Trip computer info

[Brett Dikeman]

On Sep 13, 2006, at 8:54 AM, Taka Mizutani wrote:

> While your comments are valid, there aren't all that many luxury cars
> that have MP3 capability and iPod connectivity until at least MY2005.

I disagree- I don't have specific examples or proof, but I could  
swear some brands have had either/both for years.  I know BMW has  
been offering as an option iPod integration kits for what seems like  
quite a while.

> Audi is way behind on that stuff- their Bluetooth implementation is  
> mediocre
> and was done a couple years behind the market leaders (Acura, for  
> example).

I was shocked at how trivial it was to pair a phone with the car; my  
computer and phone pair via a random keycode, but the car uses a  
fixed keycode printed in the manual!  Hmm, they should invent a  
system which can display numbers on a screen in the dash!  And allows  
the driver to interact with the computer system easily to enter the  
code?  They could call it...Makes My car Interactive!

> Actually the model year changes are very informative if you're  
> selling the cars- those
> docs. are not for public consumption, that's why they're not all  
> that interesting.

Yes, I understand that;  I was making fun of the constant changes  
Audi makes to the model years, which are a cross between  
micromanagement and obsessive-compulsive.  You also overestimate the  
brand knowledge of sales staff, in my experience.  About half the  
ones I've met didn't have basic package or pricing knowledge.

> Bouncy ride? That's weird- did your dealer forget to prep the car  
> properly?

Quite possibly, given that they chipped the paint and tried to pass  
it off as ready for delivery, and then botched the repair.

> Did they not remove the shipping blocks in the springs?

No idea.  How visible/obvious are they?  And why do they even need  
shipping blocks?  Do they raise the ride-height to avoid damage  
during offloading?

> That's a common symptom of this
> oversight. Does your car have air suspension- obviously there  
> aren't such blocks
> in a car w/ air suspension? If it's air suspension, you have to  
> prep it via the dealership
> electronic tool (don't remember the current number- 5150?).

No- the car is very minimally equipped.  No technology package, no  
air suspension.  It does have heated seats and bluetooth phone  
connections (one irritating note: none of us have been able to figure  
out how to DISABLE bluetooth link up.  Say, if you want to have a  
private conversation with the calling party.)

> IME, the cars are not bouncy at all- they are so soft that the 18"  
> wheel option really improves the overall drive quality due to the  
> stiffer sidewall and wider footprint.

This was not 'harsh', but it would have been impossible to even read  
something, the car was jostling me around so much, at least in the  
back seat.  Their old 960 wagon rides smooth as glass in comparison,  
and I always thought it had a 'utilitarian' ride.

> IIRC, the trip computer is now optional- if your car is the base  
> model, it won't have it (does your car have wood trim?).

Very light wood trim, yes.  It is a 2006 model; they wanted an '06  
specifically because there were deals to be had.

Brett