qecko

Sorry for dark quality

jetinder

Excellent stuff, congratulations on the car. Got mine the last day of June.

I'll be harrassing the dealer in Northampton (and sending them this thread link) to get it enabled on the car.

btw, did you get the 4.2 TDI or the 3.0 TDI?

Jet

qecko

thank you!
I went for the 4.2 version, feels very good so far.

jetinder

Well, the saga has begun.

I've been asking my dealer for the last week (since this thread started in fact) about the MMI update for the latest wifi and google goodies that were promised to me by the dealer when I ordered the car.

They've been told by Audi UK technical and Audi Germany technical that in fact there is no update and they don't know when it will be. Further to that, they now say that there are hardware changes required in order for this to work.

Needless to say, I'm more than annoyed.

The issue has now gone to Audi AG and allegedly, a fix for it is being worked on for me (don't know if that was just to make me feel special or something) with regards to how to retrofit it. It might take a few weeks, but they assure me they'll get the proper response.

As long as they keep me informed with regards to any progress, I won't get too upset. Unless they start spinning me long yarns about why they can't do it.

It's not just me though, all the dealers in the UK plus all the left hand drive cars delivered throughout the world prior to the system being enabled by default, must have similar questions.

qecko

good luck jetinder
You may wish to follow this

http://www.motor-talk.de/forum/googl...-t2889692.html

Here are few more pics of menus and merging of topographical 3D data and
satellite imagery somewhere in Nevada

jetinder

Well, I've had a long chat with my dealer today and they've found a solution to the issue.

They are building me a new car and taking back my current one at no cost to me.

Simple as that. I didn't even have to push for it. They've secured a fast track slot for the week commencing 24th October. They will also pay to have all the Abt and other "bits" transferred to the replacement car.

They will also go through the list of issues I've logged over the last 3 months and ensure at the factory that these are double checked so that I don't have to go through the trouble.

I can't name many other brands that would do that to keep a customer happy! I'm so used to "sorry sir, I'm afraid that's not possible" and then you're left to live with issues. It's a refreshing change.

In this case, I think martketing got ahead of themselves when making the brochures several months ago!

I'm really happy that they've taken responsibility and admitted a mistake.

Unfortunately, there are 5 other customer cars in the world (apart from dealer demonstrators)which have the same issue with not having a UMTS modem built in for high speed internet access. Audi UK have dug deep in their pockets and made me smile.

Jet

derfA8L

Are you picking this up Audi of America?!!!!

Seriously, that's great to hear. I kinda felt that there might be issues with the internet connection after seeing that it would be a delayed intoduction.

Yes, marketing probably got ahead of themselves, the same way the Night Vision Assistant is shown in early 2011 U.S. A8 sales pamphlets as being a benefit to help see people and ANIMALS---Unfortunately, the U.S. owner's manual specifically states that the system does not detect animals (both great and small, we're led to believe)--- it's intended to detect only pedestrians. Perhaps the AoA lawyers got to this one and preferred to err on the side of caution, even if the system might possibly be able to detect larger animals---who knows? . Additionally, since the system relies on temperature differentials between people and their background, it's useless and deactivated when temps hit over 77 degrees (F)/25 degrees (C) according to the owner's manual.

jetinder

When speaking with the UK A8 product specialist a while back, I asked the question "what about if there is a cyclist ahead, will it identify it as a warning ?". He did say "well, it's geared towards human shapes and urrrmm, no, not cyclists".

Ultimately, it's a terrific gimmick, but one that makes people go "oooh" and "ahhh". Unlike the radar cruise control with stop-go which makes passengers not expecting it to work, scream very loudly

I've also questioned a feature called something like "traffic recognition" which is supposed to pick up temporary traffic speed limits and info and put them on the DIS with weather warnings (sounds like it's linked with the internet stuff). Might as well get it all sorted now I guess!

Jet

qecko

Great news jetinder! I guess it is easier for Audi UK to just order a new car than solve this for a handful of customers

as for the night vision assistant, mine does seem to recognize people on bicycles.
Funny this should come up as just yesterday somebode drove in front of me on a bicycle,
its driver highlighted and not the bicycle.
I guess it is because the bicycle is cold and the human shape thus unhindered. people walking with animals also show ok.

I have also seen it pick up a person going sitting in a cold standing car. the box around the shape got smaller and
smaller as the person hunched inside until door closed

the people recognition works really well but so far seems of limited use. perhaps if someone jumps in front..

Animals are not highlighted but they do show brightly otherwise because of their body heat. could be useful in dark roads.

jetinder

Got a week 6 build date. It's not too bad considering that there's a 5 month lead time on orders now.

The only thing missing is the speed recognition option (it's only £155 so why not!), even though it's in last months brochure.

Never mind, there are enough new toys on the car to keep me happy for ages.

So I'll probably get the car delivered first or second week of March + a week or two to transfer/install the bits and pieces over to the new one. In the meantime, I'll keep enjoying this one :-)