Built-in sat nav - Is it worth it ?

mfspen

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When I ordered my new A3, I added the SD card nav to the options list on a bit of a whim really. But now I'm wondering whether it will turn out to be an expensive (£500) white elephant, and if an off the peg sat nav for a quarter of the price would be a better bet. I haven't been given a build week yet, so there is still time to cancel it. (Currently, I don't own a sat nav of any sort).

Views and suggestions welcome.
 
If I can give you some recent thoughts on this ...

My girlfriend recently bought an A1 competition line and, against my suggestion, upgraded to the Sat/Nav ... Now of course it was her car and she wanted it, I believed it would be a lot of money wasted but ... Actually now she has it, I think it is a brilliant option in this car, it looks great, works very well (especially the integration into the DIS), is feature rich and IMHO outclasses stand alone Sat/Nav systems. Even though I like to think I don't need Sat/Nav recent trips have been made so much better and easier with the option. The points of interest features make even a day out more interesting, mad how something like this can alter your behaviour ... I think it also has traffic information and other useful navigation aids and the split display and zooming is neat ...

I must say I am a convert to integrated Sat/Nav now ... I assume the A3 option will be at least as 'clever' and neat.

I realised also that when I was looking for my S3 I ideally wanted a Sat/nav (of course they are rare in the 8L so I have to settle for retrofit) and think it is an option a lot of used car buyers would prefer. As to what premium they would pay - who can say, but given a choice in a used car I would look for it now.

Martin
 
Thanks very much for the feedback.

I believe that the new A3 uses the same system, although possibly with a slightly bigger screen.
 
Hold your horses just a sec.

It sounds like k1ano is describing the full blown satnav system which is available on the A3 as part of the Tech Pack.

What you mentioned was the cheaper SD card satnav option. It's hard to tell exactly what the differences are from the limited text in the brochure but it seems the system is far simpler than that of the full blown option.

Having had the full satnav system in my last two A3s, I'd fully echo k1ano's comments regarding it and will be getting the full Tech Pack in the new car, which looks to be even better. Not knowing exactly what the SD card option comprises though, I'd strongly recommend you find out more about it from the dealer before deciding. It may well offer everything you need but you may find it doesn't and you'd be better off with a standalone unit.

What I will say is don't underestimate just how convenient it is having satnav built in. The fact that it's "just there" whenever you need it, without hooking up a separate unit and worrying about detaching and hiding it every time you leave the car. The way it will automatically turn down your music so the directions can be heard. The way it integrates into the dash to provide directions etc etc etc :)
 
It sounds like k1ano is describing the full blown satnav system which is available on the A3 as part of the Tech Pack.

What you mentioned was the cheaper SD card satnav option. It's hard to tell exactly what the differences are from the limited text in the brochure but it seems the system is far simpler than that of the full blown option.

Yes, I think the system k1ano is describing is indeed the Tech Pack version.

I've seen the SD card version working in a new A6 (in which it comes as standard), and it seemed to work well enough. From that demo, and from the descriptions in the brochure, the main differences are:

Teck Pack:
7" high resolution screen
3D effect mapping
40GB HDD (do they really still make them that small !!?)

SD card:
5.8" screen (lower resolution)
2D mapping
No HDD, 2 card slots (one for maps)

So you get a better screen, some 3D effects and a whopping 40GB HD for a mere £1000 !
They really are taking the p1ss.

I think I will ditch it.
 
Hmmmm, just to clarify the one in the A1 is the 2 SD card one which costs about £500 for the Sat/Nav SD card and activation, this can be a dealer upgrade to the base connectivity pack which is the screen, DIS, multi-function steering wheel etc.

If you buy the car with only the connectivity pack it can be upgraded to Sat/Nav later for the £500 or so. If you specify the Sat/Nav option the connectivity pack is basically included but the price is around £800.

Of course the A1 version is also a pop-up screen which is pretty cool :)

Martin
 
Just been Googling and it seems the SD nav is a bit of a mixed bag. Some people love it, others say it is crap. Also, I have to wonder whether the 2D view is usable at all in real driving (having never used a sat nav before) ?

For the system in the A6, the dealer says that it doesn't recognise the precise destination, only the street. Maybe it is really only 5 digit postcode enabled, and not 7 as it says in the brochure ?

Another major flaw is that you can't back up the SD map card, as it is encrypted with the vehicle VIN. So if you damage or lose the card, you have to pay another £300 for a replacement.
 
If you can then maybe...

See if you can see the actual Sat/Nav in a car at a dealers or at least on the net in terms of what it's features and visuals look like.
See if you can retrofit if you need to after purchase i.e. the DIS, steering wheel, screen are already in place to support it.

Martin
 
The last generation systems (both RNS-E and MMI) have historically only done partial postcode lookup but I understood the newer systems now do full postcode lookups. Could be wrong though and I'm surprised at the A6 - unless of course the person you spoke to is clueless, which is highly possible! :p

As for the map card, if you never remove it then I don't see why it should get lost or damaged. If it fails then I'd be taking it back to the dealer and demanding a replacement on the grounds it was defective and not fit for purpose.
 
So you get a better screen, some 3D effects and a whopping 40GB HD for a mere £1000 !
They really are taking the p1ss.

I think I will ditch it.

Bear in mind what else you get with the tech pack, including the funky music interface controls with album artwork etc. Also, from what I've been told by the dealer, although don't take this as gospel, the Tech Pack includes the high-end phone connectivity with Google Earth imagery etc.
 
However much I wanted the touch control and album artwork, I simply couldn't justify. The s-line was enough of a stretch for me but I'm sure I'll still be happy.
 
Anyone know if it's possible to retrofit from sat nav SD to the HHD/plus? I ask as we are in the process of buying a 4month old S3 and the sales guy said there was no difference in screen size but since I've looked into it there is a difference. Kinda feel like in getting missold. And concerned if it will impact resale value
 
Anyone know if it's possible to retrofit from sat nav SD to the HHD/plus? I ask as we are in the process of buying a 4month old S3 and the sales guy said there was no difference in screen size but since I've looked into it there is a difference. Kinda feel like in getting missold. And concerned if it will impact resale value


I believe it has been done but it's a massive job and seriously expensive - think you need to replace the screen, main unit and the centre console (it has different MMI controls with a touchpad). If you want the Tech Pack with the better Sat Nav I would look for a car that already has it.
 
Bear in mind what else you get with the tech pack, including the funky music interface controls with album artwork etc. Also, from what I've been told by the dealer, although don't take this as gospel, the Tech Pack includes the high-end phone connectivity with Google Earth imagery etc.

You only get Google Earth imagery if you add Connect to the Tech Pack. There are two versions of the Tech Pack, one with Connect (£1,800) and one without (£1,500).

I have the Tech Pack without Connect, I was doubtful whether it was good value to start with, however having compared it to the standard SD nav system it does offer a nicer complete package. The higher res screen is almost worth it alone...
 
The Tech pack Nav also gets more free map updates than the SD version. Something to consider if you plan on keeping the car. Is it only the HD Nav that can play DVDs too?

Personally, I wouldn't buy a used Audi that didn't have the Tech Pack High, generally you will get a better resale value.
 
Thanks guys, the biggie for me is the larger screen though not massively important. Plus the fact we've been missold by the sales guy. I'm more concerned about the resale value in 3-4 years. However we are struggling to justify the extra cash £1-2k for a car with it. Suppose it's personal choice
 
For many the tech pack is important and I umm-ed and ah-ed but went for SD in the end- more than happy with it, the 5.8 inch screen is actually lovely, and that is coming from a 8 inch evoque screen - I think you don't miss what you don't have, so i don't really notice not having the larger screen and resolution, and the standard screen is not pixelly or anything, I am more than happy with it and don't regret saving the £1k odd. But some prefer the tech pack
 
I had the standard screen in a courtesy A3, it's not nice compared to the tech pack one. I'd definetely miss the tech pack screen if I had to change down - the resolution on the standard screen is pretty nasty, not what you'd expect of a car from this era.
 
Horses for courses really.

We have the SD Nav (our first car with built-in in Nav) and I am reasonably happy with it, it's adequate for the fairly limited use it gets with us. The resolution isn't great I agree but it is perfectly usable and anyway it's actually easier using the direction arrows that get presented on the DIS dashboard display. You also get traffic updates.

One odd thing is that although it has 7 digit postcode entry, it doesn't recognise individual property numbers, you just get a street name. Never really caused us a major issue though.

For £500 it would say it is just about worth it. Saves faffing about with cables and the messy interior that creates. I certainly couldn't justify an extra grand just on a better resolution, slightly bigger screen and a pointless hard drive but then that's partly down to the relatively few long journeys to new places that we do.

Oh and it is quite polite, you get a "please" pretty much at the end of every instruction.
 
I have been pretty happy with the SD Nav. I works fine guiding me to the destination. The directions arrows is shown in the DIS and works nicely. The SD Nav have an options that shows the 3 next actions and I find that very usefull.

Would have loved the MMI+ Nav but the price was a bit too steep for me.
 
I certainly couldn't justify an extra grand just on a better resolution, slightly bigger screen and a pointless hard drive

That's good, because that's not all you get with the tech pack! Far from it
 
I had the standard screen in a courtesy A3, it's not nice compared to the tech pack one. I'd definetely miss the tech pack screen if I had to change down - the resolution on the standard screen is pretty nasty, not what you'd expect of a car from this era.

Perhaps, but most people won't have already driven a car with a tech pack so won't know what they are missing. And "nasty" is wholly subjective- I would use the word "nice", even lovely, i love the way it changes colour for each part of the menu :) personally I notice no difference to my Evoque, and its better than a Focus or Golf etc (all of which are cars of this era) - in fact the evoque screen is also in the RR sport). I was concerned I would be disappointed (after test driving with tech pack) and I am definitely not disappointed, glad I saved the cash. Even tho the resolution is less than the standard A5/A6 screen, the screen is a bit smaller so i don't notice the difference at all in quality vs my old A5. We are also talking about a reltaively entry level model, so on that basis its pretty good. Also, generally you only take glances at the central screen, mostly you should be driving and looking at the road ;) I find the DIS best for SAT nav directions etc :) My only criticism would be its a fraction slow to start up, but one can easily live with this.

also- sounds weird, but I find inputting postcodes with the dial weirdly satisfying & theraputic! Yes I am strange
 
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People don't have experience with a tech pack maybe, but nearly everyone has experience with smart phones which are reaching quite high resolutions now, and might expect the same from all their digital devices. Or at least something where you can't see the individual pixels from the driver's seat!
 
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Well, I drive for a living at the moment, I go all around the country and I do now know the routes so I don't use my SatNav, for good reason.

IMHO SatNavs are a complete waste of time, my Garmin is "up to date" and a new model - even though it still doesn't recognise new roads/layouts and even told me to turn down the wrong way of a dual carriageway in London once! Absolute death traps. It still isn't updated, road works on the M62 and M6 (some parts) have been finished for years, but my SatNav STILL tells me theres a 50 MPH average speed camera zone - thats why when you see some people going 50 most likely, because of their stupid SatNav.

I'm speccing an A3 soon, and am leaving the SatNav option, I know the bigger screen is nice but I simply do not believe it's worth it, i've also had a few SatNavs before that and they are absolute pot. I'd stick with a SatNav off Amazon or wherever, £500 is a lot of money on an option you might use few and far between, and spend most of the time swearing at it especially these live traffic updates, they are as bad as the gantry signs on the motorways, absolute useless. "Slow down - accident" - you get there, theres nothing there... and when they don't warn you and say everything on route is fine - it's not and theres a complete **** up - i've had that countless of times, my SatNav also says that M1 + A50 + M6 is the fastest way to Manchester from where I am, no, M6 is, just M6 - I save about 15 minutes when I ignore it and go M6, how does that justify when I've set it to the fastest arrival time and it's taking me the slowest - i'll stop now because I can carry on ranting for hours but you get the picture.


Unless your driving to new places all the time, i'd personally leave it, also I think you have to pay ridiculous amounts of money to update it - £200 I think, maybe not, Audi might be different but i'd look into it first. Frankly, if you want it purely for the bigger screen think this: if they wanted £500 off you for the bigger screen only - would you pay it?
 
That's good, because that's not all you get with the tech pack! Far from it

And so it should for £1500. But I'm not denying it does look impressive.

At the end of the day it is all subjective and down to personal preference. I couldn't get by with the standard audio/speakers and happily paid the not inconsiderable extra for B&O but when you look at it logically that seems daft - spending all that money for better speakers in something that has all sorts of other interior and exterior noises to contend with. Others would probably say it's a waste of money.

OP - you could always remove it from your order just now and then purchase the SD card and get it activated later. I believe some dealers will do this for the £495 while some add a bit extra on top. Don't feel pressured into buying extras you don't think you'll need.
 
This ^^^^^ the bigger screen, better res looks lovely as do all the features but I simply don't spend enough time in the car to warrant it so I went with the basic nav, it will get used occasionally and will do the job fine and will add a little but of appeal come resale time, that's all wanted from it.
Someone who spends a fair amount of time in the car on the other hand I can completely understand wanting it, just remember your paying for the option and interest on top so don't buy what you don't really need or will use is what I'd say
 
Anyone know if it's possible to retrofit from sat nav SD to the HHD/plus? I ask as we are in the process of buying a 4month old S3 and the sales guy said there was no difference in screen size but since I've looked into it there is a difference. Kinda feel like in getting missold. And concerned if it will impact resale value

Whilst many here have said they're not fussed about the Tech Pack and claim it won't affect resaleability or value, the fact that you're questioning it on this S3 says it all. There will be a significant number of used buyers in the future who, if looking to spend a decent amount of money on a used S3, will want kit like the Tech Pack and will shop around to find one. It may not add much to the value of the car per se but it will make it easier to sell.

It's still personal preference though as to how much it's worth to you. Yes the Tech Pack is expensive for what it is but whether it's worth it is a subjective judgement. Personally I feel the screen is worth it alone and, sorry to those without it, but I think the small standard screen looks a bit cheap and out of place in a car like the A3, especially when many more "run of the mill" brands have better looking systems & screens as standard.
 
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Whilst many here have said they're not fussed about the Tech Pack and claim it won't affect resaleability or value, the fact that you're questioning it on this S3 says it all. There will be a significant number of used buyers in the future who, if looking to spend a decent amount of money on a used S3, will want kit like the Tech Pack and will shop around to find one. It may not add much to the value of the car per se but it will make it easier to sell.

It's still personal preference though as to how much it's worth to you. Yes the Tech Pack is expensive for what it is but whether it's worth it is a subjective judgement. Personally I feel the screen is worth it alone and, sorry to those without it, but I think the small standard screen looks a bit cheap and out of place in a car like the A3, especially when many more "run of the mill" brands have better looking systems & screens as standard.

I would be interested to know what other run of the mill brands offer a better screen as standard on their hatchback A3 sized model? Seat Leon, ford focus, VW golf, skoda, vauxhall astra, Hyundai i30, Honda civic all don't.

The Mercedes C180 has a 5.8 inch (same as A3), but Mercedes aren't run of the mill.

Comparing to the previous A3 standard screen it's a massive improvement.

I think you are underselling the standard screen - sure it's no tech pack but it's better than any competitor same sized car.

Agree that if u spend loads of time in the car might be worth it tho!
 
You only get Google Earth imagery if you add Connect to the Tech Pack. There are two versions of the Tech Pack, one with Connect (£1,800) and one without (£1,500).

Of course I know this now :) The post of mine you quoted was over two years ago when I'd just ordered the car and knew very little about it :)
 
Can anyone provide any pictures of what the directions look like on standard SD Nav and on the Tech pack on both the MMI and DIS screen? I'd like to actually see the difference.
 
With regards to resale value, dealer told me last month that the two options they really look for when taking in A3s in part exchange is Tech Pack and B&O. They offered ms £1k over the glass's guide value for my car, based on these two options.

SD nav appears to be less value when second hand as this can be retrofitted for the same cost as buying it new, so it won't put buyers off looking at a car without it as it can be fitted as part of the deal.
 
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With regards to resale value, dealer told me last month that the two options they really look for when taking in A3s in part exchange is Tech Pack and B&O. They offered ms £1k over the glass's guide value for my car, based on these two options.

SD nav appears to be less value when second hand as this can be retrofitted for the same cost as buying it new, so it won't put buyers off looking at a car without it as it can be fitted as part of the deal.

Good to know, only £2.5K new so good 3/4 years down the line if making another 1K on top
 
I have the SD sat nav and think its great, traffic updates have saved me hours by re routing me to avoid accidents and traffic jams.
Like most I use the DIS more than the screen, partner is forever changing radio station so don't have a choice lol.
I personally don't see the need for a higher res screen, not like you sit watching it, well I don't anyway. If I'm in the car on my own it's in the dash and I use DIS and wheel controls.
 
Mmm.
I had the Tech Pack in my last 8V A3, it was ok (for me) there were some features which I liked and many which I didn't use.
So in the S3 I chose the SD card based sat nav. Is it rubbish? Am I unhappy? Not at all, for me it was absolutely the right choice.
 
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Couldn't give a stuff about the higher res screen, or the tech pack .. most of the time my screen is hidden away in the dash .. there's less to go wrong if you don't spec it, and no matter what you choose will, the tech will still be way out of date in 3-4 years when I trade it in ..

For me it's an S3, not a 35K mobile laptop ..

I do understand folk like their toys though, or have to have their cars fully loaded .. anyhow the smaller screen does in no way look out of place or cheap ..
 

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