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Update on DRC issue - possible good news ?

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:12 pm
by David_R
To avoid taking the other threads off topic I thought I'd update with my experience to date - apologies if this has been posted but couldn't see it anywhere.

In short had great service from Epsom Audi who replaced my front shocks without any issues but I felt the need to write to Jeremy Hicks at Audi to keep up the pressure from us RS4 owners.

In short he mailed me at the time and promised to keep me up todate - yeah right I thought but then today received the below note which I think is self explanatory.




Dear David,

Jeremy has asked with to update you on this issue. Our investigations are well advanced. Whilst I am sure it is of little comfort to you, the number of vehicles affected is only a small number of the 3000+ RS4 sold, but that number is still unacceptably high

It is likely that we will be releasing a modified shock absorber, and we are also considering offer an extension to the warranty on DRC parts to protect those customers affected.

When we have this finalised we will write to you formally to confirm the outcome, in the meantime please feel free to contact should you have further questions.

Regards

Richard Starkey
Customer Care Manager

RE: Update on DRC issue - possible good news ?

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:35 pm
by reevesroadster
I met the southern regional after sales manager today - he claimed the B7 RS4 is probably the best car Audi have ever built, and that its certainly been very good for them - so lets hope they bear this in mind and produce the above mentioned modded shocks.

Should have asked him about the next RS4, but forgot!! :-(

RE: Update on DRC issue - possible good news ?

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:38 pm
by lma07
sounds promising.

RE: Update on DRC issue - possible good news ?

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:46 am
by ChrisRS4
Sounds good. Maybe we should give them a poke and convince them that it would be cheaper to replace our shocks with some tasty Stasis kit rather than trying to develop new parts.

Re: RE: Update on DRC issue - possible good news ?

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:50 am
by RS4Molar
ChrisRS4 wrote:Sounds good. Maybe we should give them a poke and convince them that it would be cheaper to replace our shocks with some tasty Stasis kit rather than trying to develop new parts.
Oh yeah baby. Lets do a poll and send it to AUDI HQ

Re: Update on DRC issue - possible good news ?

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:59 am
by ChrisRS4
David_R wrote: Regards

Richard Starkey
Customer Care Manager
I was wondering what Ringo Starr did after Thomas the Tank Engine :D :D

RE: Re: Update on DRC issue - possible good news ?

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 10:11 am
by W8PMC
Great result. Like the extended warranty for DRC parts if that happens.

Wonder if they will recall for the new shocks or just replace on failure.

RE: Re: Update on DRC issue - possible good news ?

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 10:32 am
by William_Blake
This is great... I suppose this is only for UK owners?

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:42 pm
by ARSEY4
Dont forget it will only be available to people who sent a letter in registering their complaint. Audi have specifically said that it will not entertain freeloaders who are benefitting from the hardwork others have put in, aparently thats what vor sprung derk technik means. :D

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 10:34 pm
by David_R
:thumb:

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 12:38 am
by booski
ARSEY4 wrote: Audi have specifically said that it will not entertain freeloaders who are benefitting from the hardwork others have put in, aparently thats what vor sprung derk technik means. :D
lol :lol:

Re: RE: Update on DRC issue - possible good news ?

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 4:26 pm
by ChrisRS4
RS4Molar wrote:
ChrisRS4 wrote:Sounds good. Maybe we should give them a poke and convince them that it would be cheaper to replace our shocks with some tasty Stasis kit rather than trying to develop new parts.
Oh yeah baby. Lets do a poll and send it to AUDI HQ

Bah! I wrote to Richard Starkey to see if they'd be open to suggestion but he just replied and said its unlikey - as if it would be anything else, but no harm in asking. Seems like a nice bloke. Gives me some confidence that they're doing something about all this.

RE: Re: RE: Update on DRC issue - possible good news ?

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 5:46 pm
by Marcus-RS4
I agree, worth a punt!

RE: Re: RE: Update on DRC issue - possible good news ?

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:36 pm
by dom888
I've been told by Audi UK that fitting non-Audi shocks would invalidate the warranty on the car (not just the components attached to the suspension). So that even if you went in with a broken stereo and the dealer spotted aftermarket shocks, they wouldn't proceed. Seems crazy, but that's why they wouldn't pay for, or fit, coilovers or something else.

RE: Re: RE: Update on DRC issue - possible good news ?

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 12:35 am
by scoobyc
can't void the warranty like that due to eu regulations now. If a rear light failed and you had an aftermarket exhaust then they would have to cover it by warranty unless they could prove the exhaust had caused the part to fail.