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Looking at new cars with and without DRC, drive 2020 model today without DRC , ride seemed fairly firm in comfort mode compared to comfort mode in my 2015 B8 with DRC. So my question is does anyone know if the DRC allows you to have a softer ride than a non DRC car.

B9 big step up from B8!

Comfort in B9 with DRC is very compliant, plush even.
By all accounts it’s much better than standard suspension.
Saying that, I have mine in auto most of the time....unless I feel the need for RS mode!

I am most curious about the ride comfort difference between having DRC versus not having DRC. My upcoming RS4 doesn’t come with DRC and I’ve never driven the DRC version so I’ve no comparison. I think comparing B8 to B9 RS4’s would be highly inaccurate. If you’re testing B9 RS4’s right now and have the luxury of trying both, please share your first hand experience driving both.

BTW, are the shocks on my upcoming non-DRC B9 RS4 adaptive damping or fixed? Do they have an electrical connector that varies the damping with drive modes or are they passive.

The shocks on the non- DRC car are effectively fixed, for what its worth I have a new non-DRC RS4 and the ride is a bit jiggly on some road surfaces but generally it is absolutely fine especially at higher speeds when it is well planted.

The B9 rides much better than the B8 - DRC or no DRC.
I run mine in Auto with DRC on 19s on some pretty crap roads and it is excellent. Comfort, if anything, is too plush / soft.
One word of caution - as well as having lower profile tyres, the 20s run much higher pressures than the 19s so, if a comfortable ride is a priority, 19s are best. But the B9 with DRC is very good whatever the wheel (I have 20s too which I use in the summer).

DRC is not retrofittable, I would imagine?

I wouldn't think so if it it it will be an expensive fit

Avantgarde
I have DRC on my RS4 B9. Previously I had an A4 B8.5 S-Line Black Edition, the ride in that was quite firm on 19" rims and 255-35 tyres.
In the RS4 in comfort mode it wallows around like a 60's Cadilac and is 'comfortable', good for motorway driving and our more pot holed side roads.
In dynamic it is stiffer than my A4 probably helped by the 20" 275-30 tyres.

I have attached several images one of my VIN Sticker, the bit I think that refers to DRC is the 2MC on the far right column, second row down which translates as 'Sports suspension with variable shock absorption'
The second from the Audi workshop manual DRC section showing an overview of the system. I think a retro fit would be cost prohibitive unless you could get stuff from a written off one, but then there will be the control wiring and control module. I tried to take a few images of the various bits of kit on the actual car but there always seems to be too much in the way and I couldn't get the lighting quite right.
The third of my central display in drive select indiviual mode. The second option down shows Suspension Control which you can select between comfort, auto or dynamic. As I haven't seen this display in a NON-DRC car I can't say hand on heart this menu option doesn't appear in an RS without DRC fitted.

I hope this helps you out

Regards

Jools