Apple Car Play $$$?

Frupal · 07-24-2019, 11:30 AM

How do y’all feel about BMW charging $80.00/year to use Apple Car Play? I think it’s petty. But it’s not. Say 2 million cars per year since 2017. That’s 6 million times $80.00. Or $480 million per year. After a few more years they’ll be generating more than a billion a year in those fees alone. The thing is, when I get loaner cars capable of Car Play, I really like it. I would probably pay. You?

Shawn M · 07-24-2019, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frupal

How do y’all feel about BMW charging $80.00/year to use Apple Car Play? I think it’s petty. But it’s not. Say 2 million cars per year since 2017. That’s 6 million times $80.00. Or $480 million per year. After a few more years they’ll be generating more than a billion a year in those fees alone. The thing is, when I get loaner cars capable of Car Play, I really like it. I would probably pay. You?

I'd pay for it if I could get it on my 2016 GC, but I can't, so I'm a little bitter about it all.

Frupal · 07-24-2019, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn M

I'd pay for it if I could get it on my 2016 GC, but I can't, so I'm a little bitter about it all.

I’m in the same boat, 2016 GC.

hugo_nz · 07-24-2019, 02:21 PM

I think it's absurd. They are making money off something thy neither own nor developed. What's the rationale behind it? Where's the money for it going? As a advertising professional I can already hear the pencils being sharpened at the ad agencies employed by BMWs competition since this is the kind of stuff the competition will use to their advantage.

They claim it will keep the overall cost of the vehicle down. What a load a crap. The hardware built by Harman/Becker (pretty sure they still do) will have the capability built it no matter if you use it or not. They are treating Car Play like a SWAP (software as a product) in much the same way VW does.

This is a pretty poor move by BMW, and personally I hope Apple somehow raises objection with BMW making money from Car Play.

ezmaass · 07-24-2019, 09:10 PM

So, I pretty much FULLY loaded my 650 when I ordered it... but I DIDN'T order the Apple Car Play. I remember my sales associate looking over my spec sheet when I was ordering - I pretty much just came in with the configuration in-hand. He looked up and said, "you have everything here - just missed Apple Car Play!" I pulled out my Android powered phone and laid it on his desk. He nodded, and moved on.

Apparently, it can be activated, regardless, after the fact through the ConnectedDrive portal, much like any of the other services. It was $300 (no recurring fee), and still shows for this price in the portal for me. But it does say "240 months" - essentially 20 years for that price.

Regardless, I find the iDrive interface very intuitive, and I've never felt the need to have my phone's display or apps on the screen.

As for BMW charging $80/year for this feature? I think it's a rip-off. In fact, I'm curious to see what MOST of the ConnectedDrive features will cost once my subscriptions expire. From the advertisements, I can see RTTI, alone, is $50 per 12 months. I'm sure they'll all add up to several hundred per year. And from that perspective, I'm sure BMW is going after digital subscription services in the car. Everyone is jealous of those juicy digital subscription revenue streams, and this is BMW trying to get their piece of the action. I understand that many of these have real costs (e.g. map updates, RTTI, concierge, etc.) but I question if that's the case for Apple Car Play, unless it's a licensing thing with Apple, which also wouldn't surprise me.

cfm56d7b · 07-25-2019, 01:11 AM

The market reaction to $80 annual subscription will eventually determine whether BMW will continue with this pricing model. I don't think it will last.

iamvanja · 07-26-2019, 02:00 PM

It is possible to install an interface for CarPlay. It also has Android Auto.
I started a thread couple months ago. IMHO it is better than the factory BMW implementation (has a full screen out of the box and no subscription fees) ��

city1991 · 07-30-2019, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frupal

How do y’all feel about BMW charging $80.00/year to use Apple Car Play? I think it’s petty. But it’s not. Say 2 million cars per year since 2017. That’s 6 million times $80.00. Or $480 million per year. After a few more years they’ll be generating more than a billion a year in those fees alone. The thing is, when I get loaner cars capable of Car Play, I really like it. I would probably pay. You?

I think it's BS. We pay enough for our cars now! Time for some free stuff!

city1991 · 07-30-2019, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezmaass

So, I pretty much FULLY loaded my 650 when I ordered it... but I DIDN'T order the Apple Car Play. I remember my sales associate looking over my spec sheet when I was ordering - I pretty much just came in with the configuration in-hand. He looked up and said, "you have everything here - just missed Apple Car Play!" I pulled out my Android powered phone and laid it on his desk. He nodded, and moved on.

Apparently, it can be activated, regardless, after the fact through the ConnectedDrive portal, much like any of the other services. It was $300 (no recurring fee), and still shows for this price in the portal for me. But it does say "240 months" - essentially 20 years for that price.

Regardless, I find the iDrive interface very intuitive, and I've never felt the need to have my phone's display or apps on the screen.

As for BMW charging $80/year for this feature? I think it's a rip-off. In fact, I'm curious to see what MOST of the ConnectedDrive features will cost once my subscriptions expire. From the advertisements, I can see RTTI, alone, is $50 per 12 months. I'm sure they'll all add up to several hundred per year. And from that perspective, I'm sure BMW is going after digital subscription services in the car. Everyone is jealous of those juicy digital subscription revenue streams, and this is BMW trying to get their piece of the action. I understand that many of these have real costs (e.g. map updates, RTTI, concierge, etc.) but I question if that's the case for Apple Car Play, unless it's a licensing thing with Apple, which also wouldn't surprise me.

Does it work on a 2016 640 coupe? For 240 months, $300 is a deal.

ezmaass · 07-31-2019, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by city1991

Does it work on a 2016 640 coupe? For 240 months, $300 is a deal.

I'm not sure. You can check by logging into your ConnectedDrive portal on the web. You should see tiles for each of the services available for your car. If you're not subscribed to one of them (such as Apple Car Play), it should show a price.

LarrySinNJ · 08-02-2019, 07:13 AM

Not that I agree, but here is your answer...

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a2...ost-explainer/

07-24-2019, 11:30 AM	#1
Frupal Mad Fiddler 792 Rep 992 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 640i GC Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Apple Car Play $$$? How do y’all feel about BMW charging $80.00/year to use Apple Car Play? I think it’s petty. But it’s not. Say 2 million cars per year since 2017. That’s 6 million times $80.00. Or $480 million per year. After a few more years they’ll be generating more than a billion a year in those fees alone. The thing is, when I get loaner cars capable of Car Play, I really like it. I would probably pay. You?
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07-24-2019, 02:21 PM	#4
hugo_nz Lieutenant Colonel 3184 Rep 1,825 Posts Drives: BMW iX Xdrive40 MSport Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Auckland, New Zealand iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW IX [0.00]	I think it's absurd. They are making money off something thy neither own nor developed. What's the rationale behind it? Where's the money for it going? As a advertising professional I can already hear the pencils being sharpened at the ad agencies employed by BMWs competition since this is the kind of stuff the competition will use to their advantage. They claim it will keep the overall cost of the vehicle down. What a load a crap. The hardware built by Harman/Becker (pretty sure they still do) will have the capability built it no matter if you use it or not. They are treating Car Play like a SWAP (software as a product) in much the same way VW does. This is a pretty poor move by BMW, and personally I hope Apple somehow raises objection with BMW making money from Car Play.
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07-24-2019, 09:10 PM	#5
ezmaass Lieutenant Colonel 372 Rep 1,698 Posts Drives: '17 650xi GC / '15 Audi R8 V10 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	So, I pretty much FULLY loaded my 650 when I ordered it... but I DIDN'T order the Apple Car Play. I remember my sales associate looking over my spec sheet when I was ordering - I pretty much just came in with the configuration in-hand. He looked up and said, "you have everything here - just missed Apple Car Play!" I pulled out my Android powered phone and laid it on his desk. He nodded, and moved on. Apparently, it can be activated, regardless, after the fact through the ConnectedDrive portal, much like any of the other services. It was $300 (no recurring fee), and still shows for this price in the portal for me. But it does say "240 months" - essentially 20 years for that price. Regardless, I find the iDrive interface very intuitive, and I've never felt the need to have my phone's display or apps on the screen. As for BMW charging $80/year for this feature? I think it's a rip-off. In fact, I'm curious to see what MOST of the ConnectedDrive features will cost once my subscriptions expire. From the advertisements, I can see RTTI, alone, is $50 per 12 months. I'm sure they'll all add up to several hundred per year. And from that perspective, I'm sure BMW is going after digital subscription services in the car. Everyone is jealous of those juicy digital subscription revenue streams, and this is BMW trying to get their piece of the action. I understand that many of these have real costs (e.g. map updates, RTTI, concierge, etc.) but I question if that's the case for Apple Car Play, unless it's a licensing thing with Apple, which also wouldn't surprise me. __________________ 2017 BMW 650xi Gran Coupe \| MSport \| Exec Package \| Driver Assist Plus \| ACC Stop & Go \| Adaptive Drive \| B&O \| Night Vision \| Cold Weather \| Active Seats 2015 Audi R8 V10 \| Brilliant Red on Black \| S-Tronic \| Carbon Sideblades \| Carbon Trim \| Full Leather \| Sport Exhaust \| Illuminated Doorsills \| I-Pod \| Contrast Stitching Previous: '14 550xi, '07 335i, '01 325i
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07-25-2019, 01:11 AM	#6
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	The market reaction to $80 annual subscription will eventually determine whether BMW will continue with this pricing model. I don't think it will last.
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07-26-2019, 02:00 PM	#7
iamvanja Lieutenant 167 Rep 407 Posts Drives: 2015 640i GC white on red Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (0)	It is possible to install an interface for CarPlay. It also has Android Auto. I started a thread couple months ago. IMHO it is better than the factory BMW implementation (has a full screen out of the box and no subscription fees) ��
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08-02-2019, 07:13 AM	#11
LarrySinNJ Lieutenant 122 Rep 425 Posts Drives: 2019 330i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Not that I agree, but here is your answer... https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a2...ost-explainer/ __________________ 2019 G20 330i xDrive Med. Blue/Cognac Leather ZCV\|ZPP\|ZPX\|HK\|Remote Start (Ret'd) 2016 F06 640i xDrive Med. Blue/Red Leather MSport\|B&O\|Driver Asst+\|Cold\|Night (Ret'd) 2013 F30 335i xDrive Mineral Grey/Black Leather (Ret'd) 2011 E90 328i xDrive Space Grey/Black Leather(Ret'd) 2009 E90 328i xDrive Monaco Blue/(Ret'd) 2007 E90 328i xDrive Graphite (Ret'd)
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