow on the 2nd/3rd owner the system gets swapped out for traditional suspension.

 

[edyvw]

The question is: do all cars come with active suspension that is then activated?
I can see where they could save on building vehicles by equipping all cars with active suspension instead of building cars with different suspensions.
This actually might work bcs. people do not see suspension. They see a heated seat button, and since that is an everyday thing people use, I can see psychological resistance to it.
Do not forget that BMW installs active suspension as an option.

 

[DriveHard]

Easy way around it. Buy a car from a manufacturer that doesn't do this BS.

Agree...I have owned 2 beemers, and I'm not sure I will own another, especially after our recent Volvo we bought.
But...I wouldn't let something like that keep me from buying a particular car...there is always a way around it.

 

[02SE]

Think of the money they could make from each application of the brake pedal. Maybe a tiered system so the more seriously you need to apply the brake, would cost exponentially more.

If it's a real "Oh Shoot" moment, they can check your credit score, and possibly approve you for a loan...

 

[dubber09]

Door locks and ignition as a service next! Trunk access will be extra charge as well... LOL

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

If I am paying someone money to abuse and degrade me there better be a safe word!

 

[nomas]

The whole concept of pay to play is not in my future . When I buy a vehicle , it's mine . Everything about it is mine and there will be no monthly charges to access any features . The manufacturer should not have ANY control over that vehicle after the sale . Hear that Tesla ?

 

[fdcg27]

While I find this outrageous, the question is how many buyers will be so turned off by it that they just say no and walk?
BMW is testing the waters. If they can make this work they will, if not they'll give up.
It does seem dirty to me, but others might accept it.

 

[andrew_j]

If you are not interested in feature you get try before you buy typically. People run around in loaded vehicles and talk into their smartphones because they use the Bluetooth built in….

 

[MCompact]

After 12 BMWs since 1983 I turned to the Dark Side and picked up a Mercedes AMG. The current styling (or lack thereof) coupled with the tacked-on digital display which has most every function hidden in the touchscreen submenus was the last straw.
As for the subscription model, BMW should know better. Originally you could only get CarPlay bundled with the nav system and you also had to pony up an additional $300 and pay an annual subscription fee. You can imagine how well that went over.