BMW is offering new subscriptions to seat heaters, among other things, through the ConnectedDrive Store. A heated seat in the Netherlands costs 19 euros per month, or 189 euros per year, 289 euros for three years, or 419 euros for unlimited use. Users can also test the feature for free for a month.

BMW offers new subscriptions at several countries on, including in Dutch, Germany, England and South Korea. “Whether or not the functionality is available to you depends on the hardware installed in your BMW. Depending on the vehicle, it may have been factory-installed for free.” According to BMW, this makes the car configuration ‘more flexible’.

Choice

Typically, car manufacturers charge consumers for additional hardware components in their new cars. But at BMW, the only limitation on the use of certain functions is software. Cars with Connected Drivethe system already has the necessary spare parts for heating seats on planes, but the German company will block their use if they are not paid for.

Camera function and engine sound

In addition to seat heating, BMW offers more functions as a subscription, such as heated steering wheel (11 euros per month), high-light assistant (9 euros per month) and a built-in camera recording function. (15 euros per month). With this function there is also the option to pay for 1 or 3 years or for unlimited use.

Some functions may be added to BMW for some time after a one-time payment, such as active cruise control and support for Apple CarPlay. BMW wanted to introduce a subscription model for CarPlay three years ago, but after a lot of complaints, the company finally decided against it.

Another standout item in the BMW Connected Drive Store is the IconicSounds Sport feature. This allows you to hear the engine sound through the speakers. This function costs 150 euros once.

Tesla and Mercedes

Tesla also sells the semi-autonomous Autopilot feature as a subscription. on electricity Mercedes EQS rear wheel steering can also be ordered as a subscription.