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air suspension vs DRC

Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 10:12 pm
by vailpilgrim
Good evening all,
Quick question regarding the suspension system on the C7 RS6. What are the main differences between the air suspension and the traditional DRC? Pros and cons of one over the other?

Not an RS6 owner yet but looking at acquiring one. Have had a long experience with the DRC because I own a B7 RS4 Avant. Great when it works but a pain when it leaks, which it inevitably will due to age, wear and tear.

Thoughts/views?

Re: air suspension vs DRC

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2025 2:42 pm
by DrJSL
I only have experience with the air suspension car. I believe both set ups will break at some point, but the DRC at much earlier stage and far more commonly.

Being an RS4 owner, I'm sure you will know about the DRC issues! The aftermarket coilovers (KW, Bilstein) are very good, if you live close to a performance Audi specialist.

Supposedly the air suspension is easier to fix when it gives up. I'm crossing my fingers mine won't be any time soon (60k miles so far).

Re: air suspension vs DRC

Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2025 5:53 pm
by vailpilgrim
Thank you DrJSL!

Re: air suspension vs DRC

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2025 7:09 pm
by Daveperc
Hi, I'm on DRC (by choice) and currently on 168K miles. In that time I've had one DRC strut start to mist, and replaced it, and the opposite, one just to be sure.
I ran a C5 RS6 for years, and yes back in 2007/8 there were some problems, though most of them were because the technicians were useless at presurising etc. :redrs4:
The DRC on the C7 is pretty bullet proof. :beerchug:
Enjoy whichever you go for

Re: air suspension vs DRC

Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2025 6:49 pm
by Markp
I had a nightmare with the DRC on my C7 RS6. Owned from new it had 4 new dampers and at least 2 sets of control valves in around 40K miles / 3 years. Dealer was great (Tetbury). Suspension wasn't. Oddly the same happened with my B9 which I moved to next (see thread in B( RS4 forum). Perhaps it's the roads in Glos...