Failed rear shock

[fairz]

Hi, just had my car serviced at the dealers - they did a free inspection and picked up a leaking rear damper!
Now they said the cost to repair would be £580 and there would be 'no goodwill' on this.
Is it correct? Would it not be covered in the first 5 years?
Is it worth trying another dealer? The car was registered 31/12/06.
They did a coilpack recall whilst it was there so that's good.

[P_G]

It is supposed to be 5 years or 75,000 miles, whichever comes first. What is the mileage of your car? Otherwise take it somewhere else if they are not willing to budge on their stance.

[PeteS4]

Show the dealer the following letter:

http://www.jlosee.com/images/RS4/PDF/DRC%20Letter.pdf

[guffy]

The repair comes under a 'Goodwill' gesture from Audi and one of the criteria is a full Audi Service history i believe.

The dealer told me the decision whether to go ahead with the free repair comes from Audi UK too.

[fairz]

The car has just rolled onto 50k.
I thought it should have been covered - the fronts were replaced under warranty just before I bought the car, about 18 months ago!

[PetrolDave]

The repair comes under a 'Goodwill' gesture from Audi and one of the criteria is a full Audi Service history i believe.

But in some cases the requirement for FASH has been waved, I got my DRC repaired under the goodwill and I don't have FASH.

[fairz]

Well the car does have Audi f/s/h so seems to pass all the criteria to me?
I am going to contact Audi U.K. and see what they have to say

[ArthurPE]

if one shock/strut is replaced/fails pretty sure the manual calls for the diagnol one in the set to be done too
if one leaks and the system pressure is low it damages both shocks on the circuit
since both fronts were done I think both rears should have been too

according to this if dampers are replaced due to leaking the central valves/resevoir need replaced also http://www.jlosee.com/images/RS4/PDF/DR ... inding.jpg
this also says it must ALWAYS be replaced if dampers leak http://www.jlosee.com/images/RS4/PDF/DRCinfo.jpg

[fairz]

Right - here is an update!
I have been on the phone to Audi U.K. who have looked into this fault for me. I have just had a phone call and have been told that the fault i have is not a D.R.C. problem and that it is a leaking shock absorber which they says needs to be changed!
I did query the fact that surely a shock absorber is an major part in the D.R.C. system and that if the D.R.C. needs to be recharged after the unit is replaced there is a fault there!
The Audi u.k. representative has contacted Amersham Audi and they have agreed to lower the labour costs from £115 to £85
But if that is the labour - surely £500 is an expensive shock absorber!!
Any advice appreciated
Thanks

[fairz]

Now i have just had another phone call back as i guess the representative could tell that i was not happy with the information i have been given!!
The case has now been taken on by a higher department and i expect to hear some more info soon.

[PetrolDave]

have been told that the fault i have is not a D.R.C. problem and that it is a leaking shock absorber

Whoever told you that is a complete fool.

[PJC]

+1

[fairz]

Well - I have had another phone call from Audi UK today!!
They have been talking to the dealer and have offered me 30% off the repair!
now quoted £406 and the parts would carry a 2 year warranty.
What do you guys think?

[PetrolDave]

What do you guys think?

Ask them why they are unwilling to cover it 100% under the DRC goodwill?

[P_G]

I'm sorry but the shock absorbers constitute part of the DRC system and the technical bulletin on how Audi techs identify DRC failure oin the Audi diagnostic system which I have seen in a Audi franchise workshop shows pictures of 'misting' (doesn't need repair) and leaking /failure on... guess what.. the shock absorber.

Fair play to you for persevering with them but by now I'd be asking for my car back, taking it elsewhere and reporting them to Audi UK for being completely effing useless. Like said there is a 5 year 75k mile DRC good will warranty so you shouldn't be paying anything for this particular repair before end of end of December this year for you.