[izacus]

The practice in automotive is there due to historical legacy - it would never be allowed in modern world. If anything, the carmakers have started to prevent you from doing your own repairs by demanding their own proprietary software to pair car controller modules. That software is licensed only to dealers and trying to use it outside those licensed conditions is a DMCA violation.

With BMW pioneering car microtransactions (https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/2/21311332/bmw-in-car-purcha...) you can be sure that the corporations will bear down the DMCA/copyright/trademark lawyer hammer on anyone that even thinks of trying to add features to such cars without their consent. The times where you could upgrade your car with aftermarket parts are coming to an end with the sound of cheers for Apple and other corporations adding DRM everywhere to prevent your own repairs and upgrades.

[RealityVoid]

I wonder if there's something that I, as a automotive embedded SW eng. can do to prevent this. There must be some kind of market that can be tapped or some kind of movement I can support regarding this.

I make my money out of this and I'm torn between quitting this field I spent quite a bit of time in or just sticking in for the money, but what is currently happening in automotive... it's insanity to me. I just get mad thinking about it.

[jacquesm]

Well, fuck BMW then.

[throwlogon]

For many reasons. Anecdotally every BMW owner I know is constantly taking their car in for repairs.

[izacus]

They were also the only ones charging yearly fee to add CarPlay client to their infotainment.

[raxxorrax]

They are also in favor of cleaning up the net in favor of advertisers.

[switch007]

Indeed. The last good car they made was the E46 M3 anyway (2006!)

[tmh88j]

Have you driven any modern BMW's? If size is your issue the M2 Competition is far superior to the E46 M3, and the F80 M3 is far superior to the E39 M5 and E60 M5.

[rasz]

For the first two years of ownership. https://www.bimmerboost.com/content.php?7348-BMW-ignores-the...

[tmh88j]

If you want to cherry pick isolated issues in an attempt to downplay how much better performing modern BMW's are overall I can make a huge list of performance cars that have notable issues

* E36 M3 upper shock tower cracking

* E46 M3 subframe cracking

* C6 Z06 valve guides

* 996 and 997 Porsche IMS bearings

* GT-R transmission failures (had to have mine replaced)

* W204 C63 AMG head bolts

Happy to provide more examples.

[jacquesm]

Breaking aluminum bolts is another one that is surprisingly common in some brands. They also tend to live just long enough for the warranty to expire.

https://rennlist.com/forums/porsche-macan/1085919-cautionary...

IMS bearings are an issue until 2009, engines produced after that point starting with the 9A1 no longer have an IMS.

[neuralRiot]

I work in automotive repairs and i can assure you that all makes are in a fast race to the bottom. Is the conditions they created by brainwashing the consumers over a long time now they have to figure out what is the next “bankruptcy-saving” innovation all while keeping the price point, they choose to go the consumer electronics way but with >$30K “gadgets” so no wonder why you can call yourself lucky if your shiny machine lasts more than 5 years.

[switch007]

E46 subframe issue affected more than just the M3... ;(

[switch007]

Superior is an opinion just like mine.

I’ve not driven a modern M but I’ve driven the 330d and 420i loads and they’re incredibly dull. I’m sure the Ms are more fun and advanced and the fake engine noise pumped in to the cabin is exciting and all .. ;-)

[tmh88j]

>Superior is an opinion just like mine.

The increased performance is the only reason to buy an M over a lesser trim. Performance metrics are as objective as you can get and modern BMW's are far superior in that regard.

[switch007]

You're really over interpreting my initial comment and not wanting to believe people have preferences.

People like different things. E.g. some people might prefer cars that sound louder but are slower over a quiet cabin and faster.

Some people might think the engine is the only important aspect and prefer older engines.

And who said we're only talking M?

Chill...

[throwawayway9]

I'll never buy another one again after this.

[lumberingjack]

The thing with BMW is that their DRM is usually cracked in about 5 years. Just about every BMW up to 2017 can have all of its electronic features enabled for free if you just buy a $20 cable and hook it to a laptop. Sometimes this is viewed as a positive thing it's something that has tons of features that can be enabled free by hacks then hackers like me will buy it at a discount. I bought a base model 3 was able to turn on all of the extra options for free including an additional amount of horsepower from modding wastegate actuation