DRC v Air

[PorkaFly]

Having lived with one of these for a few days I'm thinking of getting one. My car was on Air though...very comfortable and smooth. Very, very impressive wagon.

Have read all the threads on here tonight that reference the two systems, the Autocar and Harris reports and am unfortunately none the wiser. Harris has had or tested many of the cars I've had and always describes them in the way I feel about them so I'm inclined to trust his view, but he liked the C6 RS6 at the time in his video, despite it's weight, but now says he didn't. Mmmm...

Looking at his PH article, one of the pictures suggest he actually drove an Air equipped car...ie it shows the screen with individual setting in Audi Drive Select Screen. The brochure states that with Air you have three settings (Comfort, Dynamic and Auto) with ability to select your own settings in "Individual" which I did on car I tested, but in the options section on DRC it suggests only three settings and no "Indivudual". Is this a mistake in brochure, or omission, and they all have "individual" setting or does DRC not have "Individual" setting?

For those that now have the car with DRC can you please advise on "individual" querie above and also tell me what it's like in day to day driving on UK roads - all types. If any of you have had the C6 RS6 I would also appreciate a comparison with that as a benchmark (if you could say such a thing) as I have one of those.

Many thanks

PF

[doodlebug]

DRC on 21s is fine. There are two settings comfort and dynamic. The individual part refers to the full selection of settings.

So you can set the car up as comfort or dynamic or individual. In the latter you can tweak each component individually, hence the term.

Make sense?

It's the same as the rs4/5 in logic.

Dynamic is not dissimilar to dynamic in the c6, it's nowhere near as ridiculous as sport was!

[PorkaFly]

Thanks DB. Don't know the cars with logic, but that makes sense. As long as it's not all or nothing and tuneable via a individual menu like the Air equipped models that's fine. Brochure suggests it isn't...so just not clear enough.

Has anyone driven both and what do you prefer guys?

PF

[doodlebug]

I have driven both, 21s underneath in both cases. I thrashed the nuts of the dealer's car which was air and it was good, didn't roll in comfort around the lanes. Dynamic was noticeably harder. The DRC car offers a little more focus, and it would be my choice.

If it is to chew motorway miles I would go boggo air, if it's for a bit of fun too then I'd take DRC.

[PorkaFly]

DRC on 21s is fine. There are two settings comfort and dynamic. The individual part refers to the full selection of settings.

So you can set the car up as comfort or dynamic or individual. In the latter you can tweak each component individually, hence the term.

Make sense?

It's the same as the rs4/5 in logic.

Dynamic is not dissimilar to dynamic in the c6, it's nowhere near as ridiculous as sport was!

Ok - thanks, good to hear. I'm tempted not to go for DRC as it will be used for about 15k miles a year and on quite a few B roads, which I think from your view and others' will be more comfortable. I was more than happy with the Air car I had...it's an epic car and makes the C6 feel quite dated dynamically when you first get back into it...heavy and heavy steering. After a few miles though it feels fab again, but the new one really has moved the game on. Very lithe and comfortable.

Mine will also never see a track as I have something else for that...well I might do a lap of something I'm passing in Europe but not a full-on track day in a 2ton car.

PF

[DragonRR]

Having only test driven a DRC equipped RS6 - it seemed, in comfort mode, to be absolutely fine on B roads. I did think it was a little firmer than my M5 on the equivalent setting and I had just been on the same roads in the M5 only minutes before. I did wonder if it might just be that the seats in the RS6 are just a bit harder than the ones in the M5 though.

I looked at just about every review video and review I could find and although a few written reviews suggested that the Air suspension was the one to get for British roads I did see more than one comment complaining that the car rolled a bit too much on air and was much flatter with DRC.

In the end I went for DRC equipped car which is currently on a ship crossing the channel!

[DragonRR]

I just thought I'd update this as I took delivery of my car yesterday and have put a few hundred miles on it.

The car IS very flat round corners and feels pretty nimble, possibly more nimble (imo) than the M5 which goes against a lot of the reviews I've seen or read. It is, however, quite noticeably firmer than the M5 in all road conditions although it isn't "uncomfortably" hard.

I'm going to write a proper review when I've been in it a little more but for now this is a pic of the grey day I got my grey car!

[PJC]

Very nice.

[Graeme4130]

I've driven both, although the DRC equipped car was more of a couple of hours test drive and the other I had for a week on extended test period
From my personal point of view, I found the standard suspension set up very comfortable and eliminated enough roll and diving to maintain its sporting intention without being too hard for general cruising
The DRC car had, like my RS4, switchable suspension between the two modes
The standard mode was comfortable in the same league as the standard suspended car, but took out another level of body roll / pitch out and I thought it allowed a little more traction out of corners. Also the diving under braking was less pronounced.
The harder setting was only a few clocks up rather than the unbelievably hard setting that the mode has in the RS4
I personally wouldn't use the harder setting as the car for me was going to be a daily mile muncher, and if your the same Porkafly that posts on PH in the 911 section, then I'll assume that this isn't going to be a track car as you have something much more suitable for that.

The RS6 is a lovely car, and had I gone ahead and ordered one I would've left it on standard suspension, but as it happens, it was just to big for me so I stuck with my B8 RS.
Had audi put that engine and suspension system into a smaller b8 though and it'd have been the perfect car for me.

[PorkaFly]

I've driven both, although the DRC equipped car was more of a couple of hours test drive and the other I had for a week on extended test period
From my personal point of view, I found the standard suspension set up very comfortable and eliminated enough roll and diving to maintain its sporting intention without being too hard for general cruising
The DRC car had, like my RS4, switchable suspension between the two modes
The standard mode was comfortable in the same league as the standard suspended car, but took out another level of body roll / pitch out and I thought it allowed a little more traction out of corners. Also the diving under braking was less pronounced.
The harder setting was only a few clocks up rather than the unbelievably hard setting that the mode has in the RS4
I personally wouldn't use the harder setting as the car for me was going to be a daily mile muncher, and if your the same Porkafly that posts on PH in the 911 section, then I'll assume that this isn't going to be a track car as you have something much more suitable for that.

The RS6 is a lovely car, and had I gone ahead and ordered one I would've left it on standard suspension, but as it happens, it was just to big for me so I stuck with my B8 RS.
Had audi put that engine and suspension system into a smaller b8 though and it'd have been the perfect car for me.

Graham - yes, same person. Never quite understood the need track 2ton cars, but each to their own!

I think the new C7 is fantastic, and if I ordered one I would go for the air suspension...thanks for everyone's input/advice...the air certainly makes the most sense as a daily smoker, but I fear I would lose my license very quickly in it. I haven't been doing much weekly mileage over the years working in London, but that is about to change and I will be doing a fair bit of seat time over the next 6mths.

I've driven a lot of cars over the last month and the C7 RS6 was the outright winner, money no object purchase, followed by the Cayenne V8 Diesel and X5 M50D; but when mixed with the BiTurbo Allroad, new Range Rover SDV8 and SDV6, Disco4 and RR 4.4 TDV8 I concluded I actually wanted an armchair wafter that sits comfortably at motorway speeds, but can lift its skirt if asked to and still manage 30mpg+ but is half the cost of a new RS6 (spec'd the way I would want it). So after much deliberation, I'm considering a slightly used low-mile 62Plate 4.4 TDV8 RR Westimister w/rear ent, side steps and tow bar (so I can tow the GT3RS), as it's supremely comfortable and has all the toys (incl remote park heating) plus a great command driving position. Let's hope the last of the line series3 is as reliable as my Audi - fingers crossed as I've always fancied a FF Rangie! I am keeping the the C6 RS6 so I will have best of both worlds and may finally map the engine and gearbox on the RS6.

Txs again for all the input.

PF

[mat776]

Hi - new to this forum and with an RS6 ordered at bw24 currently.

I had originally ordered Air because I wanted a tow bar (for bikes ) and also thought that for longs motorway journeys in the UK and on the continent, Air would be better for the kids.

I drove both today and was really surprised as how complaint the DRC was in comfort mode. It was also far more direct in cornering and felt just sharper overall, which I liked.

Can anyone persuade me that Air is the better choice ? I am having a hard time not spec ammending to DRC and doing without the tow bar (bikes on the roof !)

Also - I am not a great fan of dynamic steering (although I like it on an SQ5 where it doesn't need to pretend to handle well), and I could order DRC on its own now, rather than in the dynamic pack which would also include a top speed increase to 174mph and the DRC.

Has anyone driven a DRC car without dynamic steering ?

Thanks for your help

[feeltheburn]

I appreciate your dilemma as I also struggled to make the decision; I opted for air in the end and spec'd all the other bits the basic DRC pack came with save the top speed increase. I have never once thought "I wish I had gone for DRC", and there have been many times I have been pleased that I chose air when crunching the miles.

I'd suggest you forget all the testosterone BS regarding DRC and that some how "boggo" air is in someway a lesser option or that DRC is the drivers option. For track use then probably DRC in Dynamic all the way and probably 'ramics (i think that is the 'drivers' term for them). But then for track use why would you choose an RS6 C7, aside from the shock and awe factor that there is an "estate car" going round a race track. DRC in dynamic on a UK road is completely unusable imo, essentially meaning you don't have a usable adjustable damper rate!

In a previous post i wrote:
" There is a lot written on this forum about how much more alive the car feels with DRC but that was not my experience. Air on Dynamic setting is first of all usable and secondly plenty stiff enough for a quick blast on the twisty bits IMO. The ride on air and on comfort setting is sublime even on 21s and not wallowing. That said, with DRC in comfort setting, the ride on 21" rubber was not as harsh as my old A4 was on 19" rubber however suspension will be a key choice as well as a very personal one. I'd advise against deciding purely on how you THINK you will drive it. In reality this is likely to be mainly A roads and Motorways and not to within the last 2% of the available traction (which is massive!!) as you kiss apexes on or off the track (or maybe this is how you intend to use it?). At the end of the day, the RS6 is a very quick, but very big car. I have loved every second that I have driven it, however I know it is not a sports car capable of tiptoeing around the aforementioned apexes! So I chose to be slightly more cosseted for 95% of my usage (but by no means wallowing or S class smooth) and still have the ability to switch the suspension to dynamic when I fancy a real blast and go and seek out some really challenging twisty bits!

The RS6 is no less of a quick car on Air than if it had DRC, it is however incapable of being a true sports car with either of them....but absolutely practical, fun and breathtaking to drive!"



I have not looked at the options for FL cars [front has lost some of the mean look with the new lights imo so I am not even curious about the new specs], however spec'ing either of the dynamic packs on the original RS6 C7 meant it came with dynamic steering iirc maybe it is different on the FL and you now have the option.

No matter which suspension option you ultimately go for I am sure you will love every minute of these amazing car...good luck with the dilemma!

[Bamf]

I Have to agree with feeltheburn. Having experienced the car on both steel and air I decided to go with the air suspension.

I had the same niggling doubt regarding the decision to go with air right up to delivery. But the first 50 miles in the car soon reassured me that I'd made the right choice. I do agree that the steel springs coupled with the ceramic brakes would create an extra level of sharpness at the limit, which would mostly be on a track or a few laps at the Nurburgring. But that's not to say the Dynamic setting on air couldn't cope with that sort of abuse though, It would just be a few notches down on the feel through corners with a small amount of extra body roll noticeable compared do the dynamic setting on steel.

For everyday use the air suspension is spot on. The comfort setting is smooth but still controls the considerable weight of the car really well. Once in dynamic it really does firm up the ride and give a more responsive feel with less body roll. I went for a blast on some North Wales B roads and the dynamic setting felt perfect considering the size and weight of the car and the standard brakes are more than up to the job. It's already a standing joke in our family, Comfort is the kids and mum on board setting, dynamic is Dad's setting . And being able to raise the height of the car is a nice option to have, I was grateful for the extra clearance the first time I went down the lane to my mums house. 3/4 of a mile of what could be described as a stage from Rally GB.

Opinion is divided on what suspension is best as it is still down to a personal choice of what the perceived use of the car will be. As a daily driver and family car with the fair amount of spirited jaunts thrown in, the air suspension is perfect IMHO.

[mat776]

Thanks feeltheburn, Bamf

Its certainly a difficult decision, made much more difficult by the test drive yesterday, where the DRC suprised me.

Both Dynamic Packs come with Dynamic Steering. Dynamic Pack 1 has been reduced to just Dyn. Steering, DRC and 174mph, because the rest is now standard.

I could order just the DRC setup on its own, without the Steering and 174mph. My only issue with that is that I have not test driven a car without Dyn. Steering, and although fairly numb, how much feeling through the wheel do I need or expect in a large Audi estate. Perhaps better the devil you know !

My SQ5 has dynamic steering, and I like it a lot in comparison to a 3.0 litre Q5 without (which I have driven a fair bit too) but the Q5/SQ5 never pretends to offer much/any feeling anyway, and while quick on the straight, never hides it mass in corners.

BTW - I didn't feel much difference between dynamic and comfort (individual) on the Air setup (probably just me and the 40 mins I had with the car) but the difference with DRC was pronounced and I agree, fairly unusable on UK roads.

My car will never be on a track and the ability to raise the car on air might well be useful.

Do you have dynamic steering Bamf ?

Anyway, thanks both, for taking the time to reply, I can imagine that everyone is fairly bored of the question !

[Bamf]

Its definitely a decision that comes down to how you will use the car for the majority of the time you have it.

I have the standard steering and have found it to be good. there is a noticeable difference between standard and the dynamic steering, but again it kind of comes back to how the car is driven for the majority of the time. the standard steering is more than capable for every day use and spirited bursts. The dynamic steering with DRC and ceramics would undeniably provide the best results when pushing the car at its limit on the track or road. In reality the limit of the car comes at such pace it is hard to get there on a public road legally and with out it ending in a fiery mess.

when specing my car I looked at what I would be using it for. I was so tempted to go for the full dynamic pack as it would give you the feeling of if I wanted to track the car it would have the right set up to do it. when in reality there are far more cable cheaper cars that are more fun around a track out there.
when I put my sensible head on it finally dawned on me that my car for the majority of the time will be used for the drive to work running the kids around and all of their stuff (bikes, scooters), and driving to france on holiday. Interspersed with the daily grind there are some spirited drives out with fiends in their cars where we can just drive the cars for the sake of it and maybe the odd trip to the nurburgring. when I finally looked at it the standard air suspension, steering and brakes were more than capable for the use I intend for the car and kind of give a best of both world approach.

I have got the tow bar fitted to my car. The intention being that myself and a few friends are looking at a potential track day car to throw around Anglesey circuite. We used to have an XR2i that we did a bit of rallying in until it came to a sticky end (thats another story) and the RS6 is the perfect car for towing a track day car.