ben721364

I have no experience withthe GPS in an Audi except observation during a test drive. If you have hands on experience with it as well as units installed in current generation BMW, Cadillac and Mercedes Benz sedans please comment; especially if you also have handson experience with current generation Garmin aftermarket units.

Thanks.

jjd

I have Nav in my 2006 S4 and although entering data is primitive compared to a touch screen, I very much enjoy the experience compared to an aftermarket nav unit like Garmin (which I also have).

The Audi Nav has these nice features which are hard to replicate in the aftermarket:

1. Large, easy to see display without wires or having to worry about battery charge
2. Audio is easier to hear since it comes over the car speakers (and not the tiny tinny speaker in the garmin)
3. It automatically turns down the music volume when giving navigation instructions (and restores it afterwards)
4. I can get it to repeat the last instruction without my hands leaving the steering wheel
5. secondary display on the dash between speedometer and tach showing schematic diagram of next instruction is super useful -- no need to parse map, all the important information is right there in front of you without having to move your eyes very far from the road.

It is this last feature that makes me really prefer the MMI over the Garmin. It is a real safety issue.

--Jim--

P.S. I don't dislike the Garmin. I think it's a good product.

Macallan21

No one will break your window to steal your in-dash nav. They will break your window to steal a window unit.

ben721364

No self respeting thief would steal a factory type GPS even if it were in a basket sitting on the front seat with the window rolled down, ...a second time.

audimurfee

Is Nav worth it? To me, definitely.

manku

I didn't get nav on my 2011 Avant, but I just got the premium package...one reason was I traded in my 2009 E350 and actually got positive equity on my lease (!) AND I wanted a light interior...very difficult to find, at least here in SoCal and no black exterior.

I don't really miss the NAV...I played with it in the showroom and it seems needlessly complicated, especially compared to my Prius.

I do wish I had gotten the Premium+, though, as the base sound system is really weak and I would have upgraded to the B&O.

I think I'm in the minority however...I actually listen to music in my car, rather than chat on the phone and text!

A final word...I think adding all the extras to the basic quattro version really strips the car of it's value...it's a terrific sub 40K car, not a very good deal at 45-50K, IMHO.