Not sure about the new A3

[sebtomato]

I have owned two A3 so far and considering a new car, but I am not sure about the new A3. For some reasons, I am always in a position to get a new car when Audi are doing a restyling, but it's the first time I am not too keen to change.

I find the rear quite ugly (and I note that many people posting pictures of their cars don't show the rear!) but maybe Audi will do a minor restyling quickly, as they like to do.

Also, I find the dashboard a bit strange, particularly the big gap below the temperature control, where there is the cigarette lighter in the middle. I always use my Tomtom Live when travelling (live traffic info) so the pop-up screen would also get in the way of putting the Tomtom in the middle of the windscreen. I would have prefered a screen integrated in the dashboard.

I don't know when manufacturers like Audi are going to have agreements with proper Sat Nav makers!

I am considering keeping my current A3 for a little longer (the car is fine, and looks nice) or maybe moving to a golf, but it seems that we can't get DSG in the UK on a three door golf (probably not to compete with the A3)!!!

 

[Trentend]

I find the rear quite ugly (and I note that many people posting pictures of their cars don't show the rear!) but maybe Audi will do a minor restyling quickly, as they like to do.!

Agreed, the 3 door looks like a slightly pumped up A1 from most angles, just as the new golf is a bigger polo.

 

[number3]

not embarrassed about my rear end!! Lol

also the standard audi satnav comes with live traffic info

 

[Vertigo1]

Firstly, I have to say I understand your concerns about the styling of the rear and the dashboard. I'm not that keen on the rear of it to be honest, and I don't like the gap under the heating controls either, and miss the handy storage space which used to be there but which has now been replaced by useless cup holders!

As for the screen, sorry but I have to disagree with you. They've moved it to the pop up on the top of the dash board for good reason - it's far easier to see and doesn't require you to keep looking down as you used to. I understand it may get in the way of placing your Tomtom but that's hardly Audi's concern is it?

As for having agreements with "proper" Satnav makers - sorry but ROFL! What's a "proper" Satnav maker? The latest Nav system in the A3 makes Tomtoms look hopeless. The graphics, screen size, speed and voice control make for a superb system, not to mention the killer advantage of integrated Satnav - it's just "there" whenever you need it, without having to worry about sticking a unit to the windscreen and packing it away afterward to avoid theft.

Frankly I can see standalone nav units disappearing soon. People will either have fully integrated manufacturer systems or they'll use their mobiles, especially now Google Maps with free nav is available for iPhones as well as Android. I don't see the "middle ground" of standalone units surviving for very long.

 

[sebtomato]

Well, Tomtom live is way ahead of anything else in term of live traffic information, google search, fuel prices, speed cameras etc. I have been using Tomtom Live for three years on my daily commute, and it's the best on the market, but I wish I didn't have to stick something on my windscreen!

I believe the Sat Nav in the Audi is getting traffic information through TMC (radio frequencies rather than 3G), and while this is better than nothing, it won't have the same granularity and update speed, and half the functionality, as it is a one-way communication, rather than internet connection. Probably works well on main motorways, but not around towns etc. My conclusion is that I therefore need to keep the Tomtom, and the pop-up screen is just in the way (unlike the screen on the golf for instance).

I just wish Audi would start a licencing deal with Tomtom, like Renault or Peugeot have done.

 

[h5djr]

I have a TomTom Sat/Nav in my current A3. I don't use the 'live' information but one of the main reasons I use it is for 'speed' camera data. I have a free lifetime subscription to the camera database provided by Personal GPS World which is regarded as the most accurate available and is updated around twice a month with new and deleted camera locations. When I change cars I can just take the TomTom with me rather than having to pay for the manufacturers option every time.

 

[number3]

Well, Tomtom live is way ahead of anything else in term of live traffic information, google search, fuel prices, speed cameras etc. I have been using Tomtom Live for three years on my daily commute, and it's the best on the market, but I wish I didn't have to stick something on my windscreen!

I believe the Sat Nav in the Audi is getting traffic information through TMC (radio frequencies rather than 3G), and while this is better than nothing, it won't have the same granularity and update speed, and half the functionality, as it is a one-way communication, rather than internet connection. Probably works well on main motorways, but not around towns etc. My conclusion is that I therefore need to keep the Tomtom, and the pop-up screen is just in the way (unlike the screen on the golf for instance).

I just wish Audi would start a licencing deal with Tomtom, like Renault or Peugeot have done.

I've got to say if I wasn't using the system I'd agree, but so far it has picked up everything my old tomtom used too, including re-routing, All the way down to A&B roads on my normal route into work, the only thing I am missing is speed camera notification, though as a bare minimum it displays the speed for the road I'm on.

all I would say is don't be to quick to disregard the Audi system, it may be TMC information has come on from the last time you used it , I wonder whether as I have the DAB system it gathers more information? Just did a quick google and it "appears" you get more and faster information over DAB for TMC???

we have a few people in the office with the integrated tomtom system in there renaults , and they both still use a mounted tomtom because they find they can't get on with the integrated one! Lol

Mark

 

[number3]

.... also Vertigo, didnt you mention in another thread about the google maps / Audi connect upgrade coming this year?

 

[Vertigo1]

Yeah it's coming this year I believe.

I grant that there are some advantages to a Tomtom when it comes to more accurate traffic and speed camera locations but the advantages of the built-in system far far outweigh this for me. Much bigger screen, better smoother graphics, integration with the DIS, automatically turning down music volume when it gives directions or when using voice input, just there whenever you need it without rigging it up and then hiding it again etc

Each to their own. I used to use a Tomtom system but, since I had my first built-in Audi nav six years ago, I'm never going back to a standalone unit, it's just far too much faffing about.

 

[Nardies]

I agree with Vertigo here, I've had a TomTom for the past 8 years, and have always harped on about how accurate and cheap it is compared to the integrated set ups, but now I've got it in the A3 I wouldn't go back. It was a faff having a TomTom, taking up all the room in my glove box, the charger cable getting caught between back of the steering wheel and dash binnacle, the battery not holding a charge, waiting ages for a satellite fix, having to update it all the time. Now I just get in and go, and the TMC has been a godsend.

The other thing about the screen, the positioning is excellent (for me anyway). I've noticed that when you look at it, although it's a pop up screen, the top of the screen is still below the bottom of the windscreen, so it doesn't foul your view.

Don't get me wrong, the A3 isn't entirely perfect. Like others have mentioned, the gap between the climate controls and the rubbish cup holders is a waste, the rear mats don't fit properly, and even though they banged on about this fancy MQB chassis and weight reductions, it's MUCH less of an involved drive compared to the Scirocco I had previously, and it feels even heavier. That said, it's a capable car with some nice touches.

 

[h5djr]

I agree with Vertigo here, I've had a TomTom for the past 8 years, and have always harped on about how accurate and cheap it is compared to the integrated set ups, but now I've got it in the A3 I wouldn't go back. It was a faff having a TomTom, taking up all the room in my glove box, the charger cable getting caught between back of the steering wheel and dash binnacle, the battery not holding a charge, waiting ages for a satellite fix, having to update it all the time. Now I just get in and go, and the TMC has been a godsend.

I agree that the built-in Sat-Nav looks good and I'm sure it works well but personally I'm quite happy with the TomTom setup I have in my A3. I update it every couple of weeks with the twice a monthly speed camera updates from Personal GPS World. Perhaps if these could be made available for the Audi system it would be better.

I have my TomTom unit mounted next to the door pillar on the drivers side at almost eye level so it's very easy to glance sideways to check which option to take on a complex junction when the voice instructions are not as clear as the could be. My TomTom is also one of the older type which expands the image when it comes to a junction or roundabout. I also have the mount hard-wired into the car with the cable running behind the door rubbers and connection to the fuse box at the end of the dashboard so only about a couple of inches of cable is visible. It also means that it is on my right-hand side, which as I'm right-handed, makes it very easy to enter a location or choice an option. The other thing I use quite a lot is to enter a Location in to the system before I set off but when I already know most of the route I only have the GPS showing where I am rather than giving me route instructions until I get to a section I'm not sure about and then just clicking Navigate To. I have found this particularly useful when driving long distances in Europe.

 

[PjDali]

I've never had a car with satnav built in as such, always used a tomtom and had no probs with it as it does the job asked of it brilliantly.

Only issue has been with folk breaking in to my car trying to pinch the damn thing if any ring / sucker marks left on the glass, so it's never been left in the car nor do I leave the satnav holder in the car either. Even bought a weighty dashtop holder which has been well worth the dosh as I just lift it out and no more wiping the glass clean to remove the mark left behind. Not had a car window broken since by thieving scum!

I'd not have been inclined to pay circa £500 for adding satnav to the car I'm waiting on being built, as I think it is fairly expensive but as I've acquired Audi SD navigation as an Audi freebie (is there any such thing these days) I must admit to looking forward to having to do without wires trailing as the battery life of my tomtom is woeful.

Happy enough to not have a touchscreen in the new A3 and use the MMI to input info, as from experience my wife has left many little scratches on the tomtom screen with her fingernails when using it, so whilst that maybe just a cosmetic damage, not sure I'd be as forgiving if it were to happen on a built in screen such as the golf is getting.