DRC Servicing

[Scammo1]

Read that every 6 years you should Evacuate oil, renew and then re-pressurise the DRC system.

As my car is now 6 years old, was wondering if anyone has already done this, or if a shorter interval is recommended?
Any insight on cost would also be good please!

[spoonz]

Something will split, It will leak, need refilling and re-pressurising before 6 years dont worry!

[Rugslasher]

Something will split, It will leak, need refilling and re-pressurising before 6 years dont worry!

So true

[Scammo1]

So far so good for me (touch wood quickly!!!)

[Scammo1]

So I spoke to Audi about 6 year service for DRC per below and they said that my car's system is gas filled and not oil, and therefore there's nothing required.
I would have expected them to jump at the chance to fleece me of money, so not sure that what they said is right.

Has anyone heard of gas filled struts as part of the DRC system?

[spoonz]

So I spoke to Audi about 6 year service for DRC per below and they said that my car's system is gas filled and not oil, and therefore there's nothing required.
I would have expected them to jump at the chance to fleece me of money, so not sure that what they said is right.

Has anyone heard of gas filled struts as part of the DRC system?

Nope. I am hoping I am going to be corrected here but that sounds like utter bollocks. All DRC runs on hydraulic fluid, unless you dont have DRC.

[hindsight]

Guessing they are referring to the shock absorbers which might be gas filled and non servicable. The DRC runs diagonally across the car connecting to the shocks and this is oil based.

[Scammo1]

Think you’re right Hindsight as the car has the sports pack which includes DRC.

[Scammo1]

Just checked option codes on warranty record and it lists 2MC = Sports Suspension Plus with Dynamic Ride Control.

Will call again tomorrow and hope to get through to someone with a brain

[Rusty Racer]

If you get a dick head like that always remember to ask if the have a day off... then call back then!!

[MadMark]

I've spoken to Mark, who owns a firm called MDM Technik - near Marlow in Bucks. https://www.mdmtechnik.co.uk/

Not only does he have a B8 RS4 himself, but he's worked on loads of them. It was he who suggested I should have the system checked for leaks and the oil changed. He said: "The cost for draining the oil, vacuuming the system, pressure testing and refilling is £349.00 Inc. VAT".

Which I'm going to do once my car is repaired, because Audi wanted £600...

[hindsight]

Suspect that is money very well spent before probs arise. I wonder how many issues are from DRC not being maintained?

For example my car is 6.5 years old, full Audi history and Audi have not yet suggested I get this work done. Will be interested to see if they volunteer it when the next service is due.



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[MadMark]

Well I gather that the pipe connections corrode and the pipes split, plus we all know that the dampers can leak. So a visual inspection that confirms that there is no corrosion and that the dampers are "dry" or just "misting" sounds good.
And then pressure testing it to ensure the pipes don't split sounds like logical, preventative care. And if they do, then they were on their way out and it prevents another unexpected issue. As regards the oil itself, well just about every other fluid needs changing at 6yrs / 40,000 miles, so why not the DRC oil?

[hindsight]

Well I gather that the pipe connections corrode and the pipes split, plus we all know that the dampers can leak. So a visual inspection that confirms that there is no corrosion and that the dampers are "dry" or just "misting" sounds good.
And then pressure testing it to ensure the pipes don't split sounds like logical, preventative care. And if they do, then they were on their way out and it prevents another unexpected issue. As regards the oil itself, well just about every other fluid needs changing at 6yrs / 40,000 miles, so why not the DRC oil?

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[MadMark]

So I spoke to Audi about 6 year service for DRC per below and they said that my car's system is gas filled and not oil, and therefore there's nothing required.
I would have expected them to jump at the chance to fleece me of money, so not sure that what they said is right.

Has anyone heard of gas filled struts as part of the DRC system?

Utter twaddle - the whole system including the struts is filled with the same oil / hydraulic fluid. Its designed to be interconnected to reduce roll, pitch and squat.

Although for the RS5 - this page and video explains it: https://www.audi-technology-portal.de/e ... control_en