DRC action against audi, please contribute!

[Shoppinit]

So those of us with cars more than 6 years old get shafted if I understand correctly?

That's even worse than doing nothing as far as I'm concerned.

Still... obviously there has been no improvement to the DRC so what's the point anyway?

[Ironside-69]

I think the point of these discussions is to enable us as a group of vehicle owners to get what is fair and reasonable from the manufacturer, the age of the vehicle, and the mileage, is irrelevant. The DRC is flawed and should be replaced. We are trying in any way we can to raise the profile of the problem so that all of us get what we should from Audi. For me, recompense for historical expenses and a choice of reparation, ie further DRC repairs or replacement with aftermarket parts is the aim.

Any help for Stuarts efforts would be appreciated, he is seriously putting himself out, I for one appreciate that and I am trying to do my bit. Get off this box now........

[Rilla]

Shoppinit, as of this moment your right, but that isnt good enough for me or for any of us.

I am pressing for ANY RS6, regardless of age to be included. If the fault is there in 2003 cars, then its there in 2002 cars aswell. They have admitted there is a fault so logically it will affect all cars, regardless of age.

[AD]

Sounds as if I am about to join your list. My 38K RS6 has one leaking shock and two are to be replaced at £1300 each. Or is it better to go for Bilstein or H & R instead? Any views welcome. Thanks.

[deanobeano]

Rila - Thanks for all your (and everyone elses) efforts so far.
My 6 has a 2 year warranty but I would feel far better knowing that Audi Uk have finally agreed to do whats right and stand by their product - plain and simple!

One more thing, should Audi relent on this issue, whats the outcome of the costs incurred by warranty companies, primarily Audi's own extended warranty underwriters?

[MalcolmSu]

Or is it better to go for Bilstein or H & R instead? Any views welcome. Thanks.

there are loads of views posted in this forum - it wouldn't take long with a search to gather the consensus!

If you have a warranty that will pick up the cost, stick with DRC remembering that you may have to replace them again (and again) in the future or if you're paying your own bills switch to coilovers...

That's what I concluded.

[MalcolmSu]

I'd love to know what "an enhanced support package" really means? In theory they could just continue to replace DRC with existing DRC until all the cars fall outside the inclusion criteria or go over the additional 24 months warranty.

"The current replacement parts used are updated and further reinforced for optimum durability." No one's really explained satisfactorily what that means yet either. There are many that surmise that it's only the additon of the protective boot that's been available now for some time (first mentioned on here in the latter half of 2008?).

A small number of DRC failures with these boots have unfortunately already been reported on this forum.

Robert Iacovelli - the lawyer generally accepted as forcing AoA into the US recall deal - published the parts he believed would be fitted as the "special shipped update struts from AoA" back in February.

- 4B3-616-807-A VALVE
- 4B3-616-808-B VALVE
- 4F0-412-137 B BOOT
- 4B0-512-137-C BOOT
- 4B3-513-032-B SHOCK
- 4B3-413-032-B SHOCK
- 4B3-513-031-P SHOCK
- 4B3-413-031-R SHOCK
- G-052-731-A2 HYDR OIL

This was very quickly followed by a number of posts that went along the lines of "wait a minute Bob these are same parts I had fitted last year... in 2006... etc".

I've had mine replaced (only one diagonal 'side') here in the UK in December 2008 and February 2009. Here are the part numbers used.

- A4F0-412-137 Boot
- A4B0-513-137-C Boot
- A4B3-513-032-B Gasshockab
- A4B3-413-032-B Shockabsor
- AG-052-731-A2 Hydr. Oil

Which apart from the preceeding "A" and the missing "C" after one of the boots are identicle to so called "update struts" currently being fitted to the US cars. Indeed one other poster in the US forums highlighted that same difference (the "C") on his own bill.

A more recent (2nd April) forum post from the US quotes...

"Here's the parts summary from my no-cost invoice:
- 4B3-413-031-R Front Shock absorbers
- 4B3-513-032-B Front Gas Shock AB
- 4B3-413-032-B Rear Shocks
- 4B3-513-031-P Rear Gas Shock AB
plus a bunch of nuts and bolts, oil, dust boots, etc..."

All very familiar!

I look forward to your reply from AoA Stuart!

Actually I don't - the more I learn, the more I'm convinced replacement with coilovers is the only real solution.

[MalcolmSu]

Which apart from the preceeding "A" and the missing "C" after one of the boots are identicle to so called "update struts" currently being fitted to the US cars.

Just read that the preceeding A on a part means that it's covered by Audi UK's 24 month unlimited mileage warranty...

[Shoppinit]

I thought that the suffix letter is the revision number? So C would be a later version than B. Anyone know for sure?

[Rilla]

Sounds as if I am about to join your list. My 38K RS6 has one leaking shock and two are to be replaced at £1300 each. Or is it better to go for Bilstein or H & R instead? Any views welcome. Thanks.

I got to say, I'm thinking your/we are better off just fooking the DRC off all together, but then another part of says why should we, Audi should put the damn thing right once and for all. I might get in contact with H&R and Bilstein and see if they can do some sort of deal for us. Let them rub it in Audis face that owners are preferring their products to the mighty Audi's own, pathetic, lame, useless pile of crap system.

[marmite]

I'd love to know what "an enhanced support package" really means? In theory they could just continue to replace DRC with existing DRC until all the cars fall outside the inclusion criteria or go over the additional 24 months warranty.

"The current replacement parts used are updated and further reinforced for optimum durability." No one's really explained satisfactorily what that means yet either. There are many that surmise that it's only the additon of the protective boot that's been available now for some time (first mentioned on here in the latter half of 2008?).

A small number of DRC failures with these boots have unfortunately already been reported on this forum.

Robert Iacovelli - the lawyer generally accepted as forcing AoA into the US recall deal - published the parts he believed would be fitted as the "special shipped update struts from AoA" back in February.

- 4B3-616-807-A VALVE
- 4B3-616-808-B VALVE
- 4F0-412-137 B BOOT
- 4B0-512-137-C BOOT
- 4B3-513-032-B SHOCK
- 4B3-413-032-B SHOCK
- 4B3-513-031-P SHOCK
- 4B3-413-031-R SHOCK
- G-052-731-A2 HYDR OIL

This was very quickly followed by a number of posts that went along the lines of "wait a minute Bob these are same parts I had fitted last year... in 2006... etc".

I've had mine replaced (only one diagonal 'side') here in the UK in December 2008 and February 2009. Here are the part numbers used.

- A4F0-412-137 Boot
- A4B0-513-137-C Boot
- A4B3-513-032-B Gasshockab
- A4B3-413-032-B Shockabsor
- AG-052-731-A2 Hydr. Oil

Which apart from the preceeding "A" and the missing "C" after one of the boots are identicle to so called "update struts" currently being fitted to the US cars. Indeed one other poster in the US forums highlighted that same difference (the "C") on his own bill.

A more recent (2nd April) forum post from the US quotes...

"Here's the parts summary from my no-cost invoice:
- 4B3-413-031-R Front Shock absorbers
- 4B3-513-032-B Front Gas Shock AB
- 4B3-413-032-B Rear Shocks
- 4B3-513-031-P Rear Gas Shock AB
plus a bunch of nuts and bolts, oil, dust boots, etc..."

All very familiar!

I look forward to your reply from AoA Stuart!

Actually I don't - the more I learn, the more I'm convinced replacement with coilovers is the only real solution.

Copy of my last invoice


will check the shocks I had fitted last year as I got told "they were the all new improved never to leak again ones!!!" HA HA HA HA

[MalcolmSu]

ah - i can see the enhancement straightaway! Your boots were only £2.36 each. Mines - 7 days later - were £6.20 each!! WTF!

[jamesslater]

I have just had a second dealer rectify the faulty work done by another. First dealer replaced both rear shocks and on accumulator. Second dealer, my normal service dealer, told me that the shocks must be fitted in opposite pairs or the new shock blows the older one. so dealer two replaced the other two shocks. All paid for by Audi extended warranty. The dealer told me Audi had a goodwill system on the DRC system as its so troublesome. This lot would have cost £3k if not under warranty.
Buy a good warranty, if you can afford Audi at £1240 do so and make sure you get the discount on servicing that dealers should offer on older cars.
In the two years I've had the car, the warranty has paid for water pump, gearbox, radiator and oil coolers, six DRC shocks and valves, one CV joint and two SatNav units.
Good value or a very underdeveloped car? Great old beast though and good on tyres, petrol and consumables.

[Ironside-69]

The dealer told me Audi had a goodwill system on the DRC system as its so troublesome.

Could you advise which dealer and the exact date please, that statement seems like the first indication that the dealers may have known about the problem in advance of the threatened press release.

Cheers James, every bit of ammunition helps.

Martin

[deanobeano]

Great old beast though and good on tyres, petrol and consumables.

Blimey! What was your last car - Thrust one!