DRC Pipework Replacement (& other bits)

[crashley]

Own an Avant, had for over five years now, owned since it was @ 50k miles and we're approaching 100k miles now... anyway, thought i'd detail most recent bill. Bearing in mind, it had 2x DRC shocks replaced around this time last year, iirc that bill was around £2k (@ Audi). Anyway, another shock failed (NSR this time) - had them look over the car in detail, as i intend to keep (and prob add something else again).

I will add the actual detail when i get the final bill. I might even detail other bits and bobs i've had over the years if i can find all the paperwork - but this DRC will be the chunkiest.

2x DRC long pipes @ £210 each
2x DRC short pipes @ £136 each
1x DRC shock @ £262
4x bushes @ £21 each (2x o/s/f top susp inner bushes)
2x arb links @ £36 each
Lots of hydraulic oil
Lots of various nuts & bolts
15x hours (approx) labour @ £100/ph

And whilst it's there i thought i'd get the wheels refinished as there's the odd dink that comes with crap UK roads and 5yrs or maybe six years of ownership!

All plus lovely VAT.

Thankfully, i do like this car.

[a1topdog]

I will be following this with interest. I read somewhere that the long pipes were £900 which I couldn't believe. It seems that price must have been for all of the pipes. Good job you don't need the 2 valves of the 4 flexi pipes onto the shocks, that would add another huge chunk. Any chance you can keep the old pipes so we can see what's involved in getting a set make up?

[RS4LAD]

Why not get this done at MRC or unit20 and save yourself some shillings?

[a1topdog]

15 hours seems excessive. Someone else had this job done in 6 hours. Good job it ain't my local Audi doing it, they charge £141 + VAT per hour.

[Pistolpete2543]

I paid £670 inc VAT to have all DRC pipework replaced including swapping out all dampers for v3 versions & fitting new bumpstops all round, this was at a local indie specialist. The 4 pipes were around £880 from Audi. The car then went to Audi on a low loader for recharging the system, this was £240.

Not a cheap job, but the DRC system is so good, it was definitely worth it.

[crashley]

Why not get this done at MRC or unit20 and save yourself some shillings?

I'm on the Essex/Suffolk border... it was already a nuisance that i didn't want to use my most local Audi dealer (previous failure to diagnose a failing wheel bearing, which then collapsed the following weekend on the M25 - only saved by AMD down in Thurrock who were able to source and fit whilst we were shopping!), it's with another Audi dealer which seems to have a very good reputation.

[crashley]

15 hours seems excessive. Someone else had this job done in 6 hours. Good job it ain't my local Audi doing it, they charge £141 + VAT per hour.

15 hours isn't just to replace the pipework, i'm being slightly disengenuous there; 15 hours is the pipework, replacement of one shock AND replacing various bushes - arb bushes, suspension top mounts and a few others (which i will detail eventually). I'm still being charged £100 + VAT by Audi.

[crashley]

I will be following this with interest. I read somewhere that the long pipes were £900 which I couldn't believe. It seems that price must have been for all of the pipes. Good job you don't need the 2 valves of the 4 flexi pipes onto the shocks, that would add another huge chunk. Any chance you can keep the old pipes so we can see what's involved in getting a set make up?

I will ask for the old pipes if anyone wants them. And i'm half expecting them to tell me they need knew valves once they get the old pipes out... albeit they SHOULD be in decent nick, given i believe two were replaced last year, alogn with the shocks. I will dig out that invoice.

[cherub72]

I had all my pipes done a while ago after one of them over the fuel tank burst. It's a pretty big job as all the rear axle and the tank have to come out, from memory it was about 11 hours of labour including replacing a shock and re pressurising the system. Once I had all that done I went and got a 4 wheel alignment and it drives a lot better now

[rs user]

wait for the increase in the invoice if the front pinch bolts are seized.....mind you they can probably work around it

[Fandango]

I'm relatively new to this car, even though, mine is an RS4 Avant B7 (the car i've always wanted) 95K on the clock - anyway my dilema...DRC shock PSF leaking?.. Pot hole i reckon just after the snow...! So was told by a few 'experts' change both on the front - so bought the shocks 2 x £260+VAT - then told by same 'experts' - i quote "no guarantee the two new fitted will not affect/put a strain on the back shocks and they are likely to go too"! Plus garage lined up for the work not in a position to re pressurise the system onsite ... so more money! So firstly need to know if this is folklore or correct info so I can make the right decision as also, put into the mix was removing the whole DRC system and fitting a mecanical over coil system (easier to maintain?? Worried here though whether that devalues the car as its then non standard..... Plus to put some icing on the cake the 'Cat Con light amber' came on yesterday - do i stop driving straight away and park up? As you can see i am not too mechanically minded around this car (trying to learn) so need some creditable info from people in the know. Help please!

[Alicz777]

Update on this post... managed a full replacement of the system so have two front shocks for sale (bought prior to the insurance claim) plus reclaimed all the replaced parts pipes etc that were any good fro audi.
Parts for sale under my other registration Alicz777.
Serial numbers of parts are:
8EO412019B
8EO412020B
Can contact me on email:
carlmorgan_uk@yahoo.com
If interested.