Former Bimmer Owner

While trying to order my new 2.7T, I noticed the steering wheel controls are not available any longer. What is Audi thinking?! These important controls are still available on the 3.0 and 4.2.
I have been driving cars since 1993 with steering wheel controls and think they are indispensible. Does anyone know the name/names of an Audi insider to speak to, to see if the car can be special ordered with the steering wheel controls?

Driver8

The steering wheel controls on my 2001 2.7T are used very little. Two of the six buttons are for the Audi phone, which I don't have and hence, don't use. The other four control the volume and CD track or radio station. The radio controls (on the radio face) are so well located I rarely use any of the steering wheel mounted controls. Also, the cruise control buttons are on the CC stalk, so they aren't on the wheel. Finally, the buttons on my steering wheels don't always work, which is another reason I don't use them often.

In exchange for you not getting these (limited) use buttons, you get the the AudiSport Design wheel, the BEST steering wheel shape, design and ergonomics available on ANY car at ANY price, IMHO. Ok, I'll trade ya if you want. Mine's Melange. :-)

Don't avoid buying a great car just because it doesn't have steering wheel buttons.

Mike

ZCD2.7T

Ditto! Couldn't agree more. I don't use the controls, and would prefer the 3-spoke wheel.

2.7tDallas

if the wheel were not so cool, I would miss the buttons from my 2000

Zach, USM

Don't know, but I love the steering controls and use them constantly.

ari (audiless)

While you're right that the 3 spoke wheel is great, I agree with possibleconvert that the wheel-mounted buttons are a good thing to have. On '02 cars the phone buttons are replaced with ones that change CD's on the changer or surf through the radio presets. Not indespensible by any means, but easier to use without taking your eyes off the road than are those functions on the radio face. I do tend to use tha radio face volume control simply because, as you said, it's so well placed on the dash.

In the end, though, you're absulutely right in that this is a car way too good to pass up simply because of lack of the wheel-mounted buttons.

LMGotts

I had the 4-spoke wheel and have the 3-spoke. I'll keep the three spoke thank you very much.

The audio controls are okay to have on the wheel, but definitely superfluous, as they're easily reached and operated from the drivers position. The phone controls are similarly silly if you have the Audi phone (and why would you, it's an already outdated phone and a <i><b>total</b></i> rip-off cost wise) just use the voice controls. Better is to get a new blue-tooth phone and an ear-bud speaker/mic that you can use to good effect when outside the car as well.

Don't worry, you won't miss it, particularly if you don't already have it. The three spoker is better!

Potomac-Greg

Steering wheel buttons and the like appeal to the "Lounge on Wheels" purchaser. I could live without them if there was a trade-off such as a better wheel. Then again, it could just be more "de-contenting."

I'm hoping there is some higher reason. It would be nice if they were weaning us off the wheel buttons so that we can add handle shift paddles.

2.7tDallas

sweet, I would be pissed.

Zach, USM

that needs to change the radio frequently and much easier to do on the wheel without taking my eyes off the road.