I've gotten great insights and answers from this forum over the years but only joined in order to rant about BMW's ineptitude regarding its controversial subscription fee for Apple CarPlay (other brands offer it as part of packages, and Apple does not charge BMW for it). You'd think that offering a premium subscription service that others don't charge for would include a seamless, easy process for subscription or renewal. You'd be wrong.

1. In contrast to something like Sirius XM, which starts delivering notifications about expiring subscriptions through multiple correspondence channels well before your scheduled termination date, BMW provide no notification of the one-year trial period closing date. Unless you're the type to be inordinately proactive about such inconsequential details, your first indication that Apple CarPlay will need to be renewed is that it has disappeared from your vehicle. Oh, didn't have that one as a priority come-up on your calendar? Too bad. Poof! Gone.

2. Unless you just happen to know that the Apple CarPlay is facilitated not by Apple, nor your dealer, nor BMW finance, nor through the "Genius" help division, but in fact through the ConnectedDrive store (a separate login, mind you, from your main BMW account, but the same credentials -- WTF?!), there is no way to learn this except by aggressive search methods or by calling BMW. The location and method for how to maintain or re-up your service would naturally be included in a renewal notification, but -- oh! That's right. No notifications.

3. Now that you've finally figured out where and how to restore your missing service (you know, the one they never notified you about), get ready for more issues and limitations, including (a) the Connected Drive Store only accepts Visa and Mastercard. That's it. No Amex, Discover, ApplePay, PayPal, ACH – you can't even use the payment method on file for your vehicle loan or lease -- and (b) there is no field for a separate billing address. Really? I've seen crappy little blog operations with more sophisticated online transactions methods.

It's a good thing BMW product performance is so good because almost other aspect of their brand operation is dismal.