DRC update

[Phil3103]

Hi, I didn't want to put mine on the list as I'm not sure whether it's failed or not.

Situation is as follows:

1. Bought car about 4 weeks ago from Derby Audi
2. Because of a dealer F-up I had to get it re-MOTed last week. Went to Mancs Audi as they're the closest (good service by the way!). Passed but advisory note on the DRC (both front shockers - so as they need replacing in opposite pairs that means the whole lot needs doing).
3. Mancs Audi saw fit to claim on the used car warranty (which btw is not Audi but an Audi approved warranty Company - they won't confirm who - and they don't make that clear when they sell the car.
4. Warranty company knocked it back saying they can't believe it's only just gone and should've been picked up before I bought it
5. Derby Audi now trying to say it's probably within acceptable range and that's why it's been knocked back - not simply that because they had to put new brakes on it before I got it that they didn't want a DRC eating into their profit too!

Any comments guys?

Also, has Audi extended the warranty on the DRC to 5 years? I've read that some people have letters confirming this? Does anyone actually have such a letter on here?

Any help would be great.

Thanks

Phil

[P_G]

Not sure about the whole letter issue but my dealer knows there is a 5 year 70,000 mile DRC warranty extension. What I can't find out is whether it goes on the new parts or covers the original parts as well.

There is no way I would be paying for the DRC to be fixed on a car I had bought 4 weeks ago, take it back to Derby Audi and write to them in advance with a cpy to Audi UK saying you are rejecting the car because of defective equipment they have sold you if they refuse to fix it. They'll soon fix it.

BTW if Derby Audi do agree to fix it it can be done an Mancs Audi and they cross charge Derby, had this done regarding my brakes between Newcastle Audi who fixed my car and Harold Wood Audi where I bought it who paid for it but the dealerships both have to agree to do this.

[Dom81]

Phil

I have a copy of the letter if you need it - it was initially personal to the recipient (i.e. mine quotes my reg no) but was soon extended to all cars

Key wording is -

I can, however, certainly understand the disappointment you feel, having suffered a failure. Therefore, in order to provide you with additional protection, we would like to offer you additional support for the DRC components for a period of 5 years or 75,000 miles from first registration (whichever is sooner). During this period Audi UK will cover the costs of repair in respect of the DRC components should a fault arise on your vehicle. Your local Audi Centre will be able to supply details of the specific parts included in this offer.

PM me your e-mail address if you want the full letter

[Phil3103]

Dom, many thanks. PM sent.

I'll let everyone know how I go on. I've written a letter to Jeremy Hicks also and alerted Audi UK customer services so somebody should get something sorted somewhere along the line!

[HYFR]

surely you got the 30-day guarantee on the car, they need to fix it or give you a refund, go and take the car back to them and stick the keys up the managers arse and tell him to give them back to you (washed) once the car is fixed

[Phil3103]

Indeed I probably should've done that! When I said 4 weeks I meant I picked it up on 20 August!

The thought of just sticking the keys up one of their arses at the moment is very tempting! It's really pishing me off to be honest. IMO it's obvious that they couldn't be bothered putting it right and just were relying on the warranty picking it up! If there's an extended Audi UK warranty on this system why don't all RS4s get checked and if there's any weep, leaking, seeping (whatever they want to call it) the system is automatically changed!

[lengster1]

Anywere other than an audi dealer it would fail for weeping shocks,i firmly believe the 100+ point check consists of techs taking it for a blast,they will of course try and get away without doing brakes tyres etc if border line due to the cost of items,my own car had an advisory when serviced at 25k and yet when retailed 1k later got a full set of ticks on the ....ahem... approved inspection,the front discs were heavily scored from the over half worn pads,i replaced at my own cost.The warranty is with mondial but the drc issue is covered by audi themselves as they have been fitting this system for many years now knowing its very good but fails fairly often,my own car is spot on so far and i really like supple the car is,yet firm when it needs to be,the issue of failure goes back to 03 with the rs6 i cant believe they havent come up with solution yet

[Phil3103]

They actually changed my brakes before I got it. All round! So they must've been bad.

The bit that makes me laugh about the DRC is that they seem to believe it's normal for the system to weep a little. From a non-techie point of view I would've have thought that any hydrolic system that leaks/weeps/mists (all words Audi have used to describe my issue so far) will eventually loose enough liquid for it to stop performing correctly! And I'd rather than didn't happen while chugging along at 80mph on the M60!

How any company that has DVT as its moto can say that a leak/weep/misting of one of its flagship system is 'within acceptable tolerances' just defies logic to me!

[mark758]

Is there a warning sign that the DRC is on it's way out or is it simply a case of clambering underneath with a torch looking for staining on the shocks?
I have SS+ and getting underneath is not easy!

[Phil3103]

Yes I have the SS+ too. Without jacking it up I have no chance of looking at the shocks. I'm thinking of taking it down to my local National Tyres or somewhere and asking if they'll put it up on the ramp for me to have a look. Without actually seeing it myself I'm arguing a little bit in the dark!

[mark758]

Ditto - I think it's the only way to be sure, perhaps its a little easier to check DIY if you are on standard suspension?

Will be taking a digital camera with decent flash option to capture findings

[Phil3103]

Good news chaps. Booked in for this Friday. Full new system. They need it for 8 hours apparently (glad I'm not paying the labour on this one).

To be fair to Audi they've sorted this out pretty quickly once they found on their system that there's an extended warranty on the DRC. So if anyone goes into a dealer and they deny knowledge it's probably not them trying to pull the wool over your eyes. Just ask them to search for 'DRC' on 'Audi desktop' and it'll pop up.

Here's hoping this'll be it now! Thanks all for your comments and help.

[xtreme]

Can I ask a quick question?

Both front shocks on my RS4 are due to be replaced next week as they are leaking - should they be replacing all four?

Thanks!

[Phil3103]

Yes, I'm getting all four done. My understanding is that opposite corners are linked (i.e. front near side is linked with rear off side). So if both front are to be done then all should be done. That is, unless, they now have a way of getting around that issue. I'm speaking to Audi Mancs later about mine so I'll update you then.

[P_G]

They may well be hydraulically linked but so long the integrity of the rear shock is sound it does not need to be replaced because the front one is. I have had both of my fronts replaced and replacement valves but the rears remained and to date they still do not leak.

So long they can withstand the re-pressurisation of the system then they will remain which is why most dealers will ask to have your car overnight to pressurise it in the afternoon and allow it to settle overnight and then check for faults / air / top up the next morning before test drive and giving it back to you.