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i recon its a fake - or am i too sceptial about our friends at Audi ?? !!

Looks real enough, is this from rs6.com?

think i have seen somone on audiworld mention this.

don't know how it affects people in the uk though as it mentions audi usa.

think it was brought about by someone actually getting legal on audi's behind?

Ash

AFAIK this is the boot fit that we have had for the last year... and it's worked wonders. Not.

sorry, "boot fix".

I believe that's the jpg I posted on Audiworld. It's real.

It's more than a boot fix. They claim to have changed strut rod and seal materials and most importantly they've redesigned the tool that pressurizes the system to make sure it sets it at exactly 16 Bar. No word on other markets beside US or other models beside RS6.

I saw it first in rs6.com yesterday. I've sent a copy to Audi UK customer services (I couldn't find any appropriate named individual) for comment...

"We have recently finished developing and testing improved shock absorbers for your vehicle..."

Says it all... what a shambles.

This suspension has been on some cars since 2002, (and testing should have begun a year or two before that date)

So it has taken at least SEVEN YEARS for Audi to release "improved" shock absorbers??!!

What the hell have they been doing all this time?
With a constant stream of broken DRC parts being sent back the the factory,
a constant stream of new shocks being shipped,
millions of dollars in warranty payments... and only now they come up with an improvement?


DRC = Disappointed, Riled Customers.

Ironic that a letter about DRC has been leaked.

^^^^

Hehehehhe

Good luck to em. Im with Grant..... Mine had the new fix, one of the first to have it done in August last year. The re-pressurisation tool was being held in scotland for some bizzare reason whilst it under went tests and traing for the techs (so i was told) and my car was due to be the first in the SE to be retro fitted. As I have said before, it lasted 2 months. This was with the 16bar repressurisation etc etc. If its real, it will cost em millions.

Ok, just got of the phone to Audi America, this is how it went.......
Asked for clarification of the above letter, and was told a service schedule has been set up regarding the DRC, it will be implimented from august as per the letter. The service rep i spoke to didnt have any info on what the fix entailed, but will be able to give me full details of what will be done after the august date mentioned.
I will now phone Audi Europe on monday and ask them for a comment regarding this, and the questions i will put to them are these:

1: Why is Audi America getting this fix when there are less than 1000' RS6 units in north America
2: Why are Audi America admitting there IS a SERIOUS issue with the DRC system, yet Audi Europe wont even entertain the idea that is it fundamentally flawed
3: what action do Audi Europe intend to take regarding this
4: If they decide to follow suit, will all European customers be entitled to full refunds as per our American cousins, and will any refunds cover the cost of replacement of coilovers by the majority of customers who have got sick and tired of the shocking (good pun eh) quailty/reliability of the DRC system

Update to follow after I have spoken to Audi Europe!

Great work, Rilla. I for one appreciate your efforts and I'm sure everyone else does, too.

It will be most interesting to hear their reply!

Good work.

MartynC

ok, get your reading glasses on, this is gonna take a while.......lol

Spoke to Audi's head office this morning, typical response from representative. When asked why Audi America are addressing the problem was told its probably due to American legislation. When i asked if he thought it was fair to European customers to say Audi America are fixing the problem because American law says they have to, there was an awkward silence.
When pressed as to why Audi Euproe wont address the DRC problem, was told to Audi's knowlegde, there isnt a problem with it, which sort of curtailed the conversation a bit. I left it that a case file is being opened regarding this, and that somebody will get back to me about it, i wont hold my breath.

This then led me to think i've got no where with that moron, lets go higher, so a bit of digging about found me the Managing Director of Audi UK's name and contact details. So i emailed him. This is a copy of what i put:

Dear Mr Hicks,
I write to you today with regard to the Dynamic Ride Control System Audi have fitted to both the RS6 & RS4. As a customer of Audi owning an RS6, i am now at 'the end of my tether' with the DRC system fitted to my car. I and many other owners of RS6's have had nothing but failures and problems with this system, incurring vast amounts of money and time. We as a collective group are now preparing to bring a group case against Audi/VAG Europe as despite multiple requests for Audi to even a admit there is a problem with the system, let alone fix/reimburse people who have had to spend fortunes putting it right, you will not yield in the slightest and your company line seems to be 'Admit nothing'.
I found it most interesting that my attention was recently drawn to a letter issued by Audi of America (see attached file) regarding the DRC system. It would seem they are more than happy to admit there is an issue regarding it, and are actually doing something about it. I find this an even bigger kick in the teeth for your European customers, as to the best of my knowldge there are less than a 1000 RS6 units in north America. I spoke to one of your 'aftercare' representatives this morning regarding Audi Americas line, and was basically told its probably due to legislation in the USA. Do you as a director of Audi find it acceptable to tell your customers that in essence Audi USA are fixing the problem because American law says they have too?.
I can provide on request several 'horror stories' from Audi customers, the worst of which is a person who's DRC sytem had to be replaced 4 times in 6 months, should you require them. What will it take for Audi to address this problem in a proffesional manner, someones death??. I for one would dread to think of the possibilities of a full suspension faliure on a high performance car such as the RS6. It is a real shame that the DRC is such a poorly designed component as it is the only thing that really lets down such a wonderful car.
I look forward to your reply regarding these matters, and hope that a solution can be found for this situation that dosn't involve going to court. I am sure Audi could do without the 'bad press' that would arise, especially during these finacially challenging times.

Regards

Stuart Hurd
2003 RS6 avant

Should anybody else like to jump on my crusade then email him yourselves, his email address is: jeremy.Hicks@Audi.co.uk

Ill let you know what comes about as and when i hear from him!.

Stuart