What is Lumix working on?

[Markuswelder]

But BMW still charge for a software key to unlock adaptive cruise control. It’s £750 one-time payment in the UK. All the hardware is already there.

That's the KTM model as well. Like I wrote, I personally don't mind that. As long as you don't think about it too much, and wonder if the pricing hasn't been discounted/adjusted for the non addition of the feature as standard, and switching it on is simply just a big cash grab. In saying that though, sometimes seemingly more basic features are actually more expensive to include over the more "premium" ones. Take wind up windows for example. If you can actually get them now. Electric windows are one of my pet hates. Give me that simple old winder any day of the week

 

[Travis Butler]

That's the KTM model as well. Like I wrote, I personally don't mind that. As long as you don't think about it too much, and wonder if the pricing hasn't been discounted/adjusted for the non addition of the feature as standard, and switching it on is simply just a big cash grab. In saying that though, sometimes seemingly more basic features are actually more expensive to include over the more "premium" ones. Take wind up windows for example. If you can actually get them now. Electric windows are one of my pet hates. Give me that simple old winder any day of the week

From what I understand, the window motors have gotten sufficiently commoditized that electric windows are actually cheaper to make than manual ones; fewer moving/mechanical parts.

Kind of like DSLRs vs mirrorless. ^^;;

 

[pdk42]

That's the KTM model as well. Like I wrote, I personally don't mind that. As long as you don't think about it too much, and wonder if the pricing hasn't been discounted/adjusted for the non addition of the feature as standard, and switching it on is simply just a big cash grab. In saying that though, sometimes seemingly more basic features are actually more expensive to include over the more "premium" ones. Take wind up windows for example. If you can actually get them now. Electric windows are one of my pet hates. Give me that simple old winder any day of the week

Bring back the starting handle, that’s what I say!

 

[Markuswelder]

Bring back the starting handle, that’s what I say!

I do like my kickstart much more than I possibly should too. Nothing quite as satisfying as gently nudging a high compression, 625cc single cylinder engine into life. As bystanders watch, fully expecting it to break your leg. Technique and skills And I also have quite a distaste for all the other cr@p being foisted upon us, such as stability control, traction control, lane departure warning and so on and so forth. In my observations, all it's doing is turning cr@p drivers into really really cr@p drivers. How difficult is it to flick that little lever just behind the steering wheel up or down, to signal your intentions to turn off onto side streets? It's getting worse by the week. Taking more and more responsibility away is not making it any better from what I'm seeing

 

[PL-Shooter]

And I also have quite a distaste for all the other cr@p being foisted upon us, such as stability control, traction control, lane departure warning and so on and so forth. In my observations, all it's doing is turning cr@p drivers into really really cr@p drivers. How difficult is it to flick that little lever just behind the steering wheel up or down, to signal your intentions to turn off onto side streets? It's getting worse by the week. Taking more and more responsibility away is not making it any better from what I'm seeing

You are so "spot-on" with your opinion. Couldn't agree more.

 

[pdk42]

I do like my kickstart much more than I possibly should too. Nothing quite as satisfying as gently nudging a high compression, 625cc single cylinder engine into life. As bystanders watch, fully expecting it to break your leg. Technique and skills And I also have quite a distaste for all the other cr@p being foisted upon us, such as stability control, traction control, lane departure warning and so on and so forth. In my observations, all it's doing is turning cr@p drivers into really really cr@p drivers. How difficult is it to flick that little lever just behind the steering wheel up or down, to signal your intentions to turn off onto side streets? It's getting worse by the week. Taking more and more responsibility away is not making it any better from what I'm seeing

Yeah, modern cars are loaded with nanny features. The UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) Transport Division sets most of the vehicle standards for Europe (that's EU and UK) and these days they are mandating all sorts of annoying crap that is either always on or defaults to on with every operating cycle. For example:

- Speed limit warnings
- Lane deviation detect - audible, visual, or sensory warnings (e.g. steering wheel vibration); in many vehicles now this extends to intervention/correction (tugging at the wheel)
- Forward collision detect, in some cases supported by auto application of brakes
- Pedestrian collision detect
- Stability control

I'm sure they can point to data to show that these things do actually improve road safety (since most drivers are pretty incompetent), but they sure as hell irritate the life out of me; especially when they don't work properly! As an example, there is a slight bend near to my home which is often festooned with parked cars and sometimes pedestrians and the system on my car often gets confused and starts screaming at me that I'm about to have a collision when I'm quite clearly not going to hit anything.

Thankfully, I'm adept at using the various OBD tools that are available so I've been able to turn all this stuff off; but most people don't go to those lengths.