car is in the shop for a second time in 12mo. to have the suspension repaired. same problem both times, front shock leakage (DRC unit?) which entails replacing the system (not sure to what extent).


can't say i'm too pleased.

surprised i didn't find more posts on this site related to such. i think it's a bit more popular a subject matter over at audiworld.

oh well.

 

They have produced a very slightly revised design, however no pattern has come to light on the failures. My car has only had a seal replaced others complete shocks. There was also a shortage of fluid from Germany. BTW you need special tools to pressurise the system.

All UK car now have free extended warranty

 

As a C5 RS6 owner that's had a full DRC replacement, we knew the RS4s would have problems with DRC. The RS6 DRC was/is still being watched and investigated by the DOT/NHTSA for a recall. There's not so much DRC info and activity on here, though. You should check out RS6.com and Audiworld.com. Much more extensive postings on the subject over there.

That said, DRC is one of Audi's achilles heels. Many RS6 owners have thrown in the towel and installed aftermarket coilovers. It would appear that the KW v3 is the preferred alternative. From what I recall, both the Bilstein and Ohlins products had issues, and I think the Bilsteins were pulled from the market. Far less $ if it's an out-of-pocket repair, btw. DRC repair requires the shock, the cross-linked shock and the actuator to be replaced all at once. Otherwise, it'll just repeat itself over and over again. Also, Audi will NOT cover DRC replacement under CPO warranty. So, once you go out of the original factory warranty, it's on you.

CW

 

the question really is whether the dealership changed out the entire system the first go around. i know that they definitely replaced the shock units (front left, rear right), but not sure about the rest. so here i am once again, same failure, but this time both left and right fronts are gone.

it's a leased car, under warranty, and their nut to fund. what an embarassment for Audi.

 

Based on your post, BOTH DRC systems need full replacement. The shocks are cross-linked (front left to right rear and front right to left rear). Also, both reservoirs/actuators have to be replaced.

Audi has completely f*cked this system up. I can, to some degree, understand how new technology fails when it's first introduced (as on the RS6), but the second-gen system (as on the RS4) should have had the kinks worked out.

However, it would appear that these systems in real world applications don't work well for any manufacturer. I've heard the Toyota has had problems with their roughly equivalent system, too. What's inexcusable from my point of view is their failure to recall it and replace it with a redesigned system at their expense. As it is, they have shifted the burden of the repair costs of their crappy system to owners. Seriously, Audi should be castrated for this.

CW

 

I was soooo lucky my rs6 didnt have it, but yes, this is an age old problem. I would just buy a set of KWs now and screw the hassle from the dealer.

 

See my comments on the cross-linked design of the system. While I'm not sure if the RS4 system is identical to the C5 RS6's, you may also need both rear shocks AND the actuators/reservoirs. Two front shock failures indicates (on the RS6, anyway), that you need to replace the ENTIRE system. Replacing just the two "leaking" shocks will only have you coming back in a couple of days. Once the system becomes de-pressurized through leaks, the cross-linked shock rests on the shock seals and when driven is damaged. Thus, it's likely that your rear shocks are now damaged, also. Make sure the tech does the job right the first time.

CW

 

Yes, this is perhaps the one 'chronic' issue that has plagued the RS4 (and well documented on the RS6). There are people with up to 3 repeated failures, waiting for the 4th to declare their car a 'lemon'. I had my front 2 replaced earlier this month, had to wait almost 2 weeks because of back order in parts. While I was only the 2nd such failure according to the Service Dept (highly unlikely), they recieved 2 other RS4s in the week my car lay idle!

As far as replacement, Audi is doing it per axle. So if you have one leak, they will replace both on the the same axle, not all 4s (although you may have to argue with service rep, i have seen them try to convince you only one needs replacement). I know dealers need to buy a special tool to pressurize the system, so it is costing everyone money.

Seems people swear by the Stasis suspension. I personally met the guys when I did the 2 day RS4 track event at Infineon, their hangar is right there. Great guys, but expensive product. For now I will let Audi replace them at their own buck.

Chances of a recall are slim, unless Audi comes out with a new design. Replacing a faulty mechanism with an equally faulty part is not technically considered a recall...

 

RS6 owners have had middling results with the Stasis option (it's an Ohlins product, BTW). I thought Stasis pulled it from their offerings, but it's still on their site (for the RS6). Also, the Bilstein set up has had problems. It seems that the most reliable results are with the KW v3s or possibly now v4s. MUCH less expensive than the Stasis product, BTW.

As far as a recall, I'm still hoping...

CW

 

This is great to know... when I am thinking to get the 2008 RS4... any other common problems? (The price tag not cheap in Canada... around $93,000CDN after taxes... )

 

A few of my RS4/6 people have had DRC issues of which all were taken care of by the dealer no question after a second visit for the same leaks etc... One of them opted for the Stasis system so they don't have to deal with it anymore etc... If anyone is interested in doing something other than OEM DRC fix, let me know, I have some great packages going right now.

Brian

 

what type of miles does this happen? i had a 2007 and 2008 RS4 and no problems.

 

Can't comment on the RS4, but the RS6 has normally seen the first problem in under 35K miles. Once the system is repaired, they tend to fail even faster. Within a few thousand miles. And, some have had subsequent problems within hundreds of miles. To some extent, road conditions and driving style may influence the rate at which the systems fail, but I don't know that anyone's been able to establish the relationship.

CW

 

CW,

You jogged my memory, the cars I witnessed with issues were less than 40k when they first started having problems.

Brian

 

I am having the same problem, just had both fronts replaced on my 07 rs4. The problem is the new ones require more charge then possible so I now have a worse clunking then before. It started happening only 20 miles after replacement.

I want Audi to pay for a new after market stuff or fix this! I also think they should extend our warrantys for 50k miles