Q7 ramblings

[Huw Powell]

> The control modules themselves are not infallible, of course,
> but how often do we hear about a car's ECU or ABS system going kaput?
> There is no reason that any other modules couldn't be as good.

Well, my '89 90Q had to have both engine ECUs replaced, and the ABS gave 
up years ago...

> Unlike BMW's iDrive which has almost everything into a single knob
> and must be navigated through menus, Audi's MMI has pushbuttons
> and knobs surrounding the "big knob" that gives you direct access
> to the most common features. 

That makes sense to me - can the "hot buttons" be programmed to suit the 
needs and habits of the owner?  It would be cool to be able to choose 
what functions one has "direct access" to.

> It remains to be seen how well MMI would fare over time, it's too early
> to jump to conclusions about its (un)reliability.
> 
> While the newest Audi I own is a 2003 A4 with no MMI, it does have a
> CAN bus and I can tell you that the car has had zero electrical problem.

At 4-5 years old (and ten years or so into the model line), I should 
hope so!

> In fact, it has zero problem period.  This is in stark contrast
> to my 1984 5000 turbo, which, by the time it turned 4-years old, had
> already begun to exhibit some faults.

Which, of course, it shouldn't have, but it was also the first year or 
so of a fairly revolutionary car.

> In general, Audi's electrical
> systems have steadily improved over the years.  Long gone are the days
> of marginal wiring (e.g., the volt gauge in my 4000 would do its
> little dance while the turn signal lights are flashing).

Absolutely agreed there.  Over the decade of cars I am familiar with 
(the 80's), almost every model year featured better wiring, switches and 
connectors.  What is amusing is that the electrical "weak link" on the 
type 89 is the "new" switches - the ones in the dashboard.  If they 
don't get used much, they stop working.

Meanwhile, things like the window switches are almost perfected - rarely 
losing contact, and pretty much waterproof.

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/