DRC Suspension Issue

Post by **marc1** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 11:21 am

I would express your dissatisfaction as a customer that has purchased one of Audi's high end products, that clearly has a defect. I would also say to them, let's not forget the historic DRC problems that have plagued both the C5 RS6 and B7 RS4's. Ask them who you need to speak to that will take your concern seriously and resolve it satisfactorily. Tell them you are happy to write to Andre Konsbruck director of Audi UK, if there isn't anyone else in Costomer Services that is capable of resolving this for you. May also be as well to remind them of the lengths Jemery Hicks (Andre's predessor (2 directors back now) went to in order to restore a bit of faith for B7 RS4 owners after they experienced much the same back in 2006/7. All in my opinion of course, but I would be kicking off personally.

Post by **Gusto** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 11:51 am

Mine has the same "characteristic" and is worse when cold. Driving in comfort until everything is warmed up seems to help. I would just add that it is not a speed bump and hump issue, its for sure "rebound" and mine is set off by cat's eyes and the like turning across junctions. The first time it went in for it i was lied to "We have not had any RS4's in with DRC issues from the B8 range". The second time, when i knew of one in for the same reason: "That one has been in for two weeks and we cannot find an issue, Audi are confirming to us it's a "Characteristic" of the system" which for me screams "we have no clue how to fix it, so that's that".

This is actually fine for me, i can take the odd pop and knock, on the grounds that it will be replaced if it falls apart. What I cannot take is that it has been in for:

1) Electrical issue with parking sensors - short circuit in wiring loom
2) Replacement black tips to exhaust due to degradation
and will be going in for
3) Whirring noise from near front under braking, again, mostly when cold. I cant believe I have gone through pads/disc/have caliper issue on a 1yo car that has done 5k miles....

I wish I had just stumped up for the 6... both my RS4's (B7 / B8) have been love affairs, and not keepers.

Post by **Simon82** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 1:20 pm

Not sure I agree with your logic of just "stumping up for a 6". They suffer from the same issues. There is an rs6 for sale in Glasgow audi just now with similar issues. The exhaust tips on that are degraded worse than mine. You'd just be paying more to be fobbed off.....just my opinion

Post by **Gusto** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 1:31 pm

Ha, you might well be right!

Post by **Simon82** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 1:40 pm

For me the issue is really with Audi customer services or at least the dealer customer after sales services. Cars will always have little niggles but it's how they are rectified that makes them bearable or not. Audi is very much a premium product (not just the S and RS versions) and they charge accordingly. They should also provide a premium after care service which it seems to be that sadly in the most part they don't.
I found the aftercare service I got from Honda when I had some issues to be far superior to what I have received from Audi and that was on a car worth less than half what the RS4 cost

Post by **doodlebug** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 3:57 pm

I'd disagree, Audi is very much not a premium product, any more. If you want to see premium in the VAG world step into a Porsche dealership. A completely different experience.

You'll always get good dealers that know good customer service, but the brand beneath is key and it is fact that Audi are chasing dollar through volume. They are no longer bothered in servicing premium end customers.

Post by **rspj** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 4:22 pm

How about going to watchdog programme with this if been going on for years. like you say should not have problems on high end cars. do the R8 have DRC problem or is it different setup ?.

Post by **doodlebug** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 4:23 pm

R8 is different, magnetic not hydraulic.

Post by **rspj** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 5:53 pm

Maybe AUDI try fitting magnetic suspension to rs4 or have they tried this ?

Post by **boff** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 6:03 pm

doodlebug wrote:I'd disagree, Audi is very much not a premium product, any more. If you want to see premium in the VAG world step into a Porsche dealership. A completely different experience.

You'll always get good dealers that know good customer service, but the brand beneath is key and it is fact that Audi are chasing dollar through volume. They are no longer bothered in servicing premium end customers.

Porsche is the best and cheapest experience i have ever had. Moving from my rs6 to 996tt was a relief in the wallet and a huge step up in terms of experience.

Post by **PetrolDave** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 6:29 pm

doodlebug wrote:the brand beneath is key and it is fact that Audi are chasing dollar through volume. They are no longer bothered in servicing premium end customers.

+1

Been saying that for a few years now that Audi are chasing every tiny niche in the market.

Post by **PetrolDave** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 6:47 pm

marc1 wrote:May also be as well to remind them of the lengths Jemery Hicks (Andre's predessor (2 directors back now) went to in order to restore a bit of faith for B7 RS4 owners after they experienced much the same back in 2006/7. All in my opinion of course, but I would be kicking off personally.

That only happened after a large number of B7 owners on here all personally wrote (using a standard letter) to Jeremy Hicks, so if enough B8 owners think it's a problem that Audi UK are not addressing then my advice would be to get writing.

Might also be worth mentioning that on the B7 while Audi UK offered a "goodwill warranty extension" Audi USA (AoA) implemented a full DRC recall - some would say because of the greater likelihood of dissatisfied US owners to launch legal proceedings such as a class action.

Post by **marc1** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 6:59 pm

^ Exactly Dave. But saying all that assertively to whoever is dealing with it should make them start to do something about it. Especially as they'll probably know nothing about any of it, realise the OP does and that the OP also knows which seniors within Audi UK to speak too. It should hopefully create the impression that they won't tolorate being shrugged off. Fingers crossed.

Post by **Jhcolling** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 7:36 pm

Mine did this and after a few failed attempts to get it fixed I complained in writing and audi quickly had my car in. I said that if the shock could not be fixed then it should be replaced. Once the shock was replaced the knocking stopped.

I will say that I think there is two types of knocking, the one I got fixed was very audible and I was convinced I could feel it through the steering wheel. Since the shock has been changed there is a very minor knock from both sides which I guess is what Audi claim is the norm.

Post by **rspj** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 7:58 pm

Hopefully not put this DRC in the next rs4 b9 and come up with something a bit better like magnetic system.

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