BMW heated seats: microtransaction hell
Moment · 2022 · Niche
An $18 heated-seat offer became a backlash about paying to unlock installed hardware.
Joe Pompliano
@JoePompliano · Jul 12, 2022
This is wild — BMW is now selling a monthly subscription service for heated seats in your car. • Monthly fee: $18 • Annual fee: $180 The car will come with all the necessary components, but payment is needed to remove a software block. Welcome to microtransaction hell.
Kurt Opsahl @kurtopsahl.bsky.social
@kurtopsahl · Jul 12, 2022
A seat heater blocked by software is broken, and the car owner should have the right to repair their seats.
The Verge@verge
BMW starts selling heated seat subscriptions for $18 a month theverge.com/2022/7/12/2320…
Trung Phan
@TrungTPhan · Jul 13, 2022
Me in my BMW in the winter after refusing to pay $18 a month for heated seats
BMW USA
@BMWUSA · Jul 14, 2022
Just to be 100% clear: Drivers in the US do NOT have to pay a subscription for heated seats or for any other options ordered at time of purchase.
BMW USA
@BMWUSA · Jul 14, 2022
For the people in the back: If a BMW is ordered with heated seats, this will not go away, nor do we have any plans to introduce a monthly charge for this option.
BMW USA
@BMWUSA · Jul 14, 2022
BMW Functions on Demand is a program that DOES offer premium options, like BMW Drive Recorder and Remote Engine Start, via software updates. Based on vehicle compatibility, customers can purchase a trial of these features, then decide if they want to purchase a feature outright.
Spread Score
How it worksNumbers
- Peak date
- Jul 2022
- Jul 12 ’22 to Jul 2022
- Platforms
- 5
- Started on X
- Origin
- Organic
- Auto & mobility
How it spread
Trace the originA heated-seat subscription report became a viral Twitter post and Reddit debate. Gaming and mainstream outlets covered the criticism, and BMW clarified its terms. In 2023, BMW dropped heated-seat subscriptions, citing low customer acceptance.
Dates use the stated precision; chart positions are date anchors.
15 more events on this chart
Join free to see themTimeline (18)
July 2022
The Verge precursor · Jul 12 ’22
The Verge reported a roughly $18 monthly heated-seat subscription at 10:45 UTC.[1]
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How the next thing spread, the week it does.