BMW offering heated seats for £10 a month

The_Lizards_Jumpers said:
I'd be interested in the boards wisdom on heated steering wheel, which comes as an optional extra on many cars - a necessity I'd argue.
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Nope not arsed about a heated steering wheel either. Maybe I just have lower expectations lol! The Jeremy Corbyn of the car world lol! (now, where did I park my FSO Polonez)
 
From a manufacturing point of view, having everything in the car already means they are producing fewer variants and in the long run could speed up lead times.
Having a fully kitted out base model and then only having to add the trim and colour options would be a lot simpler.
I'd be less against it if they decided to pass those cost savings onto consumers as reduced option prices rather than a subscription though.
 
Low_Key said:
it won't stop at seats though, DAB radio, cruise control, air con, etc.

maybe those examples are a bit extreme but that is the way the trajectory goes
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They already do. I pay a subscription for traffic alerts, Spotify, tunein etc in my car
 
dooderooni said:
From a manufacturing point of view, having everything in the car already means they are producing fewer variants and in the long run could speed up lead times.
Having a fully kitted out base model and then only having to add the trim and colour options would be a lot simpler.
I'd be less against it if they decided to pass those cost savings onto consumers as reduced option prices rather than a subscription though.
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I'm pretty sure this happens already. It makes sense to sell every model with exactly the same kit and wiring loom.

With software powering so much it makes sense that you just get software activities updates.

At first I was against the subscription model for extras but, if you think about it, it makes sense for people leasing which seems to be the new model. Why pay £500 uo front for an option that the leasing company will benefit from when you can pay £10 a month when you want it
 
madlad7773 said:
Or dont buy a BMW then! Paying premium for the badge when something like a Skoda Superb is a brilliant car. Same as when people by Audi Q2 or a T-Roc when the Skoda or Seat equivalent is the same car but for thousands cheaper. Badge snobbery!
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Badge snobbery? I would agree with the Audi and T-Roc, because its fundamentally the same car. The distinguishing piece is the quality of the interior and the touchpoints.

However, comparing the Skoda and BMW isn't like for like. BMW's are traditionally RWD biased (main reason I bought mine) so they drive totally differently to the Skoda. And thats its differentiating factor.

The subscription model makes sense for the leasing market, rather than have the first owner decide the car's options, they can be tailored between owners. It has to be tempered by the initial cost of the car coming down a lot to counter this. Imagine for rental companies also, they can offer this add-on service for a car rather than you having to pay more for the next level up just to get the one option you need.

For those who insist on staying on with or without longterm, you can pay upfront to permanently have a feature activated still.
 
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madlad7773 said:
Here's a thought...do you actually really NEED heated seats? They're mostly used on leather interiors, so if you have the money to spec your car with leathers, you should, in theory, not be too worried about the cost of the subscription for the seats. I've been driving for 32 years, only had them in one car, my old Saab 9-3 aero convertible, and honestly, it felt like id wet myself each time they went on. I'd much rather crank the heaters up than remotely worry about heated seats ffs.
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Yep.

This must be the biggest 'first world problem' thread so far.

Not once, in decades of driving have I ever thought, 'Oh, I wish my @rse was a bit warmer.'

When I did use one once, it also felt like I'd p!ssed myself. Completely useless and unnecessary.
 
What happened to the days of a starting handle, a couple of spare screw-in bulbs if the lights went, a dip-stick to check your oil and a can of petrol in the boot in case you ran out?
Didnt need to warm your arz in a Rover P6.
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BaronSmoggie said:
Badge snobbery? I would agree with the Audi and T-Roc, because its fundamentally the same car. The distinguishing piece is the quality of the interior and the touchpoints.

However, comparing the Skoda and BMW isn't like for like. BMW's are traditionally RWD biased (main reason I bought mine) so they drive totally differently to the Skoda. And thats its differentiating factor.

The subscription model makes sense for the leasing market, rather than have the first owner decide the car's options, they can be tailored between owners. It has to be tempered by the initial cost of the car coming down a lot to counter this. Imagine for rental companies also, they can offer this add-on service for a car rather than you having to pay more for the next level up just to get the one option you need.

For those who insist on staying on with or without longterm, you can pay upfront to permanently have a feature activated still.
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I'm very familiar with cars, having owned 65 in 32 years including BMWs. Also I wasn't referring to the way they drive. In fact, I never mentioned it. I'm aware BMWs are rear wheel drive. The point I was making was for around the same or in many instances, less money, you could have a car that has everything as standard. I like BMWs, but its pretty much true that a lot of people would rather have the badge and pay more for less. Audi, BMW, Mercedes....
 
ThePrisoner said:
Yep.

This must be the biggest 'first world problem' thread so far.

Not once, in decades of driving have I ever thought, 'Oh, I wish my @rse was a bit warmer.'

When I did use one once, it also felt like I'd p!ssed myself. Completely useless and unnecessary.
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It's not though on an EV. It's a more efficient way of warming yourself in the car
 
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