good result, can someone post a link to the letter draft - my car is OK but will send an amended version expressing concern of future issue, to see if I get a similar letter
good work all
Progress regarding DRC warranty
Dear SirAdam wrote:good result, can someone post a link to the letter draft - my car is OK but will send an amended version expressing concern of future issue, to see if I get a similar letter
good work all
Re Audi B7 RS4 Reg No
I purchased the above car new from xyz Audi on dd/mm/yy. On dd/mm/yy with 1234 miles on the odometer my car was fitted with two new front shock absorbers after it developed a knocking sound from the front suspension and the shock absorber failure was attributed to the DRC valve system.
A group of fellow enthusiasts and I recently conducted a poll on a well known Audi RS public forum, a copy of which I enclose, where we asked how many owners have had shock absorbers replaced. To our surprise ab out of yz contributors have had their shock absorbers replaced, this means that ??% of cars have experienced failure. This of course does not take into account other RS4 owners who do not subscribe to the forum but from conversations that I have had from my supplying dealer it is very apparent that this is a common problem with the RS4 and RS6. I would like to protect myself against expense out of warranty and protection against potential loss in residual value due to faulty parts and the public’s perception of the reliability of these cars. I would therefore kindly request firm answers in writing to the following questions:
1) Are all shock absorbers being fitted now updated versions from the original that eliminate the leaking problem and any associated DRC problems?
2) What date were the updated parts, if any, made available to UK dealers?
3) Do replacement shock absorbers carry the Audi 3 year 60000 mile warranty from the time they were fitted?
4) If the replacement shock absorbers are not updated versions that eliminate the problem do Audi think this is reasonable given such a high level of failures?
5) Are Audi confident that these shock absorbers are being fitted correctly by the dealers? There seems to be conflicting reports that all four shock absorbers should be replaced, just the faulty absorber or the faulty absorber and the absorber on the opposing side of the same axle. Please would you advise as to what Audi’s technical guidance is on this matter?
6) What is the exact problem that causes failures in so many RS4’s and RS6’s fitted with the DRC system?
7) What is the exact procedure for fitting shock absorbers when a leak occurs? Again there have been conflicting dealer opinions with regard to the need for specialists re pressurising equipment and that many dealers do not possess the correct tools leading to incorrect fitting and almost instant failure.
Could you advise if my dealer has the correct tools needed to fit new absorbers and re pressurise the DRC system and if they had it when my shock absorbers were replaced on dd/mm/yy?
9) Do Audi think a recall would have been more appropriate given the seriousness of where the faults are occurring?
I understand that the DRC was fitted to the previous generation RS6 and this car experienced very similar failures. I visited the RS6 section of the same public forum mentioned above where 70% of owners have suffered failures of the same system! I also enclose a copy of their survey so you have some back up documentation. I am extremely concerned with regard to quality issues as apart from problems with the shock absorbers and the DRC system on my car I have had the following issues:
1) List....
2)
In addition to the above points and assuming that the replacement parts fitted when a shock absorber leaks and DRC fails are not improvements I would kindly ask for written confirmation from Audi that the replacement parts fitted will be covered by the manufacturer’s 3year 60000 mile warranty from the date that the part was fitted and an assurance from Audi that should a part become available that eradicates the faults and problems associated with the current generation DRC system and shock absorbers that it will be fitted free of charge to my car as soon as it becomes available.
Yours Faithfully
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PetrolDave
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Ipswich Audi have received notification from Audi UK about the extended warranty on DRC on the RS4, so you have to assume that all other Audi dealers have, or soon will have, been informed too.booski wrote:i asked the audi master tech in Huddersfield and he had heard nothing about the upgraded warranty on the DRC components
They are probably more preoccupied with overstocking at the moment.pippyrips wrote:I'm starting get annoyed now, I send my original letter off over 6 weeks ago and heard nothing back so sent another letter 2 weeks ago and still nothing....
Anyone sent a letter within this period and received a reply yet? I’m wondering if Mr. Hicks is fed up of replying?!
I did say at the time we would get a better response if we all sent at the same time. What do I know eh?
The guy is sat in his office, gets a bulk load of complaints about the same issue, sorts it and replies. Months later when word gets out that there is something on the table he gets the odds and sods comming in. He is thinking to himself that he has sorted the majority out lets see if the rest are as keen, maybe they will go away, maybe their suspension will hold out, could be easier fighting the stragglers if anything comes of it, could I gamble on their warranties expiring before it becomes an issue.
Thats what I would be thinking if I were him.
On the other hand i am sure that the guy is an honourable bloke and will sort all the extended warranties for those that have had an issue.
Granted, though the DRC issue was only one of the things I was complaining about!!ARSEY4 wrote:They are probably more preoccupied with overstocking at the moment.pippyrips wrote:I'm starting get annoyed now, I send my original letter off over 6 weeks ago and heard nothing back so sent another letter 2 weeks ago and still nothing....
Anyone sent a letter within this period and received a reply yet? I’m wondering if Mr. Hicks is fed up of replying?!
I did say at the time we would get a better response if we all sent at the same time. What do I know eh?
The guy is sat in his office, gets a bulk load of complaints about the same issue, sorts it and replies. Months later when word gets out that there is something on the table he gets the odds and sods comming in. He is thinking to himself that he has sorted the majority out lets see if the rest are as keen, maybe they will go away, maybe their suspension will hold out, could be easier fighting the stragglers if anything comes of it, could I gamble on their warranties expiring before it becomes an issue.
Thats what I would be thinking if I were him.
On the other hand i am sure that the guy is an honourable bloke and will sort all the extended warranties for those that have had an issue.
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PetrolDave
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- Location: Southampton, Hampshire UK
That might be the problem - I always find that it's better to deal with one issue at a time when writing to companies.pippyrips wrote:Granted, though the DRC issue was only one of the things I was complaining about!!
BTW Ipswich Audi have received a circular from Audi UK advising them that the warranty on DRC components on the B7 RS4 has been extended - wonder how many Audi dealers have received this?
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Marcus-RS4
- 4th Gear
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It does apply to any RS4. The quirk is that Audi are at present only writing to owners who have experienced problems, so as not to raise wide scale alarm.
So the only 'risk' is that someone who has a DRC problem post 3-year might go and get it replaced with an alternative not knowing that there is an extended warranty, were they not to enquire of the dealer.
Which is an interesting loophole. Might drop them a line on that.
So the only 'risk' is that someone who has a DRC problem post 3-year might go and get it replaced with an alternative not knowing that there is an extended warranty, were they not to enquire of the dealer.
Which is an interesting loophole. Might drop them a line on that.
A fellow RS4 owner posted a link to this thread on Audiworld. having squeezed a DRC repair in just below the purported 12K/12month warranty on the system, I am very interested in this change by Audi.
As far as I know, no one in the states has yet to receive a letter about the warranty change. Would someone mind sending a copy over?
jwishner@gmail.com
Thanks in advance!
As far as I know, no one in the states has yet to receive a letter about the warranty change. Would someone mind sending a copy over?
jwishner@gmail.com
Thanks in advance!
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