zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
BMW Goes Ahead With Offering Feature Subscriptions in the U.S.
BMW Goes Ahead With Offering Feature Subscriptions in the U.S.-March 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:19

Image for article titled BMW Goes Ahead With Offering Feature Subscriptions in the U.S.

Every year automakers inch closer and closer to making subscriptions for features a thing. We get it, there’s . But while some automakers are still , others are jumping in with both feet, even though shows people don’t want them. to boost the performance of one of its EVs. Now, BMW is here to join the party, as confirms the brand will go ahead with subscription-based features for the U.S. market.

BMW provided with a breakdown of what features will require a subscription. Customers interested in any of the listed features will be able to choose between a one-time payment to have the feature forever (though one of the features doesn’t offer this option), one-month, one-year or three-year plans. The features include:

Remote engine start: $330 one-time fee; $10 one month; $105 one year; $250 three yearsDrive Recorder: $149 one-time; $99 for three years, or $39 for one yearTraffic Camera: $25 for one year; no other optionsDriving Assistant Plus with Stop & Go: $950 one-time fee; $20 one month; $210 one year; $580 three yearsParking Assistant Professional: $220 one-time fee; $5 one month; $50 one year; $130 three years

If you notice the main thing that these features have in common is that no one else is charging for them in this way. These features are either standard or simply options on most other vehicles on the market. A Lexus ES, for instance, has remote start standard on every single trim.

BMW has taken a stubborn stance regarding subscriptions in the last year and doesn’t look like it will be backing down. Just we found out BMW would start offering subscription-based features in South Korea. Curious, we asked the automaker if and when this would all be coming to the U.S. BMW assured us it wouldn’t arrive on American shores.

Nonetheless, BMW got slammed with bad press for the move. With $5 billion in possible earnings from subscription-based features, the company ignored the elephant in the room, saying it hoped all the bad press . It looks as though subscription-based features are here to stay. At least at BMW.

A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Drive Recorder was only available through a one-year subscription pricing plan. We have updated the article to make it clear that Drive Recorder can also be permanently purchased with a one-time payment.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
For $9,500, Ride In The LimouSven!
For $9,500, Ride In The LimouSven!
If you're Swedish and are planning to attend next year's prøm, then you'll definitely want to roll in today's stretched S90. That is of course if you can afford both its price and the cost of a chaufför. Desirable as it was, yesterday's went down in a not unexpected 75%...
Mar 31, 2026
Bentley Continental GT V8: The Jalopnik Review
Bentley Continental GT V8: The Jalopnik Review
Bentley's seen eights come and go; the 8-litre coach of 1930, the cloth-seated Eight "training Bentley" of the 1980s, the Le Mans-winning Speed 8 prototype of 2003. Two of those even had V8 engines, like the new Continental GT V8. Can the more-fuel-efficient octomill match the mighty W12? Let's find...
Mar 31, 2026
For $4,500, The Draggin’ Wagon Wants To Set You Straight Line
For $4,500, The Draggin’ Wagon Wants To Set You Straight Line
If you consider Drag Racing to be a family sport, and Station Wagons to be family cars, then you'll probably find today's Fairmont dragin' wagon to be all in the family. Will its price however also in the family way? There are two ways to go through life; you can...
Mar 31, 2026
2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG: The Jalopnik Review
2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG: The Jalopnik Review
While the BMW M3 was shopping for a new polo shirt at J. Crew and the Audi RS4 was home studying for its SATs, the Mercedes C63 AMG was the car that was hanging out under the bleachers smoking cigarettes and trying to hook up with all the cheerleaders. But...
Mar 31, 2026
Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee Is Actually A Show About Nothing
Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee Is Actually A Show About Nothing
Even though Seinfeld was typically referred to as a show about nothing, each episode actually had a pointed message and a distinct story line. Apparently angry that Seinfeld actually was about something, Jerry is now back with a show that is literally about absolutely nothing. And I mean nothing. First,...
Mar 31, 2026
For $20,000, Would This R32 Give You Wood?
For $20,000, Would This R32 Give You Wood?
Custom paint on a car is nothing new, and custom under-hood colors are more common today than ever. It is strange however that the customizer of today's VW R32 decided to go with a mountain cabin motif for its engine bay. Does its price however, warrant getting your pines in...
Mar 31, 2026
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved