Audi owners in here!

I've tried all three current options. The tiptronic (only on the 3.0 TDI) is the best suited box for the car, the smoothest/most refined drive. The S Tronic when driven in comfort mode is pretty good, and obviously can be driven "manually" when the mood takes you, not quite as smooth as the tiptronic, but a good balance of "sporty" and "wafty".

The manual on the other hand, whilst "fine", never offered the relaxing drive that cars in the class of the A6 are good at delivering, it just doesn't make any real sense. If you want to drive "manually" knock the S Tronic into manual, because for most of the journey, or on the motorway, or in stop start traffic, all the basic manual becomes is an inconvenience, it adds nothing to this class of car.
 
Thought I'd chip in as I've recently ordered an A6 Avant 2.0 TDI S Tronic Black Edition (wow that's a mouthful).

I only test drove S Tronics and Multitronics (automatics pre 2014) and completely discounted the manual due to overwhelming opinion - which I agree with - that a manual gearbox would not fit the character of the car at all.

The S Tronic gearbox is lovely and smooth, I can't imagine why your wife would refuse to drive one? As far as options, as you say the car comes with some very nice kit now including heated seats, electrically folding mirrors and remote-powered bootlid. Major options to check out are the technology pack which is quite expensive but upgrades the sat nav (bigger screen, higher res and better software), gives a colour screen between the dials and gives more smartphone compatability.

Lighting pack is worth a butcher's simply because it's cheap and gives the look of the cabin a nicer look at night and gives LEDs under the door handles on unlock (annoyed you have to pay for this as my 2009 3 series with nil spec has it). IMO the other option packs are more for more specialist things e.g. parking cameras and assisted cruise control which would be very nice but aren't worth the money to me.

I was looking with carwow originally too but eventually I ended up using orangewheels. I liked their configurator much more as it gave a quote immediately rather than having to wait for the different dealers to get in touch, and the car I chose was around £750 cheaper through orangewheels which made quite a big difference to my monthy payment (not the be all and end all I know). Hope that was of some help.
 
So, I pickup my car this Friday. I ordered it on August 12th, so that's not bad.

I've asked them not to wash or polish the car, which they seem ok about. It's booked in for a detail and GYEON Q2 treatment mid Nov, so sadly it might be a bit dirty for a while.

Will be sad to see the S5 go, especially the sound of the V8 :(
 
Et Voila!

I've been away all weekend so haven't had a chance to play with it. Impressed so far, much happier than I was with the Golf R I initially went to buy. Light and very responsive, just what I wanted after the S5.

Still getting to grips with the Drive select modes, Dynamic is good fun, but no use for morning commuting traffic. There is an individual mode that you can create, need to spend more time with it.

My detailer had told me to request that the dealer didn't prep the bodywork upon the car's arrival. I duly passed this on. Didn't quite expect what greeted me at the dealership :D

Oh, loving the colour too.

















 
Teuton said:
Lighting pack is worth a butcher's simply because it's cheap and gives the look of the cabin a nicer look at night and gives LEDs under the door handles on unlock (annoyed you have to pay for this as my 2009 3 series with nil spec has it). IMO the other option packs are more for more specialist things e.g. parking cameras and assisted cruise control which would be very nice but aren't worth the money to me.
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I'd have seriously considered adding the "technology pack" and the "Audi Smartphone Interface". The MMI system is lagging somewhat behind without adding on these two items.

Without it you won't get Android Auto / Apple Carplay which even budget new cars like the Honda Jazz have.
 
Abyss said:
I'd have seriously considered adding the "technology pack" and the "Audi Smartphone Interface". The MMI system is lagging somewhat behind without adding on these two items.

Without it you won't get Android Auto / Apple Carplay which even budget new cars like the Honda Jazz have.
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Even the A3 SE gets smartphone interface as standard. Seems insane the A6 doesn't. If it's the A6 that's being discussed anyway.
 
Abyss said:
Without it you won't get Android Auto / Apple Carplay which even budget new cars like the Honda Jazz have.
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I'm not sure I understand why everyone likes Apple Carplay so much. It seems to me that its only beneficial when the cars own factory infotainment system is rubbish.

We had it in a hire car on holiday this year - the factory system was garbage and had no navigation so being able to use Carplay was beneficial, but it's a frankly crappy system really which only lets you use apps Apple want you to - Apple Maps for example is fairly dreadful.

On a car with a decent infotainment system, fully featured internet connected navigation system with traffic and full bluetooth integration with spotify support etc what exactly is the benefit of Carplay?
 
Antony101 said:
Even the A3 SE gets smartphone interface as standard. Seems insane the A6 doesn't. If it's the A6 that's being discussed anyway.
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Yes it's the A6 he's ordered, and I agree it's madness that it's standard on the A3 but requires you to add both the Technology Pack and Smartphone Interfact as options to get it on the A6.

Audi haven't really changed the multimedia on the A6 since launch in 2011 other than some minor hardware/software updates. The Tech pack was essential for me on my 2011 car, let alone one 5 years newer.
 
[TW]Fox;30066356 said:
I'm not sure I understand why everyone likes Apple Carplay so much. It seems to me that its only beneficial when the cars own factory infotainment system is rubbish.

We had it in a hire car on holiday this year - the factory system was garbage and had no navigation so being able to use Carplay was beneficial, but it's a frankly crappy system really which only lets you use apps Apple want you to - Apple Maps for example is fairly dreadful.

On a car with a decent infotainment system, fully featured internet connected navigation system with traffic and full bluetooth integration with spotify support etc what exactly is the benefit of Carplay?
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I agree it primarily compensates for shortcomings in the OEM infotainment system. For example using spotify in the A6 is a pain unless you are willing to physically use your phone. No option to choose a playlist, artist etc. You have to load up Spotify, find the playlist/artist before you start driving, and hit play. You can then just skip tracks whilst driving.

Either way though I still believe that the standard MMI in the A6 is lagging far behind without upgrading.
 
Agreed with the Apple Carplay stuff, really don't see why anyone finds it anything more than a curiosity, I can't envisage using/needing it.
 
paradigm said:
Agreed with the Apple Carplay stuff, really don't see why anyone finds it anything more than a curiosity, I can't envisage using/needing it.
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Don't think I could say the same for Android Auto. The benefit is Google then deal with the updates and you don't have to pay the dealer silly money to update your apps and navigation.

Voice commands are a great addition too.
 
[TW]Fox;30066548 said:
Many manufacturers offer free navigation updates now..
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Doubtfully to the same level apps like Google Maps receive.

I'd much rather have Android Auto running than the built in MMI as there are plenty of bonuses. The main one being that it's constantly updated by Google, who I'm sure know more about developing software than Audi. Android Auto is also a much more pleasant and modern looking interface than the MMI system.
 
Audi do for the first five if you have the tech pack, obviously you can't with the SD card version as the card is activated to the vehicle...
 
Antony101 said:
Doubtfully to the same level apps like Google Maps receive.

I'd much rather have Android Auto running than the built in MMI as there are plenty of bonuses. The main one being that it's constantly updated by Google, who I'm sure know more about developing software than Audi. Android Auto is also a much more pleasant and modern looking interface than the MMI system.
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Still seems pointless to me. I don't want or need access to my mobile apps on the car's display.

I also find that navigating by mobile app to be a mostly clunky and disjointed experience. I'd rather have a 6-month outdated map that's fully integrated into the car, the two displays (one in the dials), full control over the audio functions and hands-off command to the car's voice command system. Other than perhaps a more up to date map, what does using the mobile device offer me over the built-in nav? The answer is NOTHING. I can search google from the MMI, I can import POI from my account, I can import destinations from google maps... I don't need to use a google/apple device for that.

If I have to fall-back to using a mobile app, I'll fall back to mounting that on the dash/windscreen.
 
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Well quick update. Asked my dealer to add the lighting pack and he has nothing in the pipeline that would include it. Which meant factory order. Asked about tech pack and with discount already secured and looking at a factory order there was no additional discount on the pack.

Have decided to think again about changing. Took the Mustang away for the weekend and really struggling to want to get rid of it. Waiting on updated pricing from Audi as Q4 pricing campaign has started and my pricing from last week is no longer valid.

Will have to see what the numbers say as purely on driving and emotion I don't think I'll switch and will resort to keeping a weekend toy and getting the bus despite the cost.
 
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