The blowback worked—but subscriptions for software-based new car features will continue, according to a BMW board member.

BMW Is Giving Up on Heated Seat Subscriptions Because People Hated Them::The blowback worked—but subscriptions for software-based new car features will continue, according to a BMW board member.

  • fubo@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1691·
    10 months ago

    Did cars peak around 2016? That’s when you could get a plug in hybrid, with Bluetooth audio, a rear view camera, but no spyware or mandatory subscriptions. Sure they’d pester you to get SiriusXM but you could just say no.

    • superkret@feddit.deEnglish
      815·
      10 months ago

      No, they peaked in 2012, when the new Dacia Sandero was released.

      Edit: I mean that, it was a car that you could buy new for under 10k€, built in Europe with a reliable engine and included literally nothing that isn’t needed to drive or required by EU regs. The base model had crank windows, no power steering and no radio. It was only available in white. like this generation’s Model T. I find that elegant in a way.

    • bamboo@lemm.eeEnglish
      481·
      10 months ago

      I’m not sure I’d agree on no spyware. Systems like OnStar are still tracking locations and are deeply integrated into the car. But at least this is before they subscription-ized basic features.

      • Ton@lemmy.worldEnglish
        61·
        10 months ago

        Peak car was 1990-1994, largely mechanical, little electronics and reliable as hell. My Merc from that time is built like a tank and everything is screwed together, not glued.

        • bug@lemmy.oneEnglish
          4·
          10 months ago

          All good until someone smashes into you and you discover how far safety features have come in three decades!

          • Ton@lemmy.worldEnglish
            1·
            10 months ago

            Of course, the biggest security feature is sitting in the drivers seat.

            • bug@lemmy.oneEnglish
              1·
              10 months ago

              Assuming you mean that you yourself are a good driver who doesn’t get into crashes, that’s why I said “until someone smashes into you”, as in the crash that is completely out of your control!

              • Ton@lemmy.worldEnglish
                1·
                10 months ago

                True, but that you can also largely influence by defensive driving. When I rode 80 tkm a year for 15 years I’ve literally seen everything but was never part of it.

        • uint8_t@feddit.deEnglish
          2·
          10 months ago

          early '90s? nah, give me fuel injection, catalytic converter, ABS, and airbags, please

    • flamingo_pinyata@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      182·
      10 months ago

      2005 - 2018 - Many decent cars were made in this period. Aside from all the pollution. And emissions fraud.

      It 's the pinnacle of the small SUV fashion (I like them, sue me) but you could still get sedans and station wagons as well. Mechanical controls still ruled, no single touchscreens. Good audio was the norm, rear cameras not so much but you could get one. Small turbocharged diesels have the best fuel economy possible for a pure combustion engine.

      Most importantly no online connection or subscriptions of any kind. I love the idea of electric propulsion. But in the current market it comes with so much undesirable baggage.

      • mean_bean279@lemmy.worldEnglish
        7·
        10 months ago

        I think most importantly it was that they often didn’t have an infotainment with everything integrated in it and that regular cars still were mostly using double din head units which are perfect to swap out. It’s a standard that we should have kept but didn’t. ☹️