DRC System

[Timster]

Try Watford Audi.... not that far from Whetstone.
They did my fronts FOC (although they tried to make out it was a good will gesture..... until I laughed at them)
They're the same group as Whetstone (who delivered a black Avant for me to view.... which was a dog IMHO)

Ask to speak to Dave~the Master tech. He is at least aware of the DRC issues.

[DaytonaSarge]

Thanks Timster - I'll give them a shout and send an email off to the guy at Audi to see what he's got to say on it all...

Cheers all

[Guernsey70]

Just had the report back from Audi Wimbledon and the off side shock is gone. They're replacing it today, draining the system and recharging everything. They said they were going to check the valves as well. £1,000 worth of work being picked up by Audi UK.

My concern now is the lifespan of the others, as only have 6 months of extended warranty left from Audi UK............

[DuncS3]

Mine too - stupid really isn't it

but I don't think Audi have made a RS model (since the RS2) that didn't have some major flaw, i,e RS4 B5 - bendy wheels, RS6 - DRC , RS4 B7 DRC (but not as bad as RS6)

ho hum

[Ice_Coffee]

Mine too - stupid really isn't it

but I don't think Audi have made a RS model (since the RS2) that didn't have some major flaw, i,e RS4 B5 - bendy wheels, RS6 - DRC , RS4 B7 DRC (but not as bad as RS6)

ho hum

RS8 (if you discount the spontaneously combusting engines)

As soon as I hit post, I realised there is no such thing as an RS8, im thinking of the R8

[Steve_C]

Has anyone heard of the replacement DRC shocks giving up the ghost or is it always just the original ones that leak? I've got replacements on my car and they've been fine so far (touches wood).

[Ice_Coffee]

Has anyone heard of the replacement DRC shocks giving up the ghost or is it always just the original ones that leak? I've got replacements on my car and they've been fine so far (touches wood).

I thought someone said the replacements were called G3 (generation 3) and that these did not fail, I guess the confusion comes when someone has replacement DRC fitted, but only 1 or 2 shocks, to then have the remaining shocks fail some time later, and go back to have what appears to be the same repair done again.

[andre3k]

That's actually a good point. It may be more sensible given the age and duration of the remaining extended warranty on the shocks to push Audi to replace as many as possible under the extended warranty and pay the difference and replace the remaining 'unaffected' shocks in one sitting.

[Steve_C]

I agree, Andre. I think if you've got three Gen3's on which have no track record of failing, it'd be worthwhile paying for the 4th corner to get done.
I've had 4 replacements but can't remember if they're on 4 different corners or not (one was done before I owned the car). I'll get Audi to check when its next serviced.

[DaytonaSarge]

Just my 2p, I'm waiting on a guy from Whetstone Audi to call me back to discuss the option of getting my NSF replaced under the good will warranty.

If they accept to do it then great, otherwise I'm ripping them out and going with KWv3 Coilovers + Hotchskis ARBs. Apparently as good if not better than the DRC itself.

I have a friend (of a friend of a friend) that is a master tech at an Audi centre and he admitted that it's pretty shocking the amount of these he sees coming in and that it's well worth getting on to your local service manager or Audi UK as generally you should be able to come to some sort of arrangement...

But still, really? You pay this sort of money for a top of the range model and it comes shipped with a faulty suspension system. Pretty poor show and has really tarnished Audi in my eyes. Just IMHO.

[DuncS3]

its a fair opinion Sarge and I share it - why should you have to accept its going to fail and wishing it fails before your 5 years are up etc - Audi should honor their flagship cars (or any cars to that matter) - but then they sh*t on the ur quattro with hardly any spares available when compared to Merc or BMW, so that says it all really!

[aidanjaye]

Mines in at the moment, will see what happens.

In Audis defence, BMW and the likes will not replace defective shocks after the three year warranty. The difference is your local mechanic can replace BMW and Merc items at a reasonable costs, where as Audi system needs recharging and such. This can cost upto 2K if some of the stories are true.

On the subject of coilovers - heard they are harsher than standard DRC. Does no suspension bods just do a standard shock for the RS4??? Realise maybe to small a market but.......have I answered my own question?

[DaytonaSarge]

Just an update and thankfully one with a happy ending, spoken with Whetstone Audi and they (along with Audi Parts UK) will be fixing the lot under the warranty agreement. So clearly I'm pretty pleased about that.

Anyone who has this situation and is in the area I'd suggest speaking to Anne Francis at Whetstone Audi on 0208 343 5050. Extremely helpful in this case and dealt with it for me, didn't even need to speak to the main service manager (Danny Heart).

Thanks to you all for the advice ( PetrolDave - thanks for letting me know that you got yours done with out the FASH etc. came in handy!) and keep it up with these forums, just saved me £1600, which'll pay for the conversion to the KWv3's when the next one goes pop!

Have a good weekend all.

[Pennoir]

My rear offside shock emptied itself earlier in the week, turns out the other 3 were leaking as well when inspected by Colbornes Basingstoke. Mines an 07 plate with 62k on the clock and to be honest i was half expecting to have top put up a fight with Audi UK due to 'unofficial' nature of the problem being covered by the warranty extension. Anyway heard back today that they are going to replace the entire system with the Rev B setup and Audi UK are covering the cost. Great job Colbornes!

[adsgreen]

I'm talking to a couple people about the stasis ohlins setup. If they can sort out a suitable 3 or 4 way setup then that'll be my preferred option. Not cheap at about 3-4 k fitted but they will give exceptional performance.

Still cheaper than a full drc switch