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Portability aside, the TomTom, Garmen, and like, all have problems with being too limited in display size, information presented on display is small, and some poor interface problems. You tend to pre-program them before driving and listen to them while driving. Nothing more fun then seeing one of the window mount specials (not legal to mount this way in some states) fall on lap while you are driving.

The built-in system doesn't usually have these problems due to better interface and larger display size, plus you can secure them. Of course one of the downsides of getting a nice third-part NAV is that it does attract thieves, just like car stereo.

 

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Having been an owner of a 2006 A4 w/ navi i would definitely say no. I sold my car due to the escalating gas prices and having to use premium.........i would never buy Audi Navi as an add on again. My sisters 07 honda civic is far superior, voice activated, touch screen...audi has neither, just an archaic twist dial system which takes forever...........

 

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My two cents follows: The Nav system in any vehicle is just a tech option or basically a cool to have thing. I've been debating installing an aftermarket RNS-E but all of the metrics are telling me it is not practical. The only real need it will satisfy is my own desire to have something cool in the car. That's not a bad thing. If you have the money, cool do it. There are better aftermarket systems that can be installed at the same price as someone listed above. But in the case of resale it would probably be better to have a factory audi system. I saw your same post on AW and would recommend you look at the proclip garmin nuvi solution someone posted. I like the garmin because it can be moved from car to car if you have more than one car and can be hand carried in a messenger bag if you are on vacation somewhere. Which for me is more practical then possibly installing two nav systems in each car. What I do like about the audi system is again it is factory fits properly in the car (I would be more likely to buy a car with its factory nav then with an aftermarket). The factor Nav also performs the media interface function so you can see you Sat stations listed and song titles from music on the SD cards, which the Nuvi won't do for you. From my own thinking on this subject for the past two months (lol) it is really up to you and what your personal needs are. I also did the math. If I bought Maps over buying a Nav systems it would take 60 years for the cost of buying maps to approach the cost of a NAV systems in current dollars. Just something to think about.

 

I bought the nav/sound and I'm glad I did. I had the same questions as you and was pretty set to get the aftermarket portable. However, this seemed to add a certainly level of cheapness to the audi the more I thought about it. I did worry about theft, having it fall off, etc.But most notably was worried about taking my eyes off the road more for one of these. The reviews for these systems by Garmin and others are pretty good. They even do voice and bluetooth. Not to mention the ability to go into other cars, and some have the new traffic info too.

But the nav/sound package is nice. This option is expensive, but breaking down the price you can come to a realization that it is much more than a GPS system. The sound is awesome. The CD changer is still a must (despite iPods), the SD card slots are a nice compromise with modern MP3 sound and the whole thing acts as your interface to other car functions: Radio, CD, SD, Bluetooth, etc. And, the system even interfaces to the display between the tach and the odometer. Your navigation directions will be displayed right there with your critical trip information. Also your radio/CD/MP3 choice is shown there, and the buttons on the steering wheel control it all. (and the lady's voice on the nav system is very nice.)

All that said, I've seen other systems (like the Acura RDX) that have traffic information, touch screen, etc. on theirs. That would be cool to have but looking at the Acuras and Hondas their aesthetics on the dash really turn me off. I know they've had good reviews, but the buttons and dials seem so plasticy (sp?) and the screen integration could be a lot more sleek, Like the Audi. They fit this screen in the A3 so nice. It is subtle but in the perfect user friendly position, and the buttons are non-obtrusive and make great sense.

I figure the traffic information isn't ready for primetime yet. I'm sure it works, but is not installed in a lot of cities and surely won't be installed in any place that I want to use my system. (isn't that the way it always is? ha ha) I mean, when I'm travelling I'm usually off on some mountain road where it's more important for me to know where I am and where I want to go. I'm sure they don't have traffic info in the mountains.

With any nav system you have to use caution with it taking attention away from the road. Inputting destinations while driving with the Audi is a no-no and I'd be curious how the others handle it as well. I plug in my destination before I go, or I have a copilot. Otherwise, Nav is just on and I can look at the map if I need too.

I've made several posts about this a couple months back I believe. I'm going to bed! I'm on the west coast too!

Oh yeah, you were asking about dealers. Well I went to Stevens Creek too, and had the same experience. The salesman was nice enough (I had Phil) but there seemed to be no real motivation for him to sell me a car. He had my number and never called me back. I ended up ordering my car from Ernst up at Diablo. It was a good experience all around for us.

 

Here is your issue in a nutshell:

If you want a clean cut, executive looking **** pit with a navigation feature, get the factory installed.

If you want a notch below executive with supperior functionality and features, go aftermarket.

Pretty simple; just depends what you want in a car.

 

The choice between going third party with more features versus Audi's does rest on how you want the interior of your A3 to look like. As long as you went with the Bose option, the interior bracket is double-din and you can swap out the radio for RNS-E unit in future as possibility.

 

Thanks to everyone for the advice. While some seem pleased/satisfied with the Audi Nav, I've heard enough bad things be turned off of it. Even if it works exactly as advertised, it doesn't have voice control or traffic, two things I really do want in a nav system.

Advice on resale value of the car with a 3rd party vs. stock is very valid. I think what I'll do is order the car with the most basic stereo, and swap that out with a 3rd party unit. When it comes time to sell, I can decide then whether to put the stock back in and take the nav with me to my next car, or sell it with, or pull it and eBay it. Plus that'll probably make it easier to install the 3rd party system.

Also thanks for the feedback on Stevens Creek Audi. I had Von, nice enough guy, but really didn't seem that interested. Concord is way too far to go for me to find a good dealer, but there's gotta be something decent in-between.

The Pioneer nav units sure look nice, I'll have to check them out in person.

Thanks again everyone!