I think this is why older BMW owners, like myself and some on this forum are so horrified by all this. We remember when the cars were thoughtfully designed from an engineering perspective- form follows function. They have strayed very far from that.

 

You could be right. I guess I was being pessimistic and just assumed it was reference to built in obsolescence.

 

Wasn't BMW charging a fee for Carplay also? So many annoying things about BMW interiors. I'm a volvo man

 

The concept of "ownership" died with the impact of inflation and car leasing. Ownership signified an investment in an object with lasting value and use. These days nobody "invests" in a car...and rarely even services them. The majority of all Porsche's are leased, and turned in for new models as the lease ends. The over capacity of production in the car industry is forcing them to get as much turnover as possible, while reducing cost and maximizing profit. Making optional equipment available through software upgrades means they only have to make one model, and they can charge a monthly fee for the options. Microsoft, Adobe, etc., are all part of this trend. Modern home construction is trending toward smaller kitchens as people order prepared meals delivered to them. For cars, "self driving" will be another software upgrade/option feature that you will be able to order on-line as needed or desired, even on a daily or weekly basis. The car's computers will be reprogrammed by satellite. And sooner than later...it will all be purely rental and short term subscription. A transportation pod will arrive at your home, take you to your destination, then disappear. Another pod will arrive (on demand) when you want to go home, or somewhere else.

 

I know many people to whom this would sound wonderful. When zipcar started up around the DC area, I had at least a dozen co-workers who sold their cars. To them, a car was a liability and horrible way to commute to work in heavy traffic- not to mention parking, insurance, maintenance…I get it.
I am lucky enough that my 6 mile commute to the train is actually fun with lots of twisties, chute-like on-ramps and high speed sprint runs (at least I see then that way). If I had to do the 50 mile slog to work everyday by car- I would want out too.
For me a car also means freedom. Growing up in Los Angeles, it meant I didn’t have to rely on the horrible public transit or my friends/family giving me rides. It was a passport to self exploration.
I still see my car(s) that way. My wife and I take mini “adventures” every other weekend and drive into the hinterland to explore all the back-country or small towns there are to see. I digress, but I love my car(s), but I may be in the minority.

 

I value my independence, want control, and want to own, be it vehicles, homes, or my music and books. No leasing, rentals, Kindle, music streaming, subscription TV or other relinquishing of personal control is required here.

Next thing you know, Omega will be leasing Speedmasters for $90 per month for time only, $115 per month if you want operational chronograph pushers.

 

I beg to differ as I literally just changed a fan clutch on my e30. Btw, if anyone needs this specialty wrench set and you live in southern Wisconsin, you’re welcome to borrow it

 

Those were produced from 1982 to 1994, so apples and oranges. Good luck self-servicing current production models!

 

Cardinal and Schwartz- lovely combination

 

I almost thought this was a joke. It's not. A subscription to running shoes for $29.99 a month. From the Wall Street Journal:

"To make a shoe that can be ground up, melted down and reincarnated as another shoe, Swiss sportswear brand On didn’t just need new materials and manufacturing processes. It designed a new sales model. In June, On began shipping the first 10,000 pairs of its latest model, starting with U.S. customers. The Cloudneo is pitched as “the shoe you will never own.” Instead, runners pay $29.99 a month for an endless supply, provided they return worn-out pairs to be recycled."

As the Professor says on Futurama,

 

Oh I entirely agree. I was just having a bit of fun.

 

I

i heard my name?

 

"Oh, no room for Bender, huh? Fine! I’ll go build my own lunar lander, with blackjack and hookers. In fact, forget the lunar lander and the blackjack."
--Bender Bending Rodriguez

 

Oooooh, shiny !!

 

"You'll own nothing, and you'll be happy."

 

https://www.vice.com/en/article/7k8...seats-these-grey-market-hackers-will-fix-that

 

Could be a breach if you are on pay as you go lease or if you do own outright have warranty implications.

 

In the USA I think you can get a B.A. and M.A. degree in “ warranty wriggling” it’s considered an art form.
I don’t think there is a doctoral program yet as that might lend it too much legitimacy.