Epic FAIL

[bam_bam]

I decided that the weekend with my 'ho being away at the Isle of Wight festival I'd attack some of England's true driving roads. So, on Sunday, I filled up with V-Bastard at 8:00 in the morning and hit the Motorway, it took me about 2hours to run into Bristol and then divert myself into the national speed limit farmland lanes for some twisty fun and quick overtakes. Loads of fun!

I then pointed Darth for Cheddar Gorge and pulled over at the Ploughboy pub turn-off to check tyre pressures and refuel my stomach. Upon checking the last tyre (front near-side) I discovered the wheel covered in greenish fluid. I couldn't see any seepage from the calliper but did notice a lot of spray inside the arch and a puddle forming at the back of the tyre. Out with the jack, popped off the wheel only to find some of the lines very 'wet' and fluid sprayed everywhere in the arch.
Still thinking it was the brakes at this point. I decided to lift the bonnet and check the brake fluid levels but couldn't find any irregularities, still tip-top.

Not wanting to risk it, I called Audi roadside assist. The RAC man arrived about 25mins later and he replace the wimpy ‘6 jack with his standard issue and then started sticking his head in the wheel arch. Then he asked me to pump the brake pedal, after a couple of minutes testing the brake, he was stumped. He checked the brake fluid, all good there, so he rechecks every line in the wheel arch and points out a bubble in one of the lines coming off the front shock. I tell him “you know the DRC is pressurised to 14BAR?â€

[Rupert]

WOW, bloody DRC, what a croc of <beep>!
Comedy car handling, if it wasn't so serious.

I hope your PSS9s arrive in time for Spain, I can tell you I suffered with DRC for too long, then KWV3's went on and the next week I was heading to France for a 2000 mile trip - it totally transformed the car on the Autoroutes and on the twisty French country roads.

At least one of our members (Alan) has had his DRC explode when driving at high speed. It should never have been fitted to such a heavy fast car.

[HYFR]

sorry to hear that....hope it all works out fine for spain, either new DRC... Or pss9s

Great write up btw

Damn these beasts are high maintenance !!!!

[bam_bam]

WOW, bloody DRC, what a croc of <beep>!
Comedy car handling, if it wasn't so serious.

I guess if the DRC empties itself over weeks or months you'd not notice as much but I found it a drastic change in handling and ride characteristics as mine pistd itself dry over the space of 200 miles and a couple of hours.
DRC - it's a nasty hateful thing when it goes wrong... and a unnoticed, unsung hero when it's working. You're right though, who thought it a good idea to add to such a beast of car!?!? Surely stick to the tried and tested.

At least I got home just in time to see zee Germans spank the pants off us... that was sooooo worth it, I'd hate to have missed that *sign*

[LondonRS6]

Bam Bam sorry to hear this. Out of interest was your DRC fitted with mark 2 or mark 3 boot seals? and i am curious as to when was your last prob with DRC? Just wondering as the info i am getting, admittedly from the dealerships is the mark 3s have reduced the occurance of DRC failure....

[Shoppinit]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, DRC stinks of bad engineering practice from beginning to end.

[Wint11]

Guys, sorry to be a complete novice but what is the DRC, because this sounds very much like the issue I am having with my RS6.

Cheers.

[SteveCuz]

Dynamic Ride Control and it will be for sure.

Steve

[Wint11]

Cheers Steve

[bam_bam]

Bam Bam sorry to hear this. Out of interest was your DRC fitted with mark 2 or mark 3 boot seals? and i am curious as to when was your last prob with DRC?

I think it was 3rd iteration DRC but maybe DK or one of the Golf Fathers' can answer the question about its last DRC issue, as this is my first 'real' DRC issue since owning it.
What should be noted though, at the start of the year, I had MRC do a full health check prior to a 20k service booking at Camberley Audi. MRC reported that the very same near-side front had signs of DRC failure and suggested replacement. Camberley Audi said that after the near-side front shock absorber had been thoroughly cleaned they could find nil wrong with it, no replacement. Behold, 3-4 months later, the same 'issue' DRC has failed in a pretty big way. MRC also noted that my near-side intercooler failed a pressure test and they recommended replacement. CambAudi again maintained that after it was thoroughly cleaned, it was tip top, no replacement. I've since found out that the same intercooler has AGAIN failed a pressure test.
Moral of the story, do not let Camberley Audi thoroughly clean your car, it will implode!
However, I maintain that Camberley Audi are still the best Audi service centre, draw your own conclusions. They do know their stuff but I think they're hindered by the warranty companies as to what they can get replaced. I think as customers we have to be well informed and press the issue, even though we'll be without our car for longer.

[drybeer]

I have to say that DRC fits perfectly with the "Vorsprung Durch Technik" motto and it is a real shame the reliability issue cannot be cracked.

[Golfather]

It was old v1 DRC that has been replaced on your car, done back in Sep 08.

Drivers side IC done under warranty in May 09. Dealerships will always maintain that there is nothing wrong with IC's as they do not have any pressure testing equipment. However if you persist and are willing to show them independant pressure testing reports (eg MRC), then they will replace.

Northampton Audi or Aylesbury Audi are the most flexible when it comes to warranty work.

[Shoppinit]

How you getting on with your Konigsports, Golfather?

[bam_bam]

It was old v1 DRC that has been replaced on your car, done back in Sep 08.

I was told by Camberley it was riding on v3!
I showed Camberley the MRC IC pressure test report last time and they still maintianed it was not leaking, they started to avoid my continued questioning and I gave up as I was new to C5 RS ownership... not this time! The car is booked in for flatbed pickup between 8:30 - 9:30 tomorrow AM bound for Camberley. I'll get it done this time.

[Golfather]

Didn't think they had DRC sorted back then?