Audi mmi

[Steve R]

Copy of my reply to Jon but after reading Taka's comment I tought I'd share it with the list. I think now that I should check out a Honda Pilot. It's not awd but at least it will be easy to figure out. I won't be the only driver and these new control systems are ridiculous.


Jon,

You might have noted form a previous post to the list that I'm looking for a
car to replace my 03 Allroad.

Very frustrating too say the least. I've looked at about eveything on the
road that has what I want in a car. I'd like to sit higher up for ease of
entry (bad back sometimes) and I want a wagon. I also want a nav system
among things.

The Volvo x-county is ok but the nav system uses a hand held remote but at
least the radio is easy to use.

Still have to check out the MB E wagon.

No Audi Allroad at least for now. Taking a test drive in the 3.6 Q7 on Wed.
Kind of big but comfortable and room in the back which I need also. But  if
it's a PITA to operate because of the mmi I might cross it off the list. On
the other hand I might have to make do with it.

About the seat heater control. What if I want to change it but I am using
the nav system?

To tell you , the 07 Hyundai Santa Fe is starting to look good. Their
version with Smat Nav is coming out in the spring tho.

Pretty inexpensive and simple. I always liked the KISS system.

I will keep the list up to date.

Steve

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Taka Mizutani 
  To: Jon Linkov 
  Cc: Audifans ; srosen at starxray.com 
  Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 1:52 PM
  Subject: Re: Audi mmi


  I missed Steve's original post, but to follow up on Jon's comments, I agree- MMI is a bit
  better than iDrive, but it still sucks.

  The seat heaters are not even all that bad- try manually tuning the radio- go into the radio screen, select tuner, then turn the knob to select the forward or backward icon and then push the knob to move a step (or more) forward or backward. It's infuriatingly stupid. 

  I prefer the discrete functionality of the old layouts- consolidating the controls makes it very difficult to access each function quickly.

  How about a review of the Q7? A 4.2? Can you compare it to the Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5 and Infiniti FX? Thanks. 

  Taka



  On 9/18/06, Jon Linkov <jon at audiclubna.org> wrote:
    I'm currently driving a Q7 with it. Have extensive time in the current A6
    and A8 with MMI as well.

    While it's better than iDrive, it's still not great. All of these systems
    are a PITA, IMHO. Taking away buttons and simple features and placing them 
    all on a knob/panel (which includes the legal disclaimer that it's dangerous
    to use such controls) isn't the best system.

    example: Audi seat heaters were a simple roller switch. Now, it's press a
    button, spin a knob, AND watch the controls on the MMI screen. Come on, the 
    roller switch was better.

    The touch screens are a bit better, but all these user interfaces are slow
    to react and take your eyes off the road. Lexus has slightly better ones,
    and the current GM ones in the Tahoe/Avalanche/Escalade are pretty good. 
    Mercedes Command is annoying in a different way, since it has a dozen or so
    buttons surrounding the screen, but doesn't have a knob.

    Jon


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