Audi Driver Assist Package - Premium Plus v. Prestige - Real Dynamic Steering

[sgrassojr]

Replacing my 2005 S4 with a 2014 S4. I wanted a premium plus instead of prestige to save money. I drove both back to back last weekend and the only big difference was that the prestige had the driver assist package. I learned that in a S4 that does not have the driver assist package option you can still choose "dynamic" for steering in the MMI. But that is much different that the optional "dynamic Steering" that comes with the optional assist package. The driver assist package is a huge game changer because it comes with "dynamic steering," which (after driving both back to back) is much different that just choosing dynamic for steering in the mmi in a car without the option. The dynamic steering make a big change in the steering ratio (not just the steering boost like the car without the option when "dynamic" is selected). The car with the driver assist drove super- razor agile with the dynamic steering option (even without dynamic selected in the mmi menu), and much better than the car without the option. The salesman said he heard of people doing special orders from audi that got a premium plus and were able to add the $2750 driver assist package. But I can't build it like that online. (I really don't care about the adaptive cruise part of it.) Has anyone ever heard of that being ordered on a premium plus? I did not want to spend the extra money for a prestige, but the real "dynamic Steering" that you get with the driver assist option is amazing; it completely changes the steering on the car to basically the same as the M3 coupe I had a few years ago. I don't want to spend the extra money on the prestige (buying not leasing), but it's hard to buy the car without it.
Questions:
Has anyone ever seen the driver assist with dynamic steering in a S4 or S5 premium plus?
What is the opinion about the cost of the option - is it worth it?
Any help would be great.
Thanks.

[blackfunk]

I've never driven the variable steering but I'm pretty sure your salesman is a dummy and you won't be able to retrofit port side.

[sgrassojr]

Thanks!
It's called dynamic steering on the sticker and part of the driver assist package.
I think the salesman is wrong. It seems impossible to get it in a premium plus and is only available on the prestige.
If it wasn't such a big deal I wouldn't car about the option. But the "dynamic steering" option so dramatically changes the car in terms of the steering ratio that I'll probably get it.
Peace

[hayasa]

All I know is the Dynamic Steering option has been universally criticized by reviewers of the car. Most felt that it was hard for the driver to adapt to the changing ratio, and made Audi's characteristically numb steering even more artificial. I don't know from personal experience, though.

[sgrassojr]

Yes, the audi steering is numb to begin with, particularly since going electronic. But the "dynamic steering" option so significantly limits the ratio - meaning you need to turn a fraction of what you otherwise would have - to achieve the desired result. It's a matter of opinion. But my feeling is that it dramatically transforms the vehicle, so much, that it's hard to believe it's the same car when driven without the option. With the optional dynamic steering I personally found that I needed to turn the wheel about 50% less to complete a full right or left turn. It takes some getting used to, but makes an otherwise great ride, a fantastic and almost exotic ride. I know it's expensive, but why they would not put that option on a premium plus is hard to understand. Simply selecting "dynamic" for steering in a car without the option only stiffens the boost and makes it feel artificial.

[superswiss]

All I know is the Dynamic Steering option has been universally criticized by reviewers of the car. Most felt that it was hard for the driver to adapt to the changing ratio, and made Audi's characteristically numb steering even more artificial. I don't know from personal experience, though.

I believe most reviewers didn't give it enough time to absorb. If you are not used to it, it can feel strange at first. Also going from Comfort or Auto to Dynamic can feel strange, because in Dynamic, the ratio actually stays fixed. Takes a little bit to readjust the muscle memory. I keep mine in Auto most of the time and switch to Comfort on long drives. Every time I go for a canyon run and switch to Dynamic I need a little bit of time to adjust, but overall, I have to agree with OP. It gives the car a much better feel and the dynamic steering in my opinion actually feels less artificial than the standard steering which just artificially weighs down the steering torque. I've gotten so used to it, that whenever I drive another car the steering feels wrong.

EDIT: Also forgot to mention, the dynamic steering works hand in hand with the sport diff. They complement each other extremely well. I drive with dynamic steering in Auto and sport diff in Dynamic most of the time. Best combination IMO.

[sgrassojr]

Agree. It's kind of sad that some salesman (like the first one I went to at another dealership here in NY) simply tell people you can make your steering "dynamic" by selecting dynamic in the MMI. That basically does nothing but artificially increase boost. The "dynamic steering" option that you get with the driver assist package is the real deal; it completely transforms the steering into something more akin to the c63 or m3. Even though you can still select "dynamic" in the mmi even on a car equipped with the "dynamic steering" option, I don't think I would ever need to do that as it's hard to believe the steering could get any better. It's a somewhat rare option, and it seems only available on the prestige, but my opinion is that it's essential on this kind of car. Without it, the steering - with or without "dynamic" selected in the mmi - feels like a Toyota Camry, which is completely numb and boring. My opinion.

[stingray84]

Hard to imagine how to get a precise steering angle at track with such variable ratios as a function of speed. I'm definitely seeing the merit of this in daily drive. But I'd rather keep the ratio fixed as consistency and precision is more important to me.


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[Daily Driver]

I keep my Prestige with this package in dynamic all the time, and I really like it. Yes overall it still feels relatively numb when comparing to hydraulic, but it really makes the car feel more nimble.

I'd say splurge for it if you feel that strongly about it.

[superswiss]

Hard to imagine how to get a precise steering angle at track with such variable ratios as a function of speed. I'm definitely seeing the merit of this in daily drive. But I'd rather keep the ratio fixed as consistency and precision is more important to me.


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I'm not sure if it works differently on the S4, but this is not an issue on the RS5. The ratio only changes as a function of speed if the steering is in comfort or auto mode. When put in dynamic mode, the steering ratio stays locked at 14.3:1 for exactly this reason and that's still a more direct ratio than the standard steering which has a ratio of 15.9:1 at all times.

EDIT: Just a bit more detail on the characteristics of the dynamic steering:

Comfort mode: speed sensitive variable ratio from 9:1 to 18:1 with comfortable boost at highway speed. Suited for long highway journeys. Precise, but comfortable at highway speeds.
Auto mode: speed sensitive variable ratio from 9:1 to 18:1 with progressively less boost at higher speeds. Suited for daily driving. Precise and tight at higher speeds, precise and easy to maneuver at parking lot speeds.
Dynamic mode: fixed ratio at 14.3:1 with dynamic boost for most predictable dynamic driving. Suited for dynamic driving on the track or on mountain/canyon roads.

As I stated above, the dynamic steering actually changes the dynamics of the car between the different ADS modes, where as the standard steering simply artificially increases or reduces boost.

[MailmanOdd]

I'm not sure if it works differently on the S4, but this is not an issue on the RS5. The ratio only changes as a function of speed if the steering is in comfort or auto mode. When put in dynamic mode, the steering ratio stays locked at 14.3:1 for exactly this reason and that's still a more direct ratio than the standard steering which has a ratio of 15.9:1 at all times.

EDIT: Just a bit more detail on the characteristics of the dynamic steering:

Comfort mode: speed sensitive variable ratio from 9:1 to 18:1 with comfortable boost at highway speed. Suited for long highway journeys. Precise, but comfortable at highway speeds.
Auto mode: speed sensitive variable ratio from 9:1 to 18:1 with progressively less boost at higher speeds. Suited for daily driving. Precise and tight at higher speeds, precise and easy to maneuver at parking lot speeds.
Dynamic mode: fixed ratio at 14.3:1 with dynamic boost for most predictable dynamic driving. Suited for dynamic driving on the track or on mountain/canyon roads.

As I stated above, the dynamic steering actually changes the dynamics of the car between the different ADS modes, where as the standard steering simply artificially increases or reduces boost.

Very cool never seen exact numbers. I have a 2012 Prestige with the full ADS (steering, suspension, sport diff) and I really enjoy the dynamic mode. It makes the car more fun to drive.

[stingray84]

Thx superswiss. Make sense. Would probably appreciate this more if I try it in a test drive.


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[sgrassojr]

Superswiss, thanks for the info. Where did you get the numbers from? I guess the key feature of the "dynamic steering" option is that it is the only way to get a fixed steering ratio in a S4. And the S4 without the driver assist option can still select "dynamic" for steering, but that only affects boost and not ratio. $2750 is a lot for the option (especially because I wouldn't use the adaptive cruise control) but I can't see buying the car without being able to have a fixed steering ratio like in the C63, M3, or IS-F.

[superswiss]

Superswiss, thanks for the info. Where did you get the numbers from? I guess the key feature of the "dynamic steering" option is that it is the only way to get a fixed steering ratio in a S4. And the S4 without the driver assist option can still select "dynamic" for steering, but that only affects boost and not ratio. $2750 is a lot for the option (especially because I wouldn't use the adaptive cruise control) but I can't see buying the car without being able to have a fixed steering ratio like in the C63, M3, or IS-F.

You misunderstood something. Cars without the "dynamic steering" have a fixed 15.9:1 ratio regardless of the ADS mode and the ADS mode changes the level of steering assist. The "dynamic steering" adds the dynamic ratio as described above, but still gives you a fixed ratio in dynamic mode for when you want it.

I found the numbers in a review of the RS5 a while back. Don't have the link handy at the moment. So, an S4 w/o the driver assist option has the following steering characteristics.

Comfort mode: Fixed ratio at 15.9:1 and speed sensitive high level of boost.
Auto mode: Fixed ratio at 15.9:1 and speed sensitive medium level of boost.
Dynamic mode: Fixed ratio at 15.9:1 and speed sensitive low level of boost.

However, the steering update has changed some of this. Apparently, many people complained that in Dynamic mode the standard steering is unnecessarily heavy, so Audi changed it with the mostly hated 48k8 update and made it lighter, so the difference between Comfort and Dynamic is now apparently very minimal.

[RWD2quattro]

I keep the steering in dynamic mode all the time, couldn't tell you how it feels in comfort/auto.

[sgrassojr]

Yes, superswiss, thank you for that. So in other words, without the "dynamic steering" option, there is probably very little difference between choosing "dynamic" or "comfort." When I drove the S4 without the driver assist / dynamic steering option, I felt no difference at all in the steering when choosing comfort or dynamic or auto. Unfortunately the only way to get real "dynamic steering" is to get a prestige and get the driver assist option.

[hayasa]

Does Dynamic Steering have an stock external fluid cooler? If so, does it get replaced if you add the aftermarket charge cooler upgrade (like APR), or does it just require one for some reason if you add the cooling upgrade?

[superswiss]

Does Dynamic Steering have an stock external fluid cooler? If so, does it get replaced if you add the aftermarket charge cooler upgrade (like APR), or does it just require one for some reason if you add the cooling upgrade?

It's electric. There's no fluid to cool.

[hayasa]

It's electric. There's no fluid to cool.

Then why does APR add an aftermarket cooler? What exactly is being cooled?

[superswiss]

Then why does APR add an aftermarket cooler? What exactly is being cooled?

I believe there is cooling for the electric motor.

[rhoads36]

My 2013 is a prestige with dynamic steering. I find the tighter ratio allows for easier use of the Paddles. My wife has a Q5 without dynamic steering and the difference to me is very noticeable and I much prefer the dynamic steering


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[sgrassojr]

I drove a c63 today right after again driving an S4 Prestige with the dynamic steering option. The MB and Audi dealerships are right near each other. The C63 costs far more, but has steering which is virtually identical to an S4 with the dynamic steering option. I also again drive a premium plus (without the dynamic steering option) and set the steering to dynamic in the mmi. It basically does nothing except maybe, maybe change the boost just a bit. No matter what option for steering I pick in the premium plus, the steering is basically numb and not at all engaging. The prestige may be a few thousand more, but I can't see getting this kind of car without the dynamic steering option given that steering is something you use every time you get in the car. It's hard to enjoy driving a sport sedan like this without the dynamic steering option, that's personal my opinion. Now if I could only figure out to go with phantom black or white...., the only 2 colors that my wife likes......
And I cleared up the issue with dynamic steering possibly being available in a Premium Plus. Called AUDI - and they said absolutely only available in a Prestige - and that most 2014 Prestiges ordered by U.S. Dealerships this year had it (as part of the Driver Assist package.) The tech person I spoke to said, in her opinion, it's a key option and worth every penny. Thanks for the posts and replies! Ciao.

[sgrassojr]

Got it. Will post pics in a few days.

[superswiss]

Congrats and enjoy the machine! Get yourself an Alu Kreuz to make the steering even better.

[sgrassojr]

Thanks, where would I get that?

[Leor604]

Then why does APR add an aftermarket cooler? What exactly is being cooled?

2010-12 have proper hydraulic assist, and models with dynamic steering have a power steering cooler in front of the radiator. The CPS interferes with the stock cooler so it must be replaced with the APR version.

[superswiss]

Thanks, where would I get that?

http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart..._detail&p=2184

[sgrassojr]

OK, thanks for the link.
My feeling:
The most important option in this car - even over the differential - is the dynamic steering that comes with the optional driver assist package on prestige models. Going around turns with the dynamic steering is just as engaging as the acceleration on this car.
Agree with post a few above, the dynamic steering makes the paddle shifters much more usable because you need to turn the steering wheel a fraction of what you would without the option.
Just about finished my first mod / add on - what I think is the most important one - beltronics sti-r plus. Basically had to take apart the dash and put it all back together to install everything where I wanted, but it's worth it.

[sgrassojr]

@ superswiss, thanks! ordered the part today.

[sgrassojr]

got it yesterday, installed today - very easy and worth every penny!

[The.Wizard]

Is it not the case that you get all the ADS functions if you've opted for the Sports diff ?

[Daily Driver]

Is it not the case that you get all the ADS functions if you've opted for the Sports diff ?

No, at least for 2014. It was an option offered on prestige models separate from sport diff. I know as I ordered both.

[The.Wizard]

No, at least for 2014. It was an option offered on prestige models separate from sport diff. I know as I ordered both.

There must be differences here in the UK to the US, we don't have a prestige or premium.
I spec'd my S4 in Oct 13 for a pick in Jan this year and I had to opt for ADS when I selected the Sports diff.

[RickFLS4]

^ Audi uses "ADS" in at least three ways for some reason (at least in the U.S.):
1. Audi Drive Select
2. Adaptive Damping Suspension
3. Audi Dynamic Steering

Neither the second nor the third is included with the first unless you purchase them as separate options, at least in the U.S. OP is talking about the third, which is part of the U.S. Driver Assistance package (along with adaptive cruise control), available only for Prestige models. It is not the same as the "dynamic" steering setting without #3.

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[milk242]

I wanted dynamic steering but I didn't want radar cruise control. I use cruise control often and when I test drove one with radar cruise control, it wasn't something I could get use to and it wasn't what I imagined it would be so that was a deal breaker. I wish audi would have just allowed the driver assist package to be separated. Oh well, we will see what the b9 brings.

[The.Wizard]

I wanted dynamic steering but I didn't want radar cruise control. I use cruise control often and when I test drove one with radar cruise control, it wasn't something I could get use to and it wasn't what I imagined it would be so that was a deal breaker. I wish audi would have just allowed the driver assist package to be separated. Oh well, we will see what the b9 brings.

The dynamic steering is purely a programmable feature which alters parameters of the electronic steering. Having done a little looking around at the brochures too the cost of this option once you've selected ADS or Audi Drive Select option, is fairly cheap as far as options go.
The way I see it is this, if you have full ADS and you can select dynamic steering then you have it. There is no different versions of the said.

[superswiss]

The dynamic steering is purely a programmable feature which alters parameters of the electronic steering. Having done a little looking around at the brochures too the cost of this option once you've selected ADS or Audi Drive Select option, is fairly cheap as far as options go.
The way I see it is this, if you have full ADS and you can select dynamic steering then you have it. There is no different versions of the said.

completely wrong. Read the thread carefully.

[The.Wizard]

completely wrong. Read the thread carefully.

I see you have posted up numbers and values to the subject which is great as well as plausible but what actual components are substituted on the vehicle if it's not just a simple reprogramming by Audi ?

Some interesting information in the videos.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/go/news/...s-unusual-9027

[superswiss]

I see you have posted up numbers and values to the subject which is great as well as plausible but what actual components are substituted on the vehicle if it's not just a simple reprogramming by Audi ?

Some interesting information in the videos.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/go/news/...s-unusual-9027

if you opt for the dynamic steering you physically get a different steering rack. One that has a gear called a Harmonic Drive to dynamically adjust the steering ratio.

[The.Wizard]

A form of Harmonic Drive is used anyway in electronic power steering and programming alters the parameters. The servo motor speed can be set to spin at variable rates to give the feel of quicker steering ect. Watch the videos in my previous link, they're not conclusive but will give a general idea of Harmonic Drive and the Audi system.
p.s Our steering does not use a steering rack par say it's electronic.