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Hi guys, I’m thinking of putting coilovers on my 04 RS6 saloon.

I’m thinking of a set of Bilstein’s: Either the Bilstein B14 - PSS 47-086937 or the Bilstein B16 - PSS9 48-088688.

The B16’s are pretty much twice the price of the B14’s though. Are they twice as good, or will the B14’s suffice?

If anyone has a recommendations I would really appreciate it

In my experience keep the DRC system and fit Hotchkiss ARB's - much better solution!!

Thanks Daveperc. Appreciate your reply

One of the hydraulic pipes has split, and I can replace it, but the system also needs to be re-charged, which only Audi can do. My garage I took it too suggested looking at alternative options. Also, the long metal hydraulic pipes that run along the bottom of the car are heavily corroded too, so would need replacing in the near future. Basically, I don’t want to fork out now to replace the split pipe/recharge, for then something similar to happen!

If it helps, I've recently fitted the B14's to mine (Avant) to replace H&R's and originally found them to be perfect for my driving. That was mainly because the H&R's that I'd been riding on for a few years were silly hard, the difference between the two is quite marked. After a couple of months of driving on the new Billie's though, I'm beginning to think I should have gone with the B16's as, although a lot more compliant than the crashy H&R's, I'm finding the damping is a tad firm. No doubt you'd feel a big difference, especially coming from DRC.

Weiß-sechs wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 04, 2019 5:02 pm

If it helps, I've recently fitted the B14's to mine (Avant) to replace H&R's and originally found them to be perfect for my driving. That was mainly because the H&R's that I'd been riding on for a few years were silly hard, the difference between the two is quite marked. After a couple of months of driving on the new Billie's though, I'm beginning to think I should have gone with the B16's as, although a lot more compliant than the crashy H&R's, I'm finding the damping is a tad firm. No doubt you'd feel a big difference, especially coming from DRC.

That’s what I was slightly afraid of, fitting the B14’s only to then realise I should probably have gone for the B16’s. But then they are almost twice the price which is another big factor in choosing between the two. If it was clear they were twice as better, then I’d probably go for the B16’s bit if the difference isn’t much between the two, then I’d probably go with the B14’s . Swings and roundabouts isn’t it I guess. Ideally I’d like to stick with the DRC, but if I’ve got to then replace the corroded pipes at a later date, this kind of saves me from then having to do that! # Blooming cars for you ‘eh?!

Daveperc wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 04, 2019 4:28 pm

In my experience keep the DRC system and fit Hotchkiss ARB's - much better solution!!

Where do you buy hotchkiss arbs from in UK?

Weiß-sechs wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 04, 2019 5:02 pm

If it helps, I've recently fitted the B14's to mine (Avant) to replace H&R's and originally found them to be perfect for my driving. That was mainly because the H&R's that I'd been riding on for a few years were silly hard, the difference between the two is quite marked. After a couple of months of driving on the new Billie's though, I'm beginning to think I should have gone with the B16's as, although a lot more compliant than the crashy H&R's, I'm finding the damping is a tad firm. No doubt you'd feel a big difference, especially coming from DRC.

I've just done this. Replacing H&R with B14s.

Currently getting fitted along with new top mounts, a new driveshaft and a service.

Looking forward to getting it back this weekend and taking it for a spin.

Ben_r1 wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 04, 2019 6:33 pm

Daveperc wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 04, 2019 4:28 pm

In my experience keep the DRC system and fit Hotchkiss ARB's - much better solution!!

Where do you buy hotchkiss arbs from in UK?

Unit 20 used to sell them, might be worth a phone call.

bilko1 wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 04, 2019 9:02 pm

Ben_r1 wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 04, 2019 6:33 pm

Daveperc wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 04, 2019 4:28 pm

In my experience keep the DRC system and fit Hotchkiss ARB's - much better solution!!

Where do you buy hotchkiss arbs from in UK?

Unit 20 used to sell them, might be worth a phone call.

Not sure they do anymore, they kept getting stung with the import duties.
Got mine direct from Tire Shack in the States, fantastic upgrade for not a lot of money

A number of Independents can now do DRC - certainly MRC and Unit20. Also there was a thread on here a few years back on how to build your own DRC refill rig.

Hotchkiss makes a huge difference - best £500 I ever spent on the Beast. Not only substantially better handling, but is also taking load off the DRC - one of the reasons why mine lasted best part of 100Kmiles between refits.

If you do the replacement pipes etc the system should be good for years!

I just had my DRC done (120k miles) at audivwcs.co.uk at Harrow London (website not working atm)
They have all the equipment to pressurize DRC. They did however mentioned there might be issues getting the pipes for RS6 C5 DRC - as they are being stopped from production. I wonder if they can be fabricated like the brake pipes ??

Don't see why not. Any decent fabricator of hydraulic pipes should be able to sort it. There are some valves in the end of the connectors to prevent pressure loss when removing the fittings from the shocks IIRC. Sounds like it could be a standard kind of thing with hydraulics. From memory, the operating pressure is 20 bar for the DRC. 16 bar minimum before unacceptable performance degradation. 20 bar isn't a lot for hydraulic systems.