DRC - definitive list?

[Shinobi675]

Oh. I had a full tank. Literally had let the petrol station. So only 3 miles...

I'm all over the place at the moment; so probably won't get mine back for a couple of weeks. But when I do, I'll mirror your measurements. See if we get the same thing. I'm also off to the ring end of September. So can get some measurements after a couple of back to back laps. That should get the other end of the scale too.

[Surrey Sam]

Yes, my petrol station of choice is a good 20min drive along some nice roads, so very rarely do I maintain a full tank when I get home

Adding all your data in will certainly help, along with others contributing to the thread over time. Eventually you’ll be able to gauge where these cars ride height should approximately sit. I'm struggling to see how I could get mine to measure over 69cm, when Dan@biali got a measurement of 69.8cm from one corner?

[Shinobi675]

69cm seemed to be the rough point it sat at. But need to measure it in a more controlled manor than at a red light "I can make it, jump out with tape measure in hand" method...

[PSB1]

Happy to chip in too. As you've both established - loads of f'in variables here so should we establish some parameters?

[dan@biali]

And to confirm your suspicions, Audi wanted to test my new suspension both hot and cold so it sat overnight, cooled down and was taken for another test drive before being released back to me.

[Shinobi675]

So Audi came back and said the tyres weren't bald and the pads are only 20% worn.

Thanks. What about the suspension!

Will call them tomorrow

[Sammyb349]

On parameters for confirmed measurement I'd suggest:

(1) level ground
(2) correct tyre pressures confirmed
(3) wheel size and tyre parameters noted
(4) measurement noted as either pre- or post-drive
(5) DRC Setting confirmed (shall we agree comfort?)

[Rich1782]

Hi guys just got my DRC front shocks done after reading this thread as car was going in to get 3rd punctured tyre replaced so had them take a check.

Had experience same as others the knocking sound only over bad surfaces generally when cold but since having them replaced, the car is completely transformed, it makes me wonder how much of the 2 years of owning the shocks were leaking, the transformation is that remarkable (I know this will sound ridiculous but even the engine note and exhaust seem better!) I have noticed that whereas before the comfort steering was finger tip light and dynamic very heavy, the steering now seems to have stiffened up in comfort and auto a considerable amount (still changes weight at around town speeds).

Sorry I can't contribute to the scientific data capture of ride height vs hot/cold etc, however for what it's worth, my front does seem higher than before whilst the rear seems lower than when I got the car. My car is a Sep 14 car and has 15000 on the clock, but as I said earlier it seems like this failure occurred early on in its first year. I was lucky enough to get a luminous yellow stripe down the side of the car after 13 weeks of ownership courtesy of a citylink courier and had a courtesy car on standard springs and the difference was night and day, I had a confidence in that car's handling noticeably lacking from mine. Now mine has that sure footedness and doesn't crash around over every imperfection. When the c5 DRC failed the car was undrivable, like a speedboat pitching around on the a30 so would never have guessed I had a problem without this thread as mine seemed OK - so thanks all!

[Shinobi675]

When I'm back I'll do this, I like the list.

Heard back from Audi and they say it's got the all clear. They can't find anything wrong and seems fine. They've regassed it just in case.

So probably my paranoia!

I have to say though. Hitchen Audi do seem very good!

[Sammyb349]

So my car is booked in at Jack Barclay for diagnosis. I will keep you posted on what the response is. I will also get out this weekend and measure what my arch heights are beforehand and hot them down here.

[lem]

Just to add to this thread - Mine went into Hatfield Audi for its second service today. I asked them to check the DRC again as it still sometimes 'knocks'.

They just called to say they have checked the DRC, heard the 'knock', are aware of a technical bulletin on this and both front shocks will be replaced tomorrow.

Its taken a while but hopefully Audi are now more keen to acknowledge the issue

[Rich1782]

Hi guys, seems my front shock replacement was a short lived fix, when I drove the car out of the dealership 3 weeks ago it was perfect, rode well and steering nicely weighted. Just drove from Guildford down to Cornwall this weekend and it seems to have returned to a horrid ride, smashing over all imperfections even in comfort and driving today over familiar roads, it's just as bad as it was before. The ride height looks to still be at a similar height but it is not enjoyable and all but perfect Tarmac causes vibrations in the cabin rattling the trim and shaking the picture in the rear view mirror. Also a new noise, when at more than 90 degree turn on the wheel at car park speeds, there is a noise from the front right that sounds like shaking a plastic bottle with a stone in. Wondering if the rear shocks could have now failed after repressurising the system with the more robust new design front shocks. Any one else had any similar experience? Starting to rapidly lose faith in this car, turning out more fragile than the delicate C5!

[Sammyb349]

You'll get drag at slow speeds with any tight manoeuvre due to the wide profile tire and Quattro. Mine has a judder on the steering wheel and tire noise that is noticeable.

Could well be the rear shocks also need doing if you've got poor ride quality again. Have you spoken with the garage to get any thoughts?

[Rich1782]

That's interesting, perhaps the rattle is now evident as the system is working normally [sic]... Not spoken to the dealer yet as it only just happened this Sunday and I'm not sure when I'll get chance to drop it in again soon (75 miles away) only had chance to do it last time as I was on 3 weeks leave and staying at my parents in the vicinity.

[Sammyb349]

Just to add to this thread - Mine went into Hatfield Audi for its second service today. I asked them to check the DRC again as it still sometimes 'knocks'.

They just called to say they have checked the DRC, heard the 'knock', are aware of a technical bulletin on this and both front shocks will be replaced tomorrow.

Its taken a while but hopefully Audi are now more keen to acknowledge the issue

So after a few days of driving my wagon around the mean streets of south west London they've identified the rattle and it's a failed drivers side shock which will be replaced and they will be rebalancing the wheels that Guildford Audi didn't do (or if they did, did a poor job doing). So far nothing else to report. Will obviously be asking for the revised shock!!

Will keep you all posted.