DRC issues and weeping shocker.

[RS06JAC]

Hello fellow members, I'm relatively new to RS246 and have a query on the C5 RS6 DRC system, I have a 2003 avant that has had a fair bit on money spent on this system in the past. When I recently had the MOT done it stated that the passenger side front shocker was weeping slightly, the inspector also noted the drivers side front shocker was new. My questions are is this slight weeping going to affect the cars handling? I have no DRC warning light present at the moment. Should I get the weeping shocker changed and the system charged and checked or look to fitting after market coil overs? This car isn't used very often and only covers a maximum of 2000 miles a year but I want the car perfect for when I do use it. Do I have anything to worry about in its present condition or only worry when the DRC warning indication comes on? Any help/advise/comments would be great.

Thanks

Danny

[mik15]

first of all you should know that there is no DRC warning light, the system is purely mechanical with no sensors to monitor its condition or performance. Secondly, if the shock absorber is weeping it will get worse to the point where you'll be hearing some clunks coming from that side when going over very slightly uneven road surfaces, it will be very annoying, i am experiencing that for a few months now but didn't have the time to swap it with coilovers, which i guess in the end is the best solution. My DRC has already been replaced twice by Audi, it never lasted more than 20k miles! Also, if a shock is weeping then your system pressure is lower than what it should be, therefore its performance is reduced, though we can't probably feel the difference, even my clunking system to me it seems that it's performing quite well, however i don't really know how a 100% working DRC, if this ever existed, should work! I've recently met someone who was part of the RS6 C5 project, he also has an RS6 and now in the VW Management for a regional division, and he told me that the system never actually worked as it was supposed to in reality, all good in theory, but never really as it should on these cars!

[chunky79]

Do a search on here Danny and you we see the opinions on DRC. Think there are 2 owners on here still happily running it, everyone else has ditched it for coil overs. I bought my car with 6 months old drc and it failed within the first couple of weeks (don't think it was ever working correctly though when purchased), i now have coil overs.
Where abouts are you in the country? Unit20 can take a look and repair the system for you or take it to a dealer, but if i were you i would source a set of coil overs, there is a set for sale on here at a VERY good price.
FON

[Nobby]

Only 2? I have it still, so does TechNick. There must be others.

Mine has been replaced atleast 2 or 3 times though.

[chunky79]

Perhaps 3 then, but you cant count technik cause he is a ghost member in here. Daveperc has it loves it. I bet it is good when it works but I haven't been in one with it.

[RS06JAC]

All, thanks for all the help so far, I'll do a search on the forum and read in to it a little more. unfortunately the car is in the very North of Scotland and I work overseas for long periods. I'll look at coil over options( I did see the used set for sale on here and they looked a bargain). If I go the Audi option I'm assuming I only have to change the weeping shocker and have the system recharged at the dealers. Nearest dealers are in Inverness then Aberdeen or Perth. Thats the issue for anything for me! location, I want to remap + exhaust + filter the C5 and C6 but its just a long way to go but probably well worth it!Thanks again for the info.

[cfcdoc]

Perhaps 3 then, but you cant count technik cause he is a ghost member in here. Daveperc has it loves it. I bet it is good when it works but I haven't been in one with it.

* AHEM *

[Shoppinit]

There's also the DIY recharge method. I think it's in pdf form in footlong's repository. Or there was a thread on it here somewhere.

[sweegie]

I'm looking into the DIY method as I'd like to pressure check mine, but costs are a minimum of £300 to buy the required hydraulic kit....

[Corbmi]

Hi all, I'm just waiting for delivery of my first RS6 (2003 black Avant), and I keep reading about the DRC problems. can anyone give me an idea of the cost of fixing the DRC each time, and how much to totally replace it with a fixed system? am hoping my car is the magic chosen one with perfect suspension......
cheers.
Mike.

[swannny]

like most here, i changed mine for bilstein pss9 when mine failed in the summer, cost was £1700 to buy, excluding fitting.

if you have drc, grizz offers a replace/recharge service, his prices are always competitive, give him a bell.

[Corbmi]

lovely one, thanks Swannny. I'll get the car given a once over when it arrives (which seems to be taking ages).

[Capt Ric]

Just had both front DRC replaced by Unit 20. ( failed at 37,000miles)
Delighted with result, just hope these last another 8 years.
Cost around £900
Warranty direct contributing just over half of cost ( each shock is treated as a separate claim with excess)

[Corbmi]

Ok, that's good to know on the cost front. Sounds like Unit20 is the place to go. Just a shame it's so far from London...

[Shoppinit]

He has a collection service.