BMW Heated Seats Subscription Is Real And It Costs $18 Per Month

There's one for a heated steering wheel, too.

2022 BMW iX1

Adrian Padeanu

By: Adrian Padeanu

Jul 11, 2022 at 5:41am ET

Add Motor1.com as a preferred source in Google

Comment

We've been "warned" about how subscriptions could become the automotive equivalent of a video game's downloadable content, and we're beginning to see more examples. On its ConnectedDrive Store in South Korea, BMW owners can pay a monthly fee to have a creature comfort such as heated seats. It costs ₩24,000 or approximately $18 at current exchange rates. Alternatively, you can get a one-year plan for $176 or a three-year subscription for $283.

The BMW ConnectedDrive Store is a portal used by existing owners to download a variety of apps. It's all done over the air, without having to visit a dealer to have the new software installed. With heated seats, the German luxury brand is kind enough to provide a one-month test period free of charge. Should you want the feature permanently, that'll set you back $406.

Update:

BMW USA Won't Have Heated Seat Subscription If Option Is Already Chosen

A similar subscription plan is offered for a heated steering wheel and it costs $10 per month, $92 annually, and $161 for three years. You can also buy it outright for $222. Do you want wireless Apple CarPlay? That'll be $305. The store also allows BMW customers to upgrade the headlights to include a high-beam assistant, additional safety systems, and the camera-based Driver Recorder.

BMW heated seats subscription

One of the most unusual items found in the BMW ConnectedDrive Store is called IconicSounds Sport. It essentially plays fake engine noises through the car's speakers should you be willing to pay $138 to have the feature permanently. There are no monthly or yearly subscription plans available for this "feature."

If you're wondering about the potential of in-car subscriptions from a business perspective, Stellantis estimates it'll make a whopping $23 billion (yes, with a "b") a year by the end of this decade. With the risk of stating the obvious, you're paying for features the car already comes with, at least if we're talking about heated seats/steering wheel.

Paying For What Your Car Already Has:

Ford CEO Says Subscriptions For Heated Seats 'Isn't Our Approach'

Toyota May Not Require Subscription For Remote Start After All: Report

What do you think?

View

Comments

We can already imagine a smartphone-like jailbreak to unlock these goodies without having to pay the automaker. Doing so will likely result in voiding the warranty after taking down the automaker’s paywall. Even if someone is willing to wait until the warranty expires, chances are that person will hack the car the very next day to "download" all the available features.

Of course, this isn't something new as upgrades through the OBD port have been around for many years, especially for VAG products.

Source: BMW South Korea

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motor1.com?

Take our 3 minute survey.

- The Motor1.com Team

Share this Story

GO TO COMMENTS

(

)

Got a tip for us? Email: tips@motor1.com

View all comments ( )

Popular

Driven: The Revuelto SV Is All Bull, No BS

Toyota's Next Mid-Engined Coupe Is Going Racing This Weekend

Alfa Romeo Has Had It With Huge Screens

Subaru Teases A New Manual WRX, But Only For Japan