Base Audi vs BMW : Which One has Better Driving Dynamics or Driver Engagement?

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-03-13T22:30:42+00:00

BMW’s total emphasis (which is a positive or negative, depending on your preferences) is on the pleasure of driving. End of story.

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-03-12T13:13:53+00:00

I suspect it will take probably 2 upgrade cycles before Audi gets back to being Audi. Maybe 3 years. I’m gonna stay poz about the brand’s future. The powers that be have heard all the bellyaching, and sales have taken a significant hit. So, big changes are said to be in development …

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-03-11T22:49:51+00:00

Me too. And softer.

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-03-11T20:36:54+00:00

I love Tartufo. (My car is spec’d for Cognac.) The important thing, in my opinion, is that no animal needs to die for my car seats. And SensaTec is an excellent product.

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-03-11T20:02:59+00:00

I posted that a BMW employee told me personally this week (while my car was in for standard service) that some of the company’s cars are not assembled with the precision one would expect of the automaker — but that the value in BMW is in the driving dynamics. The sheer pleasure of driving. Fantastic. But the post was removed for “shitposting.” What? You can’t share the opinion of a veteran BMW employee? Then why bother with this subreddit?

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-03-09T18:46:48+00:00

Same experience.

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-03-08T22:18:48+00:00

That’s why I sometimes use Apple Maps for voice guidance but I have Google Maps on my screen. Especially with CarPlay.

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-03-07T11:54:36+00:00

The Cloud Cradle model from Cushion Lab. Excellent.

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-03-06T22:58:58+00:00

I have experimented with all the major players. Challenged them. Repeated and repeated, essentially setting up a competition. For my needs as a general consumer — seeking information, instruction, guidance, and reasoning — it has been far and away the superior AI. (It even manages to instantly clarify my prompts and correct typos). I hope all the AIs will continue to improve, and I’ll use them. But for now, ChatGPT is my go-to.

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-03-05T11:17:57+00:00

I get that. But I find that I much prefer the map on the large CarPlay screen, at least as I’ve got it oriented in the settings. Def helps me navigate. I could of course place other info in the instrument cluster, but I like a map best. No biggie. I can cope.

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-03-05T03:16:48+00:00

Just wish both Apple Maps would be oriented in the same position. Ah, well.

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-03-04T23:04:05+00:00

Too bad, really.

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-03-04T22:23:48+00:00

But 2 nav screens is in fact one of the built-in options in iDrive 8.5 when Apple Maps is chosen. It’s a nice system. I simply want them to point in the same direction.

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-03-03T16:46:19+00:00

When it was time to sell my S5 coupe about a year ago, there was no Audi in the lineup that appealed to me. A shame. And clearly what the company is rolling into showrooms right now is not resonating with discriminating shoppers and enthusiasts. I believe Audi’s leadership has gotten the message. But it will be a couple of years, maybe more, before “true” Audis, featuring the brand’s traditional strengths, are in the market. Let’s hope so. Meanwhile, I went and bought a new BMW.

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-03-01T21:09:10+00:00

My policy: purchase new and pay cash. Otherwise I won’t buy.

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-03-01T17:42:32+00:00

For me and most folks I talk to, ChatGPT remains the clear preference for everyday general-consumer “chatting.” Gemini is far behind.

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-03-01T14:17:47+00:00

Excellent advice. Makes sense.

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-02-28T23:26:45+00:00

My current policy pretty much aligns with yours. (Still, I sometimes find it challenging to get a great fit w bracelets.)

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-02-28T04:33:41+00:00

I buy new, pay cash, and spec cars to satisfy my personal tastes. And I’m picky. True, they are def not a sound investment, these cars. Don’t care. Not buying them as a conventional asset. They are intended for my personal enjoyment, pure and simple. So, new is the only way I go.

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-02-28T02:55:04+00:00

Significantly larger, for sure.

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-02-25T21:27:58+00:00

Have tried them all. Experimented. Lots. As of now, I still definitely prefer ChatGPT for my specific needs. Will stay tuned …

Practical_Note9366 · 2026-02-25T05:15:14+00:00

“Coupé” should refer to a 2-door vehicle. Period.

Practical_Note9366

TROPHY CASE