Audi connect now £11.50 / month?

[nevbadger99]

My online traffic data license has expired, and it looks like the only way to get it back is to subscribe to Audi Connect - does that sound right?

I'm sure it used to be free.

[Elansear]

Hi had mine renewed last November totally free as it has been since it was 3 years old, ie second time for free. Where did you get the price from. Just phone Audi customer service it usually takes about 2 weeks as it is done from Germany. This is unless there has been a change since January, I know google maps are no longer supported but the traffic should be free but do remember somebody talking about connect at the end of last year so could be they charge for that service now but I believe the traffic data is not part of that as it’s a third party source.

[Elansear]

This may assist.
New SIM and Google Earth (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php/196929-New-SIM-and-Google-Earth)

[nevbadger99]

This may assist.
New SIM and Google Earth (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php/196929-New-SIM-and-Google-Earth)

Yes I knew about Google earth thanks, I gave up on that as no way round it until I get round for forking out for Carplay - I was hoping it was separate from that.


Hi had mine renewed last November totally free as it has been since it was 3 years old, ie second time for free. Where did you get the price from. Just phone Audi customer service it usually takes about 2 weeks as it is done from Germany. This is unless there has been a change since January, I know google maps are no longer supported but the traffic should be free but do remember somebody talking about connect at the end of last year so could be they charge for that service now but I believe the traffic data is not part of that as it’s a third party source.

I called them just now (original advice was from Live Chat) and they said it's not free any more it's all bundled up into the Connect package.

I can live with the Google earth thing as it's down to a techy system going obsolete, it happens, but getting rid of the online traffic feels like Audi just trying to squeeze some more cash out of me :-(

[Nemo78]

It all changed and became a chargeable service from 1st December IIRC.


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[Elansear]

Grrrrr . It’s all a bit pointless in respect of satnav , people will not pay as they can use other live devices instead. Talk about “ cut off your nose to spite your face” Guess it’s also the same for connect services, just use your phone, bit of a pointless exercise.

[nevbadger99]

Grrrrr . It’s all a bit pointless in respect of satnav , people will not pay as they can use other live devices instead. Talk about “ cut off your nose to spite your face” Guess it’s also the same for connect services, just use your phone, bit of a pointless exercise.

100% agreed, I'm sure BMW did something similar and then withdrew it because everyone complained.

[johnsimcox]

100% agreed, I'm sure BMW did something similar and then withdrew it because everyone complained.
BMW only give you one year free for CarPlay and Android Auto, after that they charge. The issue is that all of the providers on the back end, e.g. Inrix for the traffic data, Google for other services, Cubic Telecom for the connection are all charging for their services and Audi is simply passing those charges on. I think we will increasingly see this as the norm. Free for the initial owner and then charge.

[Nemo78]

BMW only give you one year free for CarPlay and Android Auto, after that they charge. The issue is that all of the providers on the back end, e.g. Inrix for the traffic data, Google for other services, Cubic Telecom for the connection are all charging for their services and Audi is simply passing those charges on. I think we will increasingly see this as the norm. Free for the initial owner and then charge.

BMW now give CarPlay for life with iDrive7 I believe - no idea what else you get or don’t vs what’s charged for after year 1 however.

However agreed - hook you in for free to start with and then charge you. I’ll definitely miss the traffic on the nav when my license expires.

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[Elansear]

This probably has more to do with the connected world we are all now entering. The vehicle having constant connection to the internet allowing access to anything that may be required by the vehicle, its occupants and the manufacturer. Someone has to pay for that and it’s starting to look like the owner after say 3 years. Perhaps people will find ways around it, but if you have things like extended warranty or want to have a manufacturer service history, allowing the manufacturer access to the vehicle remotely to monitor its systems and report any faults back as they happen. They will tell us it’s for OUR benefit I bet. Glad I still have my analog TT for some fun, at least that can’t tell anybody when I accidentally go over the speed limit whilst being tracked by my GPS position. HoHum

[razor77]

at least that can’t tell anybody when I accidentally go over the speed limit whilst being tracked by my GPS position. HoHum

No, but if that was likely, your phone and ANPR can!


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[Elansear]

Oh I must apologise. I am sure you would never or have never done that, I must try harder.

[razor77]

Oh I must apologise. I am sure you would never or have never done that, I must try harder.

?

OT. My last was a Haldex, should have known, but it was a new location for a camera and thought they only operated when lower limits were imposed on the road.

It was 4am enroute to Manchester airport. Very lucky by 1mph, to get away with a fixed penalty and 3 points, rather than court and minimum of 4!


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[KevTrem]

I phoned Audi UK customer service on Saturday as mine stopped working and mentioned about the license, chap on other end of the phone said they no longer have ability to extend the license it has to be done via the MyAudi app and is chargeable. Told him that £115 a year was steep for traffic data and along with a £25 a year sim card worked out very expensive when you can get a Satnav with live traffic updates and free map updates for less than 1 years subscription, I was told its more than traffic data it is the parking charges, weather and all the other connect features that I don't use.
Now looking at adding Android Auto and getting prices a lot cheaper than the annual subscription Audi want.

[Olio]

Yes, I got the same message last time (before Xmas), and decided I won't bother. My phone is now used when I need up to date trip info.

But for the Android auto / Car play, I wonder where you can source that for less than a year's sub for Audi's connect service. Please let me know, here or in MP.

Last time I asked, it was £600+, so I decided against it.

[Brownstone1892]

If your car has the hardware, the licence for the Audi Smartphone Interface is around £200, them Audi have to code it. Cost me £250 all in. My car has the tech pack, so all ready for ASI.

[Olio]

Thanks. Mine is a pre FL 2013 A6, so I'm unsure it has the ASI. It's got the tech pack (google etc), but I can't (for example) update my Audi GPS maps online. Would that be suitable?

EDIT: I just found this... :/

Notes for retrofitting to Audi A6 (from 2015) and Audi A7 (from 2015):
- The retrofitting of the Audi smartphone interface is only available for models as of 2017

[Justinos]

I find this outrageous.

I bought a car that had certain features built in, and now they are being removed, and I am being asked to pay again!!

What's more the service they are asking a ridiculous amount for is freely available on a phone, and the other services like parking spaces, weather etc are pointless addons.

I will be buying one of the carplay wifi dongles, and using that from now on.

[Elansear]

My licence will expire in November so just wondering about doing this, any input welcome. I have a 48gig Three data sim in the car at present, so thinking of putting Waze on my iPad and using that as my Satnav via the cars hotspot. There are usually 2 of us in the car so the passenger can have it with them and if on my own could leave it running and just pull over if I need to view the screen, just follow the spoken directions as normal. Any thoughts...

[Olio]

For the moment, all I did was to buy a phone holder and ensure I have a charging cable that reaches it once it is there :D

[Justinos]

My licence will expire in November so just wondering about doing this, any input welcome. I have a 48gig Three data sim in the car at present, so thinking of putting Waze on my iPad and using that as my Satnav via the cars hotspot. There are usually 2 of us in the car so the passenger can have it with them and if on my own could leave it running and just pull over if I need to view the screen, just follow the spoken directions as normal. Any thoughts...

But how ridiculous is it to have to do this as Audi have taken something away that was included with my car when I bought it, and think that for £11.50 month, it is worth damaging the brand good will. Massive miss calculation. They have overvalued enormously the worth of the connect system, particularly when phones do it all for free.

[Elansear]

Totally agree, but the world is moving to a connected on, The Internet of Things. No doubt a connect fridge will be able to re order what you use, probably be free for the first 3 years then, you want it to order your food, that will be £5 a month please. It’s an opportunity to make extra money for almost nothing, bet there will be many people who think they need the connection so will pay for it, it will be easer that way and just pass the cost on as a business expense. I’m off to WHSmith fo a road atlas LOL...

[Justinos]

Totally agree, but the world is moving to a connected on, The Internet of Things. No doubt a connect fridge will be able to re order what you use, probably be free for the first 3 years then, you want it to order your food, that will be £5 a month please. It’s an opportunity to make extra money for almost nothing, bet there will be many people who think they need the connection so will pay for it, it will be easer that way and just pass the cost on as a business expense. I’m off to WHSmith fo a road atlas LOL...

Its not worth £1.50 a month, never mind £11.50 when phones do this for free on Google maps, or Waze. Very ill thought out.

[Whippy53]

Couple of things here, I haven't updated my satnav since 2013 and I'm still not lost.
Other marques (Volvo, I'm looking at you now) regularly issue updates for free.
So Audi can go suck choad.