RS6 DRC problem (suspension)

[ROV]

Can any one in the London area help please.
My son has a 2003 RS6 rear suspension problem that has returned since Audi repared it 15 moths ago. Audi have said as the previous owner had the repairs done at an Audi garage which was paid for by Audi that they are not prepared to pay or give a contribution for new parts as their 2 year parts labour warranty is only applicable if the customer had paid himself for the work. I have spoken to Audi and they are adament they will not contribute. The local Audi garage in Ammersham near Rickmansworth have accessed the repairs to be aprox £3,000.
My question to any one on this forum is - Can the repairs be carried out by another garage where the cost would be significantly lower than that of Audi or is there an alternative to correcting this problem without replacing the DRC ect. I have read that you can fit Bilstein coilovers instead of the Audi system. If so, does anyone know where this can be done and aprox cost.
Very grateful for any help, replies can be made here or to my e mail or tel 01736 361555

many thanks
Ron

[GardinerG]

Hi Ron and welcome to the forum.

When you say Audi, have you spoken to Audi UK?

A few of the indy garages might be able to repair the DRC, but I don't know for sure.

The main cost is the central valves (around £1400 if I remember correctly) - which actually should be able to be repressurised now (according to Audi UK's Paul Adcock). So I would ask if they are trying to replace them, and if so ask why.

Most of the decent independant garages can do the coilover installs. MRC, Unit 20, APS, West Tuning, probably QST too I would think. There are 3 options and they range from £1050 (H&R) - £1500 (KWv3) but may be a little bit more down south.

Don't know if that helps.

Grant.

[ROV]

Thanks Grant, I am also in contact with the TT shop just off the M1 at Bedford who say are able to replace system with a Bilstein system for under £1700 do you know anything about this ?

Ron

[GardinerG]

The Billstein PSS9 system (I think this is what you are referring to) is a 2 way adjustable suspension (height and bump), the KW is 3 way (height, bump, rebound). At the end of the day you pays your money you take your choice. Billstein did stop making them for a while due to "a problem", but I know of several people using them so go with what you feel best. I've used Billies before on other cars.

KW can be set to be softer than the Billies, but it's subjective. I paid £1800 for the KW down south, and they are slightly more than the Billsteins - though I would shop around as I think £1700 is a bit much (I was quoted £1500 for them about a year ago).

In my experience I wouldn't hesitate to use MRC tuning in Banbury or Unit 20 in Wirral, they really know what they are doing.

Grant

[ROV]

Thanks for the info guys, very helpfull. I have passed your comments onto my son who is now in the process of getting the repairs done.

[PetrolDave]

Why is this in the VAG-COM Forum? DRC is purely mechanical and has nothing to do with VAG-COM.

Mods - this should be moved to the C5 RS5 Forum.