While I still very much like the styling & handling of the 745i (I realize that may not be the dominant view on this board), I am near the end of my tolerance with its continuing reliability issues. Having already weathered an '02 745 buyback, I was optimistic when I took delivery of the '03. I am less optimistic now.

As a long time Audi fan, I have been following the A8L since release. For the second time today, I test drove one. I know there were some initial software issues with the A8L. My question is this... are there still people taking delivery of '04s with issues? Have the initial glitches been resolved? What persistent problems remain?

And, what IS the deal on phone integration? I've heard conflicting stories. Is the Audi version of the V60 working in a fully integrated manner (hands free, address book via MMI, voice dialing, etc.)? This is a very important feature to me.

I love the A8L more every time I see one. Initially, I was planning on waiting for the S8, but continued frustration with my 745 might be changing that plan.

Lastly, option advice, anyone?

I'd appreciate any insight from '04 A8L owners. Many thanks.

 

There are ample posts that bemoan the lack of true integration with the Audi v60 phone.

Here is the solution that works for me with my '04 A8L:

1) If you don't already have a state of the art portable cellphone, buy one. Skip the v60 altogether, It is already two phone generations old, has a small black and white screen, and lacks many features that newer portables now have.

2) Use the included OnStar analog cell phone whenever you are in the car. OnStar gives you your own phone number for incoming calls. The analog phone works almost anywhere in the U.S., actually in many more places than a digital phone. You can dial hands-free via the MMI, and use the steering wheel controls for the phone. You can store voice dial numbers. There is no charge for long distance or roaming calls, and best of all there is NO monthly fee for cellular service. You can purchase blocks of cellular minutes that don't expire for a year. Unless you do a ton of calling from the car, it is quite economical. In my case, it is MUCH cheaper than paying a monthly fee for an additional phone that I don't need, since I already have a portable phone.

3) If I am going to be in the car for a long trip, I "conditional call forward" all unanswered calls from my portable to the OnStar incoming number. If I go out of the car, I get the call on my portable. If I am in the car, then the OnStar rings.

4) Voice commands for the OnStar phone allow you to easily access your address book, save voice numbers, even dial numbers of non-memorized locations via voice. There is also a neat voice command called "Virtual Advisor" that will enable you to get local area traffic reports, access e-mail, obtain stock quotes, and get news and weather.

At first, I was disappointed that the v60 integration was not fully available. I had planned to order one, and had the cradle installed in my '04 A8L. I've been very impressed with the OnStar. Consider it as an already included stationary car phone. I actually used the lack of the v60 as an excuse to upgrade my portable cell phone to a definitely state of the art Treo 600 phone.

As far as Audi "fixing" the v60 issue, according to a few of the other '04 A8L owners here, Audi will NOT be doing this in the current model year.

 

Doc covered the phone integration issues beautifully so Ill try to address other areas for you. I took delivery during the first week of September and the car has been perfect. I thought that I had a Navi issue but that issue turned out to be me!! The car , with what it does, surprises me each and every time I climb aboard. The 05 will, for obvious reasons, address some of the issues that we have had concerning the phone etc. but if that Bimmer is driving you crazy, it would NOT be a mistake to place an 04 in your garage. By the way, I kinda like the way the 745 looks. But the new 5 series??? Yikes!!



greenie 6625


04 A8L silver/saber

 

I guess I don't fully understand the OnStar deal, but it sounds like the built-in phone in the 745. Only on the 745, that phone can only be used for Road Assist calls. I'll definitely look into this further.

Great picture of your car, btw. Beautiful shot.

 

I like the 745 also (obviously) and there is a part of me that doesn't want to part with it. The other part of me is sick of going in for service and holding my breath every time I start the car. I'm just at the point where I don't think I should have to say "just be patient, it will get better" anymore.

The last thing that I want to do, however, is jump ship into another first-year car and start the process over again.

I noticed that you have the silver/saber combo. That's exactly what I am considering. Happy with your color choice? I also think the Atlas is beautiful, but I have found that light silver cars tend to stay cleaner looking longer. When you are as OCD as I am, that's a plus.

 

Drgallo you said it well, I use the same strategy as you do. My personal phone is a Sony-Ericsson P800 which is a complete PDA and works in the US and Europe just by switching a SIM card. The Audi V60 was throwback to prehistory. Like you , I just forward to the Onstar phone when on long drives, and use a Blue tooth hands-free round town.

Robin

 

I wouldn't take drgallo's approach with the OnStar system because I already have cellular service that I use mostly in the car. Using OnStar would prove too costly for me at 500-700 minutes a month. Having said that, I wish there were a way to do something other than use the Audi V60. It's position in the center console is inconvenient and even dangerous at times. If you do a search, you'll find a picture of an Audi cradle mount moved to the right side of the center console - this position would at least be more convenient.
No doubt I love the car. However, there always seem to be occasional electronic quirks. Occasionally, I have found the following - the MMI screen doesn't pop up, the lights remain on after turning off the ignition with the automatic light setting, the CD changer switched discs spontaneously, the trunk opens by itself (I don't think I hit the trunk release button on the remote), some others I can't recall.
I live with the idiosyncracies without a problem or major complaint; however, I sometimes worry about an electronic cluster f--- happening, as has been described a few times on this forum. Hopefully, nothing tragic occurs and Audi improves the reliability with time.

 

Audi hasnt been able to find the ghost??



greenie


04 A8L silver/saber

 

X, the best part of silver is exactly what you said; the car never looks dirty. the second best part is the way it shines in the sunlight. I had narrowed it down to Atlas Gray and Silver and went back and forth for weeks. Obviously its a personal choice and for me it was the right one. Im trying to rationalize buying one in black with Amaretto guts. Why couldnt my first spoken word have been Mom instead of Car!!! LOL



greenie 6625


04 A8L silver/saber

 

I'm assuming by your post that you've stuck with the one phone approach. Have you been able to get your V60 to work hands-free?

I did a search and found an earlier thread where someone described using the "OnStar lady" to voice dial their V60 and made it sound like it all worked. Also, when I talked to our service tech at Audi, he mentioned the only trouble with the V60 being answering incoming calls. I don't mean to belabor the point, but there does seem to be conflicting information.