KW Coilovers

[wms]

I am looking to buy an RS4 and looked at one today that was trade.

It was in good condition and had the following mods from what i could tell
- Milltek valved exhaust
- Coilovers, these were yellow so guessing KW

So, wondered would you guys see this a positive (as drc is gone), or a negative.
They certainly enhance the look and sound but ride was very firm but i guess this is adjustable

With it being trade the dealer had no idea about these mods and so I don't know the full history outside of the FASH so no ideas of any other mods such as remaps.

Also, it had the front discs/pads replaced at 30k miles, is this normal as most seem to be 40k plus.

In my view, these could save me some cash in that i dont need to replace myself but raises questions over how the car has been used??

Any thoughts???

[RIV]

In my opinion the DRC is good when it's ok but on my car it was a total pain, in and out of Walton so many times I lost count, I nearly sold the car because of the hassle thankfully I didn't I put kw' s on and well pleased, I replaced my disks at 35k, as long as it has a good history and drives nice and tight and has a good kick in the rev range all should be ok

[adsgreen]

Brake usage is really dependant on a number of things. For example, lots of stop start traffic or country lanes will wear things apparently faster (in mileage terms) than somebody doing 20k on the motorway where they can sit for miles at a time without even touching the brakes for example.

I thought DRC was yellow too (as in the shock not the springs).
DRC is a great road suspension system when it's working. To get something as good (all round) then you are looking at serious cash - probably more than the DRC system in total (say north of 8k).
However, a decent set of coilovers will be better (and more adjustable esp if you are spanner inclined ) than DRC in a more spirited drive whilst sacrificing a very small amount of normal road comfort.
It's one of those things that I wouldn't blame somebody for swapping out the DRC (esp if troubalesome like the above) but likewise I wouldn't criticise anybody for keeping it. As a purely mechanical system it stuns me just how well it really balances day to day comfort without compromising the handling when you want to have fun. If the DRC was 100% reliable then I would imagine more people sticking with it (except Jules but he's bonkers and not happy unless his car's underside is low enough to send sparks flying as he goes along ... Even then I can just imagine him thinking "just a tad lower" )

Many people I would think don't bother too much with swapping out the DRC until it goes "pop". I'm included in that as there's no way I'd be forking out several thousand quid for something that could easily go wrong again but whilst it's working I'm happy to stay with it.

[RIV]

Got my old DRC in my garage, there's no yellow on them

[fairz]

Is it possible to remove the D.R.C. then and refit back on at a later date? (say if you fitted coilovers) I guess you would need to go to Audi to re-charge it would you?
Is it worth much money second hand?

[sonny]

Is it possible to remove the D.R.C. then and refit back on at a later date? (say if you fitted coilovers) I guess you would need to go to Audi to re-charge it would you?
Is it worth much money second hand?

Yes you can and my dealer said they would fit it and re-pressurised system.

[adsgreen]

Got my old DRC in my garage, there's no yellow on them

I had a look and it's the top yellow shock mount I was getting confused with

[P_G]

Only from what is said on this forum the KW's are a bit harsh on the ride compared to DRC but if you buy the car with KW's on already then maybe you'll nevere appreciate that difference. DRC can be refitted, what suprises me is the cheapness and readiness of DRC parts. New front shock, £90 each, pair of valves £150, rears shocks £120-150 each (all Gen III) If you consider this plus fitting / recharging time by Audi it is a cheap top do a whole DRC system as a set of KW's fitted.

DRC is a fabulous system all considered and I have been fortunate that mine continues to be exemplary after the first change of fronts only and valves.

[TimDogg]

P_G - why do Audi quote so much money then to replace DRC - I've always been told that it's horrifically expensive to replace DRC hence why most people op for KWs? Is this just Audi being expensive again?

[P_G]

Probably. Black magic to Joe Bloggs = great opportunity for Audi to quoye big costs.

IIRC someone was quoting £2k on the labour sheets for front shocks; on E-bay through Eurocarparts IIRC they are £95 each, normally £250. Have a look.

[TimDogg]

MRC told me I had misting on my front right - wonder if it's worth me getting that this one for when it finally goes. I'd like to stay with the DRC if I can, front left was replaced after 3000 miles. Can't understand why labour costs are so high, sounds ridiculous to me, could get MRC to do it if I gave them the parts I suppose.

[P_G]

Unfortunately IIRC they do not have the repressurisation tool for DRC Gen. II and III so you would have to take it to Audi for that.

[TimDogg]

Thanks P_G, guess I'm stuck with Audi.