TMC latest

[Daz]

Actually I've heard that it is quite difficult to back these up. I also found that backed up disks tend to have issues (skipping & lockups) when the unit gets hot.

[PetrolDave]

Since the 2005_1 DVD they have been copy protected.

It IS possible to make backup copies (usual disclaimer here about personal use only, etc. etc.) but only with certain SW and certain DVD writers and certain media. Even then, as Daz says, backup discs are often unreliable.

The SW 0500 update has made the RNS-E more resistant to read errors but problems with backup DVD's are still being reported.

[Andyuk911]

well then I will ask for two with a new car incase I damage one

[Vertigo1]

Don't have an RS4 I'm afraid, am I still allowed to post in here?

Thought this was the best place as most of the active discussion on TMC appears to be taking place here.

I've had an email back from Mr. Peterkin today. I don't wish to cut and paste his comments without permission but basically he has said the TMC upgrade was offered to A6 and A8 customers for a charge of £100 to offset the updated mapping data they'd also be receiving (we already knew this I believe) and that the same rationale would be applied to the 2007 RNS-E release for A3 and A4 customers.

So basically it looks like pretty firm confirmation that the update will be available for £100. I've dropped him a mail back to query whether this upgrade will be available to all RNS-E users, regardless of their current disc vintage, as the upgrade obviously represents better value for those with older discs.

[PetrolDave]

An auction for the 2007 DVD set on eBay has just ended with someone paying €545!!! I stopped bidding at €300.

[Vertigo1]

Well I did think that, once I'd got hold of my 2007 update discs, I could flog the 2006_1 disc that came with the car on ebay to recoup some of the £100 charge but I've got a horrible suspicion they'll ask us to surrender our current discs as part of the upgrade deal. Thinking about it, they need to ensure that only people who are genuinely entitled to the discs get them under such an offer as otherwise everyone would get them for £100 and then sell them on for a profit and the easiest way to prove you have a valid entitlement is to ask for the original disc back

[PetrolDave]

I'll happily return the 2006_1 disc, but only AFTER I've got the 2007 disc AND proved it works in my car.

[Vertigo1]

And you won't begrudge them the £100 for the discs, even though the mapping data for the UK is unlikely to have changed much, if at all?

[simmo]

This was my email of 30/11 to Tom Peterkin of Audi UK outling the reasons why A4 customers shouldn't have to pay for the disc to get the TMC function working...

Hi Tom,

Many thanks for your prompt reply. I am very glad I will be notified when the update disk becomes available in January.

As to charging for the fix, as noted in my earlier email, as a matter of principle I thoroughly expect this problem to be resolved as goodwill (as a non-chargeable warranty resolution) by Audi UK for the following reasons:

1. The fix will shortly be built-in from the factory as part of standard production. Cars arriving into the country from early 2007 will be fully enabled for UK-based TMC service. Customers lucky enough to receive their cars after this time will have the issue resolved seamlessly and at no cost to them.

2. TMC is a standard function of the Audi RNS-E navigation system. I bought the car and ordered the navigation system option with the expectation that this function would work normally. It is clearly documented in the owners manual as a standard feature for cars equipped with the navigation system; there is absolutely nothing noted to exclude or differentiate the UK from other TMC-enabled markets where the vehicle is sold. Nor was I informed by my dealer that this feature would not work or that I would be expected to pay to get this fixed. In line with EU legislation the manufacturer is responsible for ensuring products sold within the EU operate to an equivalent standard in all European markets.

3. The RNS-E based TMC system is fully functional in continental Europe where the Radio Data System Traffic Message Channel (RDS TMC) service is broadcast as a free public service. Although the TMC service is privatised in the UK, Audi UK have resolved the licensing fees with the RDS-TMC operator, RAC Trafficmaster Telematics. What will be resolved by the update disk is a technical harmonization issue to enable the TMC function to operate correctly – this is clearly different from ‘installing’ TMC as you note in your email below.

4. All customers should be treated equally and fairly. Many A8, S8 and A6 owners have reported (in the public domain) the rectification of the non-functioning TMC issue on their cars was resolved at nil cost to them.

5. As a brand-new Audi customer and having just paid over £2000 for satellite navigation in a newly released £50,000 car that does not have basic functionality enabled which is offered as standard by numerous 3rd party systems at a fraction of the price, is frankly disappointing. This certainly is not an issue in any BMW or Mercedes-Benz navigation system.

Being asked to pay to fix a function to work in the UK which works everywhere else and works seamlessly in the UK on competing systems does very little to instill confidence or loyalty in the Audi brand. For these reasons I would urge Audi UK to really demonstrate Vorsprung durch Technik and resolve the issue quickly, fairly and certainly at no cost.

Many thanks again with your help.

Kind regards

Sean Simpson

and latest reply from Audi, received today:

Hi Sean,

Firstly allow me to apologise for the delay in replying to your very detailed and articulate email as below.

I forwarded your email to the senior management of Audi UK for their comments.

The response I have received is as follows.

A6 & A8 customers were asked to pay £100.0 to have operational TMC on their vehicles.

However, this cost was to offset the cost of the updated maps on the sat.nav. DVD and this is the rationale for the 2007 DVD that will be offered to A3 & A4 customers.


Regards
Tom Peterkin
Customer Services Operations Mgr.

Audi Aftersales & Service
Direct Line: 01908 601627
Fax: 01908 601281
E Mail: thomas.peterkin@audi.co.uk

[Jezzer]

As a goodwill gesture you would have thought Audi could've dropped this £100 charge to compensate us for our cars not having the TMC function working from new.

[Mikeyboy]

I am getting my RS4 next week. (which inceidentally is not soon enough) If it doesn't have TMC i'll let you know as I am going to be extremely unhappy to have to pay £100 to update something that would have been standard 2 weeks later.

[LegalEagle]

I get mine on Saturday and there is no way that I will pay £100 for functionality a few weeks later.

[PetrolDave]

And you won't begrudge them the £100 for the discs, even though the mapping data for the UK is unlikely to have changed much, if at all?

I didn't say that - only that if they "give" me a new DVD I'll be happy to "give" them my older one. If they expect me to pay for a new DVD, then I expect to keep the older one.

I don't expect the mapping to change much, if at all.

[Andyuk911]

Mike, join the club, I pick mine up Weds 20th, next week. I have already left a message with Audi person above and the Sales Gentleman that I don't expect to pay another £100.

I suppose I should withhold a £100 and say give me the disk and then you get your £100, so to be part of my purchase price

[Vertigo1]

Having only just taken delivery of my car which came with the 2006_1 disc, I tend to be of the same opinion as Mikeyboy and LegalEagle and will not be expecting to have to pay £100 for something which people who ordered a month or so later than me will get for free!

Of course their standard response will most likely be that specifications change all the time and if the spec changes to your disadvantage a few weeks after you take delivery then that's tough luck.