artyom comments on BMW’s Newest “Innovation” is a Logo-Shaped Middle Finger to Right to Repair

BMW’s Newest “Innovation” is a Logo-Shaped Middle Finger to Right to Repair (www.ifixit.com)

submitted 8 months ago by Beep@lemmus.org to c/technology@lemmy.world

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Adafruit: From Ultimate Driving Machine to Ultimate Rent-Seeking Machine: The BMW Logo Screw Patent.

If you haven’t already heard, BMW’s R&D teams have been busy “innovating.” Unfortunately, they aren’t focusing on the things that actually matter—like stellar engine performance or the legendary driving dynamics that gearheads love. Instead, the C-suite execs decided that the best use of their engineering budget was to design a proprietary security screw specifically intended to prevent BMW drivers from fixing their own cars.

[–] artyom@piefed.social -1 points 8 months ago (19 children)

I'm sure they will but that requires owners to go out and buy a kit of specialty tools for that one job, which may be too much investment. And many people are just not savvy enough to do that, they see "specialty tools" and throw up their hands.

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[–] fishos@lemmy.world 7 points 8 months ago (6 children)

It's a special bit, that's it. Do you have any idea how many bits/sockets/adapters I already own that only fit one vehicle? TONS. That's just the nature of vehicles and maintenance. And I'm pretty sure if you own a BMW, you can afford a $5 bit. This is a nothing burger. It's just people jumping on the BMW hate, which if you were smart, there's plenty of actual things they overcharge up the ass for. This isn't one of them. You might as well complain about locking lug nuts as a whole because that's really all this is.

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[–] SocialMediaRefugee@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

It would go with the tool I bought just to loosen a single plumbing fixture.

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[–] artyom@piefed.social -5 points 8 months ago (4 children)

It's a special bit, that's it.

More likely it's a whole set of bits. Why do you think they're doing this? Apple invented a new screw. Why do you think they did that? None of it is intended to slow down professional repair businesses, it's to stop DIYers.

You might as well complain about locking lug nuts as a whole because that's really all this is.

LOL locking lugnuts prevent theft. Do you think that's what the purpose of this is?

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[–] fishos@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (3 children)

You mean apples proprietary bit that comes with any cheap as fuck set of security bits? I have an electronics screwdriver set that cost me $10 and does ALL THE BITS, including Apples.

Locking lug nuts: you mean the thing most people with nice rims use? People who own things like a BMW? So instead of the one specific locking bit they now have this specific locking bit? So a 1:1 swap for one custom bit to another? Except locking lug nuts are individualized and need the very specific adapter for each one, where this one is generic and would work on ALL BMW locking bolts.

Also, you realize this is a standard bolt, right? As in, you can take it out and put a standard one in if it bothers you.

This is nothing but morons being outraged. It's like people complaining about tax cuts for the rich as if you're gonna be a billionaire someday. Your civic is gonna be just fine and for the people actually in this situation who already pay things like $300 for a replacement window switch, this $5 tool is meaningless.

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[–] artyom@piefed.social -3 points 8 months ago (2 children)

You mean apples proprietary bit

One and only (AFAIK)

instead of the one specific locking bit they now have this specific locking bit?

Did you just completely ignore what I said about this being a security item?

The only moron here is the one who doesn't read comments before replying to them. If you can't tell me what you think the purpose of this bolt is, then don't reply to me again.

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[–] fishos@lemmy.world -1 points 8 months ago* (1 child)

locking lug nuts prevent theft

Yeah, I addressed that, can you not read? There's a whole paragraph there. I think you might be a bit slow buddy. In fact, your only quote about security was mocking it. But now your pro security? Really I think you're just a jackass 🤷‍♂️

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[–] artyom@piefed.social 0 points 8 months ago

I read the entire paragraph and at no time did you address your failed analogy that these are not for theft prevention. But thank you for acknowledging that you have no idea what they're for. You're being blocked now.

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