Rattling DRC dampers - UPDATE

[Markp]

For those of you affected - I am one of them (2016 model) - there is now a technical service bulletin on this and revised dampers are being produced. Am having all 4 replaced under warranty at 11k miles - just waiting for parts to become available.

And, as an aside, full marks to Tetbury Audi, for working on this with me. They had the car in for another job and noticed and investigated the issue off their own back, having previously tried DRC re-charge etc but been unable to find anything wrong.

[MikeFish]

How loud was the rattling? I've not noticed any noise with mine yet but I'll probably be paranoid and start hearing things now.

[Markp]

No rattle, no problem I guess. Functionally they are fine, and Nowt to find on careful examination. So only being replaced because of the noise.
Mine was noticeable at low speed over irregularities in road like drains etc. From the front. Worse in comfort.
I know of only one other car affected so guess it is unusual in our cars (unlike the RS4).

[MikeFish]

The RS3's have had a similar issue with the rear shock mounts (on the mag ride cars). My wife's car went in for the new mounts and the noise changed so they ended up changing the shocks too.

[RS6chris!]

Jesus

How many years and configurations of DRC is it going to take to finally get a flawless system?

Audi should hang their heads in shame.

[Markp]

Jesus

How many years and configurations of DRC is it going to take to finally get a flawless system?

Audi should hang their heads in shame.

I love mine. But seems Audi think they can make it silent and offered free upgrade. Fine by me. Didn't get on with air sadly.

PS should add I came out of F11 BMW Touring and they can't get air flawless - as I discovered a number of times over 3 years
Perhaps it's me...

[RSVI]

I'm conscious of my 2013, with 22k miles having similar issues over lumps and bumps in the road, had issues with my C5, I thought the issue had been resolved for the C7?
Going into Camberley for a check at the same time for her first MOT... Wish me luck

[MikeFish]

Good luck! I'm sure you won't need it.

To be fair this is the 1st of heard of DRC issues on the C7.

[Markp]

Well the car went in last week for 4 new dampers. Problem solved. Audi Tetbury unclear whether new dampers from Audi were different - same part no - but their impression is that they have been revised in light of complaints like mine which promoted the service bulletin. Any way car silent now (it was rattling badly in Comfort over rough bits of road under 40mph - enough for passengers to comment.
Took 3 visits (starting within a few weeks of delivery) but Audi Tetbury have been great.

[zebede]

Mines going in on the 17th for this too so will hopefully be silent too when it returns, I have noticed some weird changes of direction when pushing on but wondered if it might be the tyres or pressures

[zebede]

Mike - if you going over a small hump like a sleeping copper lying in the road as you come off it you may hear the rattle then, when Audi test them the technician said it's something to do with the pressures not holding but 'we just send them to technical'
Hopefully they'll do a 4 wheel alignment too

[Markp]

Mike - if you going over a small hump like a sleeping copper lying in the road as you come off it you may hear the rattle then, when Audi test them the technician said it's something to do with the pressures not holding but 'we just send them to technical'
Hopefully they'll do a 4 wheel alignment too

They will only do geo if you ask (and pay) for one. Switching dampers is done without disturbing geo so no need for them to do it. Must say my car feels much better on the new dampers - might be placebo, but ....

[MikeFish]

I'd recommend having an alignment done anyway. Made a massive difference to my handling.

[zebede]

https://vimeo.com/185734731
I don't think it'd take too many people long to get the hump with this though do you?!?!

[Markp]

Wow. That is much worse than mine was.
M