DRC AGAIN - RESULT NOW AUDI are HELPING :)

[bigsteve]

My RS4 avant 56K miles is coming to the end of this 5 year DRC warranty so i took it to Audi Tonbridge, they have said it needs a NSF and OSF shocks and one valve at a cost of £3250 inc vat.

They say because it not got full audi service history is not covered by the extended warranty as it a gesture of goodwill not a warranty issue.

but i have read on here that people are getting the shocks replaced without FASH. it had a DRC check when they did a recall on the coils and oil pipes about 10 months ago, misting but no leaks.

The service done outside of Audi, was done by the suppling used car dealer and he used Audi supplied parts, i have the parts bills to prove. I did not have a choice as the car came serviced by them.

Spoke to Audi UK they say Jermay Hicks letter was not written to me so it does not count, the car must of been Audi serviced to get a free repair but they are going to pass it on to a warrenty customer service advisor how will look in to it and contact me.

I would think the EEC motor vehicle block exemption regulation ( your car can be serviced by any dealer using Audi parts and does not effect the new car warranty) would mean they cant insist on full audi service history for me to be covered for a design fault componant.

what should i be hoping to get a free repair, a pertcentage off, parts for free, nothing. ?

Audi UK say the dealer is the one offering any discounnts not them ??

So where do i stand, happy to write letters etc

Thanks in advance for your comments

Steve

[Mr V10]

Tell them the reason you didn't use the Audi main dealer is because they didn't return your calls, say you've owned an Audi all your life and have recommended them to friends and family and spent X amount of money with them over the years. I make similair decisions to the one Audi are faced with at work and those things would make me say 'oh, go on then, as a goodwill gesture' worth a try.

[MB2]

Sorry to say this, but the car's warrranty (which would be covered under block exemption) is 3 years and this has expired. The extended offer on the DRC is a "good will" contribution by Audi/the dealer so it is up to them to decide how much your business is worth to them. If it is the dealer making all the contribution & you don't have a pattern of the car being serviced by them/bought it from them, then I guess they will feel less helpful than if you had spent money with them in the past ?

[P_G]

If you can't get tem to do it FOC you get can the parts off E-bay far cheaper. Set of valves, £150-200, each shock £250 each max. Labour work will be a few hours, certainly not £3250.

[bigsteve]

Hi

thanks guys.

spoke with suppling dealer suggested Bilstein B14 or B16 at £950 or £1450 a set, fit myself job done, never need worry again , DRC £3000 this year for 2 shocks angain next for the other 2,.

I bet coil overs will sell like hot cakes once the 5 year warranty finishes.

Not looking to track the car, comfort seats fitted so just looking for a good ride at sesible money.


Coil over yes no.

Would I have to get the DRC system disabled via VAG and would Audi need to de-pressure it before its removal or is it a DIY job. do you get any warning lights up when is no longer there?

Thanks
Steve

[spikeyboy101]

Ah good old Tonbridge Audi - doesnt really surpise me the stance they are taking.

Thing that makes me laugh is the instance on Full Audi Service History - would having the full Audi Service History stopped the DRC failing ? simple answer is no, and as you say it was out of your hands anyway.

The DRC is a well known issue that in my mind should be made a full recall - not a goodwill gesture - maybe all RS$ UK onwers should start a class action to have it made a full recall item.

When did you buy from the other dealer ? was it a main dealer or small indy ? did you get any warranty with them ?

[G.Mac]

my brothers Avant was a few months outside the goodwill gesture period and he had 2 shocks replaced by Audi for half price as the car only had about 58K on the clock and had a full service history, albeit not full Audi (a few services were done by Porsche in Aberdeen) the cost to him was £650

[adsgreen]

As far as I am aware the DRC system is connected with self sealing joints so you shouldn't (in theory) need to do anything special to remove it. Plenty of after market places have junked it so can't be that specialised.

DRC is completely mechanical - no ECU interface and no warning lights. If fact it'd have been nice if they had fitted a pressure sensor so at least you'd know if it was running ok

Try another dealer or talking to Audi customer care directly. Whilst some may argue that you have a strong case I wouldn't go in guns blazing but put a figure in your head that you'd not mind paying and go from there. At least if you contribute towards the costs then you automatically get a warranty on the parts fitted and the work done. Stuff done FOC is a real grey area.

[P_G]

As much as there are coilover kits DRC when it works is sublime and I have only seen an Ohlins Stasis car that has the same level of comfort refinement without compromising handling.

[sonny]

If a no go, try a different dealer, failing that write or call Audi UK.

You do sacrifice ride quality with coilovers.

[Virdee Autos]

Did you get anywhere with this?

And just out of curiosity where did you get the £1450 price for the PSS9s?

[bigsteve]

Hi

The Bilstiens PSS9 were plus £1450 plus Vat but best price i can find on PSS9's is £1655 or KW v3 at £1632.70 both prices include post and vat from DPM performance.

Only contactED Audi UK today so still waiting on a response, will keep you updated.

But i am now begining to think unless they do it for free or i only have to make a small contribution i may well go for the coil over option, mainly because there only going to replace the two fronts shocks and valves.

How long before the rears go and i will have to pay full price for them, so if i have to pay say £650 towards the fronts now and £3000 next year for the rears, may as well just pay the £1700 now for coil overs and be done with it.

I think coilover cars may even end up more desirable as there not a ticking money pit after the 5 year goodwill ends.

Anyway could you guys look at the qoute Audi TONBRIDGE gave me, look like silly prices, what are the part numbers for, shock , bolt, gold plated raindeer poo, etc

8E0412019B x 1 @ £179.25
8E0412020B x 1 @ £179.25
8E0616887 X 2 @ £737.26 = £1474.52 ALL PLUS VAT
8E0616711F X 1 @ £98.15
8E0616712E X 1 @ £98.15
G052731A2 X 1 £22.34
6 HOURS LABOUR @ £120 = £720
BOLTS £3
TOTAL £3339.11 INC VAT FOR 2 SHOCKS YOUR HAVING A LAUGH.

[PJC]

Might be worth a trip to see Rob at Camberley Audi.

[Dom81]

Steve - PM sent

[sonny]

If you can't get tem to do it FOC you get can the parts off E-bay far cheaper. Set of valves, £150-200, each shock £250 each max. Labour work will be a few hours, certainly not £3250.

Valves? Are these the ones that leak at the top of the strut? (thought they was part of the strut itself).