derfA8L

Audi A8 front and rear parking cameras and sensors work only when activated by instrument panel parking system button, or automatically when car is placed into reverse gear. I haven't seen any setting in MMI that alters this. The MMI settings only address tone and volume of the sensor alerts, IIRC.

Pwrshift

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears the only way to turn the camera on is to stop the car, put it into reverse for the back camera to come on, and then put it into forward to make it turn to front view.

Is there not a more convenient way to turn the camera on than that?

jakematic

Below 10 mph you can push the dash button and it will turn on.
The same functions turns it off when you reach that speed.
With top view you might need an extra button push on MMI to view the full surround or front view.

The cutoff speed can be changed with VCDS but don't know the details.

With a little practice you can tell by the relation of the door window vent to the surroundings where the front end is.
I haven't used the sensors since I got my A8 unless they happen to come on automagically.

Pwrshift

A newbie question....which button on the dash turns the camera on.

jakematic

Had to look it up... couldn't remember what it looked like !

Pwrshift

Thanks for finding that info in the manual...it worked...very much appreciated.

jakematic

Glad to hear it worked !

I bought a second set of manuals to keep at my desk as the D4 was so far beyond the D3 when I moved up it was referenced constantly.
Now I keep it around to answer questions

DavidA

welcome to A8 land! Still getting used to my '13 A8L 4.0T; put 6k in 6 weeks so far/ went to FLA as a 'test' run. The L compared to my NWB '05 is a hand full and not as nimble but on the Interstate/highways it owns them with power and handling- the tech adds to the experience so you may not want to get out of the car and stop the trip.
It takes time and I'm getting used to it. Will test (loaners) A8 NWB w/ 3.0Ts and 4.0Ts
to balance the 'nimble' factor and report...

AG6

I would be curious to know your thoughts on comfort between the two cars. I am an s class driver and am thinking of the A8 or S8.

Need to know if suspension comfort is similar. Also does Audi have acoustic glass like the S, double glass.

BigBoy11

Our 2013 A8L and our son-in-law's 550S (2012 I think) are very comparable in the ride category. Our A8L has the ability to adjust the suspension though which his S does not have (an option I am sure but he got his used) and we have the dual pane glass which does help a lot for road noise, wind, etc. The A8L back seat is considerably more roomy and the car just "feels" larger inside. My impression is the Audi is more performance oriented and the Merc is slanted toward luxury otherwise they seem to be very comparable. Sure like the looks of the A8L interior over the Mercedes for sure!