I am planning to buy an A7 within the next 3-9 months depending on spousal approval

I've been looking at 2014 models with the plan of giving it a little time for the price to fall off the way the 2013 models currently have, or at least they have for the most part.
As far as I can tell from the features list, the only difference I am noticing between the 2013 and 2014 is that the 2014 has the option for the auto close doors. Which I admit, would be cool, but is a completely unnecessary feature in the grand scheme.

I figured that the community may be aware of other tweaks to the 2014 model that aren't really advertised by Audi to correct an issue here or there. Or maybe something I missed. Or if one model year is for some reason more reliable than another.
I suppose it is worth asking, if I am looking at 2013, was anything even changed from 2012 to 2013, or should I be considering a 2012 which have significantly dropped in price.

Also, while I have contacted Audi and gotten a reply with a maybe but no current announcements have been made. I'm curious if there has been any information in the community about Audi adding the Apple Carplay functionality to the earlier model year vehicles. I don't care enough to hold off on a purchase for 3 years just for Carplay when the MMI will still connect to my phone just fine.

Thanks for any information you can provide.

For fun, thoughts on color. I swear I never thought I would consider a white car, but for some reason I just think the A7 is the most striking in white. (I do know I don't like the black, red, blue)

 

Not much difference between MY2013 and 2014 C7s. The Audi Connect in the 2014 added a 3G frequency that allows for AT&T 3G compatibility besides the T-Mobile. Since T-Mobile is switching to that freq, Audi is gradually updating the modems in 2012 and 2013 models that will allow Audi Connect to keep working.

CarPlay and Android Auto is still prob a year away and there is no data available that Audi would offer an upgrade to pre 2017 models, so very doubtful.

 

I am looking for the same answer. I am upgrading to an A7, wondering if what the major difference is between 2012 and 2013. I cant see any exterior changes. Headlights, taillights look the same. Body appears to be the same.

 

There were no major differences between 2012 and 2013 for either the A7 or A6. Or for that matter, minor differences that I can think of. They were not changed in or out until the mid-cycle refresh in the current U.S. MY2016. In between 2912 and 2015, there were some minor rearrangement of some option packages.

 

In my continued research I did find one difference that matters enough for me to go 2013 over 2012. The HUD that projects into the windshield was introduced in 2013 models. As far as 2013 vs 2014. Only thing I can find still is the auto close doors.

 

That is not correct! I had a 2012 A7 with a HUD

 

MY2014/2015 have the updated modem frequency that allows for AT&T 3G as an alternative to T-Mobile. MY2012/2013 will only work in 2G with AT&T.

 

Can someone explain the different 2G, 3G modem in the car? All cars I have ever owned connect the phone via bluetooth and offer a hands free. This is essentially creating a speaker phone. My biggest dissapointment with my 2013 A5 is that I cannot stream music bluetooth. I think thats Audis biggest mistake. Even the $15000 cars offer bluetooth streaming now.

 

In a nutshell, the "G"s indicate the speeds upon which the carriers move data to and from a device and the internet or a cel phone. The old 2G is very slow, 3G is multiples faster and 4G LTE can be much faster yet.

Your MMI Audi Connect modem is equipped to handle up to 3G speeds for data and T-Mobile provides 3G data to Audi Connect. MY2016 Audis now employ a 4G LTE modem used with AT&T.
Google "carrier connection speeds" for more info.

Bluetooth in the car is simply the wireless connection between your phone and the MMI for hands free operation (and music with Bluetooth Audio if available) and has nothing directly to do with the connection speed of your device or Audi Connect. Bluetooth Audio was added to most later model Audis that didn't already have it. If your car doesn't have the feature, there are aftermarket products that can add the functionality.

 

the 2013 back seat was reconfigured (built in cupholders removed, replaced with a drop down arm rest w/cup holder extension) to allow for 3 passengers, with a toddler/small youth in the center