I know it's a not uncommon question, but DRC failure...

[NorthernBoy]

I've done a forum search, but haven't really found what I was looking for. I know that someone will come up with an obvious search term that I overlooked, but until then, can someone please help me with the below?

I've noticed a bit of a "clunk" over bumps for a few months and when braking very hard from very high speed (i.e. as hard as the car will, from 130mph+), it feels less stable than it used to.

Yesterday I took it down for an MOT at a local garage, and was given a list of advisories, which were borderline failures, on various bits of the suspension. The main one was leakage from both front shocks, but there were also hairline cracks in the bushes at the front, a failure at the end of one of the coil springs, and a failure on the handbrake (how on earth that happened, I have no idea, It's not as though I've been doing handbrake turns, or using it to stop the car). The suspension issue was spotted on the ramp, but confirmed by the handling during the brake test, with a pronounced dip at the front. This has probably been slowly developing, and so I've become habituated to it by degrees, and hadn't noticed that anything was amiss.

Anyway, it's exactly 4 years old, 18k miles, mine from new, and I'd like to know where I stand before i take it down to an Audi Garage (which will be either Docklands or Bexley). First off, does this sound like DRC failure (i.e. the leaking on the shocks and the dip nuder braking, along with the noise), and secondly, are dealers nowadays pretty on top of the issue.

Importantly, are Audi still meeting the cost of replacement if this is the issue? I've got a copy of the letter where Audi offered to cover other people with the same issue, but it'd be good to know if the policy is widespread before I tae the car down.

It's very difficult for me to get cars to and from the garage (I work twelve hours a day in central London, 7 am to 7pm, and taking a break leaves my desk without cover, which I try to minimise), and I need to minimise the back and forth that might happen by going in as well informed as possible. If I can point to precedent or convention being that they should replace the whole system, then that's great. If it's the case that I need to pay the lot myself, then that's worth knowing too, as there's little point wasting my time or theirs with heated discussions if it's unlikely to lead anywhere.

Thanks for any input people have, and apologies if this really was already available.

[HYFR]

yes it does sound like DRC failure

yes Audi will cover is FOC

I dont like your choice of Audi dealers

I had my DRC replaced by Chingford Audi, who, although being part of the same group as Docklands, are miles apart in terms of Customer Service.

Why dont you just take it there one saturday morning, then pick it up the next Saturday

[NorthernBoy]

Thanks, I'll give Chingford a call. I bought the car from Bexley (after being treated like crap at my local branch, Docklands) and had it serviced there (after being treated like crap at Docklands), but am very happy to try somewhere else.

[P_G]

Camberley is the garage with best reputation in your region. If you are leaving it a week best to give it to them.

[PetrolDave]

Sounds like classic symptoms of DRC failure to me - clunking over bumps and leaking shocks.

Get it sorted under the extended 5 year warranty extension.

If you look at the DRC failure thread you'll see that well over 100 of us have had the failed parts replaced FOC.

[Dom81]

If the car has a full Audi Service History then you will be fine - the only issue being the possible ignorance of the dealer. If it doesn't, then the dealer is likely to be reinbursed by Audi UK for only parts not labour, so some might not want to cover it

[PetrolDave]

the only issue being the possible ignorance of the dealer.

A good reason to go to Camberley and not Docklands or Bexley.

[lengster1]

Make sure they have latest generation equipment,mine went in to Hull audi 3 times before i cracked and took it to york who do have the latest equipment,only done a few days ago but fingers crossed theyve sussed it,very good service from york i have to say.

[PetrolDave]

Make sure they have latest generation equipment,mine went in to Hull audi 3 times before i cracked and took it to york who do have the latest equipment,only done a few days ago but fingers crossed theyve sussed it,very good service from york i have to say.

+1

You need to make sure they fit the redesigned shock absorbers (not the original spec ones), AND that they properly repressurise the system - most decent dealers say that the car needs to stand overnight and have the pressure re-checked to be sure there are no leaks (the system pressure is 15-18 bar).

[NorthernBoy]

I'm not sure how easy it'll be to check that they are fitting the latest dampers, or are correctly pressurising the system, and so on. I think that you have to be quite lucky with a mechanic to get one who'll go into details with you, especially when you are not contributing to the costs of the work.

I'll give it a try, though. Are there any other thoughts on which is the best dealer to use in or around London?

[NorthernBoy]

Someone had recommended Chingfoord Audi on here yesterday, but it's disappeared now. Any reason not to go there?

[NorthernBoy]

Thanks, but Camberley is probably going to be too far away. It's a good hour and a half drive there on a Saturday, two hours back home, and the same again at the other end. I doubt that they'd happily give me a loan car for a week (or possibly longer if they need to order the parts) to avoid the interminable pubic transport legs each way.

[P_G]

They may come and collect and drop off, I know my local Audi dealership do with enough notice.

[PJC]

Someone had recommended Chingfoord Audi on here yesterday, but it's disappeared now. Any reason not to go there?

Its still there in AKA Dave's post,

[NorthernBoy]

It went in t.o Chingford in the week, and is having new dampers fitted. Nothing else needed doing, apparently. I'll pick it up tomorrow, and see how it drives.