Audi RS4 Avant DRC

[Crafty1980]

Hello everyone,

Yep, STILL looking for the RS4 Avant that I want, but while I patiently wait, I've just been looking at problems that they can sometimes suffer from.

I've heard about various gearbox/clutch problems which don't particularly bother me a great deal as I've decided that I will be putting some sort of third party warranty scheme in place for such things.

Obviously brake disks always seem to cause a stir when people mention the cost of replacement (which I am happy to budget for)...

But I keep on reading snippets here and there about failing DRC systems?! For some reason this one seems to scare me more than anything else I read.

Is it a very common problem and are Audi now rectifying it quite easily or is it still a bore to try and get sorted? Some people seemed to have solved it by replacing the suspension completely with coil-over stuff, which is fine, as long as it works!

Any advice while I wait greatly received!

Cheers,

Ben

[Adam B]

Assume you are talking B7

Yes it is common, they tend to leak due to crap UK roads
Most were replaced under warranty (both sides of mine were)
Audi UK extended the warranty to 5 years on DRC if you wrote in (I did) becasue there were so many issues
The parts were improved (touch wood i have had no further issues)

Once out of the 5 year warranty if you still get issues some switch to K&W etc - lots more info on rs246

[Dr G]

Revised parts are a lot better (but not perfect) and replacement costs are down; there is no longer a need to replace complete corner assemblies in pairs, for example.

There are I think now 2 or 3 independents with the kit to work on DRC too.

I wouldn't convert to coilovers, generally gives a harsh ride and you'll need to budget for roll bars too (DRC also gives anti roll).

[Adam B]

Dr G said:

Revised parts are a lot better (but not perfect) and replacement costs are down; there is no longer a need to replace complete corner assemblies in pairs, for example.

There are I think now 2 or 3 independents with the kit to work on DRC too.

that is good to hear - I would prefer to keep mine standard even if I had an issue, as DRC actually works very well

Edited by Adam B on Thursday 27th June 15:49

[anonymous-user]

DRC has been a problem on all the fast Audi's it has been fitted to, according to owners when it is working properly it is very good but is unreliable, most people replace it with normal shocks when it fails outside of warranty.

Do check the warranty you are planning to take that it is covered, I suspect it may well be excluded because it is a known problem, also be aware that some dealers do not have the necessary tools to pressurise the system if it does needs work.

Other known issues are clutch pipe causing the clutch to return slowly, carbon build up due to the engine being FSI, steering rack bolts coming loose, early front brake pads have metal pins in them which can score the disc before the pads are worn, some owners have reported loose handling which seems to be fixed by repairs to the front suspension components. Do check any car you test drive has the kick at 5.5k rpm, if not this is probably a vacuum leak, manifold flaps can stop working and replacement is a new intake manifold which is expensive. Also if the car has bucket seats do check that they stay pressurised when the sport button is on, if cruise control doesn't work most likely to be the clutch switch at fault. Make sure it has decent rubber fitted as tyres are expensive on this car, there is no spare wheel only a tube of gunge.

That is all I can recall but otherwise bullet proof cars but do check www.rs246.com as there is a lot of useful information.

Hope this helps.

[Mermaid]

gottans said:

DRC has been a problem on all the fast Audi's it has been fitted to, according to owners when it is working properly it is very good but is unreliable, most people replace it with normal shocks when it fails outside of warranty.

Do check the warranty you are planning to take that it is covered, I suspect it may well be excluded because it is a known problem, also be aware that some dealers do not have the necessary tools to pressurise the system if it does needs work.

Other known issues are clutch pipe causing the clutch to return slowly, carbon build up due to the engine being FSI, steering rack bolts coming loose, early front brake pads have metal pins in them which can score the disc before the pads are worn, some owners have reported loose handling which seems to be fixed by repairs to the front suspension components. Do check any car you test drive has the kick at 5.5k rpm, if not this is probably a vacuum leak, manifold flaps can stop working and replacement is a new intake manifold which is expensive. Also if the car has bucket seats do check that they stay pressurised when the sport button is on, if cruise control doesn't work most likely to be the clutch switch at fault. Make sure it has decent rubber fitted as tyres are expensive on this car, there is no spare wheel only a tube of gunge.

That is all I can recall but otherwise bullet proof cars but do check www.rs246.com as there is a lot of useful information.

Hope this helps.

Wow, that's quite a list. But still one of Audi's best in recent years.

[Crafty1980]

gottans said:

Hope this helps.

WOW! Amazing reply! Thank you so much for writing that all out! I'll be taking my clipboard and a fine toothed comb with me when I finally find the one I want!!

[graeme4130]

Crafty1980 said:

WOW! Amazing reply! Thank you so much for writing that all out! I'll be taking my clipboard and a fine toothed comb with me when I finally find the one I want!!

They're complicated beasts and many of the issues aren't easily apparent in a visual inspection. Getting an MRC (or similar) health check could be the best £100 you'll ever spend

Fwiw, the cars I've driven with aftermarket suspension replacing DRC are crap in comparison to the original set up
My old b7 avant suffered DRC failure, which was replaced under warranty, but it wasn't mega bucks had it been unwarranted

[iluvmercs]

DRC is always mentioned as one of the big things to go wrong with B7 RS4s.

I have to admit (and probably tempting fate by saying this), mine are still fine after over 62,000 miles and Crafty, you've seen I don't like hanging around and you know the quality of roads on which I don't hang around

Definitely seems like I have been lucky so far, though

Darren

[Murph7355]

They can go quickly, so an inspection will only tell you they are fine at a point in time.

One of mine went 4mths into ownership. Around the 500 quid mark for one corner to be sorted by an Audi main dealer (included a new pipe as the old one was seized - think that added 100 quid or so to the bill, but I hear it often needs replacing at the same time). Indies are less - probably around 350-400 quid for the same work.

Well worth keeping the DRC together IMO. It works really, really well (when not broken - when it is, there is absolutely no mistaking it).

Don't let DRC put you off. Compared to fuel it's a small part of running one And they are exceptional cars.

[Wallachie]

Check oil cooler pipes up front are OK as they have a tendency to corrode, and if left long enough to burst it can lead to engine failure. Lots of info on RS246.com.

My suggestion is to buy one from a forum member over on RS246 where you have the best chance of getting a good car without any of the usual issues.

Try and buy one which has had tyres and brakes recently done.

[motco]

Thread revival!

I have a family member with an RS4 B7 Avant which has corroded DRC hydraulic lines. Is replacing these lines and re-pressurising the system available anywhere in the Thames Valley or Buckinghamshire? TIA

[phumy]

motco said:

Thread revival!

I have a family member with an RS4 B7 Avant which has corroded DRC hydraulic lines. Is replacing these lines and re-pressurising the system available anywhere in the Thames Valley or Buckinghamshire? TIA

I had all the DRC pipework replaced on my B7 RS4 last year at Dialynx near Swindon. It's rides like new once again.

[motco]

phumy said:

motco said:

Thread revival!

I have a family member with an RS4 B7 Avant which has corroded DRC hydraulic lines. Is replacing these lines and re-pressurising the system available anywhere in the Thames Valley or Buckinghamshire? TIA

I had all the DRC pipework replaced on my B7 RS4 last year at Dialynx near Swindon. It's rides like new once again.

Thanks phumy, what sort of cost, if you don't mind my asking?

[phumy]

Don't know exactly as I had a shed load of other work done at the same time. But the pipes (OEM) were around £1.2k Inc vat. I would say, at a a guess, it would be somewhere around £3k+ Inc fitting, as fuel tank needs removing. I got mine done because I have a 70k mile car and want to keep it totally original.

[jeremyc]

SJB Autotech in Basingstoke have all the equipment needed for DRC service, replacement and system recharge.

https://www.sjbautotech.co.uk/audi-dynamic-ride-co...

[motco]

phumy said:

Don't know exactly as I had a shed load of other work done at the same time. But the pipes (OEM) were around £1.2k Inc vat. I would say, at a a guess, it would be somewhere around £3k+ Inc fitting, as fuel tank needs removing. I got mine done because I have a 70k mile car and want to keep it totally original.

Thanks phumy, I'll pass that on to my son whose car it is. I rang and spoke to Dean in Swindon. He remembers you and he was complimentary about your car, you'll be pleased to know.

[motco]

jeremyc said:

SJB Autotech in Basingstoke have all the equipment needed for DRC service, replacement and system recharge.

https://www.sjbautotech.co.uk/audi-dynamic-ride-co...

Thanks JC, I think I have already emailed them earlier so I await their reply. Basingstoke would certainly be more convenient for me, so it could be down to price. I'm taking the car to CPC in Amersham tomorrow so Phil can have a look at it, but he's only really able to exchange the DRC for KW or Bilstein conventional dampers.
Like phumy, he wants to keep his car completely standard too. The DRC certainly makes the car more surefooted in twisty lanes.

Thanks, both, for your helpful answers. I'll try to remember to update the thread when appropriate.

[Dr G]

motco said:

Thread revival!

I have a family member with an RS4 B7 Avant which has corroded DRC hydraulic lines. Is replacing these lines and re-pressurising the system available anywhere in the Thames Valley or Buckinghamshire? TIA

Renn Automotive in Iver do all my work.

[motco]

Dr G said:

motco said:

Thread revival!

I have a family member with an RS4 B7 Avant which has corroded DRC hydraulic lines. Is replacing these lines and re-pressurising the system available anywhere in the Thames Valley or Buckinghamshire? TIA

Renn Automotive in Iver do all my work.

Interesting, thanks. My son had a TT some years ago and that was maintained by a garage in Iver - not that name though. I wonder whether it has changed hands? I'll look into that as it's much more local.