What is it possible to control with the sport differential buttons?

[Denis54]

In addition to the sport differential what is it possible to control with these buttons?

Do they offer some level of adjustability on steering, throttle response and S-tronics shift points?

I know that ADS offers more adjustability but I do not understand what can be controled with these 3 buttons when you only get the differential. Unfortunately, my salesman does not know.

[AofC_RR]

Throttle/transmission response
Steering
Differential
All 3 are controllable when you get the Sport Diff. If you get ADS you add suspension to that list.

[vwong]

^^^
Yeah, what he said. AofC_RR, can you also find out the specific info regarding the adjustment for the engine? Does it actually switch to a slightly different MAP when set at Dynamic mode? I felt that the car is much more responsive under Dynamic mode. The fuel mileage seems to drop also, but then maybe it was due to me getting on it a little harder than normal.

[Denis54]

Is it possible to adjust throttle, transmission, steering and differential separately or are all settings changed when you press one of the button?

[NWS4Guy]

Is it possible to adjust throttle, transmission, steering and differential separately or are all settings changed when you press one of the button?

Just like with the entire ADS system that comes with the suspension, you have a button on the dash to quickly swap between:

Comfort
Dynamic
Auto
Individual

Within the menu system of the MMI, you can go to Custom and seperately determine what you want each component acts like.

So you could have this as a custom setup for example:

Individual
Throttle/shifting - Dynamic
Steering - Comfort
Differential - Auto

Where if you use the toggle to choose the overall Auto mode, it would make EVERY component Auto like this:

Auto
Throttle/shifting - Auto
Steering - Auto
Differential - Auto

Custom lets you mix and match the preferences of each major setting type and apply it seperately to each of the components that the ADS system controls.

Editing for some pics:
ADS MMI pic

ADS buttons

[riegeraudi]

I think the poster is asking what are the options when without the ADS. Maybe someone Without ADS can put pictures up of the buttons and MMI options.

[NWS4Guy]

I think the poster is asking what are the options when without the ADS. Maybe someone Without ADS can put pictures up of the buttons and MMI options.

This is exactly how it works with JUST the sport diff package. ADS software and buttons on the dash are still installed, and you literally get all the same ADS functionality minus only the suspension components.

This is a PRIME reason that the Sport Diff is such a win, you almost get everything ADS offers except adjustable suspension for only ~$1K.

[AofC_RR]

^^^
Yeah, what he said. AofC_RR, can you also find out the specific info regarding the adjustment for the engine? Does it actually switch to a slightly different MAP when set at Dynamic mode? I felt that the car is much more responsive under Dynamic mode. The fuel mileage seems to drop also, but then maybe it was due to me getting on it a little harder than normal.

Changes throttle response not the engine mapping. The throttle opens sooner, thus gas is coming in sooner. Hence the decrease in fuel economy. Anytime you increase throttle response gas mileage suffers a little but the car is faster. Think Sprint Booster. Google that and you'll see what Dynamic really does. At least with the MT. The S-tronic gets a different shift program.

[riegeraudi]

This is exactly how it works with JUST the sport diff package. ADS software and buttons on the dash are still installed, and you literally get all the same ADS functionality minus only the suspension components.

This is a PRIME reason that the Sport Diff is such a win, you almost get everything ADS offers except adjustable suspension for only ~$1K.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. The wait is killing me.

[NWS4Guy]

Thanks for clearing that up for me. The wait is killing me.

I am so there with you man

I look at it as an early Merry Xmas to us

[zillmc]

Good thread especially for those of us who are still waiting on our rides to show up. I'm hoping at some point someone will type up a nice review of ADS/sports diff and what they think of each of the settings, pros and cons, metrics on gas mileage, etc. I myself can't wait to mess around with the settings to find the best balance; I have a feeling that I'm going to be sitting in dynamic most of the time, well at the very least for the throttle response. I'm really interested in seeing if there is a noticeable difference for the different settings for the differential setting dynamic/comfort/auto.

[riegeraudi]

I am so there with you man

I look at it as an early Merry Xmas to us

Mine is also a December delivery according to my dealer. It is a Nov. 9 build and he said should be here by Christmas also.

[thewusman]

Mine is also a December delivery according to my dealer. It is a Nov. 9 build and he said should be here by Christmas also.

Snap.

Sounds like build week 46 ...

Hope our ships are fast and furious.

[NWS4Guy]

Snap.

Sounds like build week 46 ...

Hope our ships are fast and furious.

Just so long as they are also safe sailers :)

Oh, and that the guys are the plant and very meticulous and thourough with the assembly, testing, paint, install, and everything

[riegeraudi]

And with proper options. Not like someone who had the wrong seat color on this board somewhere. I have also seen this on the BMW boards with people getting the wrong options. Germans may be awesome engineers but horrble manufacturers.

[NWS4Guy]

And with proper options. Not like someone who had the wrong seat color on this board somewhere. I have also seen this on the BMW boards with people getting the wrong options. Germans may be awesome engineers but horrble manufacturers.

Wow really? I haven't seen that before, but I can say that with the printout of what I ordered, if it doesn't match I will be pretty ticked.

[vjma]

Just got word from the sales mine is arriving in port on Nov 10.....

Back to the topic a bit, I thought it is impossible to get Sports diff without ADS, or at least this is what the local importer told me....

[riegeraudi]

Wow really? I haven't seen that before, but I can say that with the printout of what I ordered, if it doesn't match I will be pretty ticked.

Flash e had his order screwed up at the factory, here is the link for it.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=314393

[NWS4Guy]

Just got word from the sales mine is arriving in port on Nov 10.....

Back to the topic a bit, I thought it is impossible to get Sports diff without ADS, or at least this is what the local importer told me....

You cannot get it installed without the ADS software in the MMI, but the "ADS" package is seperate and has the adjustable suspension over and above what the sport diff gives - since everything else in ADS is just servos or software chages. This is not highly advertised, as fewer would spend 4K on ADS if they knew 85% of it comes for 1K with the sport diff.

[tgrundke]

Quoted for truth: Audi has been very selective in how they market ADS, trumping it up to be all things (suspension, engine, steering, rear diff), when the reality is that you get all of that except for suspension with just the Sports Differential.

ADS is great, but I'm not paying nearly $4,000 for adjustable suspension that will be in dynamic mode 90% of the time.

You cannot get it installed without the ADS software in the MMI, but the "ADS" package is seperate and has the adjustable suspension over and above what the sport diff gives - since everything else in ADS is just servos or software chages. This is not highly advertised, as fewer would spend 4K on ADS if they knew 85% of it comes for 1K with the sport diff.

[L0U]

it is 2850 more dollars for variable shocks, not 4k. Most getting ads want the comfort of ads while highway driving on the 19s, with the option of sport for whenever.

[L0U]

Just like with the entire ADS system that comes with the suspension, you have a button on the dash to quickly swap between:

Comfort
Dynamic
Auto
Individual

Within the menu system of the MMI, you can go to Custom and seperately determine what you want each component acts like.

So you could have this as a custom setup for example:

Individual
Throttle/shifting - Dynamic
Steering - Comfort
Differential - Auto

Where if you use the toggle to choose the overall Auto mode, it would make EVERY component Auto like this:

Auto
Throttle/shifting - Auto
Steering - Auto
Differential - Auto

Custom lets you mix and match the preferences of each major setting type and apply it seperately to each of the components that the ADS system controls.

Editing for some pics:
ADS MMI pic

ADS buttons

It would be nice to see the mmi shot of a straight rear differential car. It seems just the suspension component will be missing from the list?

[NWS4Guy]

It would be nice to see the mmi shot of a straight rear differential car. It seems just the suspension component will be missing from the list?

I'll have one in about a month or so :)

As for the 4K ADS quote, I we were talking about total price, not cost difference. So it's a little over 1K for Sport Diff, and just under 4K for ADS (US dollars).

[srs]

My understanding of the difference between ADS and sports diff. alone is that there are two additional controls with ADS. The "adaptive damping" suspension and the "dynamic steering system". The later alters the steering ratio itself up to 100% - quick steering in dynamic mode and "less twitchy" in comfort mode. I could clearly notice the difference in ratio during my test drive. This is not the same as "speed sensitive steering", which is a standard feature.

The other three controls are the same in both ADS and sports diff. alone - (transmission shift characteristics, engine response and sports differential).

So the extra ~$2900 goes for both adaptive damping and dynamic steering.

[Nickyracer]

I guess, the only engine feature controlled by ADS is speed and wideness (?) of the throttle opening.
Auto transmission - more pressure in the oil line - quicker shifts, quicker cluthes performance, longer use of lower (dynamic) or higher gears (comfort).
Steering - performance of the power steering oil pump.
Dynamic steering - variable steering ratio.
Suspension - variable shocks (stiffer - softer).
All changings in the ADS are easily perceptible.

[scottyuk]

Very interesting to see you guys getting the Sport Diff for so little with the ADS thrown in.

In the UK the Sport Diff is £460 but the brochure says :

"Audi quattro® Sports differential (must be combined with Audi drive select with dynamic steering or thefull package. Only available on 3.0 TDI quattro®, 3.2 FSI quattro® and S4 quattro®)"

The ADS full system is £1290 - £1680 depending on the model of A4 it's going in.

[Digi103]

So wait, what suspension setting does a non ADS car come with default? I'm assuming it's dynamic given the nature of the car and that the softer, comfort settings should be an "upgrade" that you pay for. Can anyone shed light on this?

[NWS4Guy]

So wait, what suspension setting does a non ADS car come with default? I'm assuming it's dynamic given the nature of the car and that the softer, comfort settings should be an "upgrade" that you pay for. Can anyone shed light on this?

Non ADS has no suspension settings to change, it's just how it comes and always is the same, since it's not the adjustable type.

[Digi103]

Non ADS has no suspension settings to change, it's just how it comes and always is the same, since it's not the adjustable type.

Heh, thanks for replying but I don't think you understand my question. I know that it's not adjustable but I'm wondering which one of the three settings a non ADS car's single setting compares to. In other words, which ONE does a NON ADS car's suspension feel like... comfort, sport, or dynamic? I'm hoping dynamic...

[riegeraudi]

So wait, what suspension setting does a non ADS car come with default? I'm assuming it's dynamic given the nature of the car and that the softer, comfort settings should be an "upgrade" that you pay for. Can anyone shed light on this?

I called Audi of America with this question and they told me that the non ads has springs more at the dynamic range because they are actually sport springs. They are actually as stiff or stiffer than the dynamic mode and they sit about 10mm or 20mm(can't recall which one they said)lower than the ADs suspension cars.

[L0U]

So wait, what suspension setting does a non ADS car come with default? I'm assuming it's dynamic given the nature of the car and that the softer, comfort settings should be an "upgrade" that you pay for. Can anyone shed light on this?

I think the springs are the same, and the shocks are auto level. On comfort, it is the shock that makes it softer riding. In dynamic, it is extremely solid, no body roll. Auto feels llike the other 3 audi sort models I have owned over the years. My ride height is the same as a sport non ads car. north american.

[S4-Tommy]

Hi everybody!

If you order your car with Audi Drive Select (ADS) and Sport Diff and Damper Control and Dynamic steering and MMI 3G you can decide on 4 different settings!

1) Comfort. Everything (sport diff, steering, damper and gearing) is on the comfort level
2) Auto. The car chooses it self wheter it's on comfort or on dynamic
3) Dynamic. Everything is on dynamic
4) Individual. You can mix up the setting between comfort, auto and dynamic
e.g. my individual settings are: sport diff & gearing on 'auto' and damper & stearing on 'dynamic'

The S4 is always lowerd 20mm! No matter wheter you choose the dynamic damper control or the stock S4 suspension.

The difference between the S4 suspension and the normal sports supension (not s line) are the shocks. The springs are always the same.

If you only choose ADS with sport diff then you cannot set the dampers/suspension but you can set the stearing (with ADS the stock servotronic is adjustable), the gearing and the sport diff.

Hope I could help..

[Digi103]

Thanks for clearing that up guys. So basically I would just get the stand alone sport diff option that lets you adjust everything but the shocks(which I would prolly leave in dynamic anyways) and a different type of dynamic steering(which is pretty neat but can't justify for the price diff). Glad I came across this thread as it nudged me a little closer to pulling the trigger on this car...

[vinlopic]

I was very close to adding the Drive Select package, but the dealer made me aware of what exactly came with the sports diff package. For what its worth, for me, it was a no brainer to just go with sports diff. I value dealers that are willing to save their clients money rather than try and scam you into options you might never utilize.

[jonmiles]

it is 2850 more dollars for variable shocks, not 4k. Most getting ads want the comfort of ads while highway driving on the 19s, with the option of sport for whenever.

It's not JUST the adjustable dampners; when you get the full ADS, you also get an adjustable steering RATIO, instead of it just varying the power assist.

It's pretty cool: at low speeds it has a very twichy ratio, requiring less turns of the wheel to take the same corner, then at high speeds it relaxes, making the car feel very stable.


...I personally would still take the Sport Diff over the ADS. The steering ratio is fine, and the fact that you can still change how much power assist you get is freaking cool...

[jonmiles]

One more thing: the Audi ADS with ajustable steering ratio is the only car on the market that can actually counter-steer in an emergency over/understeer situation to regain control of the car. Pretty freaking cool.

[riegeraudi]

Can you tell us how much is each one of the ADS shocks? The problem is also with audi's previous experience with adjustable shocks it wasn't a huge success (many problems)so that is probably why so many of us here are not ordering it. I would have liked to order it with ads but I was concerned with the longterm reliability. I think they should have gone with the magnetic fluid shocks which is a much less complicated system and it also works fine.

[jonmiles]

Can you tell us how much is each one of the ADS shocks? The problem is also with audi's previous experience with adjustable shocks it wasn't a huge success (many problems)so that is probably why so many of us here are not ordering it. I would have liked to order it with ads but I was concerned with the longterm reliability. I think they should have gone with the magnetic fluid shocks which is a much less complicated system and it also works fine.

Audi had issues with the Adaptive Air suspension on the Allroad- a completely different system from this. It isn't the magnetic ride either; it uses a very simple valve system with shouldn't have any reliability issues.

[WinterRunner]

Audi had issues with the Adaptive Air suspension on the Allroad- a completely different system from this. It isn't the magnetic ride either; it uses a very simple valve system with shouldn't have any reliability issues.

Is it similar to DRC?