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My job took me to a meeting with one of the UKs largest automotive test facilities/proving grounds yesterday and while I was there I mentioned this DRC issue many of us seem to be having. This company don't test for Audi, but do for many other large brands.

Anyway, the guy I spoke to told me that Audi will have a life expectancy for the DRC components based on thorough pre production testing. He then went on to say that their is normally a set of stats called 'B10 life', which is basically the difference between the initial pre production test results and the reality figs once the cars is in production. I wonder if anyone nows the real B10 life stats for our cars DRC, apparently you can request this info. I suspect their will be a hugh difference.

Maybe a question for Audi.

Not sure, however the rumour abound from those at Audi that have just been for their traning on the new S4 say the new RS4 will continue with DRC rather than magentic ride. Striaght from the German horses mouth.

P_G wrote:Not sure, however the rumour abound from those at Audi that have just been for their traning on the new S4 say the new RS4 will continue with DRC rather than magentic ride. Striaght from the German horses mouth.

Really was hopeing this was not the case, has any one driven an Audi with the magnetic ride?

Won't be getting a new RS4 in that case them

But I can't see it myself. Why would you put Magnetic ride on the TTRS, RS6, R8 etc etc and then put an antiquated, fragile system like DRC on a newer RS4?? Doesn't make sense to me.

jackwood wrote:Won't be getting a new RS4 in that case then

In an online interview last week the head of development at Audi said that there would NOT be a B8 RS4, the next RS4 would be a B9.

Sorry, should have clarified it will be a B9 rather than a B8 platform for the RS4.

According to the web, B10 means..

B10 Life is the time by which 10% of the product population will get failed i.e. lies, damn lies and statistics.

As for a DRC equipped B9 RS4, no thanks. Wonder how many C6 RS6's (with DRC) have been sold?

They might take some notice if we kick-up enough noise about the DRC issue and some bad press goes Audi's way, but ultimately what surprises me is this clearly costs Audi once we've handed over our money. And they have committed to replace these units for up to 5 years! That's not going to be cheap! The alternative cost to Audi by fitting magnetic ride has to be the better option as WE ultimately pay for the spec of the car when new. But of course I am assuming more than 10% of all RS4 and RS6 are affected - perhaps they are not.

The problem with forums is quite a lot of chat is with regards to problems, which can distort how serious a problem is if we are only a small percentage all RS4s sold.

I suspect that the DRC problems are not costing Audi that much because they are probably passing the costs back to KYB who make the system in the first place i.e. it's not hurting Audi enough to do anything about it. They can take an awful lot of pain if you remember the soft wheel debackle with the B5 RS4, that needed the international motoring press to kick off before something was done.