Evolution of infotainment on '09-'11 S5s

[Darel]

Shopping for a '09-'11 B8 S5.

I've gone through a lot of threads about various infotainment options on these cars, getting dealers to install new software, etc. etc.

Can anyone give me a concise rundown of what I can expect within this year range, and what options to look out for? Aside from sounding better, does the B&O system have additional functionalities that the base system doesn't? Are there different add-on options that may or may not be in place that I need to look for?

I keep seeing things like 2.0, 3.0, MMI, etc. but admittedly I don't really know what all the different software upgrades mean.

Maybe a couple of specific questions will help.

My wife has a 2014 Mercedes E350 and it has a HDD, an MMI cable in the console, SD card, one USB port, CD changer, Sirius, and Bluetooth Audio (not just phone functionality), so this is the stuff I am familiar with.

I have an old iPhone that I just leave plugged in to the MMI for music storage. I like that setup, although the folder system is infuriating. On the S5, do you need a certain option to get the MMI cable or is that standard?

I know the stereo has BT, but is it just for hands-free phone use, or is it BT Audio, where you can play music off your phone? Is there a Model year where it changed from phone-only to full BT audio?

Was there ever a HDD in this year range?

How many USB ports are in the car, and how do they work - charging only, or data too?

Does it play DVDs? How about while driving or does it blank the screen out when the car is moving (like my wife's MB)?

SD card?

What do you get with the different software updates and what years do they apply to?

Thank you!

Darel

[S5_SID]

Shopping for a '09-'11 B8 S5.

I've gone through a lot of threads about various infotainment options on these cars, getting dealers to install new software, etc. etc.

Can anyone give me a concise rundown of what I can expect within this year range, and what options to look out for? Aside from sounding better, does the B&O system have additional functionalities that the base system doesn't? Are there different add-on options that may or may not be in place that I need to look for?



I keep seeing things like 2.0, 3.0, MMI, etc. but admittedly I don't really know what all the different software upgrades mean.


Maybe a couple of specific questions will help.

My wife has a 2014 Mercedes E350 and it has a HDD, an MMI cable in the console, SD card, one USB port, CD changer, Sirius, and Bluetooth Audio (not just phone functionality), so this is the stuff I am familiar with.

I have an old iPhone that I just leave plugged in to the MMI for music storage. I like that setup, although the folder system is infuriating. On the S5, do you need a certain option to get the MMI cable or is that standard?



I know the stereo has BT, but is it just for hands-free phone use, or is it BT Audio, where you can play music off your phone? Is there a Model year where it changed from phone-only to full BT audio?




Was there ever a HDD in this year range?



How many USB ports are in the car, and how do they work - charging only, or data too?





Does it play DVDs? How about while driving or does it blank the screen out when the car is moving (like my wife's MB)?

SD card?


What do you get with the different software updates and what years do they apply to?

Thank you!

Darel

I can answer a couple of questions, as I just recently purchased a 2011 s5 cab myself.


I've gone through a lot of threads about various infotainment options on these cars, getting dealers to install new software, etc. etc.

Can anyone give me a concise rundown of what I can expect within this year range, and what options to look out for? Aside from sounding better, does the B&O system have additional functionalities that the base system doesn't? Are there different add-on options that may or may not be in place that I need to look for?

[I actually really enjoy the B&O sound system, but others believe bass could be improved. There are many threads explaining how to install external bass for the system. I had a 2018 q5 loaner with standard sound and it was pretty great too honestly. When I purchased my car though, B&O was an option that I wanted more than others. ]

[Still would like to know more information on this as well. ]

I keep seeing things like 2.0, 3.0, MMI, etc. but admittedly I don't really know what all the different software upgrades mean.


Maybe a couple of specific questions will help.

My wife has a 2014 Mercedes E350 and it has a HDD, an MMI cable in the console, SD card, one USB port, CD changer, Sirius, and Bluetooth Audio (not just phone functionality), so this is the stuff I am familiar with.

I have an old iPhone that I just leave plugged in to the MMI for music storage. I like that setup, although the folder system is infuriating. On the S5, do you need a certain option to get the MMI cable or is that standard?

[B8 cars come with the hookup, just have to have the connection cable to connect to ipod. Tunetoair receivers can be purchased to stream BT AUDIO. It also has Sirius as well if you would want to subscribe. ]

I know the stereo has BT, but is it just for hands-free phone use, or is it BT Audio, where you can play music off your phone? Is there a Model year where it changed from phone-only to full BT audio?

[Tunetoair receivers can be purchased to stream BT Audio. The b8.5’s have Bluetooth capability built in. Handsfree phone use can be used on the B8’s, just can’t stream audio.



How many USB ports are in the car, and how do they work - charging only, or data too?

[If I’m not mistaken I haven’t seen any yet, but I just use the cigarette lighter connector. ]



Does it play DVDs? How about while driving or does it blank the screen out when the car is moving (like my wife's MB)?

SD card?
[Has 2 SD card slots. ]


One thing I too would like to know is how to upgrade the video quality for my MMI. It honestly is not good at all, but my loaner 2018 q5 was just as bad.

-SID

[Darel]

Thank you Sid! Very helpful!

As far as audio goes for me, it's either base system or B&O, I'm not doing anything aftermarket there. But it does seem like the B&O is a huge improvement, and also thankfully pretty easy to find.

I already have a Sirius subscription so I'd just be adding the Audi to the plan.

Thanks again!

[S5_SID]

Of course!!

I do not like when people say “look it up” /“Use search function”

Honestly anything is an upgrade over a Toyota Camry though!

But to me the backup camera resolution was better in my Toyota....but that is the only thing that was better about the Toyota!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[snocat17]

I'll chime in on the BO system. It is really spectacular. However, the base system is Bose, and I know the Bose system in my 2008 GMC is really good and has lasted for a long time with no issues *knocks on wood*.

There are no USB slots in the vehicle. There are two cigarette lighters in mine, so I have converters plugged in to allow USB charging.

The connection port is in the glovebox on my S5, so I have an old iPod I leave plugged in. The SD slots can read up to 8 gb SD cards each.

I haven't used it, but it sounds like a Tune2Air system will work on any system. Just put in your year and model and they have a device that will let you stream audio via Bluetooth.

DVD system, if it comes with Nav, is good. You can allow playback while driving, but you need to get a VAG COM cable (or subscribe to Carista). If you sweet talk someone at an Audi Dealer, they can also activate it, but they will probably ask for cash and won't guarantee their work.