Tech pack vs non tech pack

[azibux1]

Hi all,

What are your views on the above? This is standard tech pack, not the one with 'connect' features

I am yet to see the standard MMI screen in person, seeing it Wednesday, but a lot of people are saying it isn't that great?

For a little over £1k (can't remember the exact cost) is the tech pack worth it?

Am I right in saying it provides the below and nothing more? If it provides more, please let me know! Thanks!

- Larger and higher res screen
- Touch input for some features on the touch pad built into the 'wheel'

Does it have any change to the nav itself?

 

[Rob2k68]

You get the next 5 map updates free too with the high tech pack which if you chose to do with the SD nav would he £150 ish a pop. Touch pad works for navigating music as well as input for nav which is nice to have. Also nav data is stored on a disc somewhere (10gb SSD I think) which frees up both SD slots for multimedia use.

 

[Gazjs]

You get the next 5 map updates free too with the high tech pack which if you chose to do with the SD nav would he £150 ish a pop. Touch pad works for navigating music as well as input for nav which is nice to have. Also nav data is stored on a disc somewhere (10gb SSD I think) which frees up both SD slots for multimedia use.

Could be being a bit silly here, but how often are the map updates likely to come out? Once a year or more regular?

 

[Rob2k68]

Could be being a bit silly here, but how often are the map updates likely to come out? Once a year or more regular?

Map updates are every 6 months.

 

[JohnM100]

Tech pack also plays FLAC audio but non-tech pack won't.

IIRC tech pack also has a DVD drive as opposed to the CD drive in non-tech pack, but neither will play VIM without some serious hacking.

 

[azibux1]

Hmmmm, thanks for all responses. Just trying to decide if it is worth the extra... I think for the map updates and screen it may be, plus the other things like touch input is a really nice feature

I'll have a look at the standard screen tomorrow and probably decide

Thanks!

 

[Rob2k68]

Hmmmm, thanks for all responses. Just trying to decide if it is worth the extra... I think for the map updates and screen it may be, plus the other things like touch input is a really nice feature

I'll have a look at the standard screen tomorrow and probably decide

Thanks!

I think that will help a LOT!

 

[azibux1]

Ha is the standard one THAT bad?! :O

 

[cemerson]

People will say that the Standard screen is fine, and it is in that it works, but it does look pretty bad compared to the tech pack one and given it's 2015! I've had them in loan cars plenty of times and they just don't really look like they belong in a modern car to be honest. Depends on whether that's something that bothers you - some people only care about its functionality, and it's definitely good enough for job, but it does look pixellated.

 

[S3JOJ]

The standard screen is the one big let down for me in my car (S3 bought from stock so no choice without waiting) but if I ordered a car I would 100% spec it. As others have said it just feels out of place in an otherwise pretty modern car.

 

[Vertigo1]

The standard screen is "ok" per se but, in the context of an otherwise well-specced Audi A3/S3 (circa £30k+), it looks rather cheap and nasty IMO and lets the interior down.

 

[SJ43]

Go for tech pack if you can stretch for it mate you won't regret it.

 

[Daveotto]

The standard screen is the one big let down for me in my car (S3 bought from stock so no choice without waiting) but if I ordered a car I would 100% spec it. As others have said it just feels out of place in an otherwise pretty modern car.

Really depends on how much time you spend looking at it!!!!!

I have standard screen and don't have Nav and 90%+ of the time the screen is retracted so its good as far as 'm concerned as functionality works well. However, if you spend all day watching album art and/or watching the nav screen as you crawl round the M25 that is maybe a different matter

 

[S3JOJ]

Really depends on how much time you spend looking at it!!!!!

I have standard screen and don't have Nav and 90%+ of the time the screen is retracted so its good as far as 'm concerned as functionality works well. However, if you spend all day watching album art and/or watching the nav screen as you crawl round the M25 that is maybe a different matter

Fair point. I'm sure it'll be fine over time. I think I'll be too lazy to retract it though. It would be nice if there was an option to have it automatically retract if not navigating / no interaction with it for a set period of time.

 

[Stevier88]

I thought the standard screen was ok until i seen the tech pack screen which makes it look rather poor. I kind of wish i spec'd it but not being bothered about the maps etc it was a bit pricey just to have a better screen.

 

[Ignition1]

I agree with the above.

The standard screen does the job but it does look dated compared to the Tech Pack screen, which really fills out the whole panel rather than the standard screen which has large black bezels on either side.

100% would spec Tech Pack if I could go back and do it all again. Also I believe it's a lot smoother than standard. The standard version can be very slow on start-up. I often have to wait a few minutes before I can enter a postcode in the sat nav, which is annoying when in a rush.

If you're having doubts if an option is worth it or not - my advice is that you'll end up regretting not adding it. Unless it's really going above budget then go for it. Recently checked Approved Used S3s (just curious...) on Audi's website and most have the Tech Pack - so I'd say potential second hand buyers will expect it.

 

[S3JOJ]

Is it possible to retrofit the tech pack?

 

[Schizophonic]

Is it possible to retrofit the tech pack?

It is and it has been done by certain members here on the forum. Its not a simple process and you will need to learn what needs pulling out and replacing. The screen, the centre sole and the MMI will need to be swapped out. The Content protection which is assigned to the vehicle VIN needs to be removed by a specialist and before you ask, there's no guides out there unfortunately and part numbers vary from different country.

Its a tough jobs to do if you never done it before.

 

[Snake Pliskin]

Some good points above re the standard screen.

I for one will not be listening to much music and rarely need sat-nav.

In this case why would you spend the extra cash on a screen that aint used that much or is retracted most of the time ?

 

[Ignition1]

Some good points above re the standard screen.

I for one will not be listening to much music and rarely need sat-nav.

In this case why would you spend the extra cash on a screen that aint used that much or is retracted most of the time ?

If it's hiding in the dashboard I agree it's not worth it. Personally I'm a sucker for flashy gadgets so a big high-res screen and touchpad click wheel is clearly aimed at me.

 

[nickk709]

Is it not possible to just change the screen to a bigger one without changing everything else?

 

[Ignition1]

Is it not possible to just change the screen to a bigger one without changing everything else?

Without knowing too much about it, I suspect it's also the software - otherwise it'll look bad on a higher resolution, wider screen. Or not work at all.

Not sure where the processor is but pushing out higher resolution images might need more compute horsepower as well.

Doesn't sound like an easy job. Though 3rd party retrofitters could do it.

 

[nickk709]

Ah seems a lot of effort to be fair, is it just the sd nav that is poor resolution or is everything else aswell? I've ordered my car without tech pack starting to regret it now reading this,
Does anyone have any pics of the standard set up of radio and phone etc?
Not bothered about the sat nav really it was standard anyway.
Thanks

 

[RichardT]

Really depends on how much time you spend looking at it!!!!!

I have standard screen and don't have Nav and 90%+ of the time the screen is retracted so its good as far as 'm concerned as functionality works well. However, if you spend all day watching album art and/or watching the nav screen as you crawl round the M25 that is maybe a different matter

I agree. There's no doubt the large screen is more desirable, but the question was - is it a thousand quid better? I suggest not. Certainly not if you don't use it for nav.
My ordinary screen is fine.

 

[WarwickL]

More than happy it comes standard on S3's here

 

[Ignition1]

Ah seems a lot of effort to be fair, is it just the sd nav that is poor resolution or is everything else aswell? I've ordered my car without tech pack starting to regret it now reading this,
Does anyone have any pics of the standard set up of radio and phone etc?
Not bothered about the sat nav really it was standard anyway.
Thanks

Compared to the Tech Pack screen it looks outdated and clearly has lower resolution, but it's not poor resolution.

It's hard to describe it but it's sharp enough to make out road names, icons etc. on the SD Sat Nav. All text on the menus etc. is clear.

The good news is your expectation seem quite low now - so you'll probably be pleasantly surprised at the standard screen's quality.

Both slide in and out of the dash...I'll never get bored of that. It's just in hindsight I would've picked Tech Pack just because I like gadgets.

 

[steeve]

I've had both, but not being a technophile I didn't bother speccing it on my S3. Don't miss it one bit. Depends what you want. Big screen is nice but not necessary, I find the smaller image (screens are same size) adequate.

 

[Vertigo1]

Compared to the Tech Pack screen it looks outdated and clearly has lower resolution, but it's not poor resolution.

Excuse me?!

It's 400x240 pixels! That's lower than the original iPhone from 9 years ago!

Sorry but that's a pathetically low resolution standard screen for a premium car such as the A3.

 

[azibux1]

Well I saw the two today... First up I saw the tech pack screen and thought it was very nice, as was the touchpad input... Then saw the standard screen and I really see what you all mean haha

I am officially sold on the tech pack (basic one, not with connect), and was told that it is the only way to get true 5.1 from the B&O system

 

[Vertigo1]

It can do 5.1 with the B&O but be aware that this is only with DTS DVDs, AFAIK no other source can produce proper 5.1.

Have an epic DVD full of DTS demos & trailers which lives in the car for demo purposes

 

[S-3]

I wouldn't buy a used one without the larger screen

The standard screen looks far too out dated for me.

 

[azibux1]

Ahh OK... I'm still sold lol

And yeah, sales guy brought out a B&O demo DVD... wouldn't play for some strange reason though

 

[WarwickL]

It can do 5.1 with the B&O but be aware that this is only with DTS DVDs, AFAIK no other source can produce proper 5.1.

Have an epic DVD full of DTS demos & trailers which lives in the car for demo purposes

It is not until you play a DTS DVD that the B&O system actually shines.

I've got a Queen DTS DVD in the car atm, sounds pretty damn good. However, even movies in 5.1 on my SD card sound pretty good but not sure if they are playing true 5.1.

 

[S-3]

All this talk of B&O (which I don't have) baffles me a bit.... Music up too loud means not being able to hear the epic soundtrack coming out of the exhausts.....

Just wish they crackled on the way down, to match the snorts on the way up

 

[WarwickL]

All this talk of B&O (which I don't have) baffles me a bit.... Music up too loud means not being able to hear the epic soundtrack coming out of the exhausts.....

Just wish they crackled on the way down, to match the snorts on the way up

Most of the music I listen to is when I'm stopped TBH, waiting for the wife at the shops or away on a picnic somewhere.

Even when I'm driving the audio is rarely above 30% volume but the quality is there from the bargain basement B&O on 5.1.

Not a fan really of exhaust sounds, I'm more into engine and intake sounds. I guess I grew up/out of loud exhaust a while back. One of the reasons I discounted the RS3 - obnoxious exhaust.

Edit - I find even the screen we have as standard on our S3s here in Aussie are not that special in terms of quality but better than most.

 

[S-3]

TBH if growing up means not finding exhaust noise fun. I have no interest in doing so (I've avoided it for nearly half a century as it is)

 

[WarwickL]

TBH if growing up means not finding exhaust noise fun. I have no interest in doing so (I've avoided it for nearly half a century as it is)

Exhaust noise has always been about backwards wearing cap drivers. I felt that way when I was 15 and got my drivers license.

It is the engine where the business happens.

 

[S-3]

I must be the oldest boy racer in town then.

I will make sure to turn my hat round next time I wear one, under your instruction.

I shall also order a dope tshirt forthwith

 

[S-3]

 

[S-3]

Looking good, innit