BMW Malaysia has introduced a subscription service for Apple CarPlay use on its models, in which the first six months of usage is free from the time of vehicle assembly. Following this, owners will need to decide if they want the subscription to lapse, or pay to retain access.
Referring to BMW Malaysia’s official website, the subscription service – referred to as Apple CarPlay Preparation – offers four different tiers to choose from, starting with a trial option for RM5, which is renewable for up to three months, for those who want to try out the feature before committing.
Meanwhile, a 12-month plan costs RM513, while a 36-month/three-year plan goes for RM799. If you want unlimited access, that will set you back RM1,899. These plans can be purchased via the BMW ConnectedDrive Customer Portal, in the Connected Drive Store.
While it may seem odd for BMW to charge customers for a function that is free to use in other car models, BMW Malaysia claims that the decision is actually a global directive from Apple, and the carmaker has nothing to gain from it. According to news reports, the subscription service is also active in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, meaning it isn’t just limited to Malaysia.
Customers in the US pay US$80 (RM329) for 12 months of Apple CarPlay service or US$300 (RM1,235) for a 240-month/20-year membership. In the UK, a one month trial costs one pound sterling (RM5), 12 months for 85 pounds sterling (RM437), 36 months for 255 pounds sterling (RM1,310), while an unlimited-term plan is 295 pounds (RM1,516).
Closer to our part of the world, BMW Australia charges AU$1 (RM2.87) for the one-month trial, AU$179 (RM514) for 12 months, AU$479 (RM1,375) for 36 months, and AU$639 (RM1,835) for an unlimited-term plan.
Currently, all new, fully-imported (CBU) and locally-assembled (CKD) BMW models (except the X1), as well as MINI cars sold in Malaysia, have built-in Apple CarPlay. Older models that also support the feature will also have to go on the subscription service.
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on top of the fee, users still need to spend subscription for their dataplan before they can use the apple carplay service right? or does the carplay operate purely on GPS?
Other brands are offering it for free though unless this version of Carplay has something extra over the normal Carplay we are used to
Wireless Apple CarPlay is available on BMW.
I don’t think it’s a global directive. Other makers include CarPlay for free. Google: CarPlay subsrciption for info
Just asking, is Apple car play any good? Any special feature? Am wondering what kind of service they provide, is the subscription transferable to different owner or it will always stay with the same car?
You are able to use waze, google maps, messages, siri, and many more. For mercedes apple carplay is including in all of their cars as it comes standard with the total price.
what a rip off.
for this simple reason, many will go for the 3 pointed star instead.
stupid move.
Subscription? Then, better go for Android Auto…
ANDROID AUTO IS NOT IN BMW
what is carplay?
Please consider that in Carplay: You still have to pay the subscription for music streaming app e.g. Spotify or Apple Music. Waze and Google Map is free although it uses data
Apple oh Apple…..how far you’ve fallen from the tree. Once you were the largest company in the world and your iPhones were selling like hotcakes every time a new model is launched. Currently, your latest iPhones are 2-3 years behind your competitors and 2-3x higher price too. Now you want to charge people for Apple Carplay too? Bye bye and good riddance to you greedy blood sucking of a company
It is not Apple who is charging for this subscription, but BMW. CarPlay in other cars are free, BMW is the one charging its users for it.
What does this paragraph mean?
“While it may seem odd for BMW to charge customers for a function that is free to use in other car models, we were told the decision is actually a global directive from Apple, and BMW has nothing to gain from it.”
There are 2 versions of CarPlay: Standard and Premium. Most cars come with standard CarPlay. Only few cars are MFi certified premium CarPlay. Please don’t simply comment if you don’t know.
BMW is reviewing their wealthy customers. either you are really really rich and can afford the subscription fees or you are just wannabe rich buying the basic model and debadge it just to show off to your friends and family. gotcha.
Most BMW buyers won’t have issues paying esp if the feature fits their bill. Btw Carplay works off Iphones right? Why the need for fees when Apple already earning subscription through apps on the phone? Greed?
I seriously considering upgrading from my A250 to the G20 when CKD is here…but because of this, I say…Sorry BMW….Bye…
Yes. If a CarPlay subscription is a concern, please don’t buy a BMW. You can’t afford it. Get something free instead.
Like you can afford one….hahahaha.