New purchase

[irn_bru_ce]

handling wise, DRC is a good system, its just that on a 10 year old car its not viable. If the hoses and pipes used standard fittings then you could replace them with copper or stainless steel for a fraction of the cost that Audi charge for the steel rust prone OEM items

I expect in 5 years there will hardly be a B7 still with DRC , mabe just 10%

[mister_g]

If the hoses and pipes used standard fittings then you could replace them with copper or stainless steel for a fraction of the cost that Audi charge for the steel rust prone OEM items

Given it's such an issue I don't know why an aftermarket parts manufacturer hasn't done just that

[Cupraderv]

Thanks for al the replies

[Surrey Sam]

not got a clue what suspension code either had from factory -present car it wouldnt matter as its on coilovers now
the previous car had shocks changed through its life so not too sure -unless the 2ME/2MC refers to the valving ?

It still would matter in your case, despite ditching DRC. As the 2ME variant gains a larger rear anti rollbar over 2MC equipped cars.

2MC = Sport Suspension
2ME = Sports Suspension+ and had a 10mm lower ride height, larger rear anti rollbar and different dampers.

I personally chose to look for 2ME cars with DRC still fitted on both my cars, as it's the best for fast road use. The standard 2MC was too soft.

[rs user]

i dont think any of my cars had ss+[didnt realise that the 2ME was its label] i would like an uprated rear arb or an ss+ item for when i carry out my rear suspension refresh this spring

[Surrey Sam]

Check the Sticker in your service history handbook to see which one you have.

[rs user]

hmmm car is 2mc

[Surrey Sam]

Well at least you've got another mod you can do now, with the SS+ rear roll bar.

[irn_bru_ce]

I personally chose to look for 2ME cars with DRC still fitted on both my cars, as it's the best for fast road use. The standard 2MC was too soft.

But then you were not shopping for a 10-11 year old car. I agree its a good system for fast road use, especilly in 2ME configuration, hence why audi has stuck with it for so many models despite some of the short falls, but the reality is that beyond the uber-low milage cars that are being stored 10 months year it's just not viable to keep it once a failure happens

[Surrey Sam]

Correct my last B7 was purchased in Scotland mid 2014 on 62k miles, and was 8 year old then. A DRC shock is about £200 so a full set is cheaper than coilovers, it's just the DRC bashers that scare people away from sticking with a great system. The expensive part now (centre valve aside) is corrosion to the lines. But had these cars had a coilover system from new, then that would need replacing now anyway. As suspension has a finite life and should be treated as such.

[Mav8]

not got a clue what suspension code either had from factory -present car it wouldnt matter as its on coilovers now
the previous car had shocks changed through its life so not too sure -unless the 2ME/2MC refers to the valving ?

It still would matter in your case, despite ditching DRC. As the 2ME variant gains a larger rear anti rollbar over 2MC equipped cars.

2MC = Sport Suspension
2ME = Sports Suspension+ and had a 10mm lower ride height, larger rear anti rollbar and different dampers.

I personally chose to look for 2ME cars with DRC still fitted on both my cars, as it's the best for fast road use. The standard 2MC was too soft.

Couldn't agree more Sam, mine is on DRC and intend to keep it that way,I have however fitted the SS+ rear arb,plus just got hold of some SS+ springs.

Mav8

[Cupraderv]

So if DRC is still ok is it worth keeping, have heard it’s very expensive to put right