DirkM

There is a new map update available, Digital Road Map 2016, installed version in my car was 2015/2016 and the update was found via System Maintenance/System Update. It defaulted to 5 out of 36 updates for my current region only and I decided to start the update via Online Update option. Arrived at home before the update finished, so I will check later on the progress.

Anyway, the update is also available via audiusa.com, go to my.audiusa.com, Audi Connect services, Map update. The full package is 9.7GB and requires client side JAVA to work. I dislike JAVA on the client, so that was not a good start.

The fine print includes the following note: 1.The latest map updates can be downloaded here free of charge and then installed in the vehicle via SD card. You can download and install the updates an unlimited number of times. The Map Update includes the first five updates to the version of the map installed at the factory. The updates are issued every six months.

If I understand this correctly, if someone waits 2 years (4x6 months) to download the first update, he will only be able to get one more update (the 5th update released 2.5 years after the initial map that was delivered with the car). Any further update would need to be paid for I suppose.

The first 5 updates conveniently match the end of the 30 months Audi Connect Prime Plan, kind of at least. Audi Connect Prime includes "Over-the-Air Map Data Updates" though, so does that mean that extending the Audi Connect Prime subscription will allow someone to download the then current map updates past the initial 5 updates? The 30 Months Prim plan covers about 4-5 map updates with each valued about $200-$300 in the past, this would justify the cost for Prime.

Questions, questions, question...

BiscuitEmbryo

In all honesty how often do roads in the Chicagoland area change that map updates are necessary? I mean I'll download them as long as I can still get them for free, but not getting them would have little to no impact on me living in the Philadelphia area. I guess if you lived in an under developed part of the country they would be more important, but in a densely populated area I'm thinking they're much less critical.

DirkM

I agree with you, but that's not really the point. My question is whether map updates are free with an active Prime subscription or not. I have a hard time to justify $750 for nothing more that Google Earth, Search, Traffic, the ability to lock/unlock my car from my phone and a few other features that don't really matter. If Google Earth and Search would remain functional with an external SIM there would be absolutely no reason for me to subscribe to Prime. If they don't work after Prime expires then there needs to be a good reason to renew the subscription. Map updates would be one of them.

BiscuitEmbryo

Even with the map updates I still don't think it's worth $750. $25 a month is way too much, especially when I have a cell phone in my pocket that can provide all of those same services (Google maps, traffic, search, etc).

DirkM

The update from SD took about an hour, these are the versions:

V03959801GD 0044 NAR 2015/2016
V03959801GE 0048 NAR 2016

Software version of the MIB2 hasn't changed and remains 0443

DirkM

Map update NAR 2016/2017 is available on my.audi.com but i have yet to manage the download on a PC (Windowes or Mac), shows up in the car also.

Dan-jr

Hi
I have Audi Q5 2011 (3G Bnav + Hnav) and was able to determine that the latest Navigation DB would be : 2016 (8R0060884DF (activation) 8R0 051 884 DF (SD card))

I live in Canada.
Do I really need to go to dealer to get the latest update or can i purchase it online somewhere?

Thanks

Peter Williams

Did you ever download the updates or did you go to the dealer?