Is it possible to have the Sports Diff and NOT have ADS?

[Bolivianfuego]

I am a bit confused about this car.

I am still learning what exactly the features are for it. I know for sure this car doesn't have ADS...but does that mean it doesn't have a sports diff? It's a 2010 S4 6MT, prestige edition...but don't know if it has Sports Diff. Is there a definitive way to tell?

[NixonKB]

Go into the drive select menu on the MMI.

You should see settings for Engine, Steering, and if you have it - sport differential. If you don't see that setting, you don't have the sport diff.

Mine is a 2012 Premium (6MT), and HAS the sport diff, but does not have the Active Suspension.

[Dark-e]

Just take a look under the back of the car. If the diff has an electronic module attached to it’s the sport diff if no then it isn’t. I have Carista and programmed my ADS into the car w/o the sport diff. So just something to watch out for.


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[S4KTS]

Push the car really fast through a sharp corner. If you start to giggle after the apex, you have the sport diff. If you understeer terribly and hit a tree, you don't.

[jygesq]

yes my 2015 s4 was custom ordered with sport diff . ADS was not ordered and I do not have it

[jsh139]

yes my 2015 s4 was custom ordered with sport diff . ADS was not ordered and I do not have it

So, you have the Sport Diff, but no way to adjust it? It's just always in Auto mode?

[hilmar2k]

So, you have the Sport Diff, but no way to adjust it? It's just always in Auto mode?

It can be adjusted without ADS.

[ShelbyM3]

My 2011 has sport diff and no ADS.
Check under the car. Easiest way.


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[NixonKB]

ADS to me can mean "Audi Drive Select" but also "Active Damping Suspension". My 2012 has Audi Drive Select and sport differential - but no active suspension.

[JoeAWD]

I have the same "Audi Drive Select" and sports diff on my 2014, I don't have the Active Damping.

[jsh139]

ADS to me can mean "Audi Drive Select" but also "Active Damping Suspension". My 2012 has Audi Drive Select and sport differential - but no active suspension.

That's exactly what I was thinking. ADS = Audi Drive Select. Wasn't even thinking about the suspension. They need different acronyms.

[grovlet]

ADS to me can mean "Audi Drive Select" but also "Active Damping Suspension". My 2012 has Audi Drive Select and sport differential - but no active suspension.

Yup - my 2012 is the same - ability to adjust steering / transmission / sports diff - but no suspension.

I also have the full set of buttons for Sport / Comfort / Auto / Individual

So yes it's possible - I've heard this setup referred to as "ADS Lite"

[mys4.org]

My 2013 S4 has the sports diff and no ADS. The best advice to know for sure is go to https://www.audiusa.com/help and go to the "Chat" option at the very bottom. Give them your vin and request for the window sticker. You can know with 100% certainty what your car has.

[jsh139]

Yup - my 2012 is the same - ability to adjust steering / transmission / sports diff - but no suspension.

I also have the full set of buttons for Sport / Comfort / Auto / Individual

So yes it's possible - I've heard this setup referred to as "ADS Lite"

I think ADS lite is when you don’t have the sport diff or active suspension, so the car is missing the drive select features to adjust the steering and throttle sensitivity. But, you can enable the screen to adjust them via VCDS. That’s why it’s “lite”.

I think the OP was asking if it’s possible to have the sport diff without the drive select buttons and screen. I think the answer to that is no. At least for a 2010. If you have the sport diff, you get those drive select buttons/screen. We’re getting audi drive select and active damping suspension mixed up.

There’s also the Audi dynamic steering which gives you the ability to change the actual steering ratio, but let’s not muddy the waters any more than they already are, haha 😂

[Silver Streakin]

How would you have a sport diff with no way to control it?

Look under the car at the diff... easy to tell with the control module on it.

[briceportier]

ADS can be activated using carista or the green menu... no need to retrofit the button if you're not bothered since you will see ADS as the homepage of your Car menu anyway...

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[Silver Streakin]

ADS can be activated using carista or the green menu... no need to retrofit the button if you're not bothered since you will see ADS as the homepage of your Car menu anyway...

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That's not the OP's question.

[jygesq]

So, you have the Sport Diff, but no way to adjust it? It's just always in Auto mode?

Sport diff had three settings that are set up through Mimi comfort, dynamic or automatic. Completely separate and apart from. ads . My S4 does NOT have ads , did not want it. ADS refers to adjustable suspension. I do have a switch " drive select" but that is related to adjustable suspension.

[SteveYem]

Any B8/B8.5 that came with the "full-blown" ADS package had both the adaptive damping suspension and the sport differential. It was also possible to get the car with just the sport differential; however, I do not believe it was possible to get the car with the adaptive damping suspension but without sport differential.

I believe that any S4 equipped with sport differential, regardless of whether it had the full ADS package and regardless of whether it had the full MMI option, had the physical buttons for Comfort/Auto/Dynamic/Individual in the center console. These buttons toggle through those modes for both the sport differential and the engine (throttle) mode.

To the OP: If the 2010 (B8) car you are considering does not have the physical Comfort / Auto / Dynamic / Individual button in the center console (reference pic below), then it does not have the sport differential.

[jygesq]

my 2015 does not have the panel you show in your posting.My 2015 with Sport diff only , has button on panel with " drive select" . Settings for sport diff, steering, exhaust noise & engine /tranny are set in the MIDI. my car does not have adaptive suspension/

[SteveYem]

my 2015 does not have the panel you show in your posting.My 2015 with Sport diff only , has button on panel with " drive select" . Settings for sport diff, steering, exhaust noise & engine /tranny are set in the MIDI. my car does not have adaptive suspension/

Yes, correct. Starting in 2013 (B8.5) the buttons in the image I posted were replaced by the single "drive select" button shown below. Interestingly, 2013 model year had the 'drive select' button only if the car was equipped with Sport Diff or with the complete ADS package (sport diff + adaptive suspension); however, starting in model year 2014, all S4's got the 'drive select' button regardless of sport diff or ADS options (i.e. even if the car came without these features) so that all users could take advantage of the engine comfort/auto/dynamic mode switching. In my opinion this was a very nice move by Audi, considering I previously owned a 2012 (B8) S4 without sport diff but with the full MMI system, which allowed me to enable the Audi Drive Select menu in the MMI and have the ability to toggle the engine mode comfort/auto/dynamic in that menu. In other words, that feature has always existed on all B8/B8.5 S4's regardless of optioning, but until model year 2014 it was always 'hidden' from anyone not having sport diff or full ADS.



With that said, shoppers need to be careful when shopping for 2014-2016 model year S4's because, again, I believe they all have the 'drive select' button regardless of options, so it is important to check the window sticker to confirm the features, and/or take a look under the car at the rear differential to see if it is equipped with sport diff, shown below.

[Bolivianfuego]

Any B8/B8.5 that came with the "full-blown" ADS package had both the adaptive damping suspension and the sport differential. It was also possible to get the car with just the sport differential; however, I do not believe it was possible to get the car with the adaptive damping suspension but without sport differential.

I believe that any S4 equipped with sport differential, regardless of whether it had the full ADS package and regardless of whether it had the full MMI option, had the physical buttons for Comfort/Auto/Dynamic/Individual in the center console. These buttons toggle through those modes for both the sport differential and the engine (throttle) mode.

To the OP: If the 2010 (B8) car you are considering does not have the physical Comfort / Auto / Dynamic / Individual button in the center console (reference pic below), then it does not have the sport differential.

^^^Thanks for clarifying!

[jsh139]

Thanks Steve, that's what I was trying to get at. We're getting the ADS acronym confused as it literally could mean three different things. You can't have the Sport Diff with no way to control it, so if a 2010 car has drive select buttons, it has the sport diff.

[SteveYem]

Thanks Steve, that's what I was trying to get at. We're getting the ADS acronym confused as it literally could mean three different things. You can't have the Sport Diff with no way to control it, so if a 2010 car has drive select buttons, it has the sport diff.

What I don't know is, on cars with sport diff only but without the full MMI system, is it possible to use the 'Individual' mode to set your steering feel, engine response and sport diff modes separately? Or do you only have the option to put all three in Comfort, Auto, or Dynamic mode at the same time? Sorry, this is a bit off-topic but I'm curious to know the answer. My assumption here is that the 'Individual' mode selections are only available via the full MMI menu, but I may be wrong!

[jsh139]

What I don't know is, on cars with sport diff only but without the full MMI system, is it possible to use the 'Individual' mode to set your steering feel, engine response and sport diff modes separately? Or do you only have the option to put all three in Comfort, Auto, or Dynamic mode at the same time? Sorry, this is a bit off-topic but I'm curious to know the answer. My assumption here is that the 'Individual' mode selections are only available via the full MMI menu, but I may be wrong!

That I don't know, either. I *think* in that case, the buttons aren't on the center stack, they are located behind the shifter. Doesn't appear that there is a direct individual mode, but I don't know if there is a screen or something to set/change it.

[SteveYem]

That I don't know, either. I *think* in that case, the buttons aren't on the center stack, they are located behind the shifter. Doesn't appear that there is a direct individual mode, but I don't know if there is a screen or something to set/change it.

Ah yep, that's the photo I was looking for - sport diff / ADS without MMI, with the buttons near the shifter. That convinces me that those cars only have the ability to switch to full comfort /auto /dynamic modes without being able to adjust the parameters individually. Kind of weird that a drivability feature would be tied to an in-car entertainment system, but then again it was also weird to be that they denied non-sport diff owners access to the steering and engine mode switching for 2010-2013 model years. Unlocking the drive select menu in the MMI on my 2012 non-sport diff S4 was the single best modification I did to that car.

[Dr GP]

ADS to me can mean "Audi Drive Select" but also "Active Damping Suspension". My 2012 has Audi Drive Select and sport differential - but no active suspension.

Yes, ADS is confusing because it can mean either Audi Drive Select or Active Dampening Suspension.Thus the confusion

[Dr GP]

Ah yep, that's the photo I was looking for - sport diff / ADS without MMI, with the buttons near the shifter. That convinces me that those cars only have the ability to switch to full comfort /auto /dynamic modes without being able to adjust the parameters individually. Kind of weird that a drivability feature would be tied to an in-car entertainment system, but then again it was also weird to be that they denied non-sport diff owners access to the steering and engine mode switching for 2010-2013 model years. Unlocking the drive select menu in the MMI on my 2012 non-sport diff S4 was the single best modification I did to that car.

Had that configuration on my 2010 with Sport Dif but no Nav or B&O radio

[jsh139]

Had that configuration on my 2010 with Sport Dif but no Nav or B&O radio

I knew we should have asked you from the beginning since you've owned like 16 S4s in various configurations

[Dr GP]

I knew we should have asked you from the beginning since you've owned like 16 S4s in various configurations

LOL! But in reality, only 3

[Dr GP]

Ah yep, that's the photo I was looking for - sport diff / ADS without MMI, with the buttons near the shifter. That convinces me that those cars only have the ability to switch to full comfort /auto /dynamic modes without being able to adjust the parameters individually. Kind of weird that a drivability feature would be tied to an in-car entertainment system, but then again it was also weird to be that they denied non-sport diff owners access to the steering and engine mode switching for 2010-2013 model years. Unlocking the drive select menu in the MMI on my 2012 non-sport diff S4 was the single best modification I did to that car.

I believe the parameters can still be adjusted through the MMI even if there is no Nav,

[bernstma]

So I am curious as well. I just bought a 2011 S4 B8 6MT with sport diff but I have the buttons on the dash as shown in the picture you folks posted. I have the ability to change the options with the buttons but I also have the ability to change individually in the MMI. I don't have the suspension adjustment because the previous owner put in lowering springs and we know for sure the dampening magnets etc..don't exist. If I make a selection on the physical buttons it doesn't change in the MMI. So what does this mean? Is this just allowing me to change the drive type for the Engine and Steering independently?

[NixonKB]

So I am curious as well. I just bought a 2011 S4 B8 6MT with sport diff but I have the buttons on the dash as shown in the picture you folks posted. I have the ability to change the options with the buttons but I also have the ability to change individually in the MMI. I don't have the suspension adjustment because the previous owner put in lowering springs and we know for sure the dampening magnets etc..don't exist. If I make a selection on the physical buttons it doesn't change in the MMI. So what does this mean? Is this just allowing me to change the drive type for the Engine and Steering independently?

Allow me, as I recently bought a 2012 S4 6MT. :)

I thought the Audi Drive Select menu in the MMI was the way to change the settings... and I had them all on 'dynamic'. HOWEVER - the MMI settings are if you want to set each of the parameters - INDIVIDUALLY. Meaning, these settings (could have one comfort, one auto, one dyanamic) will be used when the button on the dash is set to... INDIVIDUAL.

If you select dynamic on the dash, all three will be dynamic. If you select Comfort, all will be set to Comfort. If you select Individual, the settings you defined on your MMI take over.

I have my engine set to 'auto' and the others set to dynamic - and I use the Individual mode on the dash. I found with my Stage 2 tuning, dynamic on Engine can be a bit toooo touchy.

[bernstma]

Hi NixonKB,

Thanks very much for that clear explanation.. Greatly appreciate it. This makes complete sense. So selecting individual on the dash will apply the settings I have for each configured in the MMI. Otherwise the MMI settings don't apply to any of the other dash button settings. Got it.. thanks... What stage tuning did you do? APR? I am going to be updating to Stage 1.

[NixonKB]

I was on APR stage 1 - which is a HUGE improvement over stock. Bought the car that way...but just installed a new HX and crank pulley, so I'm Stage 2 now. Personally - I'd go right to stage 2 if you can. Much better torque at lower RPMs. :)

[bernstma]

I know I here you. A friend of mine has a 2013 S4 and he is now at Stage 2 as well. It's crazy how fast it is... he had to change the clutch to a southbend. The only one that can handle all the torque? Did you replace clutch?

[NixonKB]

Ha funny you should mention. I've been getting some slippage in higher RPMs - but I'm going to practise getting totally off the clutch before applying throttle. It seems as though (even with stage 1) if you try to give power before the clutch is 100% engaged, it can slip quite a bit. Car has 80k kms and has original clutch.

[Magowin]

My 2012 S5 Cabriolet has Sports diff as well without the Active Suspension wish I had the Active Suspension but the diff is probably the more important feature on a Cab cause of weight.

[jsh139]

Ha funny you should mention. I've been getting some slippage in higher RPMs - but I'm going to practise getting totally off the clutch before applying throttle. It seems as though (even with stage 1) if you try to give power before the clutch is 100% engaged, it can slip quite a bit. Car has 80k kms and has original clutch.

Yes, that is true even when stock. You must give the clutch a few milliseconds longer to fully engage. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature and you won’t even realize you’re doing it.

[Ford Prefect]

What I don't know is, on cars with sport diff only but without the full MMI system, is it possible to use the 'Individual' mode to set your steering feel, engine response and sport diff modes separately? Or do you only have the option to put all three in Comfort, Auto, or Dynamic mode at the same time? Sorry, this is a bit off-topic but I'm curious to know the answer. My assumption here is that the 'Individual' mode selections are only available via the full MMI menu, but I may be wrong!

No it’s not. I had symphony with ADS lite. The drive select included comfort, auto, and dynamic but no individual. Here is a picture:

IMG_1508.JPG

It adjusted the steering, throttle input, and sport diff. I didn’t have adaptive suspension. When I upgrade to full 3G+ MMI the button moved to below the MMI but I still do not have individual control.

Here is a pic, when I click “car” on the MMI I see this:

IMG_2727.jpg

On “my other Audi” with full ADS, clicking car takes me here:

IMG_2728.jpg

Then I click car systems:

IMG_2729.jpg

I assume this last part is the same as the S4 with full MMI and ADS.


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