Replacing DRC Shocks

[MIDZ]

Very interesting read lads, I asked Glasgow Audi back in march if they could drain, refill & charge the system purely for a bit of TLC but they shied away from the work stating if I don't have any issues then we advise to leave it alone. They don't fill me with confidence anyway as the car came out from the oil service with the dipstick out the tube by a couple of inches, the air intake not properly clipped in and the MAF wiring bound up like a guitar string because it wasn't properly routed after changing the air filter. Schoolboy errors....
I digress a bit, but reading on here for years it seems the CRS Koni is a good option for everyday use on our poorly maintained scottish roads, saying that I took it a hurl down to Durham for me to get a bloody private Covid test a month ago, no knocks squeaks or rattles, just that brilliant V8 sound that still puts a smile on my face the same as the day I bought it

[rs user]

for me to buy the CRS kit i would have to know the valving in the actual shocks is changed from konis own part number-not just a shock set to someones idea of recommended setting[all be it probably well more qualified to set it up than myself] as they are available far cheaper elsewhere if this is so

[coffey555]

I gave up using Edinburgh Audi for any work years ago. Perth Audi are much better but a bit of a long drive for me.

Been using a small indy in Fife for years with no issues along with another in Edinburgh from time to time. Both have extensive knowledge of the B7 which for me is more important than an Audi stamp in the book.

I think there is a place near Glasgow that has the DRC charging equipment but can't remember the name of it. The nearest recognized specialist is probably Unit20, if changing the complete DRC system that is probably the way to go.

Pretty sure the CRS Koni shocks are revalved for application on the RS4 B7, would imagine it will involve witchcraft with shims stacks and different oil weights etc rather than adjusting some external adjusters. I also read that they are also tuned differently to work with either standard SS or 20mm lower H&R springs as well.

[MIDZ]

Yes that's the last time I'll be taking it to Glasgow Audi for a service, as you say all it was for was to get the dealer stamp in the service book, but it does the car no favours when rushed through a simple service and no attention paid to detail. I've used A for Audi before for the missus VW so maybe use them come march. As for the suspension I'll probably make my mind up when it gives in, I changed all the upper/lower front control arms & ARB's for Lemforder OEM a while back, wanted to change the front top strut mounts too but don't want to disconnect DRC hose to remove shocker unit as a whole

[rs user]

I gave up using Edinburgh Audi for any work years ago. Perth Audi are much better but a bit of a long drive for me.

Been using a small indy in Fife for years with no issues along with another in Edinburgh from time to time. Both have extensive knowledge of the B7 which for me is more important than an Audi stamp in the book.

Pretty sure the CRS Koni shocks are revalved for application on the RS4 B7, would imagine it will involve witchcraft with shims stacks and different oil weights etc rather than adjusting some external adjusters. I also read that they are also tuned differently to work with either standard SS or 20mm lower H&R springs as well.

if they are revalved its deffo the way ahead...i dont mind paying the extra wedge for that -all be it i imagine the rears are left alone

i stay in fife -do all my own work on cars[all be it if heavy lifting like a big transmission] was involved i would give it to somebody else

i assume you use star ? a few folk i know use them -pretty much mixed reviews,as long as you are happy thats what matters

[coffey555]

Yes that's the last time I'll be taking it to Glasgow Audi for a service, as you say all it was for was to get the dealer stamp in the service book, but it does the car no favours when rushed through a simple service and no attention paid to detail. I've used A for Audi before for the missus VW so maybe use them come march. As for the suspension I'll probably make my mind up when it gives in, I changed all the upper/lower front control arms & ARB's for Lemforder OEM a while back, wanted to change the front top strut mounts too but don't want to disconnect DRC hose to remove shocker unit as a whole

I think it is possible to remove the fronts without disconnecting the hoses (to change out springs/fit KW adjustable spring kits) but never done it myself. I have 034 adjustable top arms on mine to adjust the camber when lowered but as I am running the KW V3's at SS+ height, I probably don't need them! Up to 169,000 miles now so likely to need new front arms again soon but it did sail through its MOT with no advisories!

[coffey555]

I gave up using Edinburgh Audi for any work years ago. Perth Audi are much better but a bit of a long drive for me.

Been using a small indy in Fife for years with no issues along with another in Edinburgh from time to time. Both have extensive knowledge of the B7 which for me is more important than an Audi stamp in the book.

Pretty sure the CRS Koni shocks are revalved for application on the RS4 B7, would imagine it will involve witchcraft with shims stacks and different oil weights etc rather than adjusting some external adjusters. I also read that they are also tuned differently to work with either standard SS or 20mm lower H&R springs as well.

if they are revalved its deffo the way ahead...i don't mind paying the extra wedge for that -all be it i imagine the rears are left alone

i stay in fife -do all my own work on cars[all be it if heavy lifting like a big transmission] was involved i would give it to somebody else

i assume you use star ? a few folk i know use them -pretty much mixed reviews,as long as you are happy that's what matters

Custom tuned Koni FSD shocks should be really good on the RS4. Pretty sure all 4 are adjusted from the stock tune but again, never ran them so not 100% sure but they get excellent reviews. Perhaps a little firmer than the DRC system but still a very good road setup seemed to be the general consensus. I was considering running SS+ springs with Koni dampers in the interim but my old KW's seem to be legal for another year so will likely go straight to SS+ DRC.

I grew up in Sunny Kirkcaldy and have been sending the RS4 and previous R32 to Star for over 12 years, always had great service from them to be honest.

If I had somewhere to work on it I would gladly get the tools out and spend more time under it.

[rs user]

if i swap out to std rs4 springs with konis[from whoever] or bilstein etc i will be sure to put an honest review from the middle aged perspective

even with b14 fitted i have to say its better rife comfort than a previous 335d i had [e92] it had eibach arbs fitted by previous owner with bmw standard m.sport suspension and was horrid over any sharp change in surface or bad jointing

[coffey555]

Sounds good but the Koni's are not an off the shelf part. The only place that I know of that sets them up specifically for the B7 RS4 is CRS.

That's not to say other places can't do the same but it might be a safer bet to get them done by a tuner that has done a few sets (with independent reviews on here).

I am still really tempted by the Ohlins TTX36 kit from PSI in the States. A guy on here fitted a set and he said they were fantastic! The only issue would be road salt exposure in the winter. And the 20k service intervals....

Your experience with the BMW sounds like mine with the H&R's on! Around the streets of Edinburgh the ride quality was dreadful. It did improve a bit at speed but the car was still unsettled anytime the road got bumpy.

[MIDZ]

Had a look at the Ohlins kit, it looks sublime, but i don't see a kit for the B7 model

Ohlins_DTC_oehlins-automotive-road-track-katalog.pdf

(14.91 MiB) Downloaded 96 times

[coffey555]

The road and track range is a cheaper model that they don't make for the B7, only for the B8 if I remember rightly. Great bit of kit that is probably better suited to use in the UK over the winter.

The TTX36 kit for the B7 has been developed by PSI in the states:

https://performanceshock.com/index.php? ... ts_id=1228

Basically fully bespoke motorsport dampers with eibach springs.

[sash87]

Cheers guys, replacing the shock next week. Fingers crossed that's all it needs. Will likely do some sort of restoration in a couple of years on the underside so would be a good time to change hoses etc

[neil_f]

I fitted the Koni dampers 18 months ago on mine and kept the oe springs . Having read all the threads about coilovers and from my past experience on various other cars fitted with coilovers I reckoned it would be too stiff for daily/family transport. At the time not many people had fitted the Koni's so was a bit of a gamble. I too live in Scotland (just south of Glasgow ) and have some enjoyable (but rather bumpy) country roads locally . I would say the low speed comfort is stiffer than drc but not uncomfortable. At higher speeds (country roads) the car feels more planted and deals with compressions and bumps better than the drc . I haven't changed the anti roll bars and don't intend to as I find the current setup suits my needs for road use. Handling feels quite neutral although if lifting off the throttle abruptly/steering abruptly it will oversteer slighlty which I can't honestly remember if it did this with the drc.

[coffey555]

Good to hear some real world feedback of the Koni shocks on testing B roads.

Were you on SS DRC before? I remember the back of mine being a bit more active when it was on the original DRC SS setup. Mainly under hard braking. That might just be down to the higher ride height though.

[neil_f]

Mine was standard drc....not ss