Order RS4 limited edition

[smudge]

I had the same issue on another car with window trim but was able to wrap it. So hopefully can achieve the same again

A friend did this on his C63 earlier in the year. Apparently it was a pretty simple job & it looks great.

[drybeer]

The limited ed. only comes with the matt aluminium styling package, whereas you can still order the black styling package IF you go for the standard spec car and build up the spec individually - do you not fancy changing your order specifying the car from the ground up with the black styling pack you really want?

[A18kny]

Hi drybeer, yeh i know what you mean, i think i my have to gi down this route, but i liked the idea of the limited edition, as it comes really well specced.

Yeh it looks good wrappin the chrome around the windows and no to big a job.

I like the alu pack around the bumpers its a nice contrast with the black grille etc, i just dont like the alu roof rails and grille

[Ricky]

As for the rest, DRC knocking, engine failing, squeaky brakes, it'll all be under warranty so not to worry.

Wouldn't just be so sure about the DRC knocking. Audi didn't cover mine under warranty !!!! Oh and I know I sound like a broken record but just want to warn people so they don't end up as disappointed as I was.

[Graeme4130]

As for the rest, DRC knocking, engine failing, squeaky brakes, it'll all be under warranty so not to worry.

Wouldn't just be so sure about the DRC knocking. Audi didn't cover mine under warranty !!!! Oh and I know I sound like a broken record but just want to warn people so they don't end up as disappointed as I was.

Hey Ricky, sorry if this had been covered before, but did you escalate the problem to Audi UK head sheds as there's no way they can claim its normal as lots of cars don't knock ?

[BlueIn2Red]

Devil's advocate silly question, but are we sure lots of cars don't? Perhaps it's a matter of perception/degree? Mine knocks, but not in a major way so I can't be bothered to send the car in just for that, I'll wait until the first service. I'm prepared to fight for a fix, but fully expect the "they all do that sir" response.

[MK2Golf24v]

Was having a dig through the workshop manual for some other info and came across this fault finding chart for the DRC system....

[Ricky]

As for the rest, DRC knocking, engine failing, squeaky brakes, it'll all be under warranty so not to worry.

Wouldn't just be so sure about the DRC knocking. Audi didn't cover mine under warranty !!!! Oh and I know I sound like a broken record but just want to warn people so they don't end up as disappointed as I was.

Hey Ricky, sorry if this had been covered before, but did you escalate the problem to Audi UK head sheds as there's no way they can claim its normal as lots of cars don't knock ?

Hi Graeme,

I complained about the suspension knock from brand new with 50 miles on the clock. I got the 'its just a characteristic of the car' from the minute I told the dealer what the problem was. It was obvious after a couple of days they weren't going to help me so I escalated my issue to Andre Konsbruck, the managing director of Audi UK. I did that simply because I had DRC issues in my previous B7 RS4 and didnt want the same hassle again with my new improved B8 car. So I thought I was doing the right thing by going right to the top to get a quick conclusion.The saga continued for a couple of months with a member of their senior team. I even tried to reject the car because of my DRC issues, but Audi wouldn't accept the rejection because they said there was no 'fault' with my car. They agreed the noises were there, but consistently came up with statements like :

* (Quote from the dealer)........Audi technical asked us to check the pressures and then carry out no further work if the vehicle demonstrates no reason for concern with the pressure of the shocks and if demonstrated with another vehicle.

* (Quote from Audi's senior team)......... that the noise heard is consistent with other vehicles tested and relates to the reaction valves in the DRC suspension unit and as such there is no repair planned as this noise is a function normality.

* When asked why this knock cannot be heard in all RS4's, I got the following reply from the senior team...........Due to manufacturing tolerances it is possible that parts of the DRC system in some vehicles may display this characteristic.

* (Quote from Audi's senior team)......... we can only reiterate at this point that there would be no benefit to replacing the shock absorbers as the noise is operational.

* (Quote from dealer after I told them I wouldn't take the car back until the issues were fixed)........ May I suggest you reflect over the weekend and reconsider taking the car back with the reassurance that the car is as it should be.


These are obviously only a few statements regarding my issues but to answer your question simply Graeme, yes it was escalated as high as I could take it, and they would do absolutely nothing for me. I even asked for my money back and it to be used against a new Q7 just to keep things amicable and try to rekindle a relationship with Audi, but they refused as they insisted there was no fault with my car and at that stage they didn't see the need for any goodwill. Have been considering making a specific post about this and showing everyone the replies from Audi Uk to let people make informed decisions about upgrading to the DRC system.

[carsarecool]

Ricky, I sympathise with your situation but I don't think there has been anyone else as disappointed as you. I took the view that if the car handled correctly then I wouldn't worry about the knock if assured by Audi it wouldn't throw me off the road.

I have to say, surely it would have been cheaper to swap the knocking shock out rather than spend time batting you away.

[Ricky]

Ricky, I sympathise with your situation but I don't think there has been anyone else as disappointed as you. I took the view that if the car handled correctly then I wouldn't worry about the knock if assured by Audi it wouldn't throw me off the road.

I have to say, surely it would have been cheaper to swap the knocking shock out rather than spend time batting you away.

You are 100% correct buddy. It seems like I'm the only person who wasn't prepared to put up with it. I'm not saying our roads in Northern Ireland are awful but the main road I drive on a daily basis has the smallest of potholes and everyday in life my car clunked like you wouldn't beleive. Had it only been occasionally when I drove on an exceptionally bad roads I might have put up with it more. You guys on the mainland definately do have better roads than we do, and I have no doubt you won't hear this issue as often as I did. That seems to be one of the main reason why Audi themselves don't really worry about the knocking as they are all tested in Germany where the roads are good.

But I have to be honest that's not the only reason. My previous B7 RS4 had this exact same problem seven years ago and Audi fixed the car. They also gave anyone who was having DRC issues an extended warranty on their shocks. It's this U turn that makes me unhappy no end. Why should Audi be allowed to now distance themselves from this issue ? How did 'fixable fault' seven years ago now become an 'unavoidable characteristic' ?

I paid extra money to :

1. Upgrade to this DRC suspension.
2. Upgrade my warranty from 3 to 5 years because I had DRC issues with my last car, and didn't want any hassle with DRC over my entire ownership as this was intended to be a long term keeper.
3. Buy from a local dealer who was £1500 more expensive than a mainland dealer because he assured me that if I bought from them, and service the car with them, that if ever there was an occasion where Audi warranty failed to kick in then he could apply Audi goodwill and get anything sorted. So again this was done to protect myself during my ownership.

So basically I paid a few grand for peace of mind, so I dont think as a customer I could have done anything more, yet I find myself on week number one of owing the most expensive car I have ever owned, begging the managing director of Audi UK to simply fix my car, something which they did with no questions asked with my last RS. That pissed me off and feel very let down by Audi.

I test drove two cars before placing my order. One on a test drive with the salesman and the other awith their master tech at an RS driving day I was invited too. I asked both guys did the new car still have DRC issues, to which both replied no. The master tech assured me since the B8 car came out he hadn't worked on a single car for a DRC knock. This was the guys from the same garage who fixed my last car for the same issue.


Just simply pissed ! Had I been told before purchase that if I upgraded to this DRC suspension I may have suspension knocks which they weren't prepare to fix I wouldn't have ticked that box, but as it was fixed in my last car I never believed for one minute that if I had any issues with it, that they wouldn't have fixed it again this time. Sorry for the rant guys but I am pissed at the way Audi have treated me. Have been an Audi only family for years and the last three performance models I have purchased from them equates to £250,000. Totally unacceptable Audi ! Get you act together ! I'm starting to see other posts also about electric problems where Audi are distancing themselves again and saying these issues are also normal.

Rant over as I've just typed this on my mobile and the screen ain't big enough. Can't even remember what I have said at the top. Lol.

[RIV]

It's fair point Ricky, the DRC problems go way back to the c5 rs6
Audi need to pull their socks up

[Graeme4130]

Ricky, I sympathise with your situation but I don't think there has been anyone else as disappointed as you. I took the view that if the car handled correctly then I wouldn't worry about the knock if assured by Audi it wouldn't throw me off the road.

I have to say, surely it would have been cheaper to swap the knocking shock out rather than spend time batting you away.

You are 100% correct buddy. It seems like I'm the only person who wasn't prepared to put up with it. I'm not saying our roads in Northern Ireland are awful but the main road I drive on a daily basis has the smallest of potholes and everyday in life my car clunked like you wouldn't beleive. Had it only been occasionally when I drove on an exceptionally bad roads I might have put up with it more. You guys on the mainland definately do have better roads than we do, and I have no doubt you won't hear this issue as often as I did. That seems to be one of the main reason why Audi themselves don't really worry about the knocking as they are all tested in Germany where the roads are good.

But I have to be honest that's not the only reason. My previous B7 RS4 had this exact same problem seven years ago and Audi fixed the car. They also gave anyone who was having DRC issues an extended warranty on their shocks. It's this U turn that makes me unhappy no end. Why should Audi be allowed to now distance themselves from this issue ? How did 'fixable fault' seven years ago now become an 'unavoidable characteristic' ?

I paid extra money to :

1. Upgrade to this DRC suspension.
2. Upgrade my warranty from 3 to 5 years because I had DRC issues with my last car, and didn't want any hassle with DRC over my entire ownership as this was intended to be a long term keeper.
3. Buy from a local dealer who was £1500 more expensive than a mainland dealer because he assured me that if I bought from them, and service the car with them, that if ever there was an occasion where Audi warranty failed to kick in then he could apply Audi goodwill and get anything sorted. So again this was done to protect myself during my ownership.

So basically I paid a few grand for peace of mind, so I dont think as a customer I could have done anything more, yet I find myself on week number one of owing the most expensive car I have ever owned, begging the managing director of Audi UK to simply fix my car, something which they did with no questions asked with my last RS. That pissed me off and feel very let down by Audi.

I test drove two cars before placing my order. One on a test drive with the salesman and the other awith their master tech at an RS driving day I was invited too. I asked both guys did the new car still have DRC issues, to which both replied no. The master tech assured me since the B8 car came out he hadn't worked on a single car for a DRC knock. This was the guys from the same garage who fixed my last car for the same issue.


Just simply pissed ! Had I been told before purchase that if I upgraded to this DRC suspension I may have suspension knocks which they weren't prepare to fix I wouldn't have ticked that box, but as it was fixed in my last car I never believed for one minute that if I had any issues with it, that they wouldn't have fixed it again this time. Sorry for the rant guys but I am pissed at the way Audi have treated me. Have been an Audi only family for years and the last three performance models I have purchased from them equates to £250,000. Totally unacceptable Audi ! Get you act together ! I'm starting to see other posts also about electric problems where Audi are distancing themselves again and saying these issues are also normal.

Rant over as I've just typed this on my mobile and the screen ain't big enough. Can't remeber what I have said at the top. Lol.

That certainly seems to be a good enough reason to be anti Audi and DRC. That's a really sh1t way for Audi uk to treat you and I can understand your disappointment.
The only other suggestion I could think of is you try a different dealer (outside of the franchise of your supplying dealer) as they'll often go the extra mile to secure your business (and one up another dealer) and they might have more clout in Audi uk than you've managed

Do you still have the car ? To be honest, that type of service would've driven me to sell mine on and never buy another again.

You must be a good customer of theirs to have spent £250k on three cars (must be R8 territory there), so I'm shocked they've treated you in such a way
I'm in no way as good a customer as you, but they always seem to bend over backwards to help me out

[RIV]

I'm in no way as good a customer as you, but they always seem to bend over backwards to help me out

That's because your their golden boy
Bend over backwards, I do hope this relates to the female staff

[doodlebug]

I think there are two factors here. One, get it in front of Audi UK, MD if needs be, exec team are pimped call centre, so have to go above them. Two, have a dealer that understands and will work with their Audi UK regional manager - a lot rests with the latter, if you can get them on side you have a much better chance of success.

[Ricky]

That certainly seems to be a good enough reason to be anti Audi and DRC. That's a really sh1t way for Audi uk to treat you and I can understand your disappointment.
The only other suggestion I could think of is you try a different dealer (outside of the franchise of your supplying dealer) as they'll often go the extra mile to secure your business (and one up another dealer) and they might have more clout in Audi uk than you've managed

Do you still have the car ? To be honest, that type of service would've driven me to sell mine on and never buy another again.

You must be a good customer of theirs to have spent £250k on three cars (must be R8 territory there), so I'm shocked they've treated you in such a way
I'm in no way as good a customer as you, but they always seem to bend over backwards to help me out

Im afraid I felt the same too, and it did drive me to selling the car on. The sad thing is I would love another Audi at some stage in life as I genuinely am a fan, but would find it very hard to buy another car and simply hope that this time things would be different and they would keep me right. I have no doubt had it been anything other than the 'DRC thing' it wouldnt have been a problem but after all this time Audi simply cant admit there is an issue, and the fact that I took it right to the top without having taken your advice and tried another dealer who would possibly have had more clout put the nail in my coffin !!!! I did think I was doing the right thing at the time, but ultimately I may have got furthur and had shocks replaced under warranty had I went that route. I even put to Audi why was I being treated differently to others as many of the guys on the forums have had their cars repaired and parts replaced, and although I dont have their reply to hand as I'm at work, they basically in a nice way said that you cant believe everything you hear on forums, and they simply deal with every case individually.

I have to say, it is nice to hear someone else say they underrstand my position, because I now no longer feel mad that Im the only one who would have had issues had Audi treated them in the same way as they did me.

I'm also certainly not looking for any sympathy, but my frustration is making me want to tell the world there is still DRC problems out there, so others can make informed decisions, as I dont want any other enthuasiaists to feel as disappointed as I do.

The 250K was a slip of the finger as I was typing on my mobile, but basically 3 cars at 65-70k, so 200K is more correct. Having said that though, my only reason for adding that was to emphasis the fact that I am a customer who buys their top end models and even that didnt make any difference when it came to even something as simple as replacing my shock.

My own dealer even told me that he had been speaking to the most senior guy in Audi technical, a guy so senior his contact details arent on any system they have, and he told him there was no point in replacing the shocks, becuase even if the new shocks did fix the problem, the noise would come back into the shocks at some other stage down the road and I would be disappointed again. How plucked up is that !!!!!!

The bottom line is........... Audi UK insisted to me that the noise you are hearing is an 'unavoidable characteristic,' and is normal DRC opertaional noise, so no repair is necessary !!!!!!!!!

The managing directors personal assistant gave me no other choice but to speak to the senior team, and at the end when I gave up, I asked her for an offical letter from Audi stating that this noise I had complained about was normal and not a fault, so to help me when I went to sell the car on and try to convinve the next owner to not worry about the noise......... you guessed it......., Im still waiting for an answer. She didnt even acknowledge my email, yet every other email I sent her she replied to that very same day.