BMW’s Newest “Innovation” is a Logo-Shaped Middle Finger to Right to Repair
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BMW filed a patent for a proprietary screw that looks like the BMW logo. They say it looks cool, we’re worried it’s going to stifle repairs.

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.

  • JohnEdwa@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    41·
    12 hours ago

    neither the bit nor the screw head can withstand the torque of a standard Torx or Hex fastener

    Which “standard” Torx head? Maximum torque of 0.43Nm of a T5? Or maybe 10.5Nm of a T20? 132Nm of a T50? T60 is rated for 437Nm.

    If you need a bolt that can handle 50Nm, you put a head that’s sized to that on the bolt.
    If it’s a Torx, you put a T40. If it’s Hex, you put an 8mm on it. And if it’s a stupid BMW one, you pick the size that can handle 50Nm. The shape doesn’t matter.