BMW’s latest “innovation” isn’t about performance or safety.

[nicolaottomano@mastodon.uno]

@iFixit BMW is basically dying. I don't see new BMWs on my way to work. They started with a subscription-based seat heather, yet developing ad idiotic patented screw.
Compared to more innovative car makers (chinese ones on top of all), they look like Blackberry or Nokia when the first iPhone was unveiled.

[jamespadraicr@mastodon.social]

@iFixit
When faced with something like this I get the dremel out and cut a notch in it, then get it out with a flat screwdriver.
Worked on my former MINI (a BMW), with torx screws on the tail light cover, didn't have bit for them at the time.

[trimtab@mastodon.social]

@iFixit Capitalist free markets need wise regulation. It shouldn't be legal to innovate for the purpose of blocking interoperability or entrapping customers. Corporations HATE free markets because true competition is hard and profits are slimmer. External force is required.

Absent regulation to establish rules to protect society, free markets must race towards monopoly, corruption, and enshitification. Regulated markets can work - uncontrolled markets foaters Lord of the Flies conditions.

[endicottauthor@mastodon.social]

@iFixit Not surprised. There's money to be made in repairs. BIG money.

[phf@dmv.community]

@iFixit They took out a PATENT to protect the shape of their NUTS? These people are so amazingly insecure, it boggles the mind not only of psychiatrists but also of just regular old engineers.

[yngmar@social.tchncs.de]

@iFixit Perhaps the German car industry isn't as worthy of saving as Ursula vdL thinks.

[ukeleleeric@mstdn.social]

@Loki @iFixit yes, but how good will those bits be, and how likely to cause a stripped screw, which will then prove warranty denied...

[ukeleleeric@mstdn.social]

@sloanlance @iFixit wouldn't be surprised if there was something nonstandard about the thread direction, pitch or depth.

[ukeleleeric@mstdn.social]

@phf @iFixit actually, considering the other slang use of the term 'nuts', this is exactly what they are doing - it's a load of b... Nuts.

[piggo@piggo.space]

@yngmar @iFixit I think this stupid screw can be trivially defeated worth pointy pliers

[yngmar@social.tchncs.de]

@piggo @iFixit I'm not sure what's more offending, the stupid anti-repair design or the horrendous quality of the depicted threads.

[mcslibinas@mastodon.social]

@yngmar @piggo @iFixit bit not looking good too

[yngmar@social.tchncs.de]

@mcSlibinas @piggo @iFixit Oh, nevermind, the article says its "A 3D printed screw and matching bit derived from the patent filing (Source: Adafruit)"

[eedly@mindly.social]

@qboq I've had four BMW motorcycles, three from the 20th century and one from 2007 (still have that one; owned basically since new). Buying expensive parts and the occasional proprietary tool was always frustrating, but with the 2007 they were definitely trending in the "we don't want you working on it" direction. I do my own maintenance, but it elevates my blood pressure every time.

For my own sanity, I also have a Moto Guzzi, on which I can adjust the valves in my sleep, with my eyes closed, one hand tied behind my back, etc.

@iFixit

[glasspusher@beige.party]

@iFixit cylindrical head on the bolt, I'd use a vise grip on it

[vp9kf@mastodon.social]

@iFixit Just don't buy BMW. It's as simple as that. Big let-down of a car.

[dmian@mastodon.social]

@UkeleleEric @Loki @iFixit As good as you want them to be, and are eager to afford. China manufactures from the cheapest items to the most expensive luxury brands these days, so then can make whatever you want, as quick as you want it.

[loki@mastodon.green]

@dmian @UkeleleEric @iFixit you get what you pay.

[stepheneb@ruby.social]

@iFixit

Nasty bits! But fun to think of ways to get around it.

Cheap bit: rub top of head with paste wax; apply heat to melt wax; clean sides of head; wrap sides of head with strong strapping tape to make cylinder; fill cylinder with low viscosity epoxy and when it hardens at bit embed 1/4” hex torx bit into epoxy, make sure it ends up in center and pointing straight up.

[dmian@mastodon.social]

@Loki @iFixit Remember when torx and tri-wing screws were difficult to deal with? Pepperidge Farms remembers…