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Yet more DRC/Coilover questions

Posted: Sat May 29, 2021 4:41 pm
by Mark_b
Hi folks.

Having mulled it over for quite a while, I am now more convinced that ditching the DRC for coilovers is probably the way to go on my car.
Will either be KW v3 or Bilstein - depending on the outcome of a conversation I will be having with MRC next week sometime.

Whilst I will definitely be posing this question to MRC, can anyone tell me if I need to budget for new anti roll bars at the same time?
The car isn't tracked, so road use only, and a major consideration is the fact that normally the roads are London roads, so not exactly the smoothest or best maintained. Combine that with my general fatness and middle age, I don't want the ride to be harsh or crashy over potholes and bumps.

Cheers,
Mark.

Re: Yet more DRC/Coilover questions

Posted: Sat May 29, 2021 7:15 pm
by d7ve_b
Have you considered the Koni shocks option? Worth a look if you don’t want a crashy ride and you’re not bothered about going lower.

Re: Yet more DRC/Coilover questions

Posted: Sat May 29, 2021 7:50 pm
by Mark_b
Could you be more specific about which Koni shocks exactly please?

Thanks.

Re: Yet more DRC/Coilover questions

Posted: Sun May 30, 2021 7:47 am
by d7ve_b
They’re sold by CRS Performance, Steve has posted on here before, think his name is Shockerboy on here. They’re valved specifically for the RS4 and seem spot on.

Re: Yet more DRC/Coilover questions

Posted: Sun May 30, 2021 6:08 pm
by AA_954
Mark_b wrote:Hi folks.

Having mulled it over for quite a while, I am now more convinced that ditching the DRC for coilovers is probably the way to go on my car.
Will either be KW v3 or Bilstein - depending on the outcome of a conversation I will be having with MRC next week sometime.

Whilst I will definitely be posing this question to MRC, can anyone tell me if I need to budget for new anti roll bars at the same time?
The car isn't tracked, so road use only, and a major consideration is the fact that normally the roads are London roads, so not exactly the smoothest or best maintained. Combine that with my general fatness and middle age, I don't want the ride to be harsh or crashy over potholes and bumps.

Cheers,
Mark.
A sway bar upgrade is always a nice addition but if you have no plans either to drive around some of the country roads I’d probably leave as is, maybe just purchase a set of 034 adjustable rear sway bar links (or any easier option that side of the pond) unless you also plan to keep the vehicle at “stockish” height once you swap the DRC out for the coilovers…


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Re: Yet more DRC/Coilover questions

Posted: Sun May 30, 2021 10:10 pm
by coffey555
KW V3 needs a 034 rear arb to combat body roll. It also makes turn in nice and sharp. Leave the front arb stock as it is thick enough already. Ride quality is pretty decent like that.

I ran H&R arb's on mine and it made the car understeer and completely destroyed any ride quality on a typical B road. Might be better on a smooth track though.

Having said that I am moving back to DRC SS+ as I think it is the better road setup.

Re: Yet more DRC/Coilover questions

Posted: Mon May 31, 2021 11:52 am
by Pistolpete2543
I’d stick with the DRC myself, by the time you factor in the cost of high spec coilovers plus updated ARB’s and fitting, it’s comparable with DRC repairs. Depends what parts of the DRC have failed, but it is a phenomenal system for road use.

Re: Yet more DRC/Coilover questions

Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 9:38 pm
by Mark_b
Thanks all.
Still not spoken to MRC and am now seriously thinking about retaining the DRC, which is where i started out prior to starting this thread!
I guess if I could be certain that the rest of the DRC system wouldn't fail once the immediate repairs had been done I'd feel much more comfortable, but as was said on another thread I read, this isn't a run of the mill (low maintenance) car.. so it will need proper looking after if it is to retain its performance, value, and more importantly driving enjoyment for me!

Re: Yet more DRC/Coilover questions

Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 10:15 pm
by coffey555
If the hard metal pipes are in good condition then it makes sense to keep the DRC. Central control valves rarely fail, they normally get damaged if driven with low or no DRC pressure due to a leak.

Trust me, you will know when that happens as it is bloody noisy!

Any car will need new dampers at somepoint, my KW V3's must be 8 years old this year and due to be replaced.

If you stick 4 new shocks and flexi hoses on it, it should be good for years if you get the DRC system charged every few years.

Re: Yet more DRC/Coilover questions

Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 10:34 pm
by AA_954
Pistolpete2543 wrote:I’d stick with the DRC myself, by the time you factor in the cost of high spec coilovers plus updated ARB’s and fitting, it’s comparable with DRC repairs. Depends what parts of the DRC have failed, but it is a phenomenal system for road use.
For a daily gathering groceries and for commuting with the occasional spirited ride (traffic allowing) its phenomenol as you say but there really is no comparison once you invest in high spec coils plus sway bars in this platform vs revamping/repairing the DRC at comparables costs.

I really enjoyed the DRC in my sedan and I’m a true fan of the system too but after recently upgrading to coilovers, I honestly wish I had done it sooner Image


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Re: Yet more DRC/Coilover questions

Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 11:44 pm
by Mark_b
Thanks for the replies.
Am getting more and more convinced to keep the DRC as the curent problem is with both rear shocks rather than the DRC system, itself, if you see what I mean.
Obviously that doesn't prevent the DRC system failing catastrophically in the future, but I guess that's something I am already well aware of and am fortunate enough to be able to have replaced if it really comes down to it.

Thanks again.