Carters550

Hello folks , we are in the look for 2012 2013 Audi A7 , anyone here have experience with them? , what's your outlook on it ..

Mike5215

My kid drives a 2012 A5 and my wife just got a 2014 Q7. I drove the A7 and to me it felt like a BMW 5 series. (Not bad, just not special). Audi makes cars that are aesthetically beautiful but after you live with one awhile and the novelty wears off you realize it's a very pretty, well equipped and somewhat overpriced VW. Interiors have cool design but the materials aren't great, and the space is always tight even in the full size A8. (The Q7 however is enormous inside, but it shares a platform with no other Audi.)

I'll occasionally grab the keys to one of the Audis once in awhile and they always make me glad I have my S Class.

Carters550

Thanks mike ..I appreciate the input. What year was the A7 ? And as far as tech aka toys , would you say the Audi had more or less than the w221.

Mike5215

The last one I drove was in 2012. The last one I sat in and drooled over was a 2014 last month while we were taking delivery of the Q7. Straight apple to apple on the tech, the Audi puts more of it right under your nose and at your disposal than MB does, while MB seems to have more of it working behind the scenes. Audi's tech is in their MMI infotainment system. Navi that's web based (the car is its own mobile hotspot), that sort of stuff.

The standard A7 audio is very good, and the B&O upgrade is even better. The stock S550 audio is thin and overly bright. The A7 is also way sexier. The S Class is more comfortable all around. Much better seats, better materials, quieter ride, advanced safety systems. While you can get heated and cooled multi contour seats with massage in an A7, it's a big dollar option package. 2010+ S Class have all of that standard.

The direct comparison to the A7 probably would be the CLS rather than the 221. The A8 is Audi's S Class rival.

Audi's tend to be fairly conventional cars mechanically and that's how they drive. I'd say if you drove both cars and felt the same about how they rode and handled, get the A7. Younger drivers seem to love the Audi's look and forgive any other shortcomings, while us old dudes prefer the MB's, especially when the money is about the same.

At our house while both the Q7 and S550 are big luxury cars, whenever we go anywhere as a family we tend to take the Benz, for whatever that's worth. Have you ha d chance to drive an S Class yet?

Carters550

We have an s550 , but not the 2014 (I wish Lol) .so we were thinking of either trading the S with the A7 and call it a day . Yes the A7 looks elegant ,but the S has its class any where you go . We still have a 2008 BMW 750i and for some reason this e65 rides (for me) much better than our S , so thought why not try the A7 . Don't wont to love it for few months and regret it just like what you said .

Mike5215

If you like the BMW's ride I think you'd enjoy the A7, although you'd also probably like a CLS 550 as much. Lower weight, good power and tighter handling than an S, and you still get an air suspension.

Carters550

Thx mike , I appreciate all your info .. We are going to test an A7 In the next day or so , wither I will come out with A7 or will stick to S ... Will see

Mike5215

If it comes time to make the trade and you find yourself feeling emotional about saying goodbye to the S Class, do yourself a favor and take a break, get away from the dealership and reevaluate.

Had I taken my own advice I would not now be the proud owner of not one but TWO Teak (brown) Audis. Traded my 06 for a 2012 A5. Hated it. Gave it to my wife and traded her car for an 04 S Class. Instant joy. Then my wife says she needs an SUV. Normally she'd be happy as a clam in a $40k Acura MDX but now she's been Audified so I have to order a new $60,000 Teak Q7.

The A5 is a lease so I gave that to my kid to drive. Anyway if I'd just stayed with my S Class and not developed a wandering eye for something sexier I'd have been way better off.

asdf

I recall reading in either Car& Driver or MT last month something to the effect that "Audi has mastered the art of putting cheap stuff where people don't see." Made me feel lucky that I didn't go for the A6. Have to say that their leather is so nice, though. How long it lasts is another matter.

Mike5215

The cheap stuff us in places normal people don't see. If you're coming from an S Class you've become accustomed to a different standard . The soft perforated leather on their premium seats is comparable to MB's, but the regular stuff is terrible. Stiff, brittle, shows wear in the form of discoloration. On the A5 it's a major source of complaints on the forums. The Q7 uses the same material. The A8 gets the good stuff standard.

Mike5215

I was thinking about the issue with Audi and it's this;

A Mercedes owner contemplates an Audi and thinks:

1) it's made in Germany like a Benz
And
2)it's expensive like a Benz
So
3) It's comparable to a Benz.

It's not. I don't know what the margins are at VAG but they must be really strong.

Carters550

Whats up mike ,you where 100 percent correct. we tested this A7 and man did I love the car it curves and handles like no other IMO, but extremely small from inside compare to the s550 , loved the interior ,but It felt kind (not cheep but was not refined likes the S ) It felt like a BMW which is ok by me . Wife for some reason did not like the look in the back at all ,and she kept saying this is a modified VW ... To cut it short , we walked out :-( with no A7 . But I loved the car . So perhaps I just need to get it and surprise her ,if she had a change of heart perfect ,if not I will sleeping in it .lol

Mike5215

I figured it out and the solution is simple. We need to trade wives. Mine's a 1970 model in very good condition but it can be noisy sometimes. Decent sized rack on the roof but NOTHING GOES IN THE TRUNK EVER. NOT EVEN ON YOUR TWENTIETH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY! Lemme know.

Carters550

Hahahahhaha . I can barely handle one to handle 2 .. Lol .by the way we saw the Q7 , we did not test drive it ,but we sat in it (check it out ) its very cool but at that point , my brain was just a7 a7 a7 , all I can think of is that wow handling... reminded me when my bmw was new.:-(

Mike5215

Man...that Audi is under your skin. Now you have to go for it. What color combo and wheels? Did you happen to see an S7 on the lot?

Carters550

It was a stunning Glacier White Metallic with leather black/gray ..not the whole interior is leather :-( but It does the job. Sitting on 20" 10 parallel spoke design alloys .. Gorgeous son of a gun....

Mike5215

Does the trim look a little like a black pinstripe suit, and was there white contrast stitching on the leather?

E300_Diesel