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So i've been looking for a few weeks now to find a fairly high spec'd RS4. One has come up without the sports package, i haven't test driven one without so... i have a couple of questions:

(1) without it, will i be able to adjust the cars set-up, i.e., does it have the individual / comfort / sport settings or is that specific to the DRC?

(2) whats the drive like without the sports suspension

(3) sports exhaust - this is the most important for me i think, will i seriously regret not having this. If yes, can it be retrospectively fitted, and can you adjust it via the MMI system like you can with ones that are spec'd with it from the outset?


Thanks
Sam

Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) comes as standard with Sports Pack (DRC, Dynamic Steering, sports exhaust, 20" wheels and Sports Rear Diff).

Mine has standard passive RS4 suspension (which is still firm sports suspension and suits my B and A road needs in North Yorkshire well.. ) but doesn't have have DRC (which gives ability to dynamically soften/harden suspension via Drive Select button). I opted for standard passive sports suspension as didn't want DRC (for a number of reasons) or the artificial Dynamic Steering. I do also have 20" wheels with Sports Rear Diff and have fitted the Audi Sports exhaust which is switchable via Drive Select button along with steering and a number of other settings like gearbox, diff settings and throttle map. I feel that Sports Exhaust, Sports Rear Diff and 20" wheels are all a must.

My recommendation would be to drive both a car with passive sports suspension and also dynamic DRC suspension so you can make an informed decision yourself.

Great thanks!

So drive select still exists without the DRC. That's good to hear. When I've driven with the DRC I can safely say I'd keep it in comfort the whole time - is there any difference in ride between DRC in comfort and standard suspension?

Yes Drive Select is still present. I would suggest passive suspension sits somewhere between Comfort and mid setting on DRC

Factory specced mine with sports pack.

Knocking shocks, dynamic steering wheel not up to much and exhaust is super quiet too.
Wish I had never bothered as suspension issues has spoiled an amazing car.

Save your money and give the drc a miss and I will sell you my sports exhaust cheap as now run a Milltek.

Sammy, "individual settings" are the only way with the B8, but dont be put off by the word comfort, its hard enough!

Most go for

Suspension -comfort
Steering - comfort

The rest, dynamic and you are good to go

I bought a car without DRC and dynamic steering.

I'd heard the dynamic steering was rubbish and that the DRC had longer term maintenance issues.

So I bought my car without DRC and dynamic suspension, but with sports exhaust and V-spokes. The 'normal' steering is entirely adequate and I'm not sure what the dynamic steering would bring anyway.

However I do wonder whether I would like DRC. On fast long sweeping bends the car does roll a little too much for my liking, nothing outside what you'd expect really and the standard suspension is pretty sorted, but I do wonder whether DRC would actually create an even more impressive 'level' cornering experience in that situation?

This question gives rise to a secondary question, which is whether DRC actually extends the limit of grip / traction of the car by virtue of levelling the car or whether it is simply an 'aid' that changes your sensation of the corner by holding the car more level?

My point is, for certain / most corners are DRC cars faster than non-DRC, or do they just feel more 'level' in the corner?

If DRC doesn't extend the car's performance envelope (and I accept it might) then DRC might be cosmetic. Totally open to being corrected and even if I'm right, I think I like the idea of DRC even though I don't have it.

As an aside, I really enjoy the Dynamic throttle / gearchange mapping on the RS4 B8 along with the sports exhaust. The mapping holds the gear a little too long around town so you sound a bit 'revvy' and aggressive, but for 'spirited' driving on more open roads I really like it. I guess my point is that a sports exhaust is a must have, the DRC is discretionary and in all instances you get a nice sporty throttle / gearchange mapping when you want it.

When I was looking, I was a little put off by the knocking DRC issues and wanted to find or spec one without the sports pack, just with the v-spokes and sports exhaust specced individually (as above).

However, in the end I picked one up with the sports pack. Touch wood, no knocking at all yet. Comfort is the only suspension setting I use and I really like it. It's actually quite firm but it suits the car - it should feel that way. The ride itself is often unsettled but I don't mind that; you just power your way out of it

I had everything set to dynamic apart from dampers and steering but lately I've put the steering on dynamic too and I'm actually getting on well with it.

I think you'll struggle to get a good one without the sports pack. I'd just do extensive homework and insist on long test drives over a variety of roads. Sports pack ftw, as long as it's knock free.

I seem to recall Graeme drove both back-to-back early on (test cars, or a non-DRC car back-to-back with his fully specced first B8) and said there wasn't much difference between a non-DRC car and a DRC car left in comfort

Great - thanks everyone. My read it i shouldn't get too het up about it either way as long as i have the sports exhaust!!

Having had problems with DRC on both the b7 and b8 RS's I would say 100% ditch it! It's quite frankly a <beep> disgrace that Audi still cant make this system knock, rattle or clunk free! What's even more disgusting is that they now are turning their backs on some owners claiming its normal!
I drove an RS4 without it last year and loved it!

The sports exhaust is pretty awesome tbh

Sammyb349 wrote:Great - thanks everyone. My read it i shouldn't get too het up about it either way as long as i have the sports exhaust!!

Personally I would not be able to stand the way the flaps open and close regardless of whether you have the car in Sport mode. So if the right car comes up that doesn't have the Sport package or the Sport exhaust optioned separately, you could just fit a Milltek with the money saved, plus you can sell the Milltek separately when the time comes to sell the car

Just put a deposit on a non sports packaged car that has v spokes and sports exhaust. The steering is much nicer and I love the standard suspension, firm but not overly. I keep wondering if it is it the right move come resale time but can't help thinking last of v8 NA RS's with no DRC. In 5 years time it's one less thing to worry about.