DRC Survey

[Condor24]

I posted a note some time back about Audi UK contributing 55 % to the parts and labour cost of new rear shocks and valves. The bill still came to some large sum of £ 1700.

I read this forum and realised there appears to be a common but NOT universal problem with these parts of the car. Two Audi dealers have also confirmed a regular problem on many vehicles.

Audi UK Technical Dept deny any knowledge of numerous problems with the DRC and shock absorbers.

I have now spoken to "higher powers" than Audi Customer Services & hope that by escalating the matter, Audi will realise they have more responsibility in rectifying the problems.

The more that Audi UK hear from drivers the better !

[Condor24]

Audi UK have replied to me with the wording " there is no inherent problem with the rear suspension of Audi motorcars" ... a very crafty reply !

IS the DRC problem common in only the RS6 or in the same A6 models too ?

[MugelloR]

Audi UK have replied to me with the wording " there is no inherent problem with the rear suspension of Audi motorcars" They tell fibs too, allegedly... ... a very crafty reply !

IS the DRC problem common in only the RS6 or in the same A6 models too ?

Overwhelmingly so..... and in all colours too!!!

[el_ringo]

I thought I was immune to the DRC issues but have had two rear shocks replaced in May, one is already leaking and it appears the oil is on back order so kangaroo handling is coming soon

[996C4]

Just had all new shocks etc etc, thank god for the warranty.

[garywhatford]

I agree with the guy that bought the Golf. I'm considering the same as a solution.
RS6 ownership has been more grief than pleasure, with the dealership delivery driving it more than me.
My car has had the full system replaced and work completed 8 times in the last 14 months. It has been into the dealers more often than this, but they often send it back, until the symptoms become worse.

[tombs]

Well, just got my RS back from Dovercourt in Wandsworth (A big recommendation to Luke the Tech who does know what he is talking about and doing!) and the car is completely transformed! Just goes to show how poor she was before hand. This also flags up the inconsistency in approach from dealerships when dealing and repairing the DRC. Parklands had replaced only 1 shock in 2006 and then 3 shocks and 1 valve earlier this year. Luke (the tech at Battersea) was very clear about how the system should be replaced in pairs with the valve to eliminate the problem and poor handling and is protocol according to the Audi tech manual. The other concern was using the incorrect tools to do the job original which seemed had damaged both shocks at the back.
I have spoken to Audi UK today to flag this up with them, who knows maybe one day there will be a solution to this problem that is the DRC from Audi. Whilst the parts warranty lasts I will keep the system but once that’s up it will be the aftermarket setup for me.

[s4woody]

just to clarify dovercourt Audi was in battersea and is now in burr rd wandsworth..
i worked for them and introduced tom and his RS6 to luke who looked after him very well..
when tom says the DRC shocks have to be replaced in pairs..thats opposite corners in a diagonal manner so if both rears leak you have to have all 4 replaced..

[HyOctane]

Its amazing how many techs dont have a clue how to repair the DRC. Basically, the problem is that Audi expected the DRC system to have a life of around 100k miles. Since they didnt forsee that they would have a supply of faulty shocks, they didnt train the techs on DRC repair. Now Audi has admitted that there is a design flaw inherent in these shocks but since they only made artound 8000 or so RS6's worldwide, the cost of redesigning the part is not worth it for so few units. If it were the A4, they would have to do this.. So, they are quite content to replace them with new faulty shocks .. sometimes they last, sometimes they dont. if you experience DRC failure, the main thing to tell your service manager is that anytime they replace the shocks, they must also replace the central valves. The entire system needs to be evacuated and refilled including the lines. Then the new valves are connected and this supplies the needed pressure to give the firm ride back. If they attempt to replace the shocks without the valves, its a waste of time and money/.. Remember, they designed this system (actually it was invented by Yahama) to eliminate body roll and dive and squat. if your car is leaning during turns or the front raises up during acceleration and then dives down during breaking, then the DRC is not right. hell, they didnt need to install this expensive system to do that. They could have gotten that kind of performance from regular sport dampers and springs.

[uncapeez]

I bought my Rs6 Avant 5 months ago. Annoying knock from the rear suspension till it warmed up a bit. Had a so called specialist check it out and was told " all checked, Diagnostics showed ok. nothing wrong!" Have fitted Bilstein coilovers since. Once tuned to correct ride they are as good handling as the Drc on a good day. You can,t fit these straight from the box without adjustment/ tweeking.

[uncapeez]

I bought my Rs6 Avant 5 months ago. Annoying knock from the rear suspension till it warmed up a bit. Had a so called specialist check it out and was told " all checked, Diagnostics showed ok. nothing wrong!" Have fitted Bilstein coilovers since. Once tuned to correct ride they are as good handling as the Drc on a good day. You can,t fit these straight from the box without adjustment/ tweeking.

[RSVI]

Whilst the parts warranty lasts I will keep the system but once that’s up it will be the aftermarket setup for me.

Don't think you'll change then.

Audi are going to give you two years on the DRC every time it's replaced and it's going to be replaced every 6-12 months.

Poor poor Audi, or should i say, poor poor customer who buys a new Audi in a few years. Someones got to pay for what they're losing (paying to dealers to replace) and i guess it will go onto the new cars list price

[GardinerG]

Ironically enough 3 months after last DRC work it's back with a vengance. Now both rear shocks need replacing. So it's all 4 shocks and central valves. I had to point out to the service guy that they need to replace the other shock on the same circuit (diagonal) - hence all 4.

Now comes the battle with the warranty company... now wishing I had the Audi warranty instead.

Audi are quoting about £3,000 to do, so I may yet go the Bilstein route if the warranty company doesn't play ball.

[tombs]

Gardiner, the parts come with a 2 year warranty so in effect anything they did 3 month's ago shouldnt be charged for nor should the labour for fitting of those parts. And this is as per Audi UK's instructions to the Warranty Manager at Dovercourt Battersea and to me verbally on the phone twice.

On that note, has anyone got an answer from Audi re the issue with the DRC? Phil?

[GardinerG]

Was just a DRC recharge to "fix" the clanking. But it went from a fully recharged state to fubared within 1 month (symptoms were coming back)....

I can probably haggle with Audi because of the recharge if I end up having to pay, but it all depends on the Warranty company.