I got one finally and but now....

[Pherral]

Ok, i originally bought an 2.7 S4 as my first Audi. Loved it. Work offshore so i upgrade to an 02 RS6! Just went threw its first MOT with me and it passed with a couple of cautions. Namely the 2 front shocks are on there way out and have light misting of oil. Now i called audi and they gave me three prices of £2500 for front shocks plus all bells and whistles (not sure what they mean) worst case, £1100 front shocks and valves or £800 for just shocks. So im looking for advice. I have seen Unit 20 do a full kit "H&R kits £1500 fitted incl. VAT" So im a little confused why it seems audi want all that plus my soul for just 2 shocks

I live up near inverness so its a bit of a trip but i rather spend wisely and not just go with what ever audi says.

Oh this is what i came home too after being away at work over christmas!

[Daveperc]

OK - so front DRC is knackered - that's what the light misting of oil etc shows.

When they replace the shocks they used to always replace the valves etc as it was impossible to properly repressurise the system - there is now a tool available to do this, though I seem to remember a recent thread where we concluded Inverness probably didn't have one. The quality/experience of the dealer has a big impact on their ability to change out DRC properly.

Your car is too old for the free replacement they offered, and I assume you don't have a warranty covering the DRC system.

Given where you live you really have two options: replace whole DRC, which will then give you two years warranty on parts etc, but will cost you about £2500, and probably best to head down to Glasgow or similar to find an experienced dealer; or go for the Coilover route. Here you could head down to Grizz or MRC, or you could buy the parts and do it yourself, or get a good local Indie if you have one to do it/assist.

Coily's come in various guises - H&R's are the lowest cost and have limited adjustment - PSS9's and 9+'s cost a bit more but have adjustment on damping etc. There are a couple of good postings on here of how to do the job - not too difficult, especially if you have a ramp.

Opinions on Coilies vary - some, especially Mooch, swear by them, others have found them less satisfactory, especially when heavily loaded. There is little experience so far as to how long they last - typically dampers last up to 100K but begin to get "tired" towards the end of that. DRC was put there by Audi for a reason, and when it works it's great - and when it doesn't, it's crap! It was regarded by Audi as giving the best compromise of comfort vs handling - coilies can improve the sporting performance, but generally at the expense of some loss of comfort.

Coilies will probably give you higher resale if selling privately to another enthusiast, but probably lower the value if trading via a dealer who will just see it as a "mod" which generally they don't like/understand.

If you do put coilies on, then you must tell your insurer and there may be a slight increase in premium.

So, it all depends on what you use the car for, how many miles, whether you have a decent local indy, and how log you plan to keep the car plu your preferred exit route!

Hope that helps - happy deciding

Dave

PS - that room in front of the car with the pink door is called a "garage" - the idea is you put the car in to avoid that nasty white stuff spoiling your car!!!!

[HYFR]

nice colour! my fav (along with Daytona + optics)

stay well away from Audi is the advice

go to Unit 20, get them to doa health check while they're at it

Then you'll know the car is tip top

worth the journey, after all, its an excuse for a drive

[Pherral]

Ok thanks for the quick reply, ill go for the coilies as i dont load the car up with much and wouldnt mind the ride been stiffer. I dont plan on getting rid of it anytime soon as its the best thing ive driven. And im happy to make the drive.

Thanks again

PS, thanks for the ps but its not my garage, i leave the car at my parents when im away for safe keping

[Daveperc]

No prob mate. Just a question of whether to go H&R. KW or Billies - roughly in order of increasing price. In general you get what you pay for.

Dave

[Cornishmoocher]

If the 2 fronts are fooked, then as the system works in diagonally opposed pairs, both valves will be fooked and ergo, the rear shocks will be not long for this world either.
most Audi dealers are Cnuts who should sell ice cream rather than mend cars.
Put a set of H&Rs on it with a set of Hotchkiss ARBs and forget about it for ever.

[Pherral]

Already called Unit 20 and once im sure ill be home for more than a week ill make the trip down. Thanks all