A6 C7 S-Line Audi Drive Select

[avantissimo]

I've been going around several forums and looking on the web and can't find an answer to this;

I've got a 2013 A6 (C7) S-Line Avant on order - 3.0 TDi quattro with the lower s-line suspension - not std sport suspension.

On the Audi Drive Select (which is std), does it or does it not alter the damping force of the damper? The dealer says it does and I find conflicting info on the web - some say it does, some say it doesn't.

Does anyone know?

Thanks.

[cruiser647]

Presume the Audi website doesn't mention anything on it?

Oooh, nice order though!

[Scotty]

I don't know (so not a helpful post!) but the S-line suspension is effectively the springs with a lower drop and dampers to match of course.

The ADS can't change much apart from the damping/rebound can it so what else would it be doing?

I have Sports Suspension with ADS on my A4 and that's what I've always believed. I assummed they were the same system i.e. not the electro-magnetic particle dampers.

[hashluck]

I am going to bet it does not regardless of the suspension. I think you need the optional adaptive air suspension to be able to adjust damper settings and ride height and your salesman is wrong. Drive Select only alters the things that are capable of being altered on the car as specified. Avant may be different from saloon but I doubt it.

[hashluck]

From A7 brochure

Audi drive select with four

pre-configured modes (Comfort, Auto,

Dynamic and Efficiency), allowing the

driver to electronically adjust the engine,

transmission and steering. The new

efficiency mode influences the shift

programme, electromechanical power

steering, engine, cruise control, and where

fitted, deluxe automatic air conditioning,

adaptive air suspension and quattro with

Sports differential

So no supension adjustment as standard. Again A6 Avant may be different

[Scotty]

ADS is an option in it's own right.

You can then add Suspension, steering, active rear diff etc depending on the car. For these options having the ADS is a pre-requisite.

Reading the opening post again I realise that the car only has ADS and not the active suspension so I'd agree there's no suspension adjustment at all.

I have the active suspension and I can promise you that if you had it then you'd notice the difference!

[avantissimo]

ADS is an option in it's own right.

You can then add Suspension, steering, active rear diff etc depending on the car. For these options having the ADS is a pre-requisite.

Reading the opening post again I realise that the car only has ADS and not the active suspension so I'd agree there's no suspension adjustment at all.

I have the active suspension and I can promise you that if you had it then you'd notice the difference!

The A6 does come with ADS as standard. The confusing thing is - whether ADS is fitted or not seems different on just about every car in the range. Also, some options can be added - such as in the S4 for example, but those options are not available in the A6. Its really confusing.

[Milo]

Are we talking about just having Audi Drive Select or also combining it with Damper Control? Can you have ADS on its own?

I've ordered an S5 with ADS, and DC.

The DC blurb says the system fine-tunes suspension settings, dependant on driver needs (i.e. comfort, dynamic etc). I would imagine that can only be done by altering the damping settings.

If it's possible to have ADS on its own (or maybe with just Dynamic Steering for example) then I wouldn't imagine you can alter the damping settings. That could only be done if you have Damper Control as an option.

That's my take on it.

[Scotty]

Milo - you can order it on it's own.

[avantissimo]

Are we talking about just having Audi Drive Select or also combining it with Damper Control? Can you have ADS on its own?

I've ordered an S5 with ADS, and DC.

The DC blurb says the system fine-tunes suspension settings, dependant on driver needs (i.e. comfort, dynamic etc). I would imagine that can only be done by altering the damping settings.

If it's possible to have ADS on its own (or maybe with just Dynamic Steering for example) then I wouldn't imagine you can alter the damping settings. That could only be done if you have Damper Control as an option.

That's my take on it.

You can order it on its own on other cars like the S4 and S5 - but on the A6 - ADS comes as standard. its just really confusing what feck it actually controls!!!!!

[Milo]

Well in that case I'd agree and say the car described isn't going to have any way to adjust the suspension (unless DC is fitted as standard, as well as ADS).

[Milo]

You can order it on its own on other cars like the S4 and S5 - but on the A6 - ADS comes as standard. its just really confusing what feck it actually controls!!!!!

I *think* it things like throttle response and how long the car holds a gear, dependent on whether it's in comfort, dynamic etc.

From the S5 brochure:

Audi drive select – changes your car’s handling and responses at the touch of a button to suit the way you want to drive. There are five modes: comfort, dynamic, auto, individual and efficient. Please note that you can only choose the ‘individual’ mode and customise your settings if you also have Satellite Navigation installed. When operating in efficiency mode, the engine and gear shift programmes are altered to optimise fuel consumption. The air conditioning system is also configured to allow for optimum energy use £220

Dynamic steering – with this new technology, driving is significantly more agile under everyday conditions, while directional stability and precision are increased at high speeds and in demanding driving situations. Must be combined with Audi drive select £725

Damper control – formed on the basis of lowered Sports suspension, the optional damper control system fine tunes suspension settings according to road conditions and driver needs. Must be combined with Audi drive select £300

Audi quattro Sports differential Must be combined with Audi drive select £620

So once you've selected ADS @ £220, you can then pick any or all of the other options @ £725, £300 or £620 respectively.

So when you say the A6 comes with ADS as standard, I would read that as you've got the £220 option, not that you then get the other 3 as well. If that's the case, you wouldn't have damper control. But I don't know the A6 or its specs so can't say for sure.

Edited January 26, 2013 by Milo

[Scotty]

You can order it on its own on other cars like the S4 and S5 - but on the A6 - ADS comes as standard. its just really confusing what feck it actually controls!!!!!

But is it?

As posted above the ADS controls engine, transmission and steering and if you want more then you add on the extras.

[avantissimo]

Damper control is not a standalone option on the A6. Updated steering and Quattro sports diff are options but not damper control.

[Scotty]

Hhhm I can see the debate. But if it did adjust then I can assure you that you'd feel it. Going from dynamic to comfort is like driving on a different road.

[Rachel]

From Milo's embedded description it sound exactly like the Porsche Sport (note: NOT Sport Plus) button.

It changes all the engine and transmission characteristics - from cruisey comfort with highest gear selected at lower revs to hanging on to gears longer before shifting and staying in a lower gear (say 6 instead of 8), radically sharper throttle and a different sound track to go with it all

[gizze]

The A6 avant s-line I had for a couple of days definitely didn't change the damper settings when changing from comfort to dynamic, you could feel the throttle map change, and........well that was it really.

Steering felt the same as did the dampers.

[DanG]

My father has a 62 plate 3.0TDI Quattro, auto, S-Line, with most of the toys.

An excellent car.

It has all sorts of dynamic, sports and personal settings for the gearbox, steering and engine as standard - but definitely no suspension damper settings - all adjusted via the MMI.

I should know, I specced it for him and definitely didn't do any clever dynamic ride stuff.

Not that great on MPG though... Nor was my C6.

[Ian_C]

Roughly what kind of 'real world' mpg were you and dad getting Dan from the C6 and C7 respectively?

[DanG]

My C6 was probably 34 mpg and dads C7 quattro auto is probably 36.

And those are 'motorway' journey figures.

Bearing in mind my new B8 A4 2.0T gets over 40mpg on the same motorway cruise (Bath to London) I am pleased I changed.

Worth noting that mums A5 2.0T Quattro Auto cabriolet gets 34mpg maximum, so I think the auto box is a bit of a MPG killer.

[cruiser647]

My C6 was probably 34 mpg and dads C7 quattro auto is probably 36.

And those are 'motorway' journey figures.

Bearing in mind my new B8 A4 2.0T gets over 40mpg on the same motorway cruise (Bath to London) I am pleased I changed.

Worth noting that mums A5 2.0T Quattro Auto cabriolet gets 34mpg maximum, so I think the auto box is a bit of a MPG killer.

When I borrow my mates' A6 3.0 TDi to drop it for a service, down the A1, I get 40+ from it. I don't hang about as it 'not my car!!! But not thrashing it.

I always move his MPG up a bit as he is much more fond of the loud pedal that I am!

[Scotty]

Bearing in mind my new B8 A4 2.0T gets over 40mpg on the same motorway cruise (Bath to London) I am pleased I changed.

I need to do more motorway journeys! See my sig!

[avantissimo]

Well, as I said in original post I've got the 3.0litre quattro TDi on order. My current car is the 3.0litre petrol saloon C6 the supercharged version. Lovely, lovely refined engine and onced revved, great power - but the fuel consumption -oh boy - that's down to an avge since new of 21 mpg. I previously had a C6 3.0 Quattro Avant and that was averaging 36 mpg. Still, I'll take that any day over 21 mpg. Now, the petrol is more refined, and more powerful, but we've me that 3.0 litre diesel torque any day. Can't wait to get back to it.....