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As a relatively new owner of a 03 RS6 Avant with a ‘Warranty Direct’ warranty (premium product with all parts covered except precise list, wear and tear inc and manufacturer labour rates)…… lots of questions!!!

1) It’s got to go in for an annual service soon - either Guildford, Camberley or Walton Audi – any experience of who’s best / most knowledgeable or contacts? Guildford is closer!

2) What sort of price are you paying elsewhere for an Audi annual service? Also brake fluid change?

3) I think the suspension is on its way out – 3 shocks leaking. If Audi confirm this and quote say £2000 to replace, has anyone taken it up with a warranty company to get aftermarket suspension fitted in lieu of the Audi product? I.e. warranty co save money and I get a better solution?

4) Any local (30 miles radius Guildford, Surrey) recommended specialists for fitting aftermarket suspension + general non service book work.

5) Any advice between the two types of aftermarket suspension – pro’s and con’s of each.

6) Gearbox. Seems fine but (in drive) it will not change into 5th until about 40 odd mph and 6th at 50+. I have to do a lot of traffic and previous E55 always went into 5/6th at low speed and pull along at about 1000-1500 revs. Audi seems to need about 2300 revs before it changes. Just wastes fuel in slow traffic – 15 mpg average vs 20 for 5.4L merc. Is gearbox in any way adjustable by Audi?

7) ABS feel on accelerator pedal – is it just a standard feature or linked to DRC failure.

On full lock, steering ‘clunks’ a bit. I think I’ve read this before – again is it standard or a fault.

9) Got an ‘Acoustic Solutions’ DAB box – very good, but has to go through FM radio. Is there any way of creating a direct input to ICE unit without loosing the CD multichanger.

10) Is it ok to use standard fuel if just using the car around town – changing to super as and when I get a chance to use it properly. Any experience of MPG issues between std and super with RS6 engine management.

Sorry to have such a long list!!!!! Any help / advice will be much appreciated.

1. I've been very impressed with Camberley so far. B'stoke and Guildford not so much, the independants like MRC etc seem to know more and have more experience working on the beasts.

3. My warranty company capped the Audi labour rate to £72+VAT/hr and told me they wouldn't pay for new central valves, so I asked them if they would pay the same towards the aftermarket system. They said yes as long as I had an invoice stating the faulty rear shocks had been replaced and were under warranty. Pricewise it will depend on you needing to replace the central valves. £1500-£1800 to get the aftermarket fitted. Simple option - give them a call once they have the quote from Audi

4. West Tuning at Thruxton (50 miles ish) did mine and were a bit closer than MRC & others. QST / AMD might be closer to you.

5. KWv3 have 3 adjustments (Bump, rebound & height), Billsteins have 2 (IIRC!). From the advice I received from talking to people, the Billsteins are stiffer as stock but they are both adjustable. You pays your money and take your choice I guess. P.s. KWv3 is more expensive but only by a couple of hundred.

8 ) yep.

10. I used to run her on 97 Octane super, now 99. I personally wouldn't use 95 octane unless I needed some to get me to the next garage.

Hi,

Thanks for that. Booked into Camberley Audi for later this month.

Look like they will only quote to do the 3 leaking shocks (maybe 4 if lucky) but not the valves unless the shocks loose pressure again. I think I'll get the audi invoice and try and get a contribution out of 'warranty direct' for either the PSS9 or KWv3.

Any other comments / viewpoints from anyone about some of the other points????

I'm really not sure which type of suspension - with the state of surrey roads I think I'd prefer a softer set-up!

Nigel

Hi - Let me know how you get on with Warranty direct with the suspension, as i have the same cover, and mine is going into Audi on thursday. They are sending an independant engineer to have a look, and and seem happy to replace the valve as well as shocks. I asked them about financing the Bilsteins as for them it would be a lower cost, but they refused this point blank. I would be interested to see how you get on though ....

Phil

I've just had this with REK 'S car , WARRANTY DIRECT would not replace the valve but they did say yes to the 2 x shocks , no oil or repressor . After a few calls & faxes they will now pay for the valve as well .
The big problem is that there are NO pss9 kit's left & they will not be producing any until feb 08 ! ! !

The way to play it is once they have authorized the repairs is to get the pss9's or kw's fitted , pay the bill and warranty direct will pay you . DON'T TELL THEM ABOUT THE KW OR PSS9 'S

You'll need all 4 shocks and valves (either 2 or 4, not 3) per Audi. Warranty Direct and are now willing to pay for my two plus the valve and repressurising. Techdata and recommendations from Audi available in digital form. PM me if required.

Gearbox software is set to protect the box from the torque. Common on hi torque cars with chocolate gearboxes.