Interiors: BMW vs Audi

[IB M]

I sat in a new Audi S8, RS7 and S6 yesterday. The interiors felt very comfortable and well appointed. Most of all I really liked the hideaway navigation screen feature. The cabin felt more luxurious without the screen in your face. I could see not using it on routine office runs or more spirited driving days etc. More to break I know but on a 100k plus car who cares, if it breaks fix it. I'm still a BMW fanboy at the end of day but have to credit Audi for well done interior designs.

[omegaSMP300]

I think I prefer the BMW lay out more in terms of functionality but the materials used for Audi's interiors are very nice and the tuck away nav screen is a great.

[gtr]

Audi has better materials, fit and finish. The BMW design is pretty good but from a quality view it's behind Audi comparing the same class of cars.

[NorCal f80]

Audi and Porsche have the best and most appealing interior IMO

[tareemaa]

Audi>BMW in the last generation of cars but I think BMW has def stepped it up, I think Bimmer interior today are better than Audi

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by tareemaa

Audi>BMW in the last generation of cars but I think BMW has def stepped it up, I think Bimmer interior today are better than Audi

I'd agree, looking over some Audis recently I wasn't impressed.

[consolidated]

Originally Posted by ChesterM2

I'd agree, looking over some Audis recently I wasn't impressed.

My feelings are the same after driving a few S models recently. They were nice, but also look like they've not evolved as much as BMW's current interiors.

Both interiors feel more on par with each other now, previously Audi's did have a more luxury feel, whereas BMWs looked more spartan and sporting.

Porsche interiors until the 991, current Cayenne and Panamera were third place considering the cost, very much bare bones, plastic and decontented unless you spent enormou$ amounts to add materials and details.

[Carnut12]

Many Audi's are due for updates, we will see what that brings. Based on the TT I think they might leap-frog everyone like they did years ago. I agree many have caught up, let's see how long that lasts.

I wish Audi offered full leather like BMW has been doing.

[JeffM-Houston]

My boss drives a 2014 A7, honestly I don't see anything better in it than my M3.

[onatuesday]

Originally Posted by JeffM-Houston

My boss drives a 2014 A7, honestly I don't see anything better in it than my M3.

Your boss has good taste. Personally I think the A7's interior has more class/elegance than the M3 (except for the full-leather dash option). For sure, the S7's interior is better by a wide margin than the M3 with its Valcona leather seats with contrast diamond stitching, aluminum pedals, available alcantera headliner, night vision, and B&O system with the tweeters that pop-up and 1300 watts from 15 speakers.

[J50]

Some Audis, even ones that cost $60k+, have plastic door armrests. They've been doing it for quite awhile now. Some pricier models have it, whether standard
or optional in an extended leather package. Might be nitpicking, but find it annoying.

[audihere]

I've driven Audi's since 1997 prior to getting my F80. I've always felt the Audi interiors were far superior to BMW up until recently. Even the F8X interior is light years ahead of the E9X and seems more like Audi designed it to me.

Chris

[hellrotm]

BMW has stepped up their interior game. As you can see from the pics above. The F8x M3/M4 interior is a lot nicer. But I still think when you get down the finer detail fit/finish, Audi still has the better interiors. They just look and feel more solid. The S6 I drove recently was very nice place to spend time in.

[SOM3]

Originally Posted by Carnut12

Many Audi's are due for updates, we will see what that brings. Based on the TT I think they might leap-frog everyone like they did years ago. I agree many have caught up, let's see how long that lasts.

I wish Audi offered full leather like BMW has been doing.

Based on TT I think Audi is moving in the wrong direction. I spent a little more time in the new A/S 3 and I thought the interior was fine for what it was but nothing examplary. I also drove a new Cayman GTS a month ago and I did like that interior but the infotaiment part seemed outdated.

I'm really looking forward to see next gen A4 interior to compare it vs 3-series and C-class.

[TTG]

Originally Posted by ChesterM2

I'd agree, looking over some Audis recently I wasn't impressed.

+1

People in here have been praising Audi interiors for the longest time in here.

We got 3 Audis in the family (SQ5, S3 & A5) and I would take BMW's interior any day.

[IB M]

Those cool with an all digital instrument cluster will like the new TT interior. It combines the navigation infotainment screen and instrument cluster into one screen straight in front of your face and over the steering wheel. Good chance that will be a common trend for the future design for a lot of cars.

[ASAP]

No matter what audi does inside or out, it simply cannot stir my blood in any way. The moment I buy an S4 or RS7, I realize that there are better rwd options from bmw available... since this discussion only applies to interiors, I would say the same. Their interiors (had seat time in s4) are not particularly functional and not all that good looking, I never caught the rave. MB has the issue of designing nearly everything for individuals over 60... if s class, then over 90.

[SOM3]

Originally Posted by IB M

Those cool with an all digital instrument cluster will like the new TT interior. It combines the navigation infotainment screen and instrument cluster into one screen straight in front of your face and over the steering wheel. Good chance that will be a common trend for the future design for a lot of cars.

Digital cluster is yesterday's news, it's all about HUD technology now. I bet soon we'll see fighter jet like read-outs and what not.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by audihere

I've driven Audi's since 1997 prior to getting my F80. I've always felt the Audi interiors were far superior to BMW up until recently. Even the F8X interior is light years ahead of the E9X and seems more like Audi designed it to me.

Definitely! The E9x center stack with the unused buttons, etc just looks unfinished and crappy. Seems like the car ran over budget and they told the interior guys to just wrap it up as was

Like @SOM3 says, I'm all about the HUD now. The one thing the E9x has better than the F8x is the gauges ... I think the F8x gauge cluster looks cheap and crappy but I don't care due to the HUD. Love that thing.

[chiplee]

Originally Posted by SOM3

Digital cluster is yesterday's news, it's all about HUD technology now. I bet soon we'll see fighter jet like read-outs and what not.

I'll be the judge of that, lol.

[TahoeM3]

Originally Posted by IB M

I sat in a new Audi S8, RS7 and S6 yesterday. The interiors felt very comfortable and well appointed. Most of all I really liked the hideaway navigation screen feature. The cabin felt more luxurious without the screen in your face. I could see not using it on routine office runs or more spirited driving days etc. More to break I know but on a 100k plus car who cares, if it breaks fix it. I'm still a BMW fanboy at the end of day but have to credit Audi for well done interior designs.

Do you mean the Audi interiors are nicer the the comparable 7 series, 6-seres, and 5-series, or are you comparing them to the 4-series and expecting it to be as nice? I do find the M4 interior to be a huge step up from the e9x, but I don't think it's fair to compare it to higher tier luxury cars. They really aren't competitors.

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by IB M

Those cool with an all digital instrument cluster will like the new TT interior. It combines the navigation infotainment screen and instrument cluster into one screen straight in front of your face and over the steering wheel. Good chance that will be a common trend for the future design for a lot of cars.

That's what I like least about new Audi interiors. (Historically, I've liked them)

...that 'all digital look' just looks looks like some cheezy, flash in the pan home appliance....

(its funny, I don't mind having all sorts of electric and electronic gizmos working behind the scenes as I drive, but I want my speedo and tach to be analog.)

I expect that kind of flashy dash in an LFA or a Lambo, but when I see it spreading to some of firms with more taste......it irks me.