My car is going in for scheduled service tomorrow and I asked my service adviser to update the Bluetooth and Nav software (NOT the map disks) to the latest version. Every single car I ever owned had this capability. These software updates typically resolve minor annoying issues, such as an echo that everyone hears when I use Bluetooth in my car. The service adviser tells me there are no updates for either Bluetooth or Nav.

 

I have an '08 FS and Nav and Bluetooth was one of my biggest concerns when purchasing, but the system is DVD rom NAV and everything on the phone integrates perfectly with my iPhone 5 from it downloading the full contact phone book, to voice dialing any number with perfect clarity and reception. My dad just purchased a 2013 Audi A8L with all the newest options and it basically has similar identically phone and NAV system.

Therefore, at 2011, ypu should have same or better system with similar performance. If you get an echo, make sure it's not originating from your phone that car is connecting to. You can get another phone and Bluetooth connect it to your car and then make a call to see if echo still is there. Also, the echo could be a result of feedback from volume being to high or even one of the microphones closest to you not working so its picking it up from passenger mic. Just some ideas you can troubleshoot,

 

I think you are mixing up the system you and I have with the system that's installed in 2012+ Continentals.

My system looks like this:


All 2012+ Continentals use a system that looks like this:



There is no way a nav system in a 2013 Audi A8 looks like the one I have in my car. I looked at a 2013 Audi S8 before getting the Supersports and the nav system there uses Google maps and its an awesome unit. Here is what it looks like:



As far Bluetooth echo is concerned, I would agree with you about it being caused by my phone, if it was not for one thing - the same phone does not cause any echo in 3 other cars, including a 1976 911, which has a 3-yr old Alpine aftermarket head unit.

I am going to try another phone when I get the car back and see what happens.

 

I didn't realize the NAV system was redone again in 2012, but you are correct that my style is the previous. What I meant about my dads Audi system is that the functions of the Bluetooth specifically are all the same as my car when it comes to the phone and how it works. The NAV system is also similar in function, although it has layers feature that let's you add satellite view like you pictured. It also has some basic search functions to find different type of locations that I haven't explored much.

I guess what I'm getting at is the Maserati QP I traded in on my FS had an aftermarket a/v system and converted front screen to touchscreen and had a Garmin based navigation in it that makes the Audi and the one in my Bentley seem pretty elementary, especially when it comes to imputing locations with ****, although my dads car has a little touchpad you can write stuff out on with your finger.

When making comparison, maybe I should have limited talk to Bluetooth system because in function, the one in my dads car and mine function the exact same way with same features.

One possible option if you hate the NAV is to buy a NAV tv module that lets you plug into factory plug for tv tuner input on back of factory radio and then an aftermarket GPS with video out you can plug into module. Then with flip of a switch, you can pull up aftermarket NAV. To input into NAV you can use a remote control that would come with NAV or you can get fancy and get a touchscreen overlay and make your screen touchscreen. The NAVtv module has two inputs, do you could also easily add a DVD player or camera if you don't have one.

Cost is about $550 for NAVtv module that uses car specific factory plugs. ( no wires cut)
GPS NAV units are about $200
DVD player about $150

Example of one of the GPSvNAVs is the Garmim GVN53
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=10573


.

 

Here is a video so you could see how it would work if you added a touchscreen overlay and Garmin GPS NAV unit. The result looks like it came like that factory and this is how my Maserati worked for past few years as I had the same overlay and same Garmin piece

 

Here is how touchscreen overlay works and is installed. It's basically a clear very thin film that is stuck on top of factory screen.

http://www.gpsaustralia.net/content....-Garmin-GVN-53

 

Agree Bentley started out far, far behind the curve technologically. They are catching up and will have to see what the 2013 has in her... more to come.

 

I am familiar with all these technologies and enjoyed tinkering with aftermarket stuff in the last decade, but over the years I learned to appreciate OEM equipment and the way it works (in some cars). I think it'll be a cold day in hell before I pop the dashboard of my car open and start installing aftermarket equipment in there. Not when any $49 smartphone today is capable of running nav software that blows away any built-in system (including Audi's). Some nav apps offer map caching, which allows them to work flawlessly with or without a cellular data connection. Even Google Maps now has pre-caching functionality.

The trend that I am seeing in the auto industry is that built-in car systems become tightly integrated with various smartphone OSes to the point where the built-in system becomes nothing but another interface of the smartphone. All the content and most of the apps on your smartphone are available on your car's nav screen and you control your smartphone using the car's controller (****, touchpad, touchscreen, etc). In turn, car manufacturers develop their own apps for smartphone OSes so that information flows both ways (i.e. a smartphone can interact with car's other systems). It's beneficial for car manufacturers as well because their built-in tech does not become obsolete two years before the car is released. All they need is a nice high resolution IPS panel, a well made controller interface and a high-throughout wireless data link to the smartphone.

I think i'll just wait until Bentley comes out with the next GT Supersports. My calculations are that if my 2011 has technology from 2005 in it, a 2015 model will have 2011 tech

 

EK1

I agree my smartphone works just fine..

Cliff