2016 Audi A4 sedan & avant

[Clue]

Oh that's great to know. If VC comes automatically with sat nav then it's an easier choice. Was concerned about paying 7.5k with no means to utilize the VC fully. I use GPS quite frequently in my current car but the new Audis come with CarPlay so I could still have used Apple Maps on the centre display. The VC is cool in my view only because it can show maps too.

 

I have spoken to four PA agents. First two were assigned when I walked in and both were only interested in an immediate sale. Kept pushing me to buy ex-stock even when they were not my desired specs or color. The third one was based on a forum recommendation but maybe because I didn't go down personally she didn't seem very helpful. The fourth one was the only male I have encountered and the only one who seems remotely helpful. Calculated depreciation for me and was not overly pushy. Likely will go back to him when I decide to commit.

 

Oh yes but do take note that Apple carplay map cannot be displayed on the VC...or maybe can but I haven't figured out how to yet.

[BlueSwifts]

Rem map need $$$ to update hor.

Good thing is that those who have gotten the Navigation Package (an option that is part of the Virtual Cockpit) have 6 free map updates, once every 6 months. So basically 3 free years of map updates. :)

[littlecar]

Oh yes but do take note that Apple carplay map cannot be displayed on the VC...or maybe can but I haven't figured out how to yet.

Cannot. That's why if I take VC it must come with Audi's own sat nav. Otherwise, not sure there's much point in the VC.

[BlueSwifts]

Oh that's great to know. If VC comes automatically with sat nav then it's an easier choice. Was concerned about paying 7.5k with no means to utilize the VC fully. I use GPS quite frequently in my current car but the new Audis come with CarPlay so I could still have used Apple Maps on the centre display. The VC is cool in my view only because it can show maps too.

 

I have spoken to four PA agents. First two were assigned when I walked in and both were only interested in an immediate sale. Kept pushing me to buy ex-stock even when they were not my desired specs or color. The third one was based on a forum recommendation but maybe because I didn't go down personally she didn't seem very helpful. The fourth one was the only male I have encountered and the only one who seems remotely helpful. Calculated depreciation for me and was not overly pushy. Likely will go back to him when I decide to commit.

Audi (Not Premium Automobiles) does not allow speccing the Virtual Cockpit without Navigation. It is a must to have the built-in navigation in order to get the virtual cockpit. And it does not display any info from Apple carplay or android auto.

 

Also for the $7.5k, u get a 8.5" centre console screen instead of 6", a touch pad on the MMI scroll wheel for typing and 6 free map updates which u can download online and update it to the A4 yourself (means no need go down to service centre to do). It also adds $2k more to your OMV as well cuz its a factory fitted option.

 

Depreciation wise, lower than BMW 318i and Mercedes C180.

[littlecar]

Audi (Not Premium Automobiles) does not allow speccing the Virtual Cockpit without Navigation. It is a must to have the built-in navigation in order to get the virtual cockpit. And it does not display any info from Apple carplay or android auto.

 

Also for the $7.5k, u get a 8.5" centre console screen instead of 6", a touch pad on the MMI scroll wheel for typing and 6 free map updates which u can download online and update it to the A4 yourself (means no need go down to service centre to do). It also adds $2k more to your OMV as well cuz its a factory fitted option.

 

Depreciation wise, lower than BMW 318i and Mercedes C180.

 

Thanks! You are more helpful than any PA agent I have encountered! (Assuming you are not yourself a PA agent haha.) This information is extremely helpful. With sat nav, the VC will make a lot more sense, and the six free updates are a bonus. The additional 2k in OMV also means the real cost of the VC is less than 7.5k, and the bigger screen is also a huge plus. Once again, many thanks!

[BlueSwifts]

Thanks! You are more helpful than any PA agent I have encountered! (Assuming you are not yourself a PA agent haha.) This information is extremely helpful. With sat nav, the VC will make a lot more sense, and the six free updates are a bonus. The additional 2k in OMV also means the real cost of the VC is less than 7.5k, and the bigger screen is also a huge plus. Once again, many thanks!

Haha, rather that I am the first few with the A4 with the Virtual Cockpit. You can take a look at my post on 15th May 2016 (page 37). :)

[7hm]

I am deliberating whether to get the virtual cockpit and wanted to ask those who have it how useful it is in daily use? From the reviews online, people rave about it mostly because they are able to see the sat nav Google maps in the virtual cockpit, but I understand you have to pay extra in Singapore if you want sat nav AND virtual cockpit. If one doesn't get sat nav and uses Android or Apple phones the maps will only display on the centre display. Is there much use for the virtual cockpit in that case? (Leaving aside other reasons like resale value, showing off, etc.) Thanks!

 

Virtual cockpit is definitely in the looks-cool gimmick sort of territory, but as you might imagine it's only really worthwhile with the navigation option, which comes with it anyway. However there are other information screens available in Virtual Cockpit and you can customize it to some extent in a way you cannot with the physical cluster.

Virtual Cockpit as a whole is worth it, I'd say, especially if you want to make your A4 feel more high tech. It's a great show item and definitely adds to resale appeal.

 

The physical cluster does have a MFD though, so it's not entirely useless.

Edited November 9, 2016 by 7hm

[littlecar]

Virtual cockpit is definitely in the looks-cool gimmick sort of territory, but as you might imagine it's only really worthwhile with the navigation option, which comes with it anyway. However there are other information screens available in Virtual Cockpit and you can customize it to some extent in a way you cannot with the physical cluster.

Virtual Cockpit as a whole is worth it, I'd say, especially if you want to make your A4 feel more high tech. It's a great show item and definitely adds to resale appeal.

 

The physical cluster does have a MFD though, so it's not entirely useless.

 

Thanks for the helpful feedback. Agree it looks cool, but in my view, only really cool if there's navigation which I have now found out it comes with thankfully. I only really look at the dials for information on speed and fuel, so the ability to customise it is less appealing, but the ability to show the maps - wow haha. I did read somewhere that the VC defaults to the original display setting each time you start your car (after a certain period of time), so the customisation doesn't stick, which was a little off putting but I think ultimately given that the 7.5k buys you BOTH VC and sat nav, I will likely go for it. I paid 2k to have GPS integrated in my current Golf, so the real cost of the VC to me would be less than 7.5k. And someone also helpfully pointed out that the 7.5k gets you a bigger screen, which is quite appealing too. 

 

As for resale value, I don't know. Whenever I have asked for quotes for trade-in, no one ever asks about these options. The price offered by the dealers always seem to turn more on age of vehicle, COE paid, and mileage. I am not sure they would care about these options beyond the increase in OMV.

[7hm]

Thanks for the helpful feedback. Agree it looks cool, but in my view, only really cool if there's navigation which I have now found out it comes with thankfully. I only really look at the dials for information on speed and fuel, so the ability to customise it is less appealing, but the ability to show the maps - wow haha. I did read somewhere that the VC defaults to the original display setting each time you start your car (after a certain period of time), so the customisation doesn't stick, which was a little off putting but I think ultimately given that the 7.5k buys you BOTH VC and sat nav, I will likely go for it. I paid 2k to have GPS integrated in my current Golf, so the real cost of the VC to me would be less than 7.5k. And someone also helpfully pointed out that the 7.5k gets you a bigger screen, which is quite appealing too. 

 

As for resale value, I don't know. Whenever I have asked for quotes for trade-in, no one ever asks about these options. The price offered by the dealers always seem to turn more on age of vehicle, COE paid, and mileage. I am not sure they would care about these options beyond the increase in OMV.

 

well, personally, at 7.5k, it's a hard sell even for me, even if I view it "worth it"...

 

When I mention resale values, though, yeah, the dealers usually ignore this sort of stuff. They're like that. Sell it yourself and you can probably mark up with Virtual Cockpit versus another 1.4TFSI specimen without it.

Your dealers you spoke with, you ought to have pointed out to them you have high equipment levels.

I take it your Golf is a EQP unit?

[littlecar]

well, personally, at 7.5k, it's a hard sell even for me, even if I view it "worth it"...

 

When I mention resale values, though, yeah, the dealers usually ignore this sort of stuff. They're like that. Sell it yourself and you can probably mark up with Virtual Cockpit versus another 1.4TFSI specimen without it.

Your dealers you spoke with, you ought to have pointed out to them you have high equipment levels.

I take it your Golf is a EQP unit?

Mine is a Mk6; think EQP is a Mk7 trim level? I have the RNS510 in mine with GPS, and also parallel park assist, tyre pressure monitoring, not usually found on Mk6 models at that time, but the dealers have never asked for this information so from my point of view, these options don't add to my resale value haha. If I pick the VC it will really only be for my own driving pleasure unless like you said I try selling the car myself eventually. We shall see but my experience with the Golf is that the best way to minimise depreciation is to drive till expiry of COE haha.

[KennyLee83]

I would go for the VC if $$ and waiting time is not an issue.

Regret not going for VC and 2.0... if only I have waited a few more months...#truestory :)

[7hm]

Mine is a Mk6; think EQP is a Mk7 trim level? I have the RNS510 in mine with GPS, and also parallel park assist, tyre pressure monitoring, not usually found on Mk6 models at that time, but the dealers have never asked for this information so from my point of view, these options don't add to my resale value haha. If I pick the VC it will really only be for my own driving pleasure unless like you said I try selling the car myself eventually. We shall see but my experience with the Golf is that the best way to minimise depreciation is to drive till expiry of COE haha.

 

A lot of these dealers don't know. Gotta tell them you have it and then try to convince them to give you more. 

...Well, either they don't know, or they just don't want to give you upfront avenues to get more cash.

Second hand dealers always lowball... not like direct buyers. 

[Theoldjaffa]

Just because one has the budget doesn't mean one needs to spend it. I could use the money on other options for the car, or buy a watch, or travel. The question was asked precisely to find out whether the virtual cockpit is worth the 7.5k or if the 7.5k would be better spent elsewhere.

If you like it, it's worth it. Period.

 

You don't need others to tell you whether it's worth it or not.

[littlecar]

If you like it, it's worth it. Period.

 

You don't need others to tell you whether it's worth it or not.

I am not asking people to tell me whether it's worth it to me. I am asking whether people who ordered it found it worth it. I don't know why people like you feel a need to comment when you have nothing helpful to add. Anyway I got the input I needed from various people to make a decision so that's all from me.

[Civic6228]

 

Class 90.5 ..... Hear only the good stuff.

 

But this is a public forum leh

[littlecar]

 

 

Class 90.5 ..... Hear only the good stuff.

 

But this is a public forum leh

Ironic. In the first place he/she was the one who took issue with my soliciting feedback on a public forum. Anyway I am done here for now. Thanks to those who made an effort to help me out. Much appreciated.

[Theoldjaffa]

I am not asking people to tell me whether it's worth it to me. I am asking whether people who ordered it found it worth it. I don't know why people like you feel a need to comment when you have nothing helpful to add. Anyway I got the input I needed from various people to make a decision so that's all from me.

My reply was just an innocuous comment, and I think it's helpful.. Seems like you didnt take it too well.

 

So now for my comment. You don't have to like it nor do I bother. I don't know why people like you feel a need to ask others if it's worth it for whatever is worth to them may be useless info to u. That's why I say, you yourself can provide your own answers. their criteria may differ from you. It applies not only here, but for all your other decisions. You live your life and make decisions based on others?

 

Anyway you got your input from others so there you go.

 

Let me now ask myself when it's worth it to even reply to people like u in the first place. I don't even know you.

 

Over and out.

Edited November 10, 2016 by Theoldjaffa

[Soya]

Does it help if I say the VC $$ is a total ripoff in SG?