BMW CHARGING EXTRA PER-USE FEES TO USE LUXURY FEATURES

Carmaker BMW has announced a new plan to charge owners a monthly fee to access features like heated seats. Under subscription plans recently rolled out in the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea and several other markets, BMW owners will have to pay the equivalent of $18 per month to turn on the heated front seats that are already installed in their vehicles. Or, you could subscribe, paying roughly $180 for a one-year heated seats subscription, $300 for a three-year subscription or $415 for “unlimited access.” Other features you would have to pay extra for include:
– $12 per month to use the BMW heated steering wheel.
– $42 a month for access to adaptive cruise control.
– A $265 one-time fee to connect your iPhone to the car.
– $12 for a feature that switches high beam lights on and off in response to oncoming traffic.
* And the worst one: you have to pay $45 every time you want to roll down your window because somebody in the car farted.
* Well, to heck with BMW. I’m getting a Mercedes-Benz instead.
* Yeah, I work in radio. I couldn’t afford a Mercedes-Benz hood ornament.
* We can’t be more than a year away from having your little video display screen show a commercial before you can use your turn signal. “This left turn brought to you by Liberty. ♫ Liberty, Liberty, Liiiii-berty. Liiii-berty. ♪♫”
* Most cars come with a “check engine” light. BMWs come with a “check wallet” light.
* I hope this doesn’t spread to landlords. “Your basic rent is $1200. You want to be able to use the faucets, that’s $20 a month. Open and close windows, $10 a month. Ability to adjust the thermostat, $25 a month …”