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

[nevbadger99]

This may assist.
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