B9 DIS - Cabin lacking....

[AshA4]

So my B8.5 is in for an S-Tronic service today and I have been given a brand new B9 S-line Saloon, its the 2.0Tdi 190 S-Tronic with a few options, ADS being one of them that firms up the drive very nice.

One thing that has me scratching my head (played with all settings and cant get it to show) is the DIS, or the lack of being able to have what you are used to on your display with the B8.5.

On the B8.5 I have the Digital Speed in the center, the Radio on top (same as B9) but then below I have the Range and mileage which is perfect, the B9 just shows mileage covered, now there is no toggle button on the wiper stalk just the jog wheels on the steering wheel, but these just move the main panel of the DIS along with the Menu button cycling through the Tabs at the top of the DIS.
Is there any way of setting the Digital Speedo and then having the Fuel range at the bottom with the mileage?

I know this is a small niggle, but I have others as well, the dash looks so bare and cheap below the main part of the center piece, the power socket is there but it looks like someone took the ashtray out and thought "that will do" ....
It really has me thinking again I like the B8.5 cockpit more, yes it does look dated but at least it feels like quality in the cabin, B9 feels too minimalistic to me, hoping it grows on me as I am due to change next year, and while I need to give the same setup as my current car a fair test (3.0TDi V6 Quattro) I am worried I may need to move to something else as it just does not feel right to me when sat in it.

Miffed....

 

[hmy7k]

If you have Virtual Cockpit you can have all the things you're used to and more.
You use the left hand steering wheel controls to select them.
The range is displayed top left of the screen all the time.
The digital speed is shown in the middle of the speedo or you can go the whole hog and have the head up display which shows actual speed and speed limit at all times.

If the demo you have doesn't have Virtual Cockpit then it may not be as flexible but I have not driven a B9 without it.

As for the whole experience the B9 is many times better than the old B8.5 you just need to get the spec right.
I have just upgraded V6 3.0 B8.5 to B9 and its faster, more comfortable, smoother and technically way ahead of the old model.

 

[alFR]

It really has me thinking again I like the B8.5 cockpit more, yes it does look dated but at least it feels like quality in the cabin, B9 feels too minimalistic to me, hoping it grows on me as I am due to change next year, and while I need to give the same setup as my current car a fair test (3.0TDi V6 Quattro) I am worried I may need to move to something else as it just does not feel right to me when sat in it.

I actually had the opposite experience: I never really liked the cabin in the B8s I've driven (courtesy cars while my B7's been in for servicing etc.) and felt that the B9 cabin was massive step up in materials and fit and finish. I actually much preferred my B7's interior to the B8! The B8 interior was the main thing that put me off changing last year and made me wait for the B9, I think for me it was the right decision. YMMV of course.

 

[scotty76]

Tempted to book a courtesy car for my upcoming service to see what they give me. Probably get an A1.

 

[cuke2u]

I managed to bag a b9 a4 sline for the day whilst my a3 was in for its service at the begining of the year. I have now driven both the b8 and the b9 and the latter car is a major step up from the interior of the older one. The b8 felt it was well in the past and old fashioned even when I drove it in 2013 and the b9 modern, refreshing and innovative. The interior is what sold me the car however the exterior and the suspension is a different story...

 

[ScottishA4B9]

If you thought the B8 interior was dated, have tried driving a BMW lately??? Now that's dated! One of the reasons why I didn't buy a 3 Series!
They make the B8 interior positively Space age!!

 

[A4B9]

Yep, the interior (and the noisy oem tyres) were the main reason why I didn't go with the BMW