rjabend

What DAS issues are you referring to? Thanks.

jrjunior31

RJC 1

Cost cutting on Q8 comp'd to similalry equipped Q7 I and others here have noticed:

• No exaust outlets/finshers
• Engine losses painted silver valve covers, red coil-packs, etc
• No seperate dimmer switch for dash lights
• No leather on upper door panels
• TS vs expensive buttons & switches
• Loss of pop up screen
• Cheaper to produce turbo vs supercharged engine
• Sun screen now solid vs weaved...loss of light and ventilation

jrjunior31

Meyecul

1. Exhaust: I actually do not see what the big deal is about fake exhaust. Sure, they could better job of deceptively making it look more real, but the idea of it staying clean all the time is not so bad.

2. Dimmer: This does work well in the Q7. No reason they should have not had it in the Q8

3. Leather: Actually, the issue here is the Q8 does not have leather on the doors with the Lux pkg where it does in the Q7 with Lux pkg. You do not need the $2500 Murillo brown only interior. It's standard with just the Lux Pkg and all its avail interiors. Given they are basically parts sharing interior door panels between both cars, there is really no excuse for this. Your Q8 should have the same leather as Q7s. Audi pulled a fast one here. That said, you do get the leather dashboard w Lux and Q7 does not unless that Murillo interior upgrade is selected.

4. Screens: I played with the touch screens in the Q8 and actually think they are without a doubt the best implementation with the haptic of any other car I tested after 6 hours at the LA auto show. I could easily get used to them and would take them over the current set up in the Q7. Would hate the fingerprints though.

5. Engine: Not driven the Q8, but would assume its just fine for whats it's specs are.

6. Sunshade: Did not really notice this when I sat in the Q8, but was indoors. I like the one the Q7, so might miss that a little. No tinting is needed at all above what comes from the factory. Heat is never an issue and I am in So Cal Sa Gabriel Valley where there are a lot of 100 degree days. It does not really have any transparency with the sunroof closed, but when the sunroof is open it does allow a little light to penetrate and like mentioned, airflow.

I think the biggest issue as we have discussed before is the price of this vehicle when compared to the Q7. Nothing wrong with the Q8 on its own when price is not considered. I think it looks great with Yr1 in Gray and the Navaro blue. Audi just should have stepped up a few things on the interior to make it stand above the Q7 given its cost and the "flagship" rank they want it to be. They could have done so with no affect to their bottom line and pretty sure if they had done that, none of these discussions would be happening.

Chiclet11

I think we see de-contenting on many cars, and this is nothing new, nor is it unique to Audi. Heck, I miss the little side vent windows that all cars had back in the day, and now no cars have them.

Some thoughts:

• No exhaust outlet/finishers. This is not unique to the Q8. All newer Audis are sharing this "feature". Willing to bet that the 2020 Q7 will be the same way. I don't like it either, especially on S-badged cars. (Tragic to see SQ5's with those same painted-on finishers.) We are starting to see this on Mercedes asnd other cars as well. This short video shows the fake finishers on an AMG GLE Coupe:
  GLE Fake Exhaust Tips
  .
• Loss of pop-up screen and "more expensive" buttons. I don't consider either of these to be a loss. It's just moving forward to new technology. On our 2006 A8L, the flip-up mechanism on the screen was the first thing to break out of warranty. I think the TS tech is more advanced than buttons, and the reason I and most other people don't use a Blackberry anymore.
• Turbo vs Supercharged: Yes, turbochargers are cheaper, but they are also more efficient. It gets down to personal preference really, but I prefer turbo power delivery and torque.
  

Lack of leather door panels doesn't bother me, but yeah it's a price cutting detail. Same with the solid roof screen. (I actually like it better.) No separate dimmer switch is more bothersome, but I'll deal with it. One thing that is missing that will bother me a lot, though, is the elimination of rear fog lights. They are the best tailgating deterrent I've ever had. I also will miss the powered rear window sunscreen that I have on my A6, as the one on the Q8 is manual. Regardless, I've been fortunate enough to be able to test drive two Q8's, one for an extended drive, and was able to decide what were acceptable losses/changes/advancements before I put any money down. I can't wait for mine to arrive.

jrjunior31

SYMAWD

Murillo brown adds leather door tops. Lux package on the Q7 adds leather to the bottom half of the doors, center console tunnel, and lower dash (glove box area).

jrjunior31

Meyecul

Yup, and yet they charge $300 more for it. Though you do get dual pane glass in your lux pkg. I assume that is the front side door windows and windshield. In the Q7, I believe its just the windshield but standard across all trims.