Upgrading from B7 RS4 to the C7 RS6 Advice required

[Fraser RS4]

Hello all and hope all is well.

Will soon be upgrading to an RS6 from my ole faithful B7 RS4. However despite trolling through many a post on here and via the almighty google I have come up short on folks reviews with the air suspension as opposed to the dynamic DRC setup.

So the question is who here has spent a year or more with the RS6 on air suspension? Good ride over the varied road network in UK? Does it lean or wallow more in the corners when pushed when compared to the DRC setup?

I’m used to the DRC setup in the RS4 but never had any time with the air suspension set up.

Currently looking at a red RS6 at More Cars Ltd down by Peterborough. Thing is it’s been there along time now and was at another dealer before for a while too. Wondering is the air suspension putting folk off?

Vehicle check says there is outstanding finance on the car but wouldn’t of thought that would put folk off?

As always thanks for your time in reading the post and any advice greatly appreciated

[rtd]

Over two years and 60k on air suspension - very smooth and comforting ride. Easily rode and handled our varied UK roads. And wasn’t too shoddy in the bends either. An excellent compromise.


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[Fraser RS4]

No issues with reliability on the air system? Compressor and relay a weak point I read somewhere?

[MikeFish]

I haven't spent any length of time with air suspension but I did test drive one.
Both types of RS6 in Dynamic will feel like a boat compared to a B7 but be a harsher ride. The DRC RS6 will feel less boat like than an air one. That for me was enough to pick the DRC. I was immediately taken aback by how I had run corners wider than I was used to or certainly took more effort to get the turn in right. This was helped once I lowered it and had the geometry sorted. But, once you put your foot down, all is forgiven.

[bn8959]

I came from a B7. I test drove one with air (albeit a couple of years before I bought my C7), I found it too wallowey and decided DRC was a must for me. I’m very happy with DRC on mine. It took a lot of getting used to compared to the B7, as Mike says, it did feel like a boat, but for me that was mainly in slowing it down. I feel it corners a lot harder and faster than the B7 and understeers less. Comfort is fine for me, even with family in the car. Although I rarely use Dynamic mode as that really is pretty hard and I prefer to drive it in Auto made.
Having said all that, plenty of people here saying the prefer the air - which has the added benefit of height adjustment.

[Fraser RS4]

I haven't spent any length of time with air suspension but I did test drive one.
Both types of RS6 in Dynamic will feel like a boat compared to a B7 but be a harsher ride. The DRC RS6 will feel less boat like than an air one. That for me was enough to pick the DRC. I was immediately taken aback by how I had run corners wider than I was used to or certainly took more effort to get the turn in right. This was helped once I lowered it and had the geometry sorted. But, once you put your foot down, all is forgiven.

Thanks for the info/opinions guys. Keep them coming
Mike, I completely agree I can’t compare the like of handling between the B7 RS4 and the C7 RS6 as there is no contest. Just trying to see which system I can live with etc. The DRC system more reliable now or are there still a few misting dampers/burst lines happening?

Think I need to get some wheel time on an air sprung Rs6 and see how it feels.
Replacing the ARB & drop links should help stiffen things up without compromising on the ride quality too much?

Main reason for upgrading is I need the internal space as when I first got he B7 many year ago I only had two young daughters at the time so the space behind me wasn’t an issue but now I have three daughters and even the smallest (6yr old) can’t sit behind me unless she sits cross legged .

[Iain]

I have had both Air and DRC on the 2 6's I've had and I really can't tell the difference in 23k miles of motoring in the air PE6

Can't remember on my first 6, but putting the the car into dynamic mode, the car lowers itself.

Had a B7 RS4 too and it will be night and day (and comfier) better than what you are used too. You won't be disappointed.

[Fraser RS4]

I have had both Air and DRC on the 2 6's I've had and I really can't tell the difference in 23k miles of motoring in the air PE6

Can't remember on my first 6, but putting the the car into dynamic mode, the car lowers itself.

Had a B7 RS4 too and it will be night and day (and comfier) better than what you are used too. You won't be disappointed.

Ian, very good to hear that there was little difference between the two systems. Must admit I do like the thought of being able to lower or higher the car as it suits.

Had a test drive in a performance yesterday and they are hilariously fast and will need some getting used to especially the auto box. Big manual man myself but times are changing.

What do folks think of this RS6 then that I currently have my eye on. Pretty sure it has all the kit could ever want with the carbon ceramics and hud. Anything it’s missing that folk think you need such as dynamic steering or sports diff etc? Not fussed about the sunroof malarkey as that’s just another spot for water to get in . Link below.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... obcid=soc3

[doodlebug]

What’s the car’s history? On an OY plate so likely it’s an ex Audi UK car of some description.

Assume you’re after Misano? Not going to be great if resale is a factor.

Another vote for DRC. I found air too bath tub like in the corners.

Price feels strong.

[Fraser RS4]

What’s the car’s history? On an OY plate so likely it’s an ex Audi UK car of some description.

Assume you’re after Misano? Not going to be great if resale is a factor.

Another vote for DRC. I found air too bath tub like in the corners.

Price feels strong.

Cars history? It’s as was when left Audi. No plate change etc. According to vehicle check it still has outstanding finance on it?
Always had Daytona grey but do fancy a change though. Would like sprint blue as primary choice but would go for panther black, or misano. You think the cars colour is what is holding it back? Has been on sale for some time now. Would keep it for 5yrs plus so resale not that much of an issue.

[doodlebug]

History as in was it an Audi UK exec car or an experience car or ??? I.e. one owner many drivers?

It would be fair to say red is not that popular.

[Fraser RS4]

Advert says “Supplying dealer plus one owner from new”. Could of been a demo car or an exec car for the supplying dealer? Will have to ask the folk selling to to further clarify if they can.

[Iain]

Looks like a nice spec car - usually questions to ask - as above really. Tyres will either be on their ar5e or relatively new as they last around 15-16kmiles. Advert seems a little confusing on the warranty - says 6months, but extendable warranty too. I would always be looking for Audi warranty with a big ticket item like the 6. Ceramics are nice too, it has the upgraded speed limit to 189mph too

[innercry666]

The biggest thing to do is test drive it to make sure there are no apparent issues. I test drove one through Derby Audi and at 70mph it had an horrendous vibration (probably buckled wheel).

If there are no apparent issues then this example may be being held back by the some of the missing spec options - pan roof, rear camera and the colour. Options are always 'horses for courses'. Personally I think Misano with the grey PE trim looks really good. Ceramics are a bonus but is reflected in the price. Mileage is good for the age.

Another thing to check is service history - ensure everything is in order as per Audi's schedule. Things to check would be:

- Spark plugs swapped out at 2 years
- Oil changes should ideally be no more than a year apart
- Brake fluid changed
- Air Con serviced

Looks like a nice example to be honest.

[MikeFish]

Looks like a nice spec car - usually questions to ask - as above really. Tyres will either be on their ar5e or relatively new as they last around 15-16kmiles. Advert seems a little confusing on the warranty - says 6months, but extendable warranty too. I would always be looking for Audi warranty with a big ticket item like the 6. Ceramics are nice too, it has the upgraded speed limit to 189mph too

It won't have the upgraded speed limit as that was only available as part of the dynamic pack plus and this car has air suspension so no dynamic pack plus.