Anyone else besides me think the MMI sucks?

[Pgr1990]

I don't like any of the German media interfaces. For instance BMW's i-Drive has probably been responsible for several suicides, I hate that thing the most out of any system. Everyone seems to love the MMI in the audis and I straight up think it sucks. I use my nav everyday for work and it takes too long to load, its like a 56k modem. I miss being able to hop into my car and just punch what I needed into my nav and take off. Why can't it be like my Infiniti and just be instantaneously loaded when the car is started. Also I liked the media player on my G37 much better as well, way easier to use. I'm just not impressed by this system, I've tried to burn CDs and apparently it's the wrong format? With the same CDs that my Infiniti burned no problem to the hard drive. It had been nothing but a damn hassle and it is the only thing I dislike about my car. Anyone else feel the same way coming from another cars media interface?

[Huey52]

Yep. Case in point for upcoming Google navigation. Software interfaces are always a two edged sword however in that multi-steps are good when you're new to it but quickly tedious as you become accustomed.

[richib86]

i have no issue with it but thats probably because im coming from the rnse in the older audis where this is leaps and bounds better and faster. i dont burn or even use CD's anymore so truthfully ive never even tried to burn a disc in the car, and my maps load plenty fast and im around the city where im using a lot of 3D maps. i fully plan on upgrading my system to the update MMI in the 2013 model when parts become available

[Lazy Dog]

The MMI has grown on me the last few weeks. I'm coming out of a Lexus GS 460 and I liked the touchscreen QWERTY interface for the Nav screen on that car. I use voice command inputs for the navigation whenever possible in the Audi and this has saved me a decent amount of time inputting data with the rotary dial.

[NeedQuattro]

I don't think the MMI in the B8 S4 is bad at all, but I played with the MMI in the new A6 this weekend and I must say that thing is WAY better....

[Pgr1990]

My salesman told me my car would come with the new google MMI, but he was wrong! I'm gonna stop down at the ship and try the new system out. Besides the MMI though the S4 was definitely worth 15k more than the Infiniti and I knew that within the first day of having the car. But I'd still rather have the g37 over the 328/A4/C300.. Just my opinion but that's an argument for another day.

[richib86]

the stupidity of car salesmen astounds me... who let you sell a product you clearly know nothing about

[marty was here]

My salesman told me my car would come with the new google MMI, but he was wrong! I'm gonna stop down at the ship and try the new system out. Besides the MMI though the S4 was definitely worth 15k more than the Infiniti and I knew that within the first day of having the car. But I'd still rather have the g37 over the 328/A4/C300.. Just my opinion but that's an argument for another day.

a sales man lied?

hold on, let me get my shock face on lol.

no but seriously, mmi is pretty fucking easy to use. go check out fords sync or benz's command and i promise you, youd start appreciating the MMI

[phillips2024]

ya the infinti system is nice; Audi one is too.

Overall, i like the system.

[crisp74]

i agree with what you are saying about the infiniti interface. it was extremely intuitive and user friendly in my old g37. the audi mmi took some getting used to, but it works pretty well for what it's supposed to do. the current nav version still does not recognize queens addresses in the 21(street/ave)-41(house #) xx street/ave format, and instead only works with a single street and house # addresses (e.g. 1234 broadway), like in all the other boros and the rest of the country i'm assuming. i wrote aoa about this and they stated they were aware of the issue, but as of my last dealer visit, there was still no fix. that's my only real gripe. as marty said, still 100% better than bmw and mb systems.

[Meehow]

agreed. it lacks behind the others. the lack of Bluetooth audio A2DP is a huge disappointment.

[dawei213]

i have no issue with it but thats probably because im coming from the rnse in the older audis where this is leaps and bounds better and faster. i dont burn or even use CD's anymore so truthfully ive never even tried to burn a disc in the car, and my maps load plenty fast and im around the city where im using a lot of 3D maps. i fully plan on upgrading my system to the update MMI in the 2013 model when parts become available

I fully expect you to write a complete and thorough How-To come when parts become available [:D]

[ENV²]

The older Idrive sucks. Anytime I drive the E60 M5 I hate let me rephrase I HATE needing to put anything into that nav. SLOWEST INTERFACE EVER!

Benz Command bothers me a lot too.

The MMI is not perfect but it is outstanding at doing what its supposed to and the directions have been very good to me. No unecessary turns etc.

Infiniti does have a nice one and so does Lexus. I loved the one in my 06 RL though.

[FITZ TITS]

I hate it too. I wish it just used Android.

[zerinA4]

I've driven just about every mainstream vehicle sold in the U.S. and honestly Ford has the best infotainment system of them all with the Sync platform. This is not to be confused with the MyFordTouch which I'm not a fan of, but the Sync platform is awesome. I wish every manufacturer would use them as an example of UI and functionality done right.

[Voltrons_Head]

I loved MMI and can't remember anything that bugged me about it.

Cadillac's new CUE system is insane. It even gets rid of the analog gauges (speedo, tach, gas, etc) and replaces them with a partially configurable and customizable LCD screen.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWUPmIkchWA&feature=player_detailpage

[Pgr1990]

a sales man lied?

hold on, let me get my shock face on lol.

no but seriously, mmi is pretty fucking easy to use. go check out fords sync or benz's command and i promise you, youd start appreciating the MMI

I wish that was the only thing my salesman was inaccurate about. Honestly if I was surrounded by cars all day and my livelihood depended on selling one make of car I would know them a hell of a lot better than most of these salesman out there, it's just pathetic.

[Psalm40]

I acutally like the new BMW iDrive a lot. The biggest problem that I have with the media interfaces the knob turning direction is opposite for the BMW and Audi....Audi goes counterclockwise to move down a menu while BMW goes clockwise to go down...throws me off when I swith between our cars.

[TofuShop]

i wish the MMI was touchscreen. using the stupid dial to input information while scrolling for a lifetime is just plain poor design.

[clochner]

i wish the MMI was touchscreen. using the stupid dial to input information while scrolling for a lifetime is just plain poor design.

dash would have needed a different design in that case - current screen sits too far away from the driver.

[hinckley]

I love my S4, but ****

The Audi MMI is quite simply the absolute worst aspect of my S4. It's amazing - this "simplified" interface has 17 - SEVENTEEN - buttons and knobs!

[richib86]

well audi listened... the new mmi has 13 buttons lol
I love my S4, but ****

The Audi MMI is quite simply the absolute worst aspect of my S4. It's amazing - this "simplified" interface has 17 - SEVENTEEN - buttons and knobs!

[hinckley]

well audi listened... the new mmi has 13 buttons lol

Right you are. And Audi has further simplified MMI by adding a second rotating knob with an imbedded joystick on top. Brilliant.

An intern from Apple could really help Audi's user interface group.

[marty was here]

I wish that was the only thing my salesman was inaccurate about. Honestly if I was surrounded by cars all day and my livelihood depended on selling one make of car I would know them a hell of a lot better than most of these salesman out there, it's just pathetic.

or they were being vague?

trust me, they know the specs, just being vague some times is more useful to them than people absolutely specific, thats all types of sales lol.

[Blackhawk878]

i wish the MMI was touchscreen. using the stupid dial to input information while scrolling for a lifetime is just plain poor design.

I cannot stand touch screens. You are searching all over the place trying to use the keyboard vice the one place for your hand to be on the MMI/iDrive type. Not to mention all the fingerprints on the screen. I have a touch screen in my wifes CC and in my truck, absolutely hate the RNS510 in the VW, slowest POS ever. Truck is an Alpine so not too bad, definitely lacks the depth (visual detail) of the MMI but faster than the RNS.

I had an G35 and FX45 prior to the S4 and I feel the nav and interface is light years ahead in the Audi.

[tomh009]

i wish the MMI was touchscreen. using the stupid dial to input information while scrolling for a lifetime is just plain poor design.

Not me. After two months with my car, I can use a lot of functions without looking at the buttons or knobs, rather than reaching for and trying to swipe and tap tiny buttons on a touch-screen display.

Touch-screen can be great in the right place, but I personally don't think a car's dashboard is one of those.

[B8 S FOR]

Honestly...my 2007 Acura TLS Navi System is far superior than my 2011 S4! The S4 MMI Drives me crazy! Every morning when I get in the car it looses what I left off with the night before! Every morning same thing "Radio/Preset...Navigation...etc... The screen always defaults to the last destination! WTF! The damn MMI wheel is God Awful! GIVE ME A TOUCH SCREEN!!!!!!! Argh! I feel like I took a step back in time with this MMI except for the 3D Navi.

[UmIsThisThingOn]

Are you guys that don't like it using the voice commands & shortcuts?
I lurve Audi's MMI and ike mentioned above, don't need to look 95% of the time.

[tomh009]

Honestly...my 2007 Acura TLS Navi System is far superior than my 2011 S4! The S4 MMI Drives me crazy! Every morning when I get in the car it looses what I left off with the night before! Every morning same thing "Radio/Preset...Navigation...etc... The screen always defaults to the last destination! WTF!

Are you guys really using navigation every day? I find myself using it only 1-2 times a week, and for me it's really a non-issue whether it's ready the moment I turn on the ignition. And both SD cards and satellite radio are available immediately ...

[svander]

My only gripe with it is that it doesn't remember shuffle settings on media and doesn't default to the map when first turned on. Also that you can't control media with voice commands. Aside from that it's great.

The location of the screen is not suited for touchscreen. My last car (a VW GLI) had the RNS510 which is almost identical to the Audi MMI but touchscreen based and while it worked well, interacting with it wasn't the most efficient thing in the world... One needs tactile interfaces when operating a vehicle, many of the things we do are memorized and done by touch rather than by taking your eyes off the road to input commands and press a specific location on a screen.

German automakers have done an amazing job trying to catch up to more tech-friendly auto makers, like the Asian luxury brands but are still lagging behind by quite a bit. Lack of Bluetooth audio is the most glaring example of this. I still wish I could slap someone at Audi for sending cars out the door without this feature.

[Huey52]

That is exactly my gripe with car salesmen/women as well. At least read the sticker that's on the car right in the showroom!


I wish that was the only thing my salesman was inaccurate about. Honestly if I was surrounded by cars all day and my livelihood depended on selling one make of car I would know them a hell of a lot better than most of these salesmen out there, it's just pathetic.

[Pgr1990]

or they were being vague?

trust me, they know the specs, just being vague some times is more useful to them than people absolutely specific, thats all types of sales lol.

Lol most are vague, but mine really didn't know the specs.. Not only was I told id have the google navigation, I didn't get my aluminum optics trim package because it was discontinued and he also failed to tell me that I needed the rear acoustic sensors in order to have the backup camera for the 2012 models. I found it all out on the forums (and that information predated the time of my order) and at that point it was too late to just grab a 2011.

[Voltrons_Head]

Honestly...my 2007 Acura TLS Navi System is far superior than my 2011 S4! The S4 MMI Drives me crazy! Every morning when I get in the car it looses what I left off with the night before! Every morning same thing "Radio/Preset...Navigation...etc... The screen always defaults to the last destination! WTF! The damn MMI wheel is God Awful! GIVE ME A TOUCH SCREEN!!!!!!! Argh! I feel like I took a step back in time with this MMI except for the 3D Navi.

I had a 2007 TL-S as well and while it was great in many regards, the man who designed the iPod interface was undoubtedly missing a chromosome or two.

[A4 Centaur]

Could care less about MMI, wish I could have a friggen manual transmission!

Other than that I love what Audi has given us. Install a Alpine HU if yours sucks so bad.

[FITZ TITS]

Could care less about MMI, wish I could have a friggen manual transmission!

Other than that I love what Audi has given us. Install a Alpine HU if yours sucks so bad.

But then what to do with the stock screen?

[JamesB41]

Honestly, I've been impressed by it. Seems to load pretty quickly. I normally can't stand talking to my car, but the voice command works really well. I was actually shocked at how well it found destinations entirely hands free and/or contacts. The music interface leaves a bit to be desired but it's not that bad. Overall I'd give it a 6.8/10 relative to the system I'd design myself if I had complete control.

[brocken]

I've driven just about every mainstream vehicle sold in the U.S. and honestly Ford has the best infotainment system of them all with the Sync platform. This is not to be confused with the MyFordTouch which I'm not a fan of, but the Sync platform is awesome. I wish every manufacturer would use them as an example of UI and functionality done right.

You're not serious, are you? Or maybe you didn't drive it for more than 10 minutes...
I've had a 2010 F150 with Sync for the last 2 years. Well, the last year I've had an aftermarket deck in it. Too many times where the Sync bugged out or was a bitch to navigate so I got rid of it.
The MMI interface in the Audi is many times better and easier to use.

The one thing I'll agree on the MMI not being great is ease of inputing Nav destinations. Took me a while to figure out the first time and it still takes a couple minutes every time I input something new. Fortunately, I don't use the nav a whole lot other than looking up traffic (which is super awesome).
When I do use it I really like directions under the speedo and it always gets me where I'm going. VS google maps on my android phone which is very hit or miss (more miss than hit).

p.s. for media get a good sized SD card. I picked up a 32GB card for $40 and have all of my music on it. Way easier than keeping track of a bunch of cd's.

[legacypgmr]

Honestly...my 2007 Acura TLS Navi System is far superior than my 2011 S4! The S4 MMI Drives me crazy! Every morning when I get in the car it looses what I left off with the night before! Every morning same thing "Radio/Preset...Navigation...etc... The screen always defaults to the last destination! WTF! The damn MMI wheel is God Awful! GIVE ME A TOUCH SCREEN!!!!!!! Argh! I feel like I took a step back in time with this MMI except for the 3D Navi.

HATE to re-awaken this thread (OK, not really) but I HAVE to vent !!! I am BEYOND frustrated with this effin thing. [headbang]

IF ONLY it was only just every morning !!! It's every time you leave the car for more than about 10 minutes !!! [headbang]

Start the car, get the last nav destination on the screen. Hit MAP, then RADIO, then PRESETS, then NAV again and I'm all set. EVERY FREAKIN' time !!!

I also can't believe they eliminated the radio station preset buttons. I mean WTF ?!?!?! I totally understand using 1/2/3/4 controls to set up a number of different functions that aren't used very often - set it and forget it. But replacing "dedicated" buttons for things one uses ALL THE TIME ?!?!?!

I mean other than the gas and brake pedals (maybe) and the steering wheel what controls do pretty much EVERYBODY use in ANY car more than the radio preset buttons ?!?!?! [headbang]

So instead of hitting a single preset button to get to the station I want to listen to I have to hit <<< or >>> 1 or more times to get there ? I can't go there directly ?

Oh, wait, I forgot. I CAN hit, on the steering wheel, MODE, then MODE again, scroll 3 clicks down to PRESETS, click on that and THEN I can scroll to whatever station I want and click on the thumbwheel again to go to the station; [rolleyes] assuming that I don't inadvertently scroll the thumbwheel (they're not very precise) instead of clicking it. [headbang]

Who's the freakin' genius who "designed" this thing ?!?!?! If I had him here in front of me I'd tied him down to a red ant hill and let them have their way with him.

The car performs GREAT !!! JUST what I wanted.

But if I had known/realized this before buying the car I would NOT HAVE BOUGHT THE EFFIN CAR. I SH*T YOU NOT !!! [headbang]

If Audi would offer me a refund I would TAKE it !!! I wonder if this car can be returned under the "Lemon Law" ?!?!?! [headbang][headbang][headbang]

[B8 S FOR]

HATE to re-awaken this thread (OK, not really) but I HAVE to vent !!! I am BEYOND frustrated with this effin thing. [headbang]

IF ONLY it was only just every morning !!! It's every time you leave the car for more than about 10 minutes !!! [headbang]

Start the car, get the last nav destination on the screen. Hit MAP, then RADIO, then PRESETS, then NAV again and I'm all set. EVERY FREAKIN' time !!!

I also can't believe they eliminated the radio station preset buttons. I mean WTF ?!?!?! I totally understand using 1/2/3/4 controls to set up a number of different functions that aren't used very often - set it and forget it. But replacing "dedicated" buttons for things one uses ALL THE TIME ?!?!?!

I mean other than the gas and brake pedals (maybe) and the steering wheel what controls do pretty much EVERYBODY use in ANY car more than the radio preset buttons ?!?!?! [headbang]

So instead of hitting a single preset button to get to the station I want to listen to I have to hit <<< or >>> 1 or more times to get there ? I can't go there directly ?

Oh, wait, I forgot. I CAN hit, on the steering wheel, MODE, then MODE again, scroll 3 clicks down to PRESETS, click on that and THEN I can scroll to whatever station I want and click on the thumbwheel again to go to the station; [rolleyes] assuming that I don't inadvertently scroll the thumbwheel (they're not very precise) instead of clicking it. [headbang]

Who's the freakin' genius who "designed" this thing ?!?!?! If I had him here in front of me I'd tied him down to a red ant hill and let them have their way with him.

The car performs GREAT !!! JUST what I wanted.

But if I had known/realized this before buying the car I would NOT HAVE BOUGHT THE EFFIN CAR. I SH*T YOU NOT !!! [headbang]

If Audi would offer me a refund I would TAKE it !!! I wonder if this car can be returned under the "Lemon Law" ?!?!?! [headbang][headbang][headbang]

^ This!!! Well put!! I told my Audi Tech about me having to hit Hit MAP, then RADIO, then PRESETS, then NAV again and I'm all set. EVERY FREAKIN' time !!! He was like ...dah...not sure what you are talking about after trying to explain what happens I literally gave up!

[Can_I_Haz?]

Our MMI is straight outta 2005.

I agree with all of your gripes and have to say my absolute greatest gripe is no A2DP. Come on guys, I can get that in the same model year ford focus. I bet Hyundai and Kia have it as an option too.

Is it just me or does it seem like Japanese cars with their touch screens are much more intuitive? You can jump into most Japanese cars and just have at it. The new BMW iDrive is great but like every German car, its gonna take a few months to get used to.

Felt like joining the gripe wagon. :)

[jdwk]

Actually I think all 2012 Hyundais and Kias, Bluetooth with A2DP is standard. I will probably be buying my wife an Optima next. Cooled seats for under $30k. You can't beat that.

[tomh009]

Start the car, get the last nav destination on the screen. Hit MAP, then RADIO, then PRESETS, then NAV again and I'm all set. EVERY FREAKIN' time !!![/quit]

You really use navigation every time you drive your car? Most times I sit in the car, strap myself in, hit the start button and I'm off. The music continues where it left off, either on an SD card or on a satellite station.

[QUOTE=legacypgmr;7491329]I mean other than the gas and brake pedals (maybe) and the steering wheel what controls do pretty much EVERYBODY use in ANY car more than the radio preset buttons ?!?!?! [headbang]

I use the presets maybe once a week. If that. And if you didn't use presets and nav every time, even the MMI setup wouldn't be so bad for you.

The VW system has presets on the main (touch) screen, but personally I much prefer the MMI. But every person is different ...

[B8 S FOR]

[QUOTE=legacypgmr;7491329]Start the car, get the last nav destination on the screen. Hit MAP, then RADIO, then PRESETS, then NAV again and I'm all set. EVERY FREAKIN' time !!![/quit]

You really use navigation every time you drive your car? Most times I sit in the car, strap myself in, hit the start button and I'm off. The music continues where it left off, either on an SD card or on a satellite station.


I use the presets maybe once a week. If that. And if you didn't use presets and nav every time, even the MMI setup wouldn't be so bad for you.

The VW system has presets on the main (touch) screen, but personally I much prefer the MMI. But every person is different ...


^The MMI System is a FUKIN' JOKE! The Germans over engineer the car but can's put in a battery that will memorize all your setting when you shut the car off and get into it the next day.... REALLY!!!

[JohnEnglish]

I hoping that the MMI system on the 2013 S4 will be a little better. I'm going to try it out once they arrive at dealers. Things like not have radio preset buttons as physical buttons or at least buttons on the main radio touchscreen is pretty dumb.

[TimH]

And there are children starving in...

[theKB]

I think the MMI is loads better than the touchscreen garbage I have in the touareg (and retrofitted in my jetta). I swear using that is far more dangerous than texting or talking on the phone.

Only complaint is that it isn't the MMI 3g. Would have loved to have the data functionality. A2DP would have also been nice since that is a technology that has been around for several years and even a base corolla comes with it.

It would be nice if there was some sort of retrofit for the 3g if you have the current navi setup but that is not likely.

[tomh009]

^The MMI System is a FUKIN' JOKE! The Germans over engineer the car but can's put in a battery that will memorize all your setting when you shut the car off and get into it the next day.... REALLY!!!

It's always pleasant to have such rational conversations on AZ ... [rolleyes]

[legacypgmr]

It's always pleasant to have such rational conversations on AZ ... [rolleyes]

When he's right he's right !

[A4 Centaur]

Got to love the Zine![az]

[audistealth]

I've had my S4 for a little under two months now, and have observed a few nuisances related to MMI:
- The ipod cable in glove box is about an inch too short to open the glove box all the way without pulling the ipod/iphone up a little. IMO, it should have just enough slack to allow the device to rest in the slot when the glove box is fully open.
- MMI doesn't continue with the "Now Playing" playlist in the iphone. It jumps to the first playlist instead.
- MMI does not utilize the 'Sort Artist' tag, only the 'Artist' tag. In instances where you select music by going to artist first, and album second, you don't always get the full album. The reason is, some tracks have multiple artists, which are sorted by the full artist line. There should be some option I think to utilize 'Sort Artist' instead. In the interim, I've created a bunch of playlists and go from there.
- No bluetooth streaming, nor any way to interface with a streaming app via the dock.

That said, it is a pretty sweet setup. I like the B&O with MMI. It sounds great turned up somewhat loud.

[legacypgmr]

Start the car, get the last nav destination on the screen. Hit MAP, then RADIO, then PRESETS, then NAV again and I'm all set. EVERY FREAKIN' time !!!

I mean other than the gas and brake pedals (maybe) and the steering wheel what controls do pretty much EVERYBODY use in ANY car more than the radio preset buttons ?!?!?!

You really use navigation every time you drive your car? Most times I sit in the car, strap myself in, hit the start button and I'm off. The music continues where it left off, either on an SD card or on a satellite station.



I use the presets maybe once a week. If that. And if you didn't use presets and nav every time, even the MMI setup wouldn't be so bad for you.

The VW system has presets on the main (touch) screen, but personally I much prefer the MMI. But every person is different ...

OK, I'll change my driving/listening habits so it won't be "so bad" for me,,,,,,,, [headbang]

Yes, as a matter of fact I DO use the nav system every time I drive. Not necessarily to set a destination but ALWAYS have the screen set to the map function. I find it very convenient when I'm in an area I'm not that familiar with and, when just driving somewhere, if I have my mind on something else I occasionally glance at the map to see the next street or major intersection I'm coming up to.

Just curious. What ELSE would you have on your screen as a matter of course ???

I can certainly understand someone who always listens to their CDs, iPods and media other than radio to not use presets but even when I DID listen to music whenever I was in the car I STILL changed the stations quite a bit and listened to different music from time-to-time. Surely YOU don't listen to the same stuff all the time,,,,,,


ANYONE WANT TO BUY A 2012 S4 in PAPAYA ORANGE ?!?!?!

[mikeh14]

OK, I'll change my driving/listening habits so it won't be "so bad" for me,,,,,,,, [headbang]

Yes, as a matter of fact I DO use the nav system every time I drive. Not necessarily to set a destination but ALWAYS have the screen set to the map function. I find it very convenient when I'm in an area I'm not that familiar with and, when just driving somewhere, if I have my mind on something else I occasionally glance at the map to see the next street or major intersection I'm coming up to.

Just curious. What ELSE would you have on your screen as a matter of course ???

I can certainly understand someone who always listens to their CDs, iPods and media other than radio to not use presets but even when I DID listen to music whenever I was in the car I STILL changed the stations quite a bit and listened to different music from time-to-time. Surely YOU don't listen to the same stuff all the time,,,,,,


ANYONE WANT TO BUY A 2012 S4 in PAPAYA ORANGE ?!?!?!

I only use my nav when I'm actually going somewhere new. If you're zoning out so much that you need to look at the nav to know where you are, I think that's a bigger issue than the MMI ;)

and my iPod is always in, I think I've listened to the radio twice in 6 months of owning the car.

It does annoy me that the "mix" setting doesn't stick, though

[SteveYem]

Well coming from a 2006 350z and a 2004 STi, I'm pretty impressed with all of the buttons and flashing lights and functionality of the MMI in my 2012 S4. While I do wish it had touchscreen capability for entering addresses in the Nav system, I understand that would mean locating the screen in the lower center section to be closer to the driver, so that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. (To be honest, I still prefer using Google maps on my iPhone over any turn-by-turn nav system talking at me. Call me old-fashioned)

My main gripe is response time when navigating through my iPod (iPod classic from 2009). Seems like it should react nearly instantaneously when surfing around the iPod contents, but typically there is a 1-2 second lag time after hitting a given button. Overall, though, I'm happy that all of these features are made available to me already integrated into the car so that I don't have to spend more time+money installing anything myself. That's what my relatively less expensive Japanese sport compact cars are for.

[evanpm]

Can't believe I hadn't seen this thread before. I agree with several others on here and want to echo their sentiments. The system is SLOW and extremely frustrating. The lag is infuriating. The map nav defaulting to the destination screen is also just flat out stupid. If it was a delivery van I would get it but what's the thinking behind it defaulting to that screen? If I leave it on the map, turn it on in the map! Another one... if I select an artist and it plays through all of the songs, it just goes to the next artist? Does it really think I would go from Al Green to All That Remains? Talk about killing the mood... it should loop the same artist again.

Also, how in the name of all things holy could they put out a system with 15 buttons with a straight face? 15 buttons! The system stinks.

/rant

[SteveYem]

Can't believe I hadn't seen this thread before. I agree with several others on here and want to echo their sentiments. The system is SLOW and extremely frustrating. The lag is infuriating. The map nav defaulting to the destination screen is also just flat out stupid. If it was a delivery van I would get it but what's the thinking behind it defaulting to that screen? If I leave it on the map, turn it on in the map! Another one... if I select an artist and it plays through all of the songs, it just goes to the next artist? Does it really think I would go from Al Green to All That Remains? Talk about killing the mood... it should loop the same artist again.

Also, how in the name of all things holy could they put out a system with 15 buttons with a straight face? 15 buttons! The system stinks.

/rant

I do agree with you on the lack of a looping feature (at least that I'm aware of). Any ~$300 Alpine/Pioneer/Kenwood single din headunit with an iPod cable knows to do that much.

I actually don't mind all the buttons since you kind of memorize where each one is without looking, a la A/B/X/Y/LB/RB on your xbox controller, but it would be nice if there was some way to maybe double click the main scroll wheel and get the option to switch to Nav, Media, Phone etc. to show up on the screen and navigate to it that way.

[legacypgmr]

I only use my nav when I'm actually going somewhere new. If you're zoning out so much that you need to look at the nav to know where you are, I think that's a bigger issue than the MMI ;)

What is THIS ----> ;) [rolleyes]

Who said anything about "zoning out" ? Do you, on your way to 20th Ave, while passing 5th ave start thinking to yourself "OK, only 15 blocks to go" and then, while passing 6th ave "OK, only 14 blocks to go", etc., etc. ??? Of course you don't. I don't either. Or are you listening to something, watching the other cars, doing a bit of girl watching ??? And then you're not quite sure how far you have to go.

Sorry but I find having the map on the screen while I drive very helpful most of the time.

So what DO you have your screen set to as you drive ?



and my iPod is always in, I think I've listened to the radio twice in 6 months of owning the car.

It does annoy me that the "mix" setting doesn't stick, though

So I should go out and buy an iPod ? I should change my listening habits for YOU too ?!?!?! [hail] [:D][:D][:D]

[richib86]

some people are just directionally inept if he needs the map so be it, the new mmi 3g+ defaults to maps now


(after re-reading my post it sounded like i was saying that to be a dick lol i wasn't, i really do know directionally inept people that NEED to drive around with maps on my girlfriend included lol)

[RickFLS4]

My salesman told me my car would come with the new google MMI, but he was wrong! I'm gonna stop down at the ship and try the new system out. Besides the MMI though the S4 was definitely worth 15k more than the Infiniti and I knew that within the first day of having the car. But I'd still rather have the g37 over the 328/A4/C300.. Just my opinion but that's an argument for another day.

I have a 2013 S4 with Audi Connect and Google maps and changed the map type from Google maps to "regular" nav maps because the Google maps are way too slow and entirely unimpressive IMO. Go figure. If you think the regular nav maps are slow to load, you would hate Google maps that use 3G. Zooming in and out of the Google map is slower than regular nav maps as well.

I previously had an A6 with a similar MMI set up (minus Audi Connect / Google maps) and before that a Lexus LS-460 with a touch screen. My conclusion is that touch screens are just not that practical and in my case, I care about nav almost entirely for Sirius NavTraffic. NavTraffic has a much better display on the Audi's than on my LS, which showed so many slow traffic icons it rendered the feature useless. Other than sitting at my PC, I have never seen any map or nav system that makes entry "easy". Every single one I have seen in a car sucks.

I use voice command for dialing the phone as much as possible (which I think works pretty well) and use the buttons (now the volume knob in the 2013) to advance / rewind tracks on a playlist or change radio stations. While it took a little while to initially get used to the setup, I prefer it now to the touch screen. It probably took a some time along the way to figure how how to best control each function I wanted to control, but in the end I find it pretty easy to use overall. Enjoy the car and rest assured you'll get used to the MMI. I hope you got the B & O!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[mikeh14]

What is THIS ----> ;) [rolleyes]

Who said anything about "zoning out" ? Do you, on your way to 20th Ave, while passing 5th ave start thinking to yourself "OK, only 15 blocks to go" and then, while passing 6th ave "OK, only 14 blocks to go", etc., etc. ??? Of course you don't. I don't either. Or are you listening to something, watching the other cars, doing a bit of girl watching ??? And then you're not quite sure how far you have to go.

Sorry but I find having the map on the screen while I drive very helpful most of the time.

So what DO you have your screen set to as you drive ?




So I should go out and buy an iPod ? I should change my listening habits for YOU too ?!?!?! [hail] [:D][:D][:D] THAT is a wink. As in, I was messing with you. Calm down

My screen is on my playlist. I'm not telling you to change your driving habits you asked what we had on our screens

[jamez]

I agree with most of you who are frustrated with the MMI system. I came from a 2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe with an aftermarket Kenwood DNX8120 unit with Garmin navi built in. The unit was a touchscreen and the navigation is very easy to use as it is Garmin.

The Audi MMI system IMHO is NOT THAT BAD but there are certain little things that everyone including me most likely find annoying..

1. For my music I don't use Sirius. I use my iPod with the adapter in the glove (someone mentioned the cable is a tad too short. I completely agree) compartment. Usually when the iPod is reconnected, it will play the first song from the first playlist. I find that a bit annoying. There are times though when it does resume the music from where it was paused. Still not sure what causes that nor have I bothered to really look into it.

2. The texts displayed for iPod songs. Only the title of the track will show, and this does not scroll left to show the whole text. Unless your playlist contains a specific album or band/dj/artist name, you may not know or remember whose song/track it is.

3. Like most have mentioned, the navi system showing the previously entered address instead of showing the map.

4. Entering in the information into the navi via the center wheel: the wheel will lag and pressing it also isn't quite responsive quick enough.

There are a few others which I'm leaving out as I can't remember them off the top of my head but to me it's not a dealbreaker or a big nuisance. I love the car; although it would have been great if the MMI system was up to date with capabilities of today's technologies.

[sirpickles]

[:D][:D][:D]


What is THIS ----> ;)

[chbrook]

And there are children starving in...

hahahahaha -- f food -- they need the $hit out of some damn quattro there, trust me, I've been. Yea love/hate w/ MMI. Today -- I had to do the "hard" reset on my MMI + reboot my iPhone for some simple Meta data to show up. The tracks were playing but MMI just sat there and said "loading....." for 20 minutes. Did all the reboot jaz and I finally got it to come up. This is 2010 (2G??) MMI so maybe not a fair comparison. Maybe it was iOS 6 but had the same issues w/ iOS 5.x.x w/ the AMI plugged in iPhone. No issues ever w/ the BT phone functionality though. Maybe I'm asking to much but I shouldn't have to do a hard reset on MMI for some Meta at random times.

[legacypgmr]

THAT is a wink. As in, I was messing with you. Calm down

;) ??? Doesn't look like a "wink" to me. [;)] <--- Now THAT looks like a wink. [:D]


And you'll never find a calmer guy,,,,,,, [drive]

[Flipflops365]

I like the 2013 MMI. Stays on the map screen, buttons are intuitive. It could load faster, but it's not the end of the world. The preset scrolling is odd, but I don't listen to the radio enough to have it really bother me. :shrug:

[tihS oN]

I jut bought a 08 A6 and I want to sell it already just because of the completely & needlessly overly complicated MMI system. I literally hate the car because of it. I have to look away from the road and make three steps to change most settings. Stupid! Really stupid of the designers to create such a dangerous system.
Driving a car shouldn't be this complicated.

[jedirocker]

I like the 2013 MMI. Stays on the map screen, buttons are intuitive. It could load faster, but it's not the end of the world. The preset scrolling is odd, but I don't listen to the radio enough to have it really bother me. :shrug:

^^ This. Both my wife and I really like the MMI on our 2013 S4. Wife is now considering the Q7 as her next vehicle, partly because of this technology.

[13S4]

My only complaint is that when listening to radio it displays the station name on the dash instead of the song title.

[Leor604]

Mine scrolls the song title and artist, but I think this is station dependent. I don't believe all stations transmit the information in which case it is not possible for MMI to display it.

[richib86]

since upgrading i gotta say that i miss dedicated next/previous track buttons and i also dont like that the return button takes you all the way back to the main menu from the nav screen instead of the destination input screen, you have to hit the destination button. that would be fine if its all you know but coming from the previous nav i miss those little things but otherwise i think its a very intuitive nav and the speech recognition works great(even tho calling someone takes an extra voice command prompt compared to the old system)
My only complaint is that when listening to radio it displays the station name on the dash instead of the song title.

[jdwk]

Is there anyway to get the SD card player to play more than just a single folder in random playback mode? Most of my music is organized by Genre->Artist->Album, so just playing the same album on random isn't very random.
It is nice to be able to see all my music now as I passed the folder limit on my Kenwood head unit years ago. Can finally play the end of the alphabet now, but there is a lot left to be desired by the MMI. I really don't know what I paid $3k for.

[13S4]

Mine scrolls the song title and artist, but I think this is station dependent. I don't believe all stations transmit the information in which case it is not possible for MMI to display it.
I meant to specify strictly for Sirius Radio. I'm sure every station broadcasts the Artist & Song name. It did in my Subaru, and does on my external setup in my other vehicle.


since upgrading i gotta say that i miss dedicated next/previous track buttons and i also dont like that the return button takes you all the way back to the main menu from the nav screen instead of the destination input screen, you have to hit the destination button. that would be fine if its all you know but coming from the previous nav i miss those little things but otherwise i think its a very intuitive nav and the speech recognition works great(even tho calling someone takes an extra voice command prompt compared to the old system)

I'm not sure if you are aware but if you click the volume knob right or left it will change the track if you are listening to via Jukebox, or Bluetooth device. It will change the radio station up and down if thats what you are listening to.

[richib86]

I'm not sure if you are aware but if you click the volume knob right or left it will change the track if you are listening to via Jukebox, or Bluetooth device. It will change the radio station up and down if thats what you are listening to.

say whaaaaaaat lol? the volume knob on the console or steering wheel?

[B8 S FOR]

Still sucks! [down]

[cory_can]

say whaaaaaaat lol? the volume knob on the console or steering wheel?

Lol, the one on the console.

[audiblitz]

I think it sucks. Here's why Audi....

After I got the car I tried to do all the things i saw in the Ford Sync commercial.... e.g. telling it which song to play etc... I figured since I just leased a luxury German car with $60k of options it had the functionality of a POS focus with Sync. I was wrong. The voice is useless. The only use for the voice is telling it the address and 'show map'.

Finding a place with the navigation is frustrating. I can't just find nearest Walmart. I have to search through BS categories.

Next issue is that it is slow as balls to load.... I paid $ thousands for the MMI and an iPod turns on instantly... no excuses. Now I stopped using the keyless entry...i hammer the open button on the car key as soon as it is in range...so that the MMI has booted up by the time I actually get in the car.

Another annoying thing - the POS video system in Chevys show the GPS Map + the songs on the screen AT THE SAME TIME....so you always see the map. On the MMI you have to go back and forth through the crappy menus to change a song when you are using nav.

The black and white and orange menu interface system looks Atari.

The left button on the steering wheel - the rolling button is useless - the little screen in the dashboard is so small it cuts off the song names...you have to click it, roll down once, then click again.... and it does not sync with the main screen. When you have nav engaged, you can't display the MPH in the little screen by the gauges...just the stupid arrows.

The worst part of all - I BOUGHT A $100 Garmin from walmart - it was awesome - it reads out the names of the streets, it has better maps, its shows the local speed limits and its easier to find places / enter addresses. The $100 Garmin kicks the shit out of MMI. So audi, buy a $100 garmin from walmart and that shows you how to do nav.

The funniest part - I watched a YouTube video doing a in depth review of $300k Lambo Aventador...it had the same POS MMI system as my Audi :-D

[Leor604]

I meant to specify strictly for Sirius Radio. I'm sure every station broadcasts the Artist & Song name. It did in my Subaru, and does on my external setup in my other vehicle.

I don't have Sirius but, when we had the last free trial a few weeks back, it definitely could show artist and song. In fact, if you scrolled the stations, it would show what song was playing on each before you pushed down on the control knob.

[JohnEnglish]

I don't like how you just can't shut off the radio. You can mute it but then it turns back on when you start up the car. Or you can shut off the system all together. I don't want to do either; I just want the radio off and the map displayed on the screen. I ended up just setting the input source to the jukebox since I don't have any files stored on it. Then I can switch over to my iPod, phone for bluetooth streaming, or the radio if I want to listen to something. It's a bit of a hassle and weird design decision that the radio just can't shut off.

Also, is there a way to remove the checkered flag marking the end of your previous route? I thought cancelling the route or deleting the destination would remove it from the display but it doesn't.

[13S4]

I don't have Sirius but, when we had the last free trial a few weeks back, it definitely could show artist and song. In fact, if you scrolled the stations, it would show what song was playing on each before you pushed down on the control knob.

Yeah I know that too, but I mean I wish it displayed the song & artist above the digital speedometer instead of the station name. Sorry for being confusing haha.

[achilleas101]

Is there anyway to get the SD card player to play more than just a single folder in random playback mode? Most of my music is organized by Genre->Artist->Album, so just playing the same album on random isn't very random.
It is nice to be able to see all my music now as I passed the folder limit on my Kenwood head unit years ago. Can finally play the end of the alphabet now, but there is a lot left to be desired by the MMI. I really don't know what I paid $3k for.

Man, reading this thread makes me feel good and justified for not getting the Navigation option and saving $3k! My reasoning was that my Android smartphone has google navi on it, so why pay 3k for something i already have? Sure, the backup camera would've been nice, but eh. didn't feel it was worth it.

I did have reservations about navigating through menus for listening to SiriusXm or music on a CD, SD Card or even radio, as a B8 A4 i drove before was kind of annoying in its need to go mulitple steps to accomplish what i used to be able to do with one button click.

I guess i'll see once i get the car finally, if the learning curve isn't too bad. For Sirius users, how are steering wheel controls for changing station presets? that's the single thing i do most frequently while sitting in my current car (which has aftermarket Sirius installed), i flip through preset stations almost every song, and not having the steering wheel control is annoying. So i've been looking forward to having that with the new car.

[laakness]

If you copy the songs to the Jukebox you can use your voice to choose artist and track names, etc. I'm actually pretty happy with the MMI as a whole but do agree, there are some places it's lacking.

Remember that until you actually use another system you are only comparing them on features. Cadillac's new interface has a ton of features and touch sensitive controls but I saw a review recently that said it was garbage.

Just trying to appreciate what I have vs. looking at the grass always being greener.

[13S4]

Overall the navigation is awesome. It came with the premium model so It's not really like saving 3 grand. The display between the tach and speedometer is awesome, the backup camera is sweet. I find it very functional. The voice command works really well if you go through the 40-step learning process so it gets used to your voice. I have a touch screen in my Toyota, and had a touch screen Nav in my old Subaru Spec B and they were both complete shit compared to the Audi system. Of course it's easier to type in an address on your phone as the built in system doesn't have a keyboard, but I can live with the 40 second difference.

[jedirocker]

Queue comedian Louis CK's "Everything's Amazing and Nobody's Happy" routine

[13S4]

Queue comedian Louis CK's "Everything's Amazing and Nobody's Happy" routine

Compared to what I've used before :). Fords may be better but I would never buy one so whatever.

[cory_can]

I had a new Ford Edge for a rental recently and that interface is a cluttered up and confusing mess, and I hate touch-screens.

[Leor604]

MMI is not perfect (which system is?) but some of you are asking for features that are extremely specific to the way YOU want them. Hard to please everyones smallest requirements with a mass produced system.

I think Audi has done a pretty good job, especially with the amount of customization you can have in the DIS to display the information you require. Coming out of an E46 3 series (hardly an ancient car), the DIS is light years ahead of the little orange dot matrix display, which only had a couple of basic things you could display. Remember a few more years back when the spot between the gauges was a blank area? Now you can display 50 different pieces of data in various combinations and it's not enough?

Also, touch screens should be banned from vehicles. They require way too much visual attention because you can't feel the buttons and, unless the car is standing still, your hand inevitably bounces around and hits the wrong part of the screen. The Tesla S has a big fat touchscreen that controls EVERYTHING. To me, that's a disaster. It means there is not a single function (maybe a couple with the steering wheel?) you can do without taking your eyes off the road and watching as you guide your finger over a flat screen. It's all cool and techy sitting still in the showroom, but not so great at 70mph at night in the rain on a busy freeway.

[esz61]

MMI is not perfect (which system is?) but some of you are asking for features that are extremely specific to the way YOU want them. Hard to please everyones smallest requirements with a mass produced system.

I think Audi has done a pretty good job, especially with the amount of customization you can have in the DIS to display the information you require. Coming out of an E46 3 series (hardly an ancient car), the DIS is light years ahead of the little orange dot matrix display, which only had a couple of basic things you could display. Remember a few more years back when the spot between the gauges was a blank area? Now you can display 50 different pieces of data in various combinations and it's not enough?

Also, touch screens should be banned from vehicles. They require way too much visual attention because you can't feel the buttons and, unless the car is standing still, your hand inevitably bounces around and hits the wrong part of the screen. The Tesla S has a big fat touchscreen that controls EVERYTHING. To me, that's a disaster. It means there is not a single function (maybe a couple with the steering wheel?) you can do without taking your eyes off the road and watching as you guide your finger over a flat screen. It's all cool and techy sitting still in the showroom, but not so great at 70mph at night in the rain on a busy freeway.

++1 Couldn't have said it better!

[26point2]

I've had my S4 for a little under two months now, and have observed a few nuisances related to MMI:
- The ipod cable in glove box is about an inch too short to open the glove box all the way without pulling the ipod/iphone up a little. IMO, it should have just enough slack to allow the device to rest in the slot when the glove box is fully open.


Sorry to reply to an old post, but there is a little net on the inside top right of the glove box, Ipod fits nicely in there and the cable is out of the way...at least there is the net on the '13 maybe it's in the '12 as well.

[jdwk]

If I had a wish list the very first thing I would put on there is a native Pandora app. I haven't seen any of the other mfr's systems work in person, but I would really love to have Pandora album art, station selection, and thumb up/thumb down in the MMI. I stream with my phone now, but I lose all the features and sound quality a native app would have. Toyota's implementation seems like the most logical since it just pulls the data from your phone over BT with their Entune app, and runs the software natively in the car. I guess I could go to any Toyota dealership and try it out, but the thought of even sitting in a Camry has me thinking about suicide.

Next on my list would be to dictate text messages to my phone, and read them back or at least display them on the DIC.

This stuff will get there, it is just painfully slow.

A friend of mine bought an M5 and granted it is a 100k car, but it's overhead camera is pretty damn impressive. It uses cameras and proximity sensors around the car to build a virtual image from above the car. But it doesn't do Pandora either. Probably because it isn't in Germany yet.

[Leor604]

Next on my list would be to dictate text messages to my phone, and read them back or at least display them on the DIC.

I dictate text messages to Siri and it gets read back before sending, all via car speakers while it automatically mutes and pauses what you were listening to. Not sure why you would want to be reading text in the DIS (eyes off the road) instead of listening to the message over the speakers.

Only small problem is phone has to be in reach (I keep mine upside down in the cupholder) as MMI cannot activate Siri via steering wheel or voice command. Have to push home button on phone which I can do without taking my eyes off the road. Apparently, Audi is working on Siri activation but not sure if this will be an update to current MMI or for future versions only.

[VeryBadman]

No doubt, I think German car companies should outsource this stuff entirely to the Japanese. I love German engineering but not electronic or computing.

[TDIaholic]

I don't have nav in mine so I can't comment on that, but all in all I like the MMI apart from a few things:
1.) Setting the service position for the wipers. Why can't it be done by pressing down on the stalk after turning of the car, like in the Mk.V Golf? I need to use it pretty often to keep my wipers from freezing to my windshield in the winter
2.) The seat heating controls. The B8.5 is much nicer, but I'd prefer separate buttons in the B8 as well
3.) No volume bar is visible when you adjust the volume on your radio

[achilleas101]

i have a question for those without Navigation. especially a 2013 model (don't know if this is different for 2012 or earlier) - do you still have the SD card slot to be able to play MP3s off of an SD card? or is that only available with the navigation unit? i can't tell from pics if there's anything other than a slot for the CD player, and the audi website is really low on details on what the standard stereo offers other than MP3 playing capabilities with the cd player.

and i'm assuming B&O stereo doesn't change anything in this regard...

[Toecutter]

Sorry to reply to an old post, but there is a little net on the inside top right of the glove box, Ipod fits nicely in there and the cable is out of the way...at least there is the net on the '13 maybe it's in the '12 as well.

Unfortunately my iPhone 5 with the lightning adapter protrudes too much to be able to close the glove box door when the phone is in the net.

[richib86]

Lol, the one on the console.

BRILLIANT i cant believe i never noticed it thank you lol

[Toecutter]

Only small problem is phone has to be in reach (I keep mine upside down in the cupholder)

I prop mine up in the ashtray. Too bad somebody doesn't make an iPhone holder that clicks into the same space that the ashtray goes into. Even better would be a power takeoff from the adjacent cigarette lighter so that the phone charges while it sits there.

[willa1975]

I like the MMI. I have the latest iteration...the scrolling takes some getting used to, but the system is pretty easy to navigate and very functional. Coming from a 2009 335i with iDrive, the nav on my S4 is much better, and the voice commands and smartphone integration work better. That being said, I think iDrive is the most intuitive and manages to do the most with the fewest buttons.

I recently had a Mercedes for a week and thought the COMAND system was a disaster. I also test drove a Cadillac ATS and just didn't feel comfortable with the CUE system, which relies completely on a touchscreen interface and haptic feedback buttons.

Overall, I think iDrive is best, but MMI is a close second. You can definitely do a lot worse.

[Ernie1060]

I mainly use mine to go to new golf courses... I had an 07 honda civic that had points of interest by category and one of the categories was golf courses... never had an issue ever. Now, I have to do a google search for golf courses... what is gonna happen when my wifi/internet trial is over? Can I still do google searches for places?

Another thing, I have my preset stations for the radio... when I have my screen set to the nav/map... how the heck do i scroll through my preset stations? I've had my car a month now and never got around to doing the MMI "training" thing... so i've kinda been trying to figure stuff out on my own. Its not very straight forward, I'll say that.

[jauri]

I like the MMI as well. My past two DDs were Audis, so I'm very used to the MMI system, but I find it pretty easy to use/intuitive. IMO, Lexus' nav system is probably the most intuitive, but there are so many systems out there that are much much worse than the MMI. [drive]

[laakness]

Could always be worse...

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/02/cadillac-cue-update-coming/

[Mrads]

I had a 2010 S5 and hated the MMI &amp; Nav implementation. I have to agree with most of the comments here. Too many frigging buttons, didn't remember your last screen, didn't remember mix setting for media, voice commands were so-so, bluetooth was great, etc.

I now have a 2013 S4 and I have to say that Audi addressed most of the problems in the older system. The changes I appreciate the most are the reduced # of buttons, the system remembers which screen you were on such as, radio, presets, and keeps the Mix setting. I still don't like the radio preset screen but I can live with it.

As to the Nav system and the MMI knob for entry: I use voice commands 90% of the time for Nav destinations or POI and using my cell phone.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[tihS oN]

[QUOTE=Pgr1990;7297526]I don't like any of the German media interfaces. For instance BMW's i-Drive has probably been responsible for several suicides, I hate that thing the most out of any system. Everyone seems to love the MMI in the audis and I straight up think it sucks.

I agree completely! HATE THIS CAR BECAUSE OF IT!!!!
Try to change the radio station, or just about any other setting, at 70mph in the rain and having to look away from the road more than once.

Not intuitive, all functions should have a button to go to with out looking. Why are there 6 heat settings for the seat, hi/low is good enough, 12 fan settings after 3 steps to get to it, why doesn't the AUTO function work automatically- you have to set the fan speed(?) that or the dealership with the multimillion dollar showroom doesn't know what they're doing.

Wife hates the car and she talks to a lot of people at work who have had similar experiences.

Who are the engineers trying to impress other than each other?

Hey Audi it's a great car in many ways but overshadowed by the tedious controls.
Can't wait to get rid of the thing.

Go ahead techies, light up.

[IanCH]

Lol dude I can literally do anything in the mmi without looking.... You should make an attempt at learning something instead of wanting it to fall in your lap.

[Blackhawk878]

How long have you been using the MMI? I agree with IanCH, it is very easy to navigate once you make the conscious effort to learn it. You can also talk to the MMI to navigate through it.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

[Toecutter]

I'd also rather have a hard button that I can locate and operate without looking at a screen, but have you guys taken the time and put in the effort to learn your controls?

AUTO is just that -- you don't have to set the fan speed.

[Shaman]

I have to say, I really like MMI. I just finished driving many other cars (we bought wifey a Lexus as well, which is not NEARLY as nice to use the systems as MMI) and Audi's was the nicest of them - at least, until the car companies sort out their touch interfaces, which universally lagged. In the case of the Q50, the interfaces looked nice, there were lots of control buttons placed, but the touch interface lagged so badly or was so imprecise that just changing tone or volume was almost impossible. Cadillac's CUE was interesting and workable enough in a parked scenario but on the go it was laggy, and a bit painful to use... and felt cheap. Mercedes' electronics were boring and conventional. BMW's iDrive was quite good and I would consider it similar to MMI in quality and usability for the most part.

Mind you, I have a 2014 model.

[F40LM]

Try the user interface on the jaguar XF. You will be running back to your audi like its the best thing ever.

[theedge111]

[QUOTE=Pgr1990;7297526]I don't like any of the German media interfaces. For instance BMW's i-Drive has probably been responsible for several suicides, I hate that thing the most out of any system. Everyone seems to love the MMI in the audis and I straight up think it sucks.

I agree completely! HATE THIS CAR BECAUSE OF IT!!!!
Try to change the radio station, or just about any other setting, at 70mph in the rain and having to look away from the road more than once.

Not intuitive, all functions should have a button to go to with out looking. Why are there 6 heat settings for the seat, hi/low is good enough, 12 fan settings after 3 steps to get to it, why doesn't the AUTO function work automatically- you have to set the fan speed(?) that or the dealership with the multimillion dollar showroom doesn't know what they're doing.

Wife hates the car and she talks to a lot of people at work who have had similar experiences.

Who are the engineers trying to impress other than each other?

Hey Audi it's a great car in many ways but overshadowed by the tedious controls.
Can't wait to get rid of the thing.

Go ahead techies, light up.


Is this all in reference to the mmi system in your 2008 A6?

[Toecutter]

Wait -- he's referring to a 2008 A6??? What in hell?

I just bought a 2014 Jeep with the Chrysler UConnect interface and it's very intuitive. It's quite easy to navigate but it is a touch screen and therefore requires taking my eyes off the road to hit the right buttons.

[theedge111]

Wait -- he's referring to a 2008 A6??? What in hell?

I just bought a 2014 Jeep with the Chrysler UConnect interface and it's very intuitive. It's quite easy to navigate but it is a touch screen and therefore requires taking my eyes off the road to hit the right buttons.

Lol yeah I think so, his only other post is in reference to wanting to sell it because of the mmi

[dropshadow]

Poor guy probably still has a flip phone too.

[A4 Centaur]

MMI is better than my GF BMW system.

[RickFLS4]

[QUOTE=Pgr1990;7297526]I don't like any of the German media interfaces. For instance BMW's i-Drive has probably been responsible for several suicides, I hate that thing the most out of any system. Everyone seems to love the MMI in the audis and I straight up think it sucks.

I agree completely! HATE THIS CAR BECAUSE OF IT!!!!
Try to change the radio station, or just about any other setting, at 70mph in the rain and having to look away from the road more than once.

Not intuitive, all functions should have a button to go to with out looking. Why are there 6 heat settings for the seat, hi/low is good enough, 12 fan settings after 3 steps to get to it, why doesn't the AUTO function work automatically- you have to set the fan speed(?) that or the dealership with the multimillion dollar showroom doesn't know what they're doing.

Wife hates the car and she talks to a lot of people at work who have had similar experiences.

Who are the engineers trying to impress other than each other?

Hey Audi it's a great car in many ways but overshadowed by the tedious controls.
Can't wait to get rid of the thing.

Go ahead techies, light up.

Some of your frustration seems to originate in your lack of knowledge of how to use the system. I had a 2011 A6 and auto worked fine - hit auto and set temp. There are also buttons on the center console and a wheel on the steering wheel that let you change / scroll through radio stations.

You should really trade in your car for something else if you hate it so much you feel compelled to dig up old threads in a section for S4s. You might like Porsche. They have more buttons than anyone.

[waffles]

I hate how long it takes to sync my phone and for the nav to start working...Also I have this horrible and dangerous problem where my backup cam freezes then jumps backwards....its terrible and they told me a software update would fix it, but it has not!

[blackfunk]

I have to say, I really like MMI. I just finished driving many other cars (we bought wifey a Lexus as well, which is not NEARLY as nice to use the systems as MMI) and Audi's was the nicest of them - at least, until the car companies sort out their touch interfaces, which universally lagged. In the case of the Q50, the interfaces looked nice, there were lots of control buttons placed, but the touch interface lagged so badly or was so imprecise that just changing tone or volume was almost impossible. Cadillac's CUE was interesting and workable enough in a parked scenario but on the go it was laggy, and a bit painful to use... and felt cheap. Mercedes' electronics were boring and conventional. BMW's iDrive was quite good and I would consider it similar to MMI in quality and usability for the most part.

Mind you, I have a 2014 model.

So the hard buttons weren't enough?!?! Seriously, the G37 is leaps and bounds better/easier than ANY German company has EVER produced. iDrive should be iJoke its seriously designed around remembering icons - eventually you'll remember these icons but why? MMI is counter intutive but its still the best of the europeans but its still lacking in overall processing power. Tried scrolling through your iPod list and see what I'm talking about. The lack of presets is truly annoying - coming from a G37 I could assign a preset to any band AM/FM/SAT - even adding waypoint and detours are easier in the G37 and I haven't even gotten to the absolutely useless voice control through MMI. Lets just hope the germans stick to handling.

[ed@mtl]

wish we had the mmi/controls like in the new A3. look at 2:09 mark.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3sBA3IM25c

[sidthafish]

Wait -- he's referring to a 2008 A6??? What in hell?

I just bought a 2014 Jeep with the Chrysler UConnect interface and it's very intuitive. It's quite easy to navigate but it is a touch screen and therefore requires taking my eyes off the road to hit the right buttons.

I agree about the UConnect interface. It's pretty good considering it is a touch screen and stock. Coupled with the Garmin Nav it's a winner.

[dbX79]

My only gripe is I wish it loaded faster and the data connection was caught up with the times. 4G or LTE.

[dzasta]

I'm currently in the market for an used S4 and would like to know if the B8 MMI system is a deal breaker (vs the B8.5 MMI). Seems many of you have very strong feelings towards the B8 MMI. There is a perfect 2011 with low miles nearby with every single option that I'm looking for but now I'm hesitating so see if I should just get a used 2013 instead. I would be using the MMI semi regularly but not every time I drive.

[Blackhawk878]

Been using mine for four years with no complaints.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

[In2Bate]

Agree that navigation and map loading are too slow. Jukebox is organized poorly. XM interface is slow relative to my wife's BMW and my previous Lincoln MKZ (i.e. Stations change and display slowly). With that said, I love DRIVING my car and a few electronic shortcomings would not dissuade me from purchasing another S4.

[squashman]

Audi's MMI is passable. Screen resolution is super weak, and the screen itself is too small. Bluetooth streaming and control still needs serious work. The menu system leaves a lot to be desired and it's definitely not intuitive for first time users. iDrive is much better in terms of screen resolution and screen size. The menu system and navigating between functions is way better.

At the end of the day, Audi simply needs a larger, higher resolution screen. The other issues are simply user preference and we'll all get used to any system given enough time.

[Shaman]

I have had no issues with BT streaming. I agree that the screen could be a little larger but that's because of the wife's new Lexus GS, which has a huge screen. However, from the standpoint of usability, responsiveness and intuitiveness, nothing I've tried except iDrive even approaches MMI.

Bear in mind that all the cars I tried before settling on our new ones were 2014 models.

[skrichte]

^ This!!! Well put!! I told my Audi Tech about me having to hit Hit MAP, then RADIO, then PRESETS, then NAV again and I'm all set. EVERY FREAKIN' time !!! He was like ...dah...not sure what you are talking about after trying to explain what happens I literally gave up!'

Just purchased preowned '12 A4 Prem Plus. Last A4 owned was an 06 3.2. I figured during my test drive, that I just wasn't familiar with the steering wheel functions/MMI, as I couldn't scroll through the presets. Now that I have it home for a few days, I can't believe the engineers thought some of this User Interface through. The number of steps to get to the desired level is just ridiculous for some simple things like tuning to a desired channel manually.

LOVE THE CAR. But I am curious if anyone discovered any way to use the left hand side scroll to run through the presets? Having to scroll, then push the scroll button to select the preset is simply ridiculous. Any vehicle I have every owned, which has steering wheel functions, allows the user to scroll through presets with a simple click up/down.

I am a channel surfer, so this lack of functionality causes me more grief than any one person should need to handle [headbang].


Hopefully someone has an answer.

[B8 S FOR]

'

Just purchased preowned '12 A4 Prem Plus. Last A4 owned was an 06 3.2. I figured during my test drive, that I just wasn't familiar with the steering wheel functions/MMI, as I couldn't scroll through the presets. Now that I have it home for a few days, I can't believe the engineers thought some of this User Interface through. The number of steps to get to the desired level is just ridiculous for some simple things like tuning to a desired channel manually.

LOVE THE CAR. But I am curious if anyone discovered any way to use the left hand side scroll to run through the presets? Having to scroll, then push the scroll button to select the preset is simply ridiculous. Any vehicle I have every owned, which has steering wheel functions, allows the user to scroll through presets with a simple click up/down.

I am a channel surfer, so this lack of functionality causes me more grief than any one person should need to handle [headbang].


Hopefully someone has an answer.

Yeah it blows! My new S5 has the updated MMI and is "slightly" more user friendly. You should be able to scroll on the left hand wheel of the steering wheel by hitting "mode" then click on the desired channel.

[skrichte]

Yeah it blows! My new S5 has the updated MMI and is "slightly" more user friendly. You should be able to scroll on the left hand wheel of the steering wheel by hitting "mode" then click on the desired channel.

Well at least I'm not the only one who thinks it blows. Having to select the left/right buttons on the main console is actually easier to scroll through presets (compared to the steering wheel) -- I feel like I'm riding in a 97 Geo Metro. Can't believe that the user has to scroll to their preset on the steering wheel control, and then select it by pushing in the scroll button. I guess I was spoiled with my 06 A4. [facepalm]

Thanks for the confirmation/quick reply.

[chaos2984]

I don't think it blows. I just think its a little tiedieous is all. the biggest issues I have is how fing slow it is to boot. It takes as long as the secondary air injection to run threw its cycle to boot up. Its lame. But I do like the 3g + version though.

[legacypgmr]

HATE to re-awaken this thread (OK, not really) but I HAVE to vent !!! I am BEYOND frustrated with this effin thing. [headbang]

IF ONLY it was only just every morning !!! It's every time you leave the car for more than about 10 minutes !!! [headbang]

Start the car, get the last nav destination on the screen. Hit MAP, then RADIO, then PRESETS, then NAV again and I'm all set. EVERY FREAKIN' time !!!

I also can't believe they eliminated the radio station preset buttons. I mean WTF ?!?!?! I totally understand using 1/2/3/4 controls to set up a number of different functions that aren't used very often - set it and forget it. But replacing "dedicated" buttons for things one uses ALL THE TIME ?!?!?!

I mean other than the gas and brake pedals (maybe) and the steering wheel what controls do pretty much EVERYBODY use in ANY car more than the radio preset buttons ?!?!?! [headbang]

So instead of hitting a single preset button to get to the station I want to listen to I have to hit <<< or >>> 1 or more times to get there ? I can't go there directly ?

Oh, wait, I forgot. I CAN hit, on the steering wheel, MODE, then MODE again, scroll 3 clicks down to PRESETS, click on that and THEN I can scroll to whatever station I want and click on the thumbwheel again to go to the station; [rolleyes] assuming that I don't inadvertently scroll the thumbwheel (they're not very precise) instead of clicking it. [headbang]

Who's the freakin' genius who "designed" this thing ?!?!?! If I had him here in front of me I'd tied him down to a red ant hill and let them have their way with him.

The car performs GREAT !!! JUST what I wanted.

But if I had known/realized this before buying the car I would NOT HAVE BOUGHT THE EFFIN CAR. I SH*T YOU NOT !!! [headbang]

If Audi would offer me a refund I would TAKE it !!! I wonder if this car can be returned under the "Lemon Law" ?!?!?! [headbang][headbang][headbang]

I recently sold my '12 S4 and in looking for a new car I've seen a few '13 S4s that ain't half bad and am considering one of them.

HOWEVER, if the above problem is NOT "fixed" on the '13 S4, there's NO WAY it'll happen.

Question - As above, if you guys recall the '12 S4's MMI had the following issue. After 15 minutes of the car being turned off, the NAV AND the presets "defaulted" to the NAV PROGRAMMING screen and the radio up and down buttons defaulted to "all stations" (as opposed to presets)

Now I understand that the '13 S4 works a bit differently. The NAV MAP, if that was the last screen active when you last shut the car down, would come up when the car was re-started (instead of the NAV programming).

However, assuming I had the radio presets active when I shut down, there seems to be some question about whether the radio default on re-start was still "all stations" (as on my '12 S4) OR if the radio preset function STAYED the way it was when the car was last shut down.

Now there IS a setting in the 2015 A3 MMI that, when checked, always keeps the presets as the default setting. Anybody know whether or not the S4 starts up with the preset setting the way it was previously and/or whether there is an MMI setting that will force the presets to be the default upon start up ?

TIA

[Race Shooter]

My 2015 S4 will start up on whatever screen I had active when I turned the car off, including the preset screen.

[legacypgmr]

Anybody know whether or not the S4 starts up with the preset setting the way it was previously and/or whether there is an MMI setting that will force the presets to be the default upon start up ?

TIA

Nobody, eh ?

Oh well. [:|]

2013 Audi S4

[firstars]

MMI is better than a lot of the other crap out there. I can think of 1,000 things to make it more user friendly but wouldn't say it's terrible. New Audi tech + virtual cockpit show promise. Especially with getting serious with video cards like the NVIDIA Tegra X1 being more powerful and supporting higher screen resolutions.

[legacypgmr]

MMI is better than a lot of the other crap out there. I can think of 1,000 things to make it more user friendly but wouldn't say it's terrible. New Audi tech + virtual cockpit show promise. Especially with getting serious with video cards like the NVIDIA Tegra X1 being more powerful and supporting higher screen resolutions.

You HAVE the car I was asking about but couldn't address the specific issue ?

Oh well. Doesn't matter now as the car I was looking to buy has been sold anyway,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, [:|]

[The Fat Kid]

Any tips for using the little wheel on the steering wheel to easily go through radio stations? I am probably anomalous because I don't use an iPod and flip through radio stations like a caffeinated kid with ADD; I literally wore the paint off the "up" button on my A4. Scrolling, pressing the wheel, repeating ad infinitum on the S4 is way too painful so I have been using the center-console knob.

Also, calling the MMI a "f*cking c*nt!" does not make it work any better. How it gets "Bellvue, IL" out of "Brighton, MA", I will never know. Enunciating. everything. very. slowly. helped. a. little.

[espo4442]

MMI is pretty bad. I came from a 2010 F-150 with sync and it blows MMI out of the water in regards to screen resolution, usability, and being user friendly.

[Sundowner]

I went with the Apple option rather than get MMI for my 2015. Works much better.

basically consists of a Tune2air and a little piece of velcro that holds my iPhone sideways over the dash screen.
I get LTE service, Waze and turn-by-turn navigation, my complete music library, seamless phone integration, and a Siri button, right on the dash.
Couldn't be sweeter (or cheaper)

Audi was smart enough to set up our cars so you can pretty much do anything you want from the center screen between the dash, you don't 'need' to see the center dash screen.

Screw MMI.