Audi S8 - Mechanical Dream, Electronic Nightmare
AudiWorld Newcomer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Palo Alto, California
My Audi dealer service is arrogant and chaotic. It's not so much that they refuse to fix things as that they refuse to acknowledge that it needs fixing. I don't believe that they are trained or equipped to fix logic errors of any kind. It would be nice if they would just admit their limitations and stick to what they know.
My 2012 A8L is mostly wonderful. It has a few flaws in its computerization and electronics. Now that I understand that Audi is not willing or able to fix them, I've come to realize that I'm just going to have to live with those flaws, and that, all in all, it's a great car.
Some things, like the radio coming on when you don't want it to, are clearly misguided design decisions and not flaws in the electronics. That idiotic behavior is what it is designed to do. All cars have the scars of idiotic design decisions; it's just that when a fix is technically possible (it's just software) putting up with the car's stupid behavior takes more effort.
I would probably buy another Audi A8 in the future, but I would absolutely not take it to this dealer for servicing.
My 2012 A8L is mostly wonderful. It has a few flaws in its computerization and electronics. Now that I understand that Audi is not willing or able to fix them, I've come to realize that I'm just going to have to live with those flaws, and that, all in all, it's a great car.
Some things, like the radio coming on when you don't want it to, are clearly misguided design decisions and not flaws in the electronics. That idiotic behavior is what it is designed to do. All cars have the scars of idiotic design decisions; it's just that when a fix is technically possible (it's just software) putting up with the car's stupid behavior takes more effort.
I would probably buy another Audi A8 in the future, but I would absolutely not take it to this dealer for servicing.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 486
Likes: 2
From: Chester Co., PA
Service department is key to these cars. You need to find one willing to work with you and get things done. You might have to drive to the next town to find it but in the end it is well worth the trip. I have a very good relationship with my service department and they always go above and beyond to fix anything I complain about.
AudiWorld Newcomer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Palo Alto, California
I don't think that any Audi dealer is trained or equipped to handle intermittent problems in digital systems. Other than by replacing the unit. But if the problem doesn't ever manifest itself while they are watching, they aren't going to want to replace anything.
My MMI has various odd failures every week or two. After owning this car for a year and a half, I've come to realize that I'm just going to have to live with it the way it is.
My MMI has various odd failures every week or two. After owning this car for a year and a half, I've come to realize that I'm just going to have to live with it the way it is.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,883
Likes: 5
From: NC USA
AudiWorld Newcomer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 9
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MMI Firmware Update
Took my Audi in for service the other day. They gave me a 2014 Q5 as a loaner and I noticed that the MMI firmware version on that car is HN+_US_AU3G_P0715. Unfortunately I didn't think to look until too late, and the dealer didn't update my MMI software, which is version 0609. So I can't test for bug fixes but would certainly be interested in knowing whether they fixed any.
I don't suppose Audi provides release notes when they update the MMI software version? Saying they fixed some bugs would mean admitting they existed in the first place. Either way, I'd be interested to know if any owners with version 0715 can reproduce the bugs mentioned in this thread. Or see issues not previously mentioned.
I don't suppose Audi provides release notes when they update the MMI software version? Saying they fixed some bugs would mean admitting they existed in the first place. Either way, I'd be interested to know if any owners with version 0715 can reproduce the bugs mentioned in this thread. Or see issues not previously mentioned.
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