[JCSurrey]

Hi all
I'm considering changing my 2019 BMW 8 Series coupe for an E-tron GT.
My current car is a massive spec and there are a couple of things I wanted to check on.
I have two questions and would be so grateful for input:
1) With the Tour pack (adaptive cruise) does the car steer itself too (as the BMW does)? This makes long drives so effortless and I'd really miss it having got used to it!

2) Without going to the Vursprung spec I gather one cannot have 4 wheel steering (another thing I LOVE in my BMW as it makes the nearly 5m long car super agile in small spaces.)
The GT is also a big car. How easy is it to live with WITHOUT the 4 wheel steering? Is it a struggle in tight car parks etc?
Thanks so much!🙏

 

[Steve Derby]

Hi.
Good decision to be looking at

I bought a GT at the end of December
1). With the adaptive cruise, it’s not full blown autonomous steering, but, it will keep pretty adeptly in its lane, and ‘steer’ round light bends etc, and speed up and slow down automatically based on road bends, etc. you do have to keep your hands on the wheel.
I use it all the time, it is really good, and effective at being an underlying aid.
2). I don’t have the 4 wheel steering, and the car is still remarkably agile. In tight car parks though you do think twice, not so much about manoeuvring it around, but, other idiots giving you a ding…..

good luck with your choice. I know which one I’d make.

 

[Snorlax]

Hi all
I'm considering changing my 2019 BMW 8 Series coupe for an E-tron GT.
My current car is a massive spec and there are a couple of things I wanted to check on.
I have two questions and would be so grateful for input:
1) With the Tour pack (adaptive cruise) does the car steer itself too (as the BMW does)? This makes long drives so effortless and I'd really miss it having got used to it!

2) Without going to the Vursprung spec I gather one cannot have 4 wheel steering (another thing I LOVE in my BMW as it makes the nearly 5m long car super agile in small spaces.)
The GT is also a big car. How easy is it to live with WITHOUT the 4 wheel steering? Is it a struggle in tight car parks etc?
Thanks so much!🙏

1) the GT does steer itself, however, it is NOT enough to keep your hands on the wheel. You have to adjust the wheel every 10 seconds or so otherwise you get a warning message to put your hands on the wheel. This is one of my biggest annoyances about the car. For long drives, especially if you are on straight roads for a while, the car is constantly nagging you to put your hands on the wheel (even though they are). You find yourself having to adjust the wheel for no reason on a straight road other than to get the nag message to go away. My wife's Q5 has a pressure sensitive wheels so it doesn't bother you if it detects your hands on the wheel. Why this was left out of the GT is bizarre to me.

2) I have the four wheel steering. it's a long car, and doesn't feel that way. I can't comment on how it compares to a GT without it.

 

[JCSurrey]

Thanks so much for the replies Steve and Snorlax!
I know I have to get out of an IC engine and from what I can see, the GT is just the kind of car for me.
The annoying thing is that apart from being IC, my 8 Series is such an incredible car. It has every conceivable option and so well implemented (I've done six-hour drives and got out the other end feeling totally fresh and relaxed) and everything from the brilliant driver assistance to the all-wheel steering, soft closing doors and extended leather make it such a hard car to replace.
I guess I'm hoping the smoothness, incredible pace and beauty of the GT make up for having to give up some of these luxuries!
#FirstWorldProblems 🙈

 

[Snorlax]

Thanks so much for the replies Steve and Snorlax!
I know I have to get out of an IC engine and from what I can see, the GT is just the kind of car for me.
The annoying thing is that apart from being IC, my 8 Series is such an incredible car. It has every conceivable option and so well implemented (I've done six-hour drives and got out the other end feeling totally fresh and relaxed) and everything from the brilliant driver assistance to the all-wheel steering, soft closing doors and extended leather make it such a hard car to replace.
I guess I'm hoping the smoothness, incredible pace and beauty of the GT make up for having to give up some of these luxuries!
#FirstWorldProblems 🙈

I should have mentioned that even though this behavior is bewildering to me on a car at this price (and a GT!) i still absolutely love the car and would 100% buy it again. it's just so wonderful in all aspects. zero regrets.

 

[JCSurrey]

Thanks so much.
I'm definitely leaning towards the same decision.
I tested a Tesla Model 3 a couple of years and although the performance was staggering, and the tech pretty impressive, I just couldn't get over how cheap the car felt for what it cost.
The materials and fit and finish in the Audi are excellent from what I can see (Audi interiors have long been among the best).
I've found one at a dealership that definitely has my attention.
Not a Vorsprung so no All wheel steering but very nicely spec'd (C+S plus, Tour, City, Parking, HUD etc).
VERY tempted....

 

[Internet Rando]

Regarding the adaptive cruise steering -- even though it's a feature in the car, I had to manually enable it in the car UI (the "MMI") By default it only does "lane departure prevention" where it will ping-pong between the lines if you let it. Once "adaptive cruise steering" was turned on, it centers nicely, similar to my wife's Volvo.
Dunno why it's not on by default, but once turned on, it has stayed on.

You can tell which mode you're in by looking at the lines on the side of the cruise control status indicator.
If the lines have little triangles on the bottom, it's in "lane centering" mode, which is pretty good (very similar to my wife's Volvo.)
If it doesn't have the little triangles, it's in "lane departure prevention" mode, which is more of a ping-pong zig-zag experience...
You don't need to give it much of input to convince it your hands are on the wheel, Just resting your hands "against the steering" will be enough. Light enough to not take over.

 

[AudiGT]

1) the GT does steer itself, however, it is NOT enough to keep your hands on the wheel. You have to adjust the wheel every 10 seconds or so otherwise you get a warning message to put your hands on the wheel. This is one of my biggest annoyances about the car. For long drives, especially if you are on straight roads for a while, the car is constantly nagging you to put your hands on the wheel (even though they are). You find yourself having to adjust the wheel for no reason on a straight road other than to get the nag message to go away. My wife's Q5 has a pressure sensitive wheels so it doesn't bother you if it detects your hands on the wheel. Why this was left out of the GT is bizarre to me.

2) I have the four wheel steering. it's a long car, and doesn't feel that way. I can't comment on how it compares to a GT without it.

This is a good description of both.
I don’t like the steering lane assist live the all wheel steering. Car turns on a dime.

 

[Ft.S]

The eGT is a special car without a doubt. However, I think it may seem a little pedestrian compared to a fully loaded BMW 8 series. Many luxuries that have become 'normal' in the BMW world are absent in the eGT, even at the RS level. It may seem like a downgrade for people who are looking primarily for luxuries and ultimate technology integration.

On the other hand, if someone gave me an M8 in exchange for my eGT, I won't do it. The dynamics of the car is beyond what the 8 series can offer. The ride is very smooth and dynamic at the same time. I genuinely enjoy the exterior and interior design, the balanced performance, and the four doors. My only gripe is with the seats. I find the BMW seats more comfortable over long drives.

If you are looking into an 'upgrade' from the 8 series to eGT/RS, it is a tough choice, until you get to drive the eGT for a while and understand its value proposition. It is not a hands-down choice IMHO.

 

[mjtlee]

I have the Vorsprung GT. I have not yet had my iPhone out of the window to check the rear wheels are turning. I have to agree with some that for people used to a very high spec, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating i.e. you may not settle with the switch. So perhaps let an Audi dealer know your conundrum?

I have had Mercedes, Minis and multiple Audis, as well as heaps of rentals. I love my GT over any car I have driven or sat in, by quite a margin.

I have side opening single sliding garage door on our garage. I can get the GT to the difficult side, with the Mini next to it for daily runs.

 

[JCSurrey]

Thanks again for all the thoughtful replies. Hugely appreciated.
Such a big move and I've experienced the pain of seller's remorse before!
One other spec question if I may:
Does the E-tron GT have auto hold so you don't have to keep your foot on the brake when you come to a stop? (The car remains still until you touch the accelerator pedal again.)
I had an i8 before this and it really annoyed me that in a £115k car that was not a feature! I know the adaptive cruise might obviate the need for it in a long traffic jam but just wondered..

 

[Steve Derby]

I didn’t think my GT did have. But, I can say absolutely it does

it takes a very definite push on the brake pedal to activate it,way more than just bringing the car to a stop. But, it does work

I was very irritated when I thought the GT didn’t have it, having used it on the etron SUV for a few years prior. The activation on the GT is much more force required, but, yes, it is there.
At least, on mine. GT, C&S pack plus.

 

[EricS]

My auto hold seems to work without requiring any additional pressure on the brake pedal. Just a normal brake press. I have a slight slope just past my driveway and if I stop gently on that slope, it holds for me without my foot on the brake pedal and it won't move again until I hit the Go pedal. I should go test it on a steeper hill. (RS Y1 model)

 

[EricS]

Oh, and there are no soft close doors on the GT - this takes some getting used to if you come from a car that had it.

 

[lawepps]

This is all great info, as somebody that ordered a GT last week (Kemora Grey, C+S+, coloured grill, sound, walnut dash)…but as somebody coming from a Model 3 LR, it’s all a massive upgrade 🤷😂

 

[AudiGT]

Regarding the adaptive cruise steering -- even though it's a feature in the car, I had to manually enable it in the car UI (the "MMI") By default it only does "lane departure prevention" where it will ping-pong between the lines if you let it. Once "adaptive cruise steering" was turned on, it centers nicely, similar to my wife's Volvo.
Dunno why it's not on by default, but once turned on, it has stayed on.

You can tell which mode you're in by looking at the lines on the side of the cruise control status indicator.
If the lines have little triangles on the bottom, it's in "lane centering" mode, which is pretty good (very similar to my wife's Volvo.)
If it doesn't have the little triangles, it's in "lane departure prevention" mode, which is more of a ping-pong zig-zag experience...
You don't need to give it much of input to convince it your hands are on the wheel, Just resting your hands "against the steering" will be enough. Light enough to not take over.

Thanks for this.The little arrows were helpful to indicate it was on and yes I was much more impressed on a test drive just now.

 

[ParkslopeDope]

Oh, and there are no soft close doors on the GT - this takes some getting used to if you come from a car that had it.

The only thing I truly miss from my last car to the GT are the soft closing doors…and boot space 😅 Still a great car regardless.

 

[Fitzie]

The 2019 Etron has Hill Hold, ( as does the Chevy Bolt) so I would inagine any Audi EV would have it. It might be something you need to enable. It’s in the manual.

 

[DenverRay]

The eGT is a special car without a doubt. However, I think it may seem a little pedestrian compared to a fully loaded BMW 8 series. Many luxuries that have become 'normal' in the BMW world are absent in the eGT, even at the RS level. It may seem like a downgrade for people who are looking primarily for luxuries and ultimate technology integration.

On the other hand, if someone gave me an M8 in exchange for my eGT, I won't do it. The dynamics of the car is beyond what the 8 series can offer. The ride is very smooth and dynamic at the same time. I genuinely enjoy the exterior and interior design, the balanced performance, and the four doors. My only gripe is with the seats. I find the BMW seats more comfortable over long drives.

If you are looking into an 'upgrade' from the 8 series to eGT/RS, it is a tough choice, until you get to drive the eGT for a while and understand its value proposition. It is not a hands-down choice IMHO.

This is well stated. I did drive my GT from Connecticut to Colorado...no way that would compare to my prior car a BMW 750 for comfort on long rides. But for fun in town driving the eGT is wonderful. I still think though that the eGT is missing key luxuries for the money compared to BMW.

 

[Internet Rando]

The 2019 Etron has Hill Hold, ( as does the Chevy Bolt) so I would inagine any Audi EV would have it. It might be something you need to enable. It’s in the manual.

The GT has hill hold, and it turns on automatically with no manual intervention needed.
At least it does on mine.