New A7 review 4 months in....disappointing.

[cuke2u]

Yes they all do this, but does anyone drive in efficiency mode anyway, no wonder the car feels sluggish because that's what it is meant to do...

 

[koolkul]

Thanks Wippers, really useful to share feedback -I am a new poster here, now on my 3rd A7. 1st was Glacier White 2015 S-Line 3.0 TDi, 2nd a Floret Silver 2017 Black Edition 3.0 TDi - last week I bought a 2018 new Model A7 in Daytona Grey which has done about 14k miles.

Responding to your specific points
1 Pre-sense - no issues. Has come on a couple of times but only when navigating through congested back streets.
2 Gearbox - have read a lot of adverse comment about this, I am quite impressed with it. I generally drive in Efficiency Drive Select mode and even then find acceleration terrific. If I need a bit more urgency, I just bring the gear lever back to Sport and boy does it go.
3 Dashboard rattle - absolutely awful! Driving me mad and potentially a reason to return it
4 Sat Nav - fine, but Voice Control very poor compared to previous A7. In "old" A7, just used to say "Online destination Duck Pub Taunton" or whatever, and it would always find it. This one, very difficult to just give a voice command and get it to search Google. Have tried lots of permutations "Google Search Duck Pub Taunton" for example, generally only looks nearby (I am in Surrey, not somerset) so doesn't find it
5 Satnav reset. I get this and fine that it has logged me out of myAudi, so it doesn't know who I am and loses addresses. I sign back in to myAudi in the car and all is well - but it keeps happening!
6 probably the biggest issue I have is motion noise from what seems to me as driver to be somewhere on the passenger side. It doesn't sound like wind noise, more like tyre roar. My car is on Yokohama Advans - previous A7's have been on Pirelli P Zeros which always seemed to be very quiet. But I don't know if this tyre related, it is just noisy - anyone else have this?

Good bits :

1 Yes, very nice. Not sure about the slab of air vents (particularly when this sees to be source of rattles) but in general, very nice. Love the extended lighting pack at night, spectacular and really special. Very comfortable seats.
2 B&O - agreed, terrific upgrade from Bose in previous Black Ed.
3 Virtual dashboard - not impressed really. Thought it would be far more configurable than it is. Not sure what real advantage it delivers.
4 Adaptive Cruise - quite something. In conjunction with the SatNav, it can pretty much get me home without me touching accelerator or brake. Very clever, a glimpse of the future for sure. Not sure about AAC on the motorway as left to it's own devices, you will never overtake the slowest vehicle in front! Needs a bit of getting used to.

My car has Audi Key Connect - Audi specialise in having really confusing names for their features, but this is the one where you can authorise Smartphones (through the myAudi app) to transfer a digital key. You then use your Smartphone to open (by holding the phone by the door handle) and start the car, no physical key required at all. This is a good feature except Audi UK say it was a "launch edition feature and is not supported in the UK" - they seem surprised that I have got it working.

Not sure the car quite has the presence of the original A7 (my previous two cars) which I think is a design classic.

Some of my findings so far - very concerned about motion noise and rattles - albeit from time to time, both magically disappear!

Kind regards

Edward

Hi Edward, just read about the motion noise, when I bought mine, at around 30mph and above everyone in the car heard what sounded like a wind buffeting noise. A bit like someone hand just wound down a wind by a little. It was very irritating for a luxury car especially as my previous A7 was super quiet. When I took it back to dealer and demonstrated it the Audi Techs adjusted the boot so it was not quite flush. Their reasoning was that the seals in the boot did not allow air to pass cleanly through the vehicle!?! So now the noise is mostly nonexistent but I notice the boot line is a little raises.


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[Mooogie]

Hi Edward, just read about the motion noise, when I bought mine, at around 30mph and above everyone in the car heard what sounded like a wind buffeting noise. A bit like someone hand just wound down a wind by a little. It was very irritating for a luxury car especially as my previous A7 was super quiet. When I took it back to dealer and demonstrated it the Audi Techs adjusted the boot so it was not quite flush. Their reasoning was that the seals in the boot did not allow air to pass cleanly through the vehicle!?! So now the noise is mostly nonexistent but I notice the boot line is a little raises.


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Interesting! Are you able to send a photo of the not quite flush boot? Do you know how they raised it slighty? Did they reprogram/code anything or fit a shim somewhere to stop the boot closing as tightly?

 

[koolkul]

Interesting! Are you able to send a photo of the not quite flush boot? Do you know how they raised it slighty? Did they reprogram/code anything or fit a shim somewhere to stop the boot closing as tightly?

Sure will, but they said that another dealer had a similar problem and Audi suggested making adjustments to the boot closing mechanism. It took them a few hours while I waited and it sounded like it a mechanical fix rather than software.


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[Edward L]

Hi Edward, just read about the motion noise, when I bought mine, at around 30mph and above everyone in the car heard what sounded like a wind buffeting noise. A bit like someone hand just wound down a wind by a little. It was very irritating for a luxury car especially as my previous A7 was super quiet. When I took it back to dealer and demonstrated it the Audi Techs adjusted the boot so it was not quite flush. Their reasoning was that the seals in the boot did not allow air to pass cleanly through the vehicle!?! So now the noise is mostly nonexistent but I notice the boot line is a little raises.


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Thank you very much indeed. Can I ask which dealer did the work? Do you think Audi UK acknowledge the issue?

Like you, my previous A7 (2016 model) was beautifully quiet. This new, improved car, just isn’t!

 

[Edward L]

Sure will, but they said that another dealer had a similar problem and Audi suggested making adjustments to the boot closing mechanism. It took them a few hours while I waited and it sounded like it a mechanical fix rather than software.


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Can I ask what tyres your A7 was on? Mine is on Yokohama Advans.

 

[koolkul]

Can I ask what tyres your A7 was on? Mine is on Yokohama Advans.

They are on Bridgestone Turanza T005 255/35 on 21” rims. Very quiet and comfortable even for that size of rim. My old A7 was also on 21” rotor arm design, beautiful rims, lower sportier profile but very prone to kerbing and not as quiet or as comfortable Conti Sport Contact.

 

[Edward L]

They are on Bridgestone Turanza T005 255/35 on 21” rims. Very quiet and comfortable even for that size of rim. My old A7 was also on 21” rotor arm design, beautiful rims, lower sportier profile but very prone to kerbing and not as quiet or as comfortable Conti Sport Contact.

Thanks, so no connection between tyres and the motion noise you had? My gut feeling is that it is not tyre roar.

 

[koolkul]

Thanks, so no connection between tyres and the motion noise you had? My gut feeling is that it is not tyre roar.

Not in my case, the wheels and tyres are definitely a lot quieter than old A7 which I suspect is down to the profile not being as sportier.


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[koolkul]

Thank you very much indeed. Can I ask which dealer did the work? Do you think Audi UK acknowledge the issue?

Like you, my previous A7 (2016 model) was beautifully quiet. This new, improved car, just isn’t!

I forgot to mention the dealer was Slough Audi.
Here are some shots of the boot

and compared with a model in the dealership

Mine sticks up by abt 3mm


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[Wippers]

Can’t believe that’s the fix by a main dealer. What a daft idea to the problem - make the boot not shut correctly. Bonkers.
I’d not be happy.


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[Nabz1]

Same here! Got the same model and done just around 7k miles. The car has been to the dealership 4 times.

The first issue was with a faulty mechanism on the panoramic roof which would not close. That has since been fixed

Secondly there was a horrible rattle on the centre air vents which I had replaced all sorted now

Thirdly when panoramic roof was being fixed the dealership somehow scuffed the leather on the arm rest and the lining on the B pillar which they have since replaced.

The fourth issue is a rattle on the driver side b pillar around the seat belt. The dealership have reportedly fixed it. Although a bit better I occasionally hear rattling which is frustrating

The fifth issue was with the passenger side door which required a lot of force to close it. That has since been repaired. The door seal has been replaced.

The sixth issue was to do with the coolant leaking. That has since been reportedly fixed.

The 7th issue is that I’m getting error messages when I try updating the map over the air. Audi connect are long into this. It’s been two months

Maybe I should have gone with the cls!

That said, the bang and Olufsen sounds good tho and I like the 360 cameras. The matrix hd lights are super bright and the interior lighting is cool.

Ok so I’ve had the A7 50TDI now for four months and covered 5k mileage. Having owned many Audi models over the last 19 years this one is definitely the worst for a number of reasons. although there are some redeeming features.

These are the bad bits first:

1. The pre-sense has a mind of its own and kicks in on open roads with no obstacles to be seen. Doesn’t feel safe.

2. The gearbox is woeful. Absolutely awful. I really don’t know what Audi we’re thinking when they passed this as acceptable. Horrendous lag when pulling out of junctions and cogs down when you don’t want it to. Mine clunks into first sometimes with a huge jolt too.

3. I expected the creaks and rattles to be ironed out by now but I get quite a few.

4. The satnav doesn’t appear to know what the number 1 is choose matter how I write it on the lower touch screen.

5. The satnav has reset itself without warning losing all my saved addresses. No idea why.



And the good bits:

1. The interior is beautifully designed with all the functions very easy to use and intuitive. The temperature touch slider works really well and doesn’t distract from the driving.

2. The B&O sound system is a huge (and I mean huge) improvement on the Bose system I had in my previous A7. Plenty of bass too.

3. Although not specific to the A7, the virtual dashboard with Google Maps is excellent and really easy to view whilst driving.


The car has been into more than one Audi dealerships to sort out the faults with varying results. Still not got everything sorted yet.
It’s quite sad but I’m already looking forward to getting into a new car in a couple of years. Not sure after 19 years of Audi ownership that it will last into the next choice.


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Ra

 

[Wippers]

I’ve given mine back to Audi and had a full refund. Couldn’t live with either the woeful gearbox or the dangerous pre-sense.
Bought an RS5 instead. Mid life crisis.


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[Nabz1]

I'm seriously considering doing this but I’ve done 7000 miles.

 

[Nabz1]

How did u resolve the rattles and creaks in the A7. Getting fed up now

 

[Nabz1]

Wippers do you have a dash rattle by any chance like mine?

I had the centre air vents replaced because of the rattle

 

[RAF_S7]

I’ve given mine back to Audi and had a full refund. Couldn’t live with either the woeful gearbox or the dangerous pre-sense.
Bought an RS5 instead. Mid life crisis.

Wow, that's disappointing to hear

 

[Whimsy]

5. The satnav has reset itself without warning losing all my saved addresses. No idea why.

Yup had the same several times now, its the little details that let things down.

I havent weened myself off from Waze as the address entry and search tools are terrible. Yesterday my partner wanted to go to the local Hobbycraft, it gave every Hobbycraft site around but the one 3 miles down the road. Even when using the name and town it wanted to head 200 miles to one there.

 

[koolkul]

Just bumping the thread. Just over a year on and mine is going in for its first service costing almost £500.
Anyone else had theirs serviced?
Any issues?


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[Sheroo]

I'm getting a rear spoiler failure, local Audi dealership has advised that the controller is faulty and there are none in The UK or Germany, does anyone know the part number for this controller?

Also @Nabz1 can you please advise how you got the centre rattle repaired, I think I'm hearing the same problem.

PS. @koolkul Sadly can't help you with the servicing as I had the first two thrown in free, that price does seem about right though.

 

[stokieb]

Mine just had its first service £382.

They have finally acknowledged the dash rattle that others have mentioned. Going back in later to be fixed, hopefully. However the drivers b pillar rattle that I complained about could not be replicated!

While it was in it had a software update "Driver Assist systems". Seems to have changed a few things visually such as warning symbols for lane departure, speed limiter and what seems to be sat nav notifications.

However, since collecting getting RH main beam defect and Adaptive lighting faults when I use main beam. They seem okay but still getting errors. Bit of a coincidence after software update? Anyway that's now logged and they will check that when it goes back in.

 

[koolkul]

Mine just had its first service £382.

They have finally acknowledged the dash rattle that others have mentioned. Going back in later to be fixed, hopefully. However the drivers b pillar rattle that I complained about could not be replicated!

While it was in it had a software update "Driver Assist systems". Seems to have changed a few things visually such as warning symbols for lane departure, speed limiter and what seems to be sat nav notifications.

However, since collecting getting RH main beam defect and Adaptive lighting faults when I use main beam. They seem okay but still getting errors. Bit of a coincidence after software update? Anyway that's now logged and they will check that when it goes back in.

Thanks!


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[Nabz1]

Mine just had its first service £382.

They have finally acknowledged the dash rattle that others have mentioned. Going back in later to be fixed, hopefully. However the drivers b pillar rattle that I complained about could not be replicated!

While it was in it had a software update "Driver Assist systems". Seems to have changed a few things visually such as warning symbols for lane departure, speed limiter and what seems to be sat nav notifications.

However, since collecting getting RH main beam defect and Adaptive lighting faults when I use main beam. They seem okay but still getting errors. Bit of a coincidence after software update? Anyway that's now logged and they will check that when it goes back in.

Hi, the dash rattle was coming from the centre vents which was replaced under warranty. Despite the dealers efforts, the b pillar rattle remains. The rattle seems to come from the seat belt assembly on the driver side b pillar when the weather is not (plastics expanding) there are no rattles now that the weather is colder.

Why are you guys paying for the service? is the car not under warranty?

I still keep getting an error for the online map updates. I have tried to update it via sd card it still does not work - sort of given up

 

[stokieb]

The charge is for the service, oil change etc. Not the warranty issues.

 

[koolkul]

Thanks!


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That is cheap, I am being asked for 574 for oil and inspection after about 18k Miles


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[Ash187]

My car has Audi Key Connect - Audi specialise in having really confusing names for their features, but this is the one where you can authorise Smartphones (through the myAudi app) to transfer a digital key. You then use your Smartphone to open (by holding the phone by the door handle) and start the car, no physical key required at all. This is a good feature except Audi UK say it was a "launch edition feature and is not supported in the UK" - they seem surprised that I have got it working.

Kind regards

Edward

I also have the connect key and have the key user authorised on the app but don’t have the connect phone key working, can you go into more detail how to get it on?

 

[Edward L]

I also have the connect key and have the key user authorised on the app but don’t have the connect phone key working, can you go into more detail how to get it on?

Have a look at the pictures in this thread around post 34/35 - does that help?

Kind regards

Edward

 

[Ash187]

Does your car still have the wireless charger/nfc antenna module installed in the boot? I have a fault code on my car when scanned with vcds showing the module disconnected, I checked and it’s not there. According to Audi it was removed due to a fault with it interfering with police frequencies and will be replaced on another recall in the future when they have redeveloped the antenna... I’m thinking this is why it doesn’t work on mine.

 

[Edward L]

Does your car still have the wireless charger/nfc antenna module installed in the boot? I have a fault code on my car when scanned with vcds showing the module disconnected, I checked and it’s not there. According to Audi it was removed due to a fault with it interfering with police frequencies and will be replaced on another recall in the future when they have redeveloped the antenna... I’m thinking this is why it doesn’t work on mine.

Cripes! No idea - happy to have a look but you would need to tell me what I am looking for and where. I did try and get an Audi Connect card but got told by Audi UK that they no longer support this feature. The feature that they had recently launched - I just put it down to Audi UK being their usual completely disinterested incompetent selves!

Just thinking about it, I don't believe NFC can interfere with anything - the NFC range is minute - millimetres I would say, not even centimetres so I cannot see that it would have enough power or range to interfere with anything. Why would wireless charging need an antenna? You sure you have the feature?

 

[dominic bryant]

Im running a 2019 A7 50 TDI on lease, I previously ran an S7 old shape and experienced none of the following frustrations. I love the look of the car and it is extremely fast whilst being frugal on fuel however, on certain days in the right settings the car is awesome, otherwise it can be a real frustration to own and use. My feelings towards it change with almost every drive I take in it!

Agreed issues...
1. The pre-sense has a mind of its own and kicks in on open roads with no obstacles to be seen. Doesn’t feel safe - Same experiances
2. The gearbox is woeful. Absolutely awful. I really don’t know what Audi we’re thinking when they passed this as acceptable. Horrendous lag when pulling out of junctions and cogs down when you don’t want it to. Mine clunks into first sometimes with a huge jolt too - My thoughts exactly, awful and potentially dangerous lack of development!
3. I expected the creaks and rattles to be ironed out by now but I get quite a few - Centre dashboard creak from the bezel round the satnav screen driving me crazy. Other interior rattles noticable when on poor road surface
4. The satnav doesn’t appear to know what the number 1 is choose matter how I write it on the lower touch screen. - The handwriting and speech recognition and general slowness are poor.

Other issues...
5. Every now and then when pulling away from a standstill it looses drive and kind of slips before quickly re engaging resulting in a whack up the rear sensation. First few times I actually expected to see another vehicle embedded in the back of my car. Cant be good for the drive train.
6. When exiting the car I often have to pull the interior door handle 3 times before the door will open.
7. Having to indicate before making any small lane departure to stop the car trying to correct my deliberate inputs is just annoying.
Why can I not turn off the lane departure warning permanently?

All in all it feels like this car was rushed through development, maybe due to the expenditure and resource creep going onto the electric vehicles which were being developed at roughly the same time as the new A7. Definitely not one of Audi's best cars and will probably be an unreliable and eyewateringly expensive secondhand proposition once the warranty has expired.

 

[El-Cap]

So far have found my A7 relatively free of issues (fingers crossed stays that way!)

Agree the gearbox isn’t as well set up as it should be but my routes mean I tend to flow through traffic rather than have to stop and move out through it - and if I do come to a full stop I put it into Sport before moving off (largely based on reviews which suggest this) and this seems to work.

I have a few weird glitches:

- Seat has comfort exit and moves the seat back when turning off ignition. Sometimes this happens when starting up which is annoying!

- Seat belt has a twist so is on wrong side

- water drips into boot from spoiler area which never happens on old A7

- occasional errors re not being able to use lane assist/sign recognition/auto headlights etc


Otherwise apart from the MMI taking a while to settle down with it settings (too complicated for its own good?) all is well and I am really enjoying the car.


Oh had my first Skid Risk warning display the other day. It’s not temperature related because we have had lots of low temps but it seemed to notice the road was slushy and put a massive warning up in case I hadn’t noticed!

 

[Dam0]

This week, mine was in twice at Audi.

Initially to investigate / resolve:

1. Subwoofer intermittently not coming on - would not come back on following car off / on. It would need to be off for hours to work again. Audi are aware, no fix yet however.
2. Engine judder at low revs in traffic - resolved with software update
3. Left wing mirror camera failure (360 camera) - resolved with software update.
4. They applied a number of other updates related to outstanding recall notices.

On bringing the car home, that evening found the rear lights would remain on, permanently when the car was off. No matter what I did, the rear lights would pop on after 20 seconds. - returned the next day and it was resolved.
Got to run around in a nice A8 for a bit however.

- Seat has comfort exit and moves the seat back when turning off ignition. Sometimes this happens when starting up which is annoying!

Mine does this, I think it happens when you exert too much foot pressure on the foot brake when starting the car because the seat motor feels resistance and is programmed to retract because something might be trapped.

- water drips into boot from spoiler area which never happens on old A7

God yes... so annoying

 

[koolkul]

This week, mine was in twice at Audi.

Initially to investigate / resolve:

1. Subwoofer intermittently not coming on - would not come back on following car off / on. It would need to be off for hours to work again. Audi are aware, no fix yet however.
2. Engine judder at low revs in traffic - resolved with software update
3. Left wing mirror camera failure (360 camera) - resolved with software update.
4. They applied a number of other updates related to outstanding recall notices.

On bringing the car home, that evening found the rear lights would remain on, permanently when the car was off. No matter what I did, the rear lights would pop on after 20 seconds. - returned the next day and it was resolved.
Got to run around in a nice A8 for a bit however.



Mine does this, I think it happens when you exert too much foot pressure on the foot brake when starting the car because the seat motor feels resistance and is programmed to retract because something might be trapped.



God yes... so annoying

Ha ha, great car but some annoying bits, like when I try to reach into boot to pick up shopping and the boot starts to close automatically!


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[Smileysam]

I swear my car is trying to kill me or eat me. W
I reach to the back of the boot or need to rummage around I hear the dreaded beep beep and it's time to escape before the boot lid strikes me.

My fault for calling my car Damien....

 

[DSB 07]

This is my third A7 (61, 15 plates) and had it for 10 months and 30k miles. Its a business car and I ran the others for 140k plus miles, and just get the non quattro as it does fine on the motorways (Co2 BIK tax puts me off!). Not read everything in this thread but this one does have more issues than the other, my points:

1. Worst thing the lag - I've been stranded joining busy roundabouts, with the nose sitting in the outside lane.
2. Boot lid dribble - when it rains and you open the boot lid, two streams of water run into the edge channels of the body (spoiler area i think). When its windy it blows into the boot area.
3. Boot lid clunk - sometimes bangs and creaks when opening
4. Random seat setting - driver seat moves fully back rather than finding your setting
5. Rattles - not terrible but mine comes from the console

As other have said, the dash and some of the gadgets are great and really work. Love carplay, sat nav is fine and the heated non spraying wipers are much better. I have its second service soon, will see what the dealer says

 

[El-Cap]

Point 13 above - rattles:

Mine come from the silver trim around the lower MMI at the top where it joins in behind the upper MMI. It stops when pushed - and when the car is at temperature.

Another new annoyance is the washer jets for the head lights that seem to most cover the bonnet. Not sure if this is just over spray and some is actually getting on the headlight glass though!

 

[evans1089]

Are all these common problems the old shape?
I'm going to look at a 3.0tfsi 55 2018 model soon..

 

[koolkul]

Are all these common problems the old shape?
I'm going to look at a 3.0tfsi 55 2018 model soon..

Hi evans1089, they are issues on the latest gen 2 A7 from 2018, which is what I have currently. 55TFSI great engine and box though- almost get 45-50MPG on motorways being gentle on the throttle but boy does it fly when you get you foot down for such a big car!


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[hulahoop7]

I have a 2020 55. I also have a dash rattle on some road surfaces. Seems to hit a resonance and sounds like loose washers bouncing on bolts. I also have a creaky b pillar, which either rain or silicone spray temporarily fixes. More worryingly I also have the beginnings of a high pitched whine coming from somewhere in the transmission.

I had the old A7 previously and then a Q7. Quality seems to have dived in this generation.

Good stuff? Engine… it is sooo rapid. I’ve managed a few 4.7 0-60s. B&O sound system is also awesome.

 

[Maanu1141]

Hello guys ! I m getting a 2018 55TFSI with 38k km in a few days and i want to know if the software problems had been solved with the latest software updates . Thanks !