Base S4 center console difference

[Graeme]

Is the MMI knob relocated to a different position rather than on the center console in the base S4? What if the car is equipped with ADS or sport differentials? Would the knob then be returned to the center console?

Anybody with a base S4 have pics of their center sole?

[- Jeremy -]

The knob is located in the same place for all the different options. Having ADS or the Sport Diff just adds a small row of buttons to the left of the ESP button above the climate controls.

Why would they move the knob?

- Jeremy -

EDIT: Oh, duh. I misunderstood the question. I forgot you can order the cars without MMI ;)

[Nickyracer]

Oh yes, sure.
Without the MMI there is NO any knob on the center console - I've got this version exactly.
ADS without MMI - just two buttons and indicator on the center console (not at the center part of the dash, as with the MMI).
Without MMI there's two equal-sized knobs on the center side of the dashboard (between driver and passenger, under the display). Lower is for the climate control, upper is for the "radio", as it's said in the manual, but actually a full-functioning controller of every car function.
Console without the MMI looks worse.

[riegeraudi]

Here is a picture of what you get when you don't order the MMI/NAV.

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/insides4cockpit2.jpg

The controller is moved to the dash.
If you order the B&O you definitely should order the NAV option because not only do you move the controller to the console instead of the dash but you also get a better amp with digital processing with it that allows sound focus for the B&O. IMO the setup without the NAV looks relatively cheap. The plastic around the gear shifter is also only matte black plastic as you can see but the one with the NAV on the console is a nice shiny piano black unless you order the carbon fibre option.

[AvantB8]

The knob is located in the same place for all the different options. Having ADS or the Sport Diff just adds a small row of buttons to the left of the ESP button above the climate controls.

Why would they move the knob?

- Jeremy -

Not true...
S4 PP without the NAV is as in my picture above.
S4 with the NAV or Prestige is witht he knob and Media selection keys located next to the gear shifter... Also, these have the Engine start/stop button next to the stick, whereas in the Premium Pplus case, you push the key in to start/stop

[Okan509]

It looks cheap? are you kidding, It just looks simple....

Low blow.

I havn't seen the climate control like that either... I just have an A4 but it has a single knob in the middle almost identical to the mmi knob, except with blue/red color on the sides.

[riegeraudi]

It says relatively meaning compared to the MMI/NAV optioned one on the console. I didn't say it is cheap period. [headbang]

[L0U]

It says relatively meaning compared to the MMI/NAV optioned one on the console. I didn't say it is cheap period. [headbang]

the question is "what is the difference"


the answer is, the loaded S4 looks better.

The start button is coolio. Both versions suffer baddly trying to carry 2 coffees.

[AvantB8]

the question is "what is the difference"


the answer is, the loaded S4 looks better.

The start button is coolio. Both versions suffer baddly trying to carry 2 coffees.

$2500 to get the NAV that costs $200 at Best Buy and to get that "better" look -- NO Thanks!

I got this car for its engine and performance, not the knob position...

Both look great, years ahead of the competition...

[Okan509]

^ there you go, completely agree. People act like the car doesn't have the same exact screen with all the features minus the NAV, but you do! 2500 is a little steep, although resale value will probably be better with NAV

[NWS4Guy]

The $200 Nav at Best Buy won't give you integrated bluetooth and hands free phone use.

It won't give you voice command over the phone, Nav, and Radio controls.

It won't give you the higher end amplifier and Digital bridge connection if you have the B&O sound system.

You can't break into the car and steal the integrated Nav, nor do you have to take your integrated Nav out and carry it with you.

You can't get the XM/Sirius integrated real-time traffic overlays from your radio put onto your $200 Best Buy Nav system.

You don't get a backup camera and rear parking sensors from the $200 Best Buy Nav.



Couching this as a 10 times markup that gives you just Nav features is not looking at the entire suite that you get with this option. Granted, these things are not important to everyone, but it is to me. Not everyone lives near a major city where traffic overlays matter to them - but I do. Not everyone lives in a state where hand-free is required by law - but I do. Not everyone got the B&O, or if they did really care that much about the extra power, and superior crispness from fully digital - but I do.


So no, you don't have the exact same screen "with all the same features minus the NAV" when you drop that option.

[thewusman]

It won't give you the higher end amplifier and Digital bridge connection if you have the B&O sound system.




What exactly is this higher end amplifier and digital bridge you speak of ?

I thought B&O was B&O ?

Thanks in advance ...

[NWS4Guy]

What exactly is this higher end amplifier and digital bridge you speak of ?

I thought B&O was B&O ?

Thanks in advance ...

http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=2766873

This thread is where many poured over the info we could find, and some even engaged Audi and B&O to find out the info. The crux is this:

With NAV, the Amp is a more powerful model, and data (music) is sent from the MMI to the Amp digitally - without Nav, it's an analog connection.

Also, you lose the ditigal sound focus ability. This uses DSP (Digital Signal Proccessing) to induce intended delays in microseconds so that depending on where you are sitting in the car, the sound from all speakers reaches you at the same time. Not something many would care about, but the system also has the ability to reproduce 5.1 and 7.1 surround, which likewise cannot be processed by the non-Nav unit.

[riegeraudi]

The $200 Nav at Best Buy won't give you integrated bluetooth and hands free phone use.

It won't give you voice command over the phone, Nav, and Radio controls.

It won't give you the higher end amplifier and Digital bridge connection if you have the B&O sound system.

You can't break into the car and steal the integrated Nav, nor do you have to take your integrated Nav out and carry it with you.

You can't get the XM/Sirius integrated real-time traffic overlays from your radio put onto your $200 Best Buy Nav system.

You don't get a backup camera and rear parking sensors from the $200 Best Buy Nav.



Couching this as a 10 times markup that gives you just Nav features is not looking at the entire suite that you get with this option. Granted, these things are not important to everyone, but it is to me. Not everyone lives near a major city where traffic overlays matter to them - but I do. Not everyone lives in a state where hand-free is required by law - but I do. Not everyone got the B&O, or if they did really care that much about the extra power, and superior crispness from fully digital - but I do.


So no, you don't have the exact same screen "with all the same features minus the NAV" when you drop that option.

LOL I was going to write the same thing but the real reason I bought it was because I didn't like how it looked on the dash relative to the Nav one.[:D]
Then afterwards I found out all the differences which was a bonus.LOL.
But to me the B&O one was important. So is the handsfree since it became law in Ontario.
Ya I also found that information from Audiforums.ca. on the B&O. But my friend who is a salesmanager confirmed the differences for me.

[NWS4Guy]

Yes, mad props to you and the others for finding out all that info.

I also failed to mention that you cannot watch a DVD on your $200 Best Buy Nav :)

[SKIZNITS]

Rieger...ur telling me that bluetooth only comes w nav pkg? I swear the non nav I sat in couple weeks ago had bluetooth...at least thats what the 'brand specialist' said. Thats frustrating if thats the case b/c these guys dont know the vehicles. Gotta admit, been to 4 diff dealers and each one told me something different about the model.

On a side note...I used to thk that nav was a defintite option but not anymore. With the advent of iphones etc...why do u really need one anymore...especially if your daily routine is relatively set. Plus, in three yrs there will be something different. Just gotta convince the old lady that nav may not be worth the 2500...

[riegeraudi]

Rieger...ur telling me that bluetooth only comes w nav pkg? I swear the non nav I sat in couple weeks ago had bluetooth...at least thats what the 'brand specialist' said. Thats frustrating if thats the case b/c these guys dont know the vehicles. Gotta admit, been to 4 diff dealers and each one told me something different about the model.

On a side note...I used to thk that nav was a defintite option but not anymore. With the advent of iphones etc...why do u really need one anymore...especially if your daily routine is relatively set. Plus, in three yrs there will be something different. Just gotta convince the old lady that nav may not be worth the 2500...

That I am not sure of for the states. That is what NWS4GUY posted. In Canada it says bluetooth phone preparation as standard feature but when you add navigation to it I think you are able to use the voice function along with it. Without it I don't believe the voice function works because that feature I believe is tied into the B&O amp with the digital processing. So in canada at least you should have bluetooth but no voice control.
In my opinion Nav wasn't on my list but if you look at all the benefits and esthetics of it then $3000 is worth it IMO. I like to keep my cars so maybe that plays into it, but if I leased it than that may be different. But the voice control is important to me so that I don't have to fiddle with the phone when making a call. I can just say call joe and it is done. I drive in a big city with lots of traffic and don't want to get into a fender bender, plus cops may think I am texting or something and give me a ticket.

[AvantB8]

The $200 Nav at Best Buy won't give you integrated bluetooth and hands free phone use.

It won't give you voice command over the phone, Nav, and Radio controls.

It won't give you the higher end amplifier and Digital bridge connection if you have the B&O sound system.

You can't break into the car and steal the integrated Nav, nor do you have to take your integrated Nav out and carry it with you.

You can't get the XM/Sirius integrated real-time traffic overlays from your radio put onto your $200 Best Buy Nav system.

You don't get a backup camera and rear parking sensors from the $200 Best Buy Nav.



Couching this as a 10 times markup that gives you just Nav features is not looking at the entire suite that you get with this option. Granted, these things are not important to everyone, but it is to me. Not everyone lives near a major city where traffic overlays matter to them - but I do. Not everyone lives in a state where hand-free is required by law - but I do. Not everyone got the B&O, or if they did really care that much about the extra power, and superior crispness from fully digital - but I do.


So no, you don't have the exact same screen "with all the same features minus the NAV" when you drop that option.

Ahm, integrated BT and voice command BT come standard with S4 Prem Plus (if that is what you meant)

The best buy NAV fits in my pocket, I am not sure what the point of that comment is...

I have real time traffic on my Blackberry...so actually, to answer your two comments above:
1) It takes voice commands
2) It gives me real traffic
3) I always carry it with me anyways...

Do you really need the back-up camera? If you do, I'd suggest you invest in a driving school rather than these gizmos...

DVD Player that only works when NOT moving... No thank you, if I park, I'll go inside the house and watch the DVD...

And I completely agree with your last paragraph -- it all depends on the user. The avant I originally ordered had the Nav and B&O. I regretter then planning to spend extra $3500 for those two. This S4 saved me from that, plus gives me 10x enjoyment every time I drive it...

[sworksone]

Can anyone confirm where the control knob is located (center console or dash) on Canadian Premium models (which have start/stop button) with ADS?

By the way I've read all the postings on the B&O system being different depending on whether the car has nav, and I'm not sold on the signal from an iPod being analog without nav or the amplifier being higher end or more powerful with it. It states on the website it's 505W, has DSP, and surround sound reproduction without any mention of with or without nav.

I'm aware of the comments from one sales manager, but there are other responses from Audi that go against what he's saying. Plus why would there be a conversion from digital to analog and back to digital again? It doesn't make any sense.

[riegeraudi]

Ahm, integrated BT and voice command BT come standard with S4 Prem Plus (if that is what you meant)

The best buy NAV fits in my pocket, I am not sure what the point of that comment is...

I have real time traffic on my Blackberry...so actually, to answer your two comments above:
1) It takes voice commands
2) It gives me real traffic
3) I always carry it with me anyways...

Do you really need the back-up camera? If you do, I'd suggest you invest in a driving school rather than these gizmos...

DVD Player that only works when NOT moving... No thank you, if I park, I'll go inside the house and watch the DVD...

And I completely agree with your last paragraph -- it all depends on the user. The avant I originally ordered had the Nav and B&O. I regretter then planning to spend extra $3500 for those two. This S4 saved me from that, plus gives me 10x enjoyment every time I drive it...

The blackberry may work well in south florida but it doesn't work as well in the big cities IMO. Just too small of a screen to see the many streets correctly. A very nice feature of the Nvidia 3d is that in big cities with lots of big buildings it is much easier to locate the proper building IMO.

[riegeraudi]

Can anyone confirm where the control knob is located (center console or dash) on Canadian Premium models (which have start/stop button) with ADS?

By the way I've read all the postings on the B&O system being different depending on whether the car has nav, and I'm not sold on the signal from an iPod being analog without nav or the amplifier being higher end or more powerful with it. It states on the website it's 505W, has DSP, and surround sound reproduction without any mention of with or without nav.

I'm aware of the comments from one sales manager, but there are other responses from Audi that go against what he's saying. Plus why would there be a conversion from digital to analog and back to digital again? It doesn't make any sense.

it's not the connection from the Ipod, those are all digital no matter what system you have. It is the connection from the head unit to the amps which contain the DSP. Hence if you have the nav it would be digital from the ipod to the head unit and digital transport to the amps and dsp converts it to analog to the speakers, while without nave it would be digital from ipod to headunit, analog to amp and analog to speakers. Without the digital connection and dsp in the amp you lose the "sound focus" option. You can check this out your self to confirm it. But this deletion of this feature is a fairly good indication of the above setup. And the deletion of this feature is well documented by people who ask why it is missing from their non nav B&O.
Canadian cars are the same, if you don't have nav then the control is like the above unit on the dash. I can confirm this because I test drove one with ADS, premium, start/stop etc. but no nav.

[AvantB8]

The blackberry may work well in south florida but it doesn't work as well in the big cities IMO. Just too small of a screen to see the many streets correctly. A very nice feature of the Nvidia 3d is that in big cities with lots of big buildings it is much easier to locate the proper building IMO.

Oh c'mon now...without a 3D, you could not locate a building...
How did we operate a few years back???
Anyway, that is all convenience, and is nice to have, but FAR from being really needed. I am in sales and travel around unknown areas -- Toronto, Miami, Chicago, and always (successfully) used my BB. New Garmin phone or iPhone may be better option, but you get my point...

Most of the functions available in the 2500 NAV package (minus the rear camera) are available in the $200 phone...that most of us probably already have or plan to have...

[sworksone]

it's not the connection from the Ipod, those are all digital no matter what system you have. It is the connection from the head unit to the amps which contain the DSP. Hence if you have the nav it would be digital from the ipod to the head unit and digital transport to the amps and dsp converts it to analog to the speakers, while without nave it would be digital from ipod to headunit, analog to amp and analog to speakers. Without the digital connection and dsp in the amp you lose the "sound focus" option. You can check this out your self to confirm it. But this deletion of this feature is a fairly good indication of the above setup. And the deletion of this feature is well documented by people who ask why it is missing from their non nav B&O.
Canadian cars are the same, if you don't have nav then the control is like the above unit on the dash. I can confirm this because I test drove one with ADS, premium, start/stop etc. but no nav.

I was aware of the loss of the sound focus option without nav, however the below quote on audi.ca (doesn't seem to be on audiusa.com but I didn't do much of search) implies the signal into the amp is digital?

"The Bang & Olufsen® sound system includes 14 speakers with 505 digitally amplified watts and surround sound reproduction. Microphone-based noise compensation ensures optimum sound under varying road conditions and speeds. (Optional on S4 3.0 TFSI quattro® Premium)"

[adbender]

i have an s4 with all the fixings...

had a loaner base a4 for a week, same media interface as shown above, while i was having some tints and chip guard put on.

i was in serious withdrawal by the end of the week and almost got rear-ended thinking i could just pull out into the passing lane any damn well time i please.

In summary, i missed the high-tech gizmos but reealllly missed that bad ass engine and tranny.

[riegeraudi]

Oh c'mon now...without a 3D, you could not locate a building...
How did we operate a few years back???
Anyway, that is all convenience, and is nice to have, but FAR from being really needed. I am in sales and travel around unknown areas -- Toronto, Miami, Chicago, and always (successfully) used my BB. New Garmin phone or iPhone may be better option, but you get my point...

Most of the functions available in the 2500 NAV package (minus the rear camera) are available in the $200 phone...that most of us probably already have or plan to have...

No one said anything about needing this option. I even said I purchased it for the esthetics of moving the knob from the dash to the console. I also said it was easier to locate not couldn't. No one needs a gps, a map will do.
Anyways the debate wasn't if this option is a needed one, as obviously it isn't but what Nws4guy was saying is that you are not just paying $2500 for the navigation but various other features that come with it.
If you don't want or like the options than great you saved yourself some cash but others like it and think it is a better option than sticking a gps on the windshield, or fiddling around with the iphone/blackberry. I myself have both the iphone and blackberry and it is definitely not as easy to use as my fathers in car nav especially when going to multiple locations. I can't speak for the S4 one yet as I don't have the car yet.

[Nickyracer]

I don't have nav, I don't have B&O because I don't need them and don't want to pay for them about 6000 euros here. But I have full ADS (suspension, steering and diff), start button and bluetooth phone connection. All of them are fully functional without MMI and the only disadvantage of lacking MMI with nav is a simpler-looking console.

[Okan509]

I have all those features except for NAV actually.... Minus the rear cameras, not that I care about hose in the least bit... but my car came with sirius etc. and has bluetooth etc. and has Ipod etc. so i have everything except for the cameras and NAV...

[SKIZNITS]

Just to clarify...bluetooth is standard on all US S4's regardless of what u order.
voice control is an option if youre into that.

http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/models/s4_sedan/features_and_specifications/specifications_table.html
click on tech/audio line...

[L0U]

I am liking the street intersection names being shown on the mini screen between the tach, and speedo. It displays the street name of every intersection as you approach them. No more searching for the signs.

I have a nuvi in mt A3, but this nav is extremely better at giving road comands. I find with my nuvi there are times where i turn too soon, or miss the turn, because I was in the wrong lane. Nav has a small bar chart that counts down bars till the turn on the middle screen. It also shows the express lanes and collectors separately. No more caught in the wrong lane so far. I bought it for the backup camera, but after using it, I would definitely recomend it for anyone that is a gps user. It works better than any system I have ever used.

As for the surround sound. Switching the sound from "all", to "driver" really made the sound come alive. I suggest taking one out for a test and trying out all the bells and whistles. None are needed, but they are nice wants, vs. needs.

[Nickyracer]

SKIZNITS
Lucky yankees. :)

LOU
Navigation system is definitely worth buying - it's a modern miracle by itself, especially in such a fully refined form, integrated to Audi's famous MMI. But in Russia this option costs almost 5000 US dollars (!) In Europe situation is similar. If one drives a lot into the areas which he's not well acquainted with, it's a must. But if one drives every day always the same route (or very few same routes) - it's only an eye-pleaser and money-waster.

[AvantB8]

Navigation system is definitely worth buying - it's a modern miracle by itself, especially in such a fully refined form, integrated to Audi's famous MMI. But in Russia this option costs almost 5000 US dollars (!) In Europe situation is similar. If one drives a lot into the areas which he's not well acquainted with, it's a must. But if one drives every day always the same route (or very few same routes) - it's only an eye-pleaser and money-waster.

Bingo.
If you drive daily to the unknown places, in the city, then, it may make sense (still cannot justify all that money). But, if you drive twice/year to the vacation destination, then this option will be hot for a while, then you will not touch it 95% of the time in your car...

I had that option picked on my originally ordered Avant. Then, I thought a lot about it and realized that I will NOT be using it at least 80% of the time I am driving, and other 20% can be covered by the google maps or portable Nav...

[zillmc]

I opted to go without Nav on my last car in hopes of saving a few bucks. In the end it was a terrible mistake and only saved me like 15bucks/month on my payments which was so far beyond not worth it ;/.

[droidakty]

So what happens when the coffee spills on the MMI interface that is next to the cup holder?

[riegeraudi]

[=(] not sure but I would start with [=(] . If you look at the picture the MMI and gearshifter is higher than the cup holder area so may not be as easy as you may think. Hope not the first to find out.

[droidakty]

I would also [=(] if that happened to me. I think a Grande would easily make a mess of the center console and I would [headbang] if I let that happen.
Note to self "No drinking or eating in the [s4]"

[DeMOROlized]

This thread has gone off on a tangent with regards to Nav. Back to the original question:


Is the MMI knob relocated to a different position rather than on the center console in the base S4? What if the car is equipped with ADS or sport differentials? Would the knob then be returned to the center console?

Anybody with a base S4 have pics of their center sole?

The definitive answer is this - Trim level is irrelevant. If you have Nav, you get MMI between the gear shifter & cupholders. If you do not, you get the MMI buttons above the A/C. ADS & sport differential is irrelevant to the location of the MMI knob. This applies to all B8 cars.

[AvantB8]

This thread has gone off on a tangent with regards to Nav. Back to the original question:



The definitive answer is this - Trim level is irrelevant. If you have Nav, you get MMI between the gear shifter & cupholders. If you do not, you get the MMI buttons above the A/C. ADS & sport differential is irrelevant to the location of the MMI knob. This applies to all B8 cars.

That is weird -- I think that AoA site is inaccurate or the quality control sucks. I have a "Base" S4, Prem Plus and no other options. I do have voice control for my BT -- if I push the steering wheel button and tell it whst to do, for example "Dial Number", then dictate numbers, the BT dials...

On the other hand, my Driver's display is monochrome -- Red, not "Color" as the site claims...