DRC with high mileage

[mister_g]

It's expected to fail at some point, but there must be RS4s out there with over 100k miles still running DRC? Anybody? Mine is 73k and still running fine. I wonder how much time there is left.

[cocovs6]

I would very surprised if there are any RS4's with 50k plus with the original DRC shocks still fitted. Some owners prefer to keep with standard DRC and pay the extra cost from main Audi dealer to keep them. I bought mine 4 years ago with 40k on the clock and the front two shocks had just been replaced. 15k miles/3 years later rears went so now on coilovers.

There will be RS4's over 100k with DRC system still fitted because they wanted to keep it standard. Decent set of coilovers will cost the same as replacing pair of shocks and recharge from main Audi dealer. KW V3's cost me £2000 and Audi wanted £1750 to replace two shocks/springs and recharge. The accumulators cost around £1000 and there are two of them so don't want them to go.

[electricfurnace]

105k and drc going strong


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[jon_273]

Mine has 115k and DRC but I have no idea if it's all original or not (probably not..)

[Lukes3]

100k an just gone so got kw v3s fitted

[neil_f]

117k. Full drc (shocks and valve) replaced at 75k miles . Audi charged 3900!

[Gary(rs4)87]

121k still good condition just checked few month ago so I keep them

[Pistolpete2543]

A replacement DRC damper is about £220, a flexi hose is £120. At higher mileage it is much more likely that the DRC pipework is corroded and this fails (which I've just done). In total, I paid about the same from local Indy to have all the DRC pipework replaced with a trip to Audi afterwards for system recharge (£220 from main dealer for recharge) than it would have cost for KW V3's (without fitting). The Pipework is Audi-only part, at a cost of £900 alone. However, I love the DRC system, and it is unlikely you'll need the central valves replaced if you don't drive on a leaking system. What I'm trying to say is that the DRC system can be retained and maintained within reasonable cost, but avoid main dealers as its mainly labour cost and their rates are through the roof.

[Rw@@dy]

I had one shock fail when the car had 60k on and was 8 years old, replaced that at Audi. 12 months later another one failed, again replaced at Audi. 12 months later got told on the mot hydraulic lines were corroding so took it all out and replaced with coil overs.
It just seems random when shocks fail, doesn’t necessarily seem to be age or mileage related


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[mister_g]

What I'm trying to say is that the DRC system can be retained and maintained within reasonable cost, but avoid main dealers as its mainly labour cost and their rates are through the roof.

Interesting as I'm thinking about doing some pre-emptive work. DRC is one of the best things about the car

[cocovs6]

Main dealer is the only one who can recharge the DRC as far as I know. So if doing some of the other work that is fine to avoid main dealer labour costs. But be careful don't lose everything out of the system and damage the accumulators.

[Pistolpete2543]

Main dealer is the only one who can recharge the DRC as far as I know

Not true, some independent specialists (such as Unit 20) can recharge DRC as they have the recharge tool. I agree though that you shouldn't drive car on leaking or empty system as it will certainly damage the central valves.

[irn_bru_ce]

but the steel pipework is just going to rust again, but unlike when brake pipes go and you just replace with copper, the DRC has special fittings , so you have no option of stainless steel fittings and proper hoses , just the steel OEM that will rust again. I would say since the V3 dampers were being fitted by audi after the non-recall, it's down to rust that they fail, it was only the original dampers that had weak seals

[electricfurnace]

107k original drc no issues here


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[Stigaream]

103k and left front damper just started to leak now.
H&R coilovers in the garage waiting to be fitted.