Finally hit with a DRC bill! PLEASE HELP ME!!!

[Bendelaurence]

Hi guys,

So, the story.....

Time to get the RS4 back on the road after lockdown. Suspension didnt feel right. Got it on a lift, noticed a split DRC pipe rear near side. Took it into the dealer today for a quote. They’re sending a full quote later, but so far apparently both front shocks are leaking, all the pipe work needs to be replaced because apparently its all seized. The Labour cost on its own currently stands at over £2500, i haven’t had a price for the parts yet, but it seems to be shaping up to a very big bill.

I am a competent mechanic with access to a lift/garage etc. But DRC, i pretty much know nothing abaout.

So my questions:

-Anybody know a decent specialist in the Sheffield South Yorkshire area where i can get a second opinion and maybe a more realistic price?
-Should i just do the work myself and send it in for DRC recharge and alignment?
-Should i just get rid of DRC completely? I’m confident in fitting a new system, but again, know nothing about what’s required removing DRC.

Any advice would be happily received.

Cheers

[Adymars]

I'm sure you will find the general consensus will be get rid.

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[Rugslasher]

I’m in Rotherham & don’t go to Sheffield Audi they haven’t a clue pal , I ended up at autotechnica in Hull the last time mine went but pulling mine off now , I’ve ordered KW V3’s , the DRC is great when it’s working but too unreliable & extortionate price

[Bendelaurence]

Had to post an update for a laugh.

Took the car in for a split off side rear drc pipe.

Got this quote back 30 mins later.

Spoke to the technician who said - The ends of the split hose are corroded, so i cant just change that hose, i need to change them all, along with the front shocks, and all the valves? I said i want want the split one changed please. He said ‘it corroded it wont come off’. I said, have you tried? He said no. I said good bye.

Spoke to a nice guy at Unit 20, who made a lot more sense. Anyone used these guys?

[Adymars]

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[C_J]

Wow. They’re having your pants down!

That needs to go to someone who know what they’re doing with drc, like me or unit 20.

[Bendelaurence]

Wow. They’re having your pants down!

That needs to go to someone who know what they’re doing with drc, like me or unit 20.

Yh c_j. Honestly had my worried for a minute until I spoke to a few people. The car was handling good until the hose split. I would have to be a very unlucky man to have suddenly have fully terminal shocks, hoses and valves. I almost feel like changing the hose and just taking it for recharge. But I think it’s well worth the money to get the whole thing looked over by someone who’s experienced with the system .

Do you run a garage? Where are you based?


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[C_J]

Wow. They’re having your pants down!

That needs to go to someone who know what they’re doing with drc, like me or unit 20.

Yh c_j. Honestly had my worried for a minute until I spoke to a few people. The car was handling good until the hose split. I would have to be a very unlucky man to have suddenly have fully terminal shocks, hoses and valves. I almost feel like changing the hose and just taking it for recharge. But I think it’s well worth the money to get the whole thing looked over by someone who’s experienced with the system .

Do you run a garage? Where are you based?


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Yeah that’s what I’d do. And 99% of the time you’re fine.
Yes I have my own business in Nottingham. I do lots of drc repairs so know what I’m doing

[matthew.lewis2]

I’ve just placed an order for KW V3’s and all new top mounts.

If it helps, these were the cheapest I could find...

KW V3 £1921 - https://surreytuning.com/product/kw-var ... di-rs4-b8/

However, my local KW dealer did an ‘almost’ price match but their discounted install charge of just over £200 (half of my fave local independent) made all the difference to placed the order here: https://www.rtecshop.co.uk/

New 034 front top mounts from here (in stock and fedex’d to me very quickly, I couldn’t find any in stock in the UK): https://store.034motorsport.com/strut-m ... s5-q5.html

New Febi Bilstein 31984 rear top mounts: Amazon for only £13.20 each

[Mav8]

Wow. They’re having your pants down!

That needs to go to someone who know what they’re doing with drc, like me or unit 20.

Yh c_j. Honestly had my worried for a minute until I spoke to a few people. The car was handling good until the hose split. I would have to be a very unlucky man to have suddenly have fully terminal shocks, hoses and valves. I almost feel like changing the hose and just taking it for recharge. But I think it’s well worth the money to get the whole thing looked over by someone who’s experienced with the system .

Do you run a garage? Where are you based?


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Yeah that’s what I’d do. And 99% of the time you’re fine.
Yes I have my own business in Nottingham. I do lots of drc repairs so know what I’m doing

I've used CJ ever since i owned all my RS's-never take it anywhere else.
Mav8

[Shockerboy]

for future reference the best replacement kit for these cars is the KONI sport dampers , These dont lower the car they simply replace the DRC problematic suspension
the ride is superb and easy to fit . They are £ 650.00 a set and if a little lower takes your fancy an H&R spring will give 20 to 25 mm for £265.00 . A electronic delete kit is also needed £ 300.00 approx . simply the best solution
V 3 are great if you do track days obviously but most owners just want the car back to normal with out the huge bills Audi produce .

[Ukmongoose]

Hi, I have just noticed the entry by Bendelaurence.
I’ve just had the same ‘corroded pipe’ diagnosis on my car, but on the oil cooling system. The pipe from the engine was diagnosed as corroded into the oil cooler and I was informed that both would need replacing at a cost of £2250.00 inc VAT.
I went for a second opinion from a friend of mine who is a very competent and professional mechanic and the pipe to cooler union hadn’t even been tested as it parted straight away. Cost of repair, circa £400.00 inc VAT and no new cooler needed.
Why, why, why must we endure this sort of treatment? Audi have credited me with the diagnostic charge pf £276.00, fair enough, but another nail has been hammered into the coffin of trust and every time I walk into a glossy dealership now, I am ‘en garde’.
I feel your pain BenDL.

[Bendelaurence]

So just to follow up.

I took it to Unit20.

Diagnosis:

-rear DRC pipe (we knew about)
-front shocks leaking quite badly (48000 mile - I’ll take it)

Total cost - £2100
Dealer cost - £11450

The dealers diagnosis took 30 mins max. They didn’t even attempt to remove the faulty pipe, and just assumed it would be troublesome. The pipe came straight off with no issues.

The service department at Audi pay their employees using a bonus structure which actively encourages their staff to book you in for as much work as possible, and get the work done quicker than the book time. THIS IS HOW THEY EARN A MAJORITY OF THIER MONEY!

So the result:

-They will quote for more work than needs to be done.
-They will rush the job.

I will NEVER use an Audi dealer again for anything other than free dealers services such as new car warrenty.

If you use an accredited specialist, your electronic service records will be kept up to date, and if Audi OEM parts are used they all carry a 2 year warrenty which can be used at any Audi dealership.


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[Ukmongoose]

I hear this very clearly. I’m very sorry to hear you had a similar experience to me, albeit your quote from Audi was even MORE expensive than mine was!
I have an ‘all parts’ warranty and if I can get work done using this I will use Audi, however, for all else I will use an accredited specialist. The fact that my electronic records will be updated is a proper bonus too.
Glad to hear you got sorted. UKM.

[wideboy]

Had to post an update for a laugh.

Got this quote back 30 mins later.

H:O:L:Y S:H:I:T batman!!!!!

Glad you managed to get a realistic result! Good news is they "want to buy your car"...

Maybe that's part of their scheme?!