Shock absorber poll contributors please read.
Just an update for those of you who PMd me regarding my solicitor's advice on the joint letter to Audi about DRC issues. Car is at the dealer at the moment to sort the knock-on-rebound thing. Replacing suspension top mounts didn't solve anything and it doesn't appear to be DRC specific at the moment, but they'll probably have to drop the subframe - possibility that something was put back together incorrectly after previous clutch replacements... so I'm going to wait and see how this one plays out.
Dear All
I think its the right time to send. If all contributors are happy with the letter I think we should all run off both the rs6 and rs4 surveys and aim to send them with the letter by the end of the week. If we all do this say on Friday then it will have maximum impact. Could someone remind me of the top guys name mentioned before and the beat address to send it too.
Many thanks.
Dear Sir
Re Audi B7 RS4 Reg No
I purchased the above car new from xyz Audi on aa/bb/cc. On the aa/bb/cc and with ?? miles on the odometer my car was fitted with two new front shock absorbers after it developed a knocking sound from the front suspension and the shock absorber failure was attributed to the DRC valve system.
A group of fellow enthusiasts and I recently conducted a poll on a well known Audi RS public forum, a copy of which I enclose, where we asked how many owners have had shock absorbers replaced. To our surprise 22 out of 46 contributors have had their shock absorbers replaced, this means that 47.8% of cars have experienced failure. This of course does not take into account other RS4 owners who do not subscribe to the forum but from conversations I have had from my supplying dealer it is very apparent that this is a common problem with the RS4 and RS6. I would like to protect myself against expense out of warranty along with the potential loss in residual value due to faulty parts and the public’s perception of the reliability of these cars. I would therefore kindly request firm answers in writing to the following questions:
1) Are all shock absorbers being fitted now updated versions from the original that eliminate all together the leaking problem and any associated DRC problems?
2) What date were the updated parts, if any, made available to UK dealers?
3) Do replacement shock absorbers and associated DRC components carry the Audi 3 year 60000 mile warranty from the time they are fitted?
4) If the replacement shock absorbers are not updated versions that eliminate the problem do Audi think it is reasonable not to of produced updated components given such a high level of failures?
5) Are Audi confident that the shock absorbers and associated DRC components are being fitted correctly by the dealers? There seems to be conflicting reports that all four shock absorbers should be replaced, just the faulty absorber or the faulty absorber and the absorber on the opposing side of the same axle. Please would you advise as to what Audi’s technical guidance is on this matter?
6) What is the exact problem that causes failures in so many RS4’s and RS6’s fitted with the DRC system?
7) What is the exact procedure for fitting shock absorbers when a leak occurs? Again there have been conflicting dealer opinions with regard to the need for specialists re pressurising equipment and that many dealers do not possess the correct tools leading to incorrect fitting and almost instant failure.
Could you advise if my dealer has the correct tools needed to fit new absorbers and re pressurise the DRC system and if they had it when my shock absorbers were replaced on aa/bb/cc?
9) Do Audi think a recall would have been more appropriate given the seriousness of where the faults are occurring?
I understand that the DRC was fitted to the previous generation RS6 and this car experienced very similar failures. I visited the RS6 section of the same public forum mentioned above where 70% of owners have suffered failures of the same system! I also enclose a copy of their survey so you have some back up documentation. I am extremely concerned with regard to quality issues as apart from problems with the shock absorbers and the DRC system on my car I have had the following issues:
1 List........
In addition to the above points and assuming that the replacement parts fitted at present when a shock absorber leaks and the DRC system fails are not improvements, I would kindly ask for written confirmation from Audi that the replacement parts fitted will be covered by the manufacturer’s 3year 60000 mile warranty from the date that the part was fitted and a guarantee from Audi that should a part become available that eradicates the faults and problems associated with the current generation DRC system and shock absorbers that it will be fitted free of charge to my car as soon as it becomes available.
Yours Faithfully
I think its the right time to send. If all contributors are happy with the letter I think we should all run off both the rs6 and rs4 surveys and aim to send them with the letter by the end of the week. If we all do this say on Friday then it will have maximum impact. Could someone remind me of the top guys name mentioned before and the beat address to send it too.
Many thanks.
Dear Sir
Re Audi B7 RS4 Reg No
I purchased the above car new from xyz Audi on aa/bb/cc. On the aa/bb/cc and with ?? miles on the odometer my car was fitted with two new front shock absorbers after it developed a knocking sound from the front suspension and the shock absorber failure was attributed to the DRC valve system.
A group of fellow enthusiasts and I recently conducted a poll on a well known Audi RS public forum, a copy of which I enclose, where we asked how many owners have had shock absorbers replaced. To our surprise 22 out of 46 contributors have had their shock absorbers replaced, this means that 47.8% of cars have experienced failure. This of course does not take into account other RS4 owners who do not subscribe to the forum but from conversations I have had from my supplying dealer it is very apparent that this is a common problem with the RS4 and RS6. I would like to protect myself against expense out of warranty along with the potential loss in residual value due to faulty parts and the public’s perception of the reliability of these cars. I would therefore kindly request firm answers in writing to the following questions:
1) Are all shock absorbers being fitted now updated versions from the original that eliminate all together the leaking problem and any associated DRC problems?
2) What date were the updated parts, if any, made available to UK dealers?
3) Do replacement shock absorbers and associated DRC components carry the Audi 3 year 60000 mile warranty from the time they are fitted?
4) If the replacement shock absorbers are not updated versions that eliminate the problem do Audi think it is reasonable not to of produced updated components given such a high level of failures?
5) Are Audi confident that the shock absorbers and associated DRC components are being fitted correctly by the dealers? There seems to be conflicting reports that all four shock absorbers should be replaced, just the faulty absorber or the faulty absorber and the absorber on the opposing side of the same axle. Please would you advise as to what Audi’s technical guidance is on this matter?
6) What is the exact problem that causes failures in so many RS4’s and RS6’s fitted with the DRC system?
7) What is the exact procedure for fitting shock absorbers when a leak occurs? Again there have been conflicting dealer opinions with regard to the need for specialists re pressurising equipment and that many dealers do not possess the correct tools leading to incorrect fitting and almost instant failure.
Could you advise if my dealer has the correct tools needed to fit new absorbers and re pressurise the DRC system and if they had it when my shock absorbers were replaced on aa/bb/cc?9) Do Audi think a recall would have been more appropriate given the seriousness of where the faults are occurring?
I understand that the DRC was fitted to the previous generation RS6 and this car experienced very similar failures. I visited the RS6 section of the same public forum mentioned above where 70% of owners have suffered failures of the same system! I also enclose a copy of their survey so you have some back up documentation. I am extremely concerned with regard to quality issues as apart from problems with the shock absorbers and the DRC system on my car I have had the following issues:
1 List........
In addition to the above points and assuming that the replacement parts fitted at present when a shock absorber leaks and the DRC system fails are not improvements, I would kindly ask for written confirmation from Audi that the replacement parts fitted will be covered by the manufacturer’s 3year 60000 mile warranty from the date that the part was fitted and a guarantee from Audi that should a part become available that eradicates the faults and problems associated with the current generation DRC system and shock absorbers that it will be fitted free of charge to my car as soon as it becomes available.
Yours Faithfully
Thats a well worded letter. Nice work.
I think you should review the quoted percentage. I answered No to mine having failed but after removing the wheel and then taking to the dealer mine had in fact failed. I think there may be a few others who also mentioned that they experienced the same thing.
Just found out in Australia they cannot give me a date at all to when the front shock absorber will be due. The centre valve also needs replacing at a cost of $2000 AU.
As I have to wait I will probably just putthe Stasis Coilovers on. I mentioned this to them and asked to still get the parts is I want to go back to standard at a later date and they said they would do this.
I can see out of warranty cars getting coilovers or other suspension fitted.
I think you should review the quoted percentage. I answered No to mine having failed but after removing the wheel and then taking to the dealer mine had in fact failed. I think there may be a few others who also mentioned that they experienced the same thing.
Just found out in Australia they cannot give me a date at all to when the front shock absorber will be due. The centre valve also needs replacing at a cost of $2000 AU.
As I have to wait I will probably just putthe Stasis Coilovers on. I mentioned this to them and asked to still get the parts is I want to go back to standard at a later date and they said they would do this.
I can see out of warranty cars getting coilovers or other suspension fitted.
Thanks. It needs a final fettle but I will leave that to others when they run off the final copy. I cant seem to get rid of the smiley face on point 8, Its not there on my word copy??Lancia wrote:Thats a well worded letter. Nice work.
I think you should review the quoted percentage. I answered No to mine having failed but after removing the wheel and then taking to the dealer mine had in fact failed. I think there may be a few others who also mentioned that they experienced the same thing.
Just found out in Australia they cannot give me a date at all to when the front shock absorber will be due. The centre valve also needs replacing at a cost of $2000 AU.
As I have to wait I will probably just putthe Stasis Coilovers on. I mentioned this to them and asked to still get the parts is I want to go back to standard at a later date and they said they would do this.
I can see out of warranty cars getting coilovers or other suspension fitted.
mine has just started knocking too, it's wet today but plan to have a look later and see if there is any oil. it goes in next week to have the bumper re fitted again, so I will get them to investigate it further. But more than happy to write a letter if it is faulty. I had the same problem with my RS6.
Current car..... hmmmmm????
RS4 B7 Gone
RS6 C5 Gone
M3 E46 smg Gone
S3 Gone
RS4 B7 Gone
RS6 C5 Gone
M3 E46 smg Gone
S3 Gone
Great. Im hoping everyone will copy and paste the above and send it in to the main man. i beleive it would have real impact if everyone did it at the same time. 27 letters arriving with 27 copies of the rs6 and rs4 polls. Its got to have an effect...rAudiguy wrote:mine has just started knocking too, it's wet today but plan to have a look later and see if there is any oil. it goes in next week to have the bumper re fitted again, so I will get them to investigate it further. But more than happy to write a letter if it is faulty. I had the same problem with my RS6.
Coincidentally Audi UK just phoned me (it's taken them 3 weeks to respond to my question about shocks). They told me that there is NO official recall on the shocks and that they can be replaced individually. This seems to contradict what I've read on this forum.
Mine went into Wayside Milton Keynes a few weeks ago and they replaced 1 shock and not the central valve. They said that this was normal and in keeping with Audi UK's policy. Surprise surprise, the knocking is still there!
Mine went into Wayside Milton Keynes a few weeks ago and they replaced 1 shock and not the central valve. They said that this was normal and in keeping with Audi UK's policy. Surprise surprise, the knocking is still there!
[quote=Thanks. It needs a final fettle but I will leave that to others when they run off the final copy. I cant seem to get rid of the smiley face on point 8, Its not there on my word copy??[/quote]
Hey Arsey4, It's nothing you've done wrong, it's just that 8 with ) is interpreted as a smiley face on forum. If you typed 8. it will appear as it is. Cheers.
Hey Arsey4, It's nothing you've done wrong, it's just that 8 with ) is interpreted as a smiley face on forum. If you typed 8. it will appear as it is. Cheers.
Hi,
I have a December 06 Avant which currently has 25K on the clock. Took it in for a routine lubrication service today and because of this and associated threads I asked them to check the shocks for leaks. Both front shocks found to be leaking and I am told will be replaced under warranty by tomorrow night (should I hold my breath?).
So I will be very happy to contribute to this mail deluge with a suitably amended copy of this well worded letter as soon as I know who it should be addressed to.
This is my second RS4 (had a B5 for ~ five years) and I have to say, apart from this problem, the car has performed faultlessly and what a car!!
Regards
Rotavirus
I have a December 06 Avant which currently has 25K on the clock. Took it in for a routine lubrication service today and because of this and associated threads I asked them to check the shocks for leaks. Both front shocks found to be leaking and I am told will be replaced under warranty by tomorrow night (should I hold my breath?).
So I will be very happy to contribute to this mail deluge with a suitably amended copy of this well worded letter as soon as I know who it should be addressed to.
This is my second RS4 (had a B5 for ~ five years) and I have to say, apart from this problem, the car has performed faultlessly and what a car!!
Regards
Rotavirus
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