BigBlueA8

Hi everyone. I just bought a 2005 A8, 4.2, 122K miles. The car came from the original owner who kept meticulous service records since the car was purchased. It looks & even smells new. Anyway...when I bring up the "car" menu on the MMI, there's no option for suspension adjustment. There's only 5 or 6 menu items on the list so I think I'm missing some options. I pushed "Settings", it says none available. Tried rebooting a few times with no luck. Tried "settings and return", no luck. Also can't get green menu when pushing "settings+ car". I found the release number as 3360. Any ideas on how to get the full menu? Thanks in advance!

a_very_naudi_guy

Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the family . Do yourself a favor and call the Audi dealership(s) the owner had it serviced at, and get all the records (including the recommendations by Audi and whether he took their advice). I did this with my car and got a full picture on everything done. Do this even if he had a lot of the records - their may be some things missed.

Re: the missing menu items, something is definitely up. Perhaps someone jacked the upgrade to 33.6.0 and these menu items became unavailable for some reason?

I believe the green menu is enabled via VCDS software with a Vag-Com cable (or, consider it's competitor, obdEleven although I cannot vouch for it). You can get a Ross-Tech Vag-Com cable and legitimate VCDS software with unlimited VINs from TotalCarDiagnostics.com in Australia for a fraction of the price as Ross-Tech. I got mine for $89 shipped I believe. I have a 2004 A8L 4.2 for what it's worth. The link is https://www.totalcardiagnostics.com/...-rosstech-vcds

You should upgrade to 46.1.0 (4610) also. The upgrade that came after 3360, 4460 I believe, was borked and could be cleaned up with 4610. I upgraded direct from 1070 (which had been upgraded from 0600) to 4610. I believe you can upgrade direct from 3360 to 4610 as well (although confirm this). I have a copy of the legitimate 4610 CDs if you'd like. Also, what version of the navigation software do you have? Open up the left panel in the trunk (it has two soft plastic big screw heads) and eject the navigation disc. It should say the year of the maps and the version. I have a copy of the 2015-2016 maps (and what is also required for upgrade to 4610, if it wasn't already upgraded enough for 3360) as well.

Invest in the Vag-Com VCDS system. Obviously you're going to need it.

Can anyone here chime in on why so many settings are missing? I've never heard of the air suspension "CAR" settings being missing.

a_very_naudi_guy

Oh, also, the settings + return for the SWUpdate should work. Try pressing the settings button just a slight moment before pressing return, and vice-versa. I found that one has to be pressed just a hair of a second before the other to get it to work. Try switching the button you press first, too. Even without the green "hidden" menu, you should get the SWUpdate one SETTINGS+RETURN.

ltooz_a6_a8_q7

Never buy an A8 D3 unless checking the MMI fully functional. If the CAR button doesn't show the suspension options, there must be money to be spent. Ask the owner if he knows about the problem. Hopefully he's honest and help you to fix the car.
Cheers,
Louis

Jack88

Might I suggest poking your head in the wheel wells and see if the previous owner replaced the air shocks with coil overs. It's common by people who would rather save a buck over keeping the wonderful factory suspension. You might have to jack up the car a bit to get your head in there or maybe just turn the wheels.

mixja23

Coilovers on a A8....??! Heavens to betsy, whatever next...??! That's borderline sacrilege lol SMH...
Has anyone ever tracked an A8...??!!!

Jack88

Never tracked, but driven very hard through twisty roads. Even drifted it one damp morning round a corner, hung out the back pretty well. They do well as long as the suspension is maintained. They get funny as the rubber bushings start to go.

mixja23

No such luxury here unfortunately, it's either highway or town, no open country roads or even anything like them...!!
I know mine defo needs some bushes, it's a bit sloppy and a bit noisy too...
Looking forward to getting her back in a week or so with hopefully all the suspension and leak issues dealt with....
Just need to fit the speakers after that then who knows, maybe I'll finally find some love for her... <3
It's been fun driving the TT whilst waiting tho, reminds me a bit of my Ford Escort days...!!

BigBlueA8

Thanks for the welcome & the great info! I just ordered a VAG COM from your link. The Nav disc in the car is 2010-2011 version. I'm interested in your discs.
There was a new battery installed a few weeks ago. Would this be a cause for the problem? Does the MMI reset to a basic default with limited options after power is disconnected?
Thanks again for the help. This car is slightly different than my first car where I learned basic automotive care. A '67 Chevy Malibu convertible with 283 V8 and a two speed transmission purchased for $600 in 1973.

BigBlueA8

Hi Louis,
Thanks for the advice but I already bought the car & the previous owner died. I bought the car from his widow who knows basically nothing about it.