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Quick question on DRC replacement
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 12:45 pm
by Dave_M
Sorry if this has already been covered. Bought my car privately 3 weeks ago - with warranty running til June. It's in for service - and I'd reported occasional knocking from the front end over poor roads. They've told me there's signs of both front shocks leaking, and that they will be replaced under warranty (I'll need to book it in again for this). They have also ordered replacement accumulators as well in case these are also needed.
My question - I understand the DRC system links the shocks diagonally, so is it right / ok to replace just the front shocks and not also replace the rears as well? How will they know if the accumulators also need replacing?
Thanks
Dave
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 1:05 pm
by P_G
So long the integrity of the opposing shock is intact then it shouldn't need replacing. Both of my fronts were leaking and replaced but the rears remain. DRC pipe and valves were also replaced but not sure what they describe as accumulators?
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:38 pm
by Dave_M
ok - just collected it and the sheet says they've ordered 2 new front shocks (cost £202 each) and a "central valve if required" at a cost of £1,653 - glad it's under warranty and I'm not paying for that!
Need to book it back in.
Dave
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 5:14 pm
by Nib
I believe that Camberley have invested in a machine that can repair the central valve.
This might become more relevant to those of us who still have RS4s after year 5!
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 5:22 pm
by P_G
In 70k miles time if my DRC does go I'll be investing far more cost effectively in a set of KW V3's
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 5:26 pm
by Borgelite
As my DRC's have not gone yet (fingers crossed)one of my concerns is that even though there's an extended warranty regarding this matter, knowing Audi they would also say that there are other problems related to the DRC's that are not covered. Just so they in effect you do end up paying.
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 6:09 pm
by Sims
P_G wrote:In 70k miles time if my DRC does go I'll be investing far more cost effectively in a set of KW V3's
There is an argument that Audi should offer all RS4 owners an option to switch to KW V3's, even before they get to 70k miles.
I have not
had to change the suspension on any of my many cars over many years.
Any appetite for a campaign on this?

Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 8:01 pm
by shb
being stung on this at the moment bought mine privately just over a month ago, its in for a key being coded and under the health check they have found this issue on the front
have to admit camberly are being good but could have done without it havng only just bought the car
same for me first time i have ever had a suspension issue on any car
also the bolsters dont hold pressure told them to leave that alone
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 8:17 pm
by sonny
Sims wrote:P_G wrote:In 70k miles time if my DRC does go I'll be investing far more cost effectively in a set of KW V3's
There is an argument that Audi should offer all RS4 owners an option to switch to KW V3's, even before they get to 70k miles.
I have not
had to change the suspension on any of my many cars over many years.
Any appetite for a campaign on this?

KWV3's are not the be all and end all that will solve your DRC issues/worries, yes OK, it will eliminate the initial problem if out of warranty, but you will sacrifice ride quality. Try looking at KWV1 or V2, or even the H&R range. these will give a much better ride quality. Im not complaining I love mine, but for the average Joe Bloggs who uses the car to commute, it will become hard to live with.
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 8:44 pm
by Borgelite
shb wrote:being stung on this at the moment bought mine privately just over a month ago, its in for a key being coded and under the health check they have found this issue on the front
have to admit camberly are being good but could have done without it havng only just bought the car
same for me first time i have ever had a suspension issue on any car
also the bolsters dont hold pressure told them to leave that alone
Have you any warranty remaining though....
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 11:21 pm
by Dom81
Sims wrote:Any appetite for a campaign on this?

No
Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 11:54 am
by P_G
Sims wrote:P_G wrote:In 70k miles time if my DRC does go I'll be investing far more cost effectively in a set of KW V3's
There is an argument that Audi should offer all RS4 owners an option to switch to KW V3's, even before they get to 70k miles.
I have not
had to change the suspension on any of my many cars over many years.
Any appetite for a campaign on this?

I have not changed the suspension on any car either and the 'if' is a pretty big IF because touch wood since mine were changed nearly two years ago they have been bone dry and the pressure upon last check was constant. Not saying I will have to change suspension but even suspension is a wear and tear item.
But I remember early Xantia's having hydraulic suspension issues as a few work colleagues had them as company cars and Citroen weren't anywhere near as accomodating as Audi are now at that time.
Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 11:55 am
by P_G
sonny wrote:Sims wrote:P_G wrote:In 70k miles time if my DRC does go I'll be investing far more cost effectively in a set of KW V3's
There is an argument that Audi should offer all RS4 owners an option to switch to KW V3's, even before they get to 70k miles.
I have not
had to change the suspension on any of my many cars over many years.
Any appetite for a campaign on this?

KWV3's are not the be all and end all that will solve your DRC issues/worries, yes OK, it will eliminate the initial problem if out of warranty, but you will sacrifice ride quality. Try looking at KWV1 or V2, or even the H&R range. these will give a much better ride quality. Im not complaining I love mine, but for the average Joe Bloggs who uses the car to commute, it will become hard to live with.
sonny, they were just as an example to make a statement given there would also be Bilsteins to consider as well.
Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 12:31 pm
by Sims
P_G wrote:Sims wrote:P_G wrote:In 70k miles time if my DRC does go I'll be investing far more cost effectively in a set of KW V3's
There is an argument that Audi should offer all RS4 owners an option to switch to KW V3's, even before they get to 70k miles.
I have not
had to change the suspension on any of my many cars over many years.
Any appetite for a campaign on this?

I have not changed the suspension on any car either and the 'if' is a pretty big IF because touch wood since mine were changed nearly two years ago they have been bone dry and the pressure upon last check was constant. Not saying I will have to change suspension but even suspension is a wear and tear item.
But I remember early Xantia's having hydraulic suspension issues as a few work colleagues had them as company cars and Citroen weren't anywhere near as accomodating as Audi are now at that time.
I am very surpirsed at your comments. You are fully aware that people have been having issues even after the Gen 3. & No complete suspension is not quite a wear and tear item that you make it out to be in your effort trying to defend Audi.
This is a design fault.
And to put a Citroen Xantia (have you checked how much they are worth today compared to a same age Audi) in the same sentence as an Audi is unbelievable. Citroen don't do Vorsprung durch technik.
And to help you put things into context, if your car had done 71k miles (is warranty 70k?), and the suspension had to be changed, would you just cough up £2k and move on. Or would you try and get some goodwill from Audi? And if you were selling your car, if the purchaser knocked of £2k?
Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 2:20 pm
by P_G
Sims you are unbelievable for trying to make an arguement out of nothing and taking things far too literarly. You do what you want and I'll do what I want. And I'm not defending Audi, merely stating facts, just the facts.
People? Last I heard it may be one at Camberley and the fault was yet to be diagnosed but then I don't spend enough time trawling through every thread to ascertain otherwise.
And how is it not wear and tear? All items on a car are in one form of another wear and tear because they are used!
In fact why the hell am I answering your comments.?
Tell you what, go and pick a fight with Audi and see where you get and best of luck to you because that is all you appear to want to do. Even better, go and buy a car that never goes wrong, measures the same power wherever you chose to test it that that is stated and is clean enough to eat your dinner on irrespective of how many miles you've put on it.
You are a joke. Jog on.