Audi 'deeply' into design revamp. Next gen Audis will not look much alike

[Ultimate Car Guy]

May I ask? Have you owned any new Audi? If you haven't, you should drive one a day or two, and you will see.
The MMI system is SO EASY to use, and the buttons are no way near a mess. Im telling you, a baby could play with the MMI

Why would i need to own an Audi or why would i need to drive it for an entire day to determine if the interior design is good?

If the design was good, then it should be intuitive. Meaning that someone who is unfamiliar with the car should be able to come in, sit down, drive-off and be able to utilise the functionality within the first 5 to 10 minutes. They shouldn't have to own the vehicle or live with it for a day to be able to attain its benefits.

When manufacturers design the layout of the interior, they consider the "test drive" test. When a customer test drives their product, they really only have between 15 minutes to 1/2 an hour. If they need more time than that to be able to use and understand the car's interior design in a sufficient manner, then they've failed.

The problem with a lot of members on this forum is they don't really understand the average customer. The average customer isn't a "car guy" and they are conservative. Your average cutomer doesn't have the patience or the luxury of an "entire day" to be able to understand a car's operating system.

 

[Deckhook]

But the average customer learns the systems and button placements very quickly regardless of the brand because they have all the time in the world now that they own it. I know I found the original iDrive tricky at first with so many sub folders to navigate through but in next to no time familiarise myself, at the time I had just changed from the MMI, no doubt about it the MMI because of its main function buttons placed around the commander knob does make it easier to use. Haven't tried the improved iDrive but I thought it adopted a setup that was something similar did it not?

 

[Tumbo]

Why would i need to own an Audi or why would i need to drive it for an entire day to determine if the interior design is good?

If the design was good, then it should be intuitive. Meaning that someone who is unfamiliar with the car should be able to come in, sit down, drive-off and be able to utilise the functionality within the first 5 to 10 minutes. They shouldn't have to own the vehicle or live with it for a day to be able to attain its benefits.

When manufacturers design the layout of the interior, they consider the "test drive" test. When a customer test drives their product, they really only have between 15 minutes to 1/2 an hour. If they need more time than that to be able to use and understand the car's interior design in a sufficient manner, then they've failed.

The problem with a lot of members on this forum is they don't really understand the average customer. The average customer isn't a "car guy" and they are conservative. Your average cutomer doesn't have the patience or the luxury of an "entire day" to be able to understand a car's operating system.

So, you tell me that when you buy a sound system, or a new washing mashine, or a new laundry machine, you know everything directly? You don't need to be a "car guy" to have patience to learn the new systems in todays car. Everything needs time. Even me needed to learn like a couple of hours of the MMI system in my new Q5. But now, that I know what is where, I think that it's very easy to use. And again, I am telling you. If you think that the MMI system is hard to use... And if you need a whole day to understand it... Then I don't know what to tell you. In all the test of any Audi, they have always said that the MMI is very user-friendly. So, should they make things up?

 

[Tumbo]

...the MMI because of its main function buttons placed around the commander knob does make it easier to use.

Yupp. Exactly... It's childlishy easy!!!

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Speaking about details, another thing that Audi must correct, is their interiors. I mean that in photos they look good. But the execution could be a million times better, with better materials used, especially in the A4, which is full of cheap and shiny plastic.

Plastic details do not add neither to a sporty feel, nor to a luxurious one. They only make the car look tacky.

Absolutely spot on Giannis. Unfortunately most CLUELESS Jurnous still think Audi interiors are class benchmarks. That's utter BULLS***.

More money has been poured into design flamboyance than actual material quality, which has so many fooled. When a centre armrest on a ninety thousand dollar car creaks like an old bed when any weight is put on it, that's a problem.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

The S5 has some cheap feeling materials, like the vast expanse of painted silver plastic panel surrounding the instruments and the LCD display. The plastic on the transmission tunnel is rock hard and easy to scratch. Having said that it is not worse than what BMW and Mercedes has to offer.

Yes it is worse. Mercedes recent products at least feel solid and actually hold up in terms of wear and tear, even if the material texture itself isn't the last word in refinement (Pre FL C & E). The newer ones even go further (FL C & CLS) and correct this shortcoming. They're every bit worthy of the Mercedes name and class leading in build and feel.

 

[Deckhook]

^ That's unfortunate you have had that experience because I didn't with either of mine though I have to admit I didn't keep them long though my mate has just got a 2yr old S4 and I'll definitely give the arm rest a go to see if it's got any creaks and report back my findings.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

I haven't been in the C-class, post-FL, but I the pre-FL wasn't worthy of M-B. That said, the E-class felt and looked pretty solid. And of course, the S-class was great.

Also sat in the A8 and A7 a few months ago....can't remember the impression I had for the A7, but the A8 was fantastic. Also the A7's exterior was top-notch, IRL.

 

[Ultimate Car Guy]

So, you tell me that when you buy a sound system, or a new washing mashine, or a new laundry machine, you know everything directly? You don't need to be a "car guy" to have patience to learn the new systems in todays car. Everything needs time. Even me needed to learn like a couple of hours of the MMI system in my new Q5. But now, that I know what is where, I think that it's very easy to use. And again, I am telling you. If you think that the MMI system is hard to use... And if you need a whole day to understand it... Then I don't know what to tell you. In all the test of any Audi, they have always said that the MMI is very user-friendly. So, should they make things up?

Err....yes, when i bought my iPod i was able to use it directly without reading the manual. When i bought my washing machine, yes i actually used it for the first time without having to read the manual. When the cleaing lady at work uses the dishwasher, i'm sure she didn't read the manual cos she doesn't know how to read any of the languages.

You have to be pretty "special" if you need to read the manual for the washing machine to be able to use it. I mean, you can go to a laundrymat and use the machine without having a manual.

When i go overseas or interstate to rent a car, i don't ever read the car's manual. If i have to read the manual, or i have to spend more than 10min in order to effectively utilise the car's radio or navigation, then i consider the car's design to be faulty.

Consider this, the BMW 5er and 7er have the manual built into the actual iDrive itself.

 

[Deckhook]

@UCG, do you seriously believe the iDrive is any easier to use than the MMI. They are both relatively easy and neither need a degree in brain surgery, don't you think you are being a little negative here.

 

[Tumbo]

@UCG, do you seriously believe the iDrive is any easier to use than the MMI. They are both relatively easy and neither need a degree in brain surgery, don't you think you are being a little negative here.

Amen.

 

[Zafiro]

First generation Idrive was pretty complex and slow but been improved over the years. Both MMI and 'new' Idrive are praised for being user friendly. I remember one review stating MMI and Idrive to be better than Mercedes.
I think BMW have been looking at MMI and is more alike than ever. What I like about idrive/mmi is the return button (which were missing for the first generation Idrive) surrounding the controller. Voice command is also available so you dont have to take away the eyes from the road.

 

[Giannis]

Since you guys talk about the MMI, I have to admit that the only experience I have with Audi's MMI is with the first generation and I had absolutely no issues with it. Though, I have no experience with iDrive.

On the other side, my biggest problem was the possition of the buttons. They were all over the place. If they are combined with a manual gearbox, it's too much for two hands. In the good old times, the neccessary buttos where on the dash, within reach of your fingers when the gearbox is in 1st, 3rd or 5th gear. Now you have to take your hand from the selector to change a radio station or just adjust the volume...

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

First generation Idrive was pretty complex and slow but been improved over the years. Both MMI and 'new' Idrive are praised for being user friendly. I remember one review stating MMI and Idrive to be better than Mercedes.
I think BMW have been looking at MMI and is more alike than ever. What I like about idrive/mmi is the return button (which were missing for the first generation Idrive) surrounding the controller. Voice command is also available so you dont have to take away the eyes from the road.

I read a review in Car or Autocar recently, where they actually tested the time it took to do everyday things on the 3 systems. Command was the quickest system to change songs, set up bluetooth, enter destinations etc. It also had the best voice command system. What lets command down is the graphics. They're very simple next to the slick BMW professional system. MMI on the other hand looks like a game console.

I've used all 3

 

[Ultimate Car Guy]

I'm just being truthful and honest here. I really don't find the interior of the Audi A4/A5 pleasant or intuitive, not in terms of materials (which i believe to be first rate) but in terms of design (most noticablly that centre console covering the gearbox). The buttons everywhere just make it difficult for me. Thats just my opinion and last time i checked, the whole purpose of this thread was to allow people like me to express this.

I fail to understand what Tumbo and Footie are trying to do. Are you trying to convince me that the interior is a good design by just stating so? Whats the point? Saying that it's "easy to use" in theory doesn't make it any easier for me to use the radio/navigation in practice.

I'm sure there are other people who feel the same way.

 

[Zafiro]

I read a review in Car or Autocar recently, where they actually tested the time it took to do everyday things on the 3 systems. Command was the quickest system to change songs, set up bluetooth, enter destinations etc. It also had the best voice command system. What lets command down is the graphics. They're very simple next to the slick BMW professional system. MMI on the other hand looks like a game console.

I've used all 3

Comand being quckiest probably due of the graphics being more basic. You have to agree the graphics is bad and kinda dull and not very modern/fresh like Idrive. 3D graphics is now available for Idrive.
The review I read said that Idrive and MMI to have a more user friendly interface. Also voice recognition for Comand had some issues and they were more impressed by voice recognition for MMI.

 

[Deckhook]

@UCG, please explain how the buttoms are everywhere, they are all grouped around the gear level, main control knob in the middle with the main controls positioned around it, even the volume control is there and the latest have added the presets there too unlike the iDrive which has some buttons on the dash and some beside the gear level. At least with MMI you don't need to divert your eyes to see where your hand needs to go.

If you find all that confusing then heaven help us as to what you think of having the gearstick, indicators, lights, heater controls and everything else scattered all over the place, must take you hours just pulling away from the driveway.

 

[Zafiro]

@UCG, please explain how the buttoms are everywhere, they are all grouped around the gear level, main control knob in the middle with the main controls positioned around it, even the volume control is there and the latest have added the presets there too unlike the iDrive which has some buttons on the dash and some beside the gear level. At least with MMI you don't need to divert your eyes to see where your hand needs to go.

Just like MMI there are buttons surrounding the controller. To change volume control you can use the button on the steering wheel, pretty easy. What I dislike about MMI is to counter-clockwise to move down a list.

 

[Ultimate Car Guy]

@UCG, please explain how the buttoms are everywhere, they are all grouped around the gear level, main control knob in the middle with the main controls positioned around it, even the volume control is there and the latest have added the presets there too unlike the iDrive which has some buttons on the dash and some beside the gear level. At least with MMI you don't need to divert your eyes to see where your hand needs to go.

If you find all that confusing then heaven help us as to what you think of having the gearstick, indicators, lights, heater controls and everything else scattered all over the place, must take you hours just pulling away from the driveway.

Er...Footie, you might wanna read your post again. First you ask me to explain the comment "there are buttons everywhere" and then you provide a description of the Audi console which, if you summarise it, basically states that there are buttons everywhere. I feel as if i have to dumb myself down whenerver i reply to you.

They might be designed to help (hence the presets) but the fact is that there are still too many buttons in the console. Finding the right button to operate the radio or navigation is still a distraction for me cos i still have to search the entire console to find the right one.

And why bring iDrive into this? I've never said that iDrive is easier to use. My argument is that i find Audi's interior difficult to use because there are too many buttons.

And in regards to your insult, might i remind you that i've shut you down and made you look like a fool on many occasions because of your ignorance and your uncanny ability to BS. Do not dare insult me again cos i will shut you down again. You should've stayed banned cos you really dumb-down discussions here.

 

[Giannis]

Chill down people!

We are just discussing about a sh tload of buttons here