Epic FAIL

[bam_bam]

Got the car back today, another day in that Skoda would've drained my life blood bone dry. Rob at Camberly was great, as always, he was very patient with me and found the near-side intercooler leak and replaced it. Out of the 5 stealers I've used, CambAudi are a mile ahead... a really long mile, viewed the wrong way through binoculars, by a mouse... with agoraphobia.

Rant. Over.

The car is now riding on functioning DRC and I have to admit, the ride is amazing. It's at least 50% less crashy over broken road and there are no rattles. It feels great, so much so, that with absent mind, I stopped pothole dodging on my usual route home through London (well, not completely, there are still some potholes on Kingsland Road that require a valid passport with a Thailand entry visa if you drive into one).
However, the ride is pleasant. Which leads me to believe that there was probably eFF all pressure in the system before it failed. I'd reckon, full of juice but not enough pressure. Just a theory.
*fingers crossed* The DRC will continue to work for 5 days, after which, the PSS9s will be installed along with lower control arms and top mounts. I'll miss the now fully functioning DRC but I just cannot risk that failing again. I'll compromise the ride quality and put my faith in some very nice aftermarket German engineering from Herr Bilstein, many on here have, and without complaint.

[Shoppinit]

It'll be really interesting to get your impressions of going from broken DRC to working DRC to PSS9 all within a short space of time. I think most people that go the coilover route probably replace broken DRC, rather than working DRC.

[bam_bam]

I looking forward to it as the car is currently sky high at full DRC pressure, it is notably high all round! But there's also some trepidation as the ride is now very good, I did a 200 mile round trip this morning, ride was superb.
Roll on Thursday.

[Daveperc]

So what's the verdict Bam Bam??

At start of thread "into the national speed limit farmland lanes for some twisty fun and quick overtakes. Loads of fun!" However you then go on, "Which leads me to believe that there was probably eFF all pressure in the system before it failed. I'd reckon, full of juice but not enough pressure. Just a theory."

So now you have coilies. what's the verdict?

Dave

[bam_bam]

One word: Brilliant!
I took a very long route home last night. The ride was no worse than my working DRC and a mile better than the "depressurised DRC" before it. The ride just feels different, it gives more of dull thud rather than sharp rattles/shimmy. For me it has the same firmness (is that a word?) but it feels like it's bolted together better, no rattles. This may have something to do with the fact that top mounts and all lower control arms were replaced, but I'll be honest in saying I'm not sure what all the fuss is about regarding coilovers ride quality. At speed the car feels very planted but different (obviously) so I was still getting used to it. Into London and over some of the worse patches of broken road it had a solid roll over feel, as opposed to a crashy and rattle. Still firm but a much more livable experience for me. I'm very happy with it as I guess I was braced for the worst.
Now I just the rear brakes (next Wednesday), the ARBs (when back in stock at MRC) and the 4 wheel geo (15th) after the PSS9s settle. That'll be all running gear and brakes the way I want 'em. After my driving holiday to San Sebastian on the 18th, it'll be time for a full 3" zorst with tubular manifolds. Getting there slowly but painfully.

[Coxall8395]

Bam Bam are you still thinking that the Bilsteins were better than your fully working DRC? I am at a similar stage where I can get Camberley to sort the DRC properly or junk it?

[bam_bam]

Camberley won't fit non-Audi coilovers, will they? Fully functional DRC will cream any of the coilovers available for the '6, full stop. The problem is "fully functional' is an unknown quantity. The DRC system only need lose a smidge of pressure and you've got degraded braking, ride and handling. If you're close to Camberley let get them to maintain the DRC, if you're not, then buy peace of mind in the shape of some PSS9s. Also, I think if you're planning on modifying the other components attached to the suspension (brakes, wheels, spacers etc), then it's probably best to go with the aftermarket options.
Boot note: you may find it difficult to find an outfit to fit some PSS9s at short notice. I believe Grizz at Unit20 might be your best shot but it is a hike up north and the snow might have something to say about it.

[mrmule]

Bam, I bet Mark at Wheel Power in Crofton Park has done it before. He has a full wheel alignment set up too for after.

[bam_bam]

Whoever does do it, get them to replace the topmounts with orig Audi items. Control arms might be worth replacing too while at it.

[Coxall8395]

What are the control arms and what do they do? Sorry for being stupid? How much can I expect to pay for front/rear top mounts and control arms?
Thanks

[Shoppinit]

Tops mounts are about £25 quid each.

The control arms are what hold the hub onto the chassis. Don't know how much they cost. I'd guess at about £60 each.

[Coxall8395]

Do the control arms fail themselves or is just the bushes then? Why change them?

[bam_bam]

Mine had covered 100k miles and because the PSS9s were going on I decided it was a good time to have them checked and replaced. I think the rears were all shot and the front top control arms were done. The original bushing had perished and I was advised against using polly bushes so stuck with OEM. The ride felt very good after all works were complete but it's a different beast to the DRC. My first and lasting impressions were that the car feels more predictable on the coilovers, I get more 'understanding' and feeling from what's happening when 'making progress', I didn't get that from the DRC... but the fully functional DRC sure had a nice ride.

[Shoppinit]

How did you like San Seb? Eat any good tapas? Yum.

[bam_bam]

Yep, I love San Seb, been there many times and it won't be the last. The bars and food is just too good. We took mostly toll roads through France and most were empty, we only saw two cops cars the whole trip and one I past doing 110MPH. They didn't pursue and just pulled off at the next exit. As it happens we drove all the way there and back with the PSS9s set to 1
Only noticing when getting back to Blighty, I'd had a 4 wheel geo done before the trip and they said they'd tweak the suspension for fast road. I agreed. 1s all 'round!