DRC and Warranty!

[SteveCuz]

I have been a member of the forum for 2 1/2 years and have read about this many times.

My car has 78k miles and still on original DRC but shock it has failed.

The 2 rear shock are leaking.

The car with with Audi and they have quoted to replace the 2 shocks and the 2 DRC valves.

WD have just come back to say they will pay for the failed shocks but not the valves.

As you would know that is the expensive part at £750 each.

I have read about this before but can't find info using the search tool as so much have been said on this.

Can someone point me in the right direction for arguing the case that the valves need changed etc.

I know some have been able to use a payout to change to coilovers and so that is another approach but I will need to argue the case on the valves first otherwise it is cheaper just to pay for £180 shocks.

Thanks in advance and PM if you don't want to post publicly.

Steve

[Shoppinit]

Why do the valves need changing? Can't they just be recharged? It's possible that your dealership is unaware that it is no longer necessary to replace central valves when changing a shock.

[GardinerG]

AFAIK You should not need to replace the central valves as they can be represurised using the Audi tool. Audi UK have extended the warranty on DRC on the C5 RS6 if certain criteria are met (fully serviced by Audi etc).

When was your car built and has it been fully serviced by an Audi main stealer?

[SteveCuz]

They do have the tool but I think they have had mixed success with it.

Stephen

[ecain63]

pm'd

[Rupert]

Seriously, I wouldn't spend a penny on DRC.
Chances are, your DRC failed a long time ago but you just didn't notice (failure is rarely sudden, it's more gradual over a period of months, so it's harder to know when it's not working 100%).

Pop coilovers on and you'll know what a proper RS6 should handle like.
Especially as the NI roads are generally much worse than mainland UK.


If you choose DRC again, the car will feel great for the first week or so... you'll realise just how bad the broken DRC was. Then you'll find yourself cringing as you drive over pot-holes and speed bumps. Then it will fail again. Rinse and repeat.

[drybeer]

Why do the valves need changing? Can't they just be recharged? It's possible that your dealership is unaware that it is no longer necessary to replace central valves when changing a shock.

This depends on whether they have the new tool to pressurise them.

If they don't they're going to try to replace with new

[SteveCuz]

I will only be getting the DRC replaced if WD are paying. I am going to get a quote for just changing the shocks and using the tool.

Has anyone on here actually had that done?

If so how has the DRC held up?

There is a tipping point where I will not go this route and go for coilovers but it's not a penny, maybe 100 pennies LOL

I know loads of people had issues years ago and changed to coilovers but I am looking to hear from someone who has got this done in the last 6 months.

Anyone?

Steve

[Cornishmoocher]

Steve, my car was one of the first, if not the first car to havr DRC MkIII on it. This was 2 years ago about.

I had mine replaced 3 times prior to the MKIII, I had the infamous boots installed too.
Anyhoo, repalcement No.4 took place with the new system of represurising the system to 16b. It lasted 2 months......

I took the car to Grizz who had been dealing with my servicing (at that time Audi were doing my warranty work, I did not know better then ) and he spotted that they were ALL leaking.
By this time I was so fecked off with it that I put coilys and ARB's on. It transformed the car.
You will not believe how good the car is on coilys and how crap DRC is.........

[lapman]

Steve,

Just had the same thing completed yesterday at Camberley Audi, four shocks, two drc valves and some other stuff that needed doing. Some was under warrenty.

The handling on my car before was alsoluelty rubbish. I can't believe the difference. Not having been in a coilover car I can't comment on the ride.

What happened with the valves on my car is they were stuck and wouldn't pressurise correctly. The re-presurissing actually burst a faulty pipe as well.

You are right though, it is expensive to fix.

[rob8457]

Still on the the New DRC 6months gone by still ok i think?

Bobby

[el_ringo]

Steve, WD are not trying to kill off RS6 warranties so I would aim for colivers if you plan to keep the car long term, but if you do get new DRC those parts have the usual 2 year warranty but then you still have the time without the car again and again.

[GardinerG]

but then you still have the time without the car again and again.

As mine was my daily driver this was exactly the reason why I felt I had no choice but to replace mine. DRC, great in theory but poor implementation/reliability.

[SteveCuz]

I have a daily drive now. First 1 1/2 years of RS6 was daily drive and did 15k a year. Now it is about 5 but still love it.

Had a deposit down on the RS5 but have just got it back. Just could not justify it at the moment.

Had thought about a 911 etc but at the moment I am considering holding on to the RS6 and maybe changing a few things.

My main concern would be this: Audi have resubmitted to WD for just repressurising the valves, if they ok it which I think they will then what if while doing it it doesn't work as above! Then the valves would have to be changed and would I have to pay??

If it worked I would be paying out very little and have my baby back for the time being. If the DRC went again I would not consider going through it all again.

I am tempted to go for coilovers. I was over with Grizz last year but would not be able to head over again soon. I don't know of anyone in NI I would 100% trust with my baby. We only have 1 dealer and I do their website and so have a good relationship but they won't be interested in doing this for me.

Anyway off at the mo so I will give Audi a shout on Wed and see where it all stands. If WD have approved the new approach I will have to call them and find out what would happen if the valves locked etc or had to be replaced.

I think the latest quote is too low to try and argue for money toward coilovers etc.

Will update.

Steve

[AndyIPB]

Mine has just come back in from a couple of weeks at Wearside Audi following much the same - i.e. suspension fluid leaking from the rear. I got hit with a bill for £360 to carry out the diagnostic, replace the faulty shock and seals and re-pressurise the system which I didn't consider to be too bad (got a full valet FOC and a complimentary tin of Audi boiled sweets too.....)

To be honest although problems may well re-occur, at present it feels so much better than it did even when I bought it late last year - its always been a bit 'crashy' which I assumed was the same with all RS 6s so I would concur with Rupert's suggestion that they tend to go off slowly at least at first.

My dealer had to send out to Audi UK to obtain the correct pressurising kit which is partly why they had the car so long (I'd also said they could take it easy as I have alternative transport) but I'm very pleased with the result so far