DRC complaints right to the top. Lets all email/call this Eric guy at Audi.

[DHall1]

Hi all,

A funny idea here. Seeing that the new RS6 just won some car of the year deal in Germany. The poster actually listed this guy Eric's phone and email.

http://www.pressebox.de/attachment/1...sen+291108.pdf

How about we all start sending emails and phone calls to get Mr Eric to feel our DRC pain.

[Erik]

He's most probably NOT the guy to speak to so I'm not sure it's such a good idea.

Identify someone in the US for starters.

[DHall1]

Sure but he is the one touting all the "good" news about the new RS6. So, he has a link or connection that should go up. Esp if he is in charge of press and positive press. He may as well hear some negative press.

Positive press sells cars.
Negative press sells competitors cars.
Negative press makes consumers keep money in thier pockets.

Pretty simple economics. Just look at the american consumer. When we stop spending, the global economy tanks.

He's most probably NOT the guy to speak to so I'm not sure it's such a good idea.

Identify someone in the US for starters.

[mdk]

Pretty simple economics. Just look at the american consumer. When we stop spending, the global economy tanks.

Dave I don't think that this version of simple economics will get you anywhere

Sorry for the off topic.

[DHall1]

Sorry, I dont need it to get me anywhere. I enjoy my , its paid for and I might buy another one because the prices are so low.

I do however recognize there is a problem with DRC and excessive failure rate of the components. Audi does deserve the bad press about the failures and the way they have handled the situation. This hurts Audi in the long run. If they cant take care of the customers that buy the flagship model and most expensive car in the line. What good are they?

That will trickle down in the negative press and lead to negative consumer attitudes. That I say will lead customers to competitors and lead customers with money in the pocket to keep that money in thier pockets.

Thats all I am saying. I own a RS but watch and listen to the way things are handled. The next car I buy may not be a Audi baised on the way Audi have handled some things. Sure I may buy another RS but it will be used and that will not help Audi.

BTW, these pressurized oil systems for the shocks can be made to work. Lexus has a similar setup in the LX470. Similar basic design with shocks and line pressure and reserve tanks. Zero problems across the line. Our LX470 suspension has performed without problem for 9 years and 125k miles. And, its not treated with kitten gloves. Its towed, its been off road, its driven thru winters and salt...ect.

Dave I don't think that this version of simple economics will get you anywhere

Sorry for the off topic.

[HeadShot]

I like your motivation Dave -

I'd say unfortunately by this point most of the crew here is resigned to the fact that Audi won't be doing anything to make owners of a model that is nolonger under warranty (4yrs) or in the press happy.
Is this a bad thing - Hell yeah.
Will it effect future sales - not enough

And in this economy -

But when i see my Audi dealer or anyone wants to ask a few questions about my ride- i mention it. Ya never know right....

[DHall1]

Well,

I think your comments are spot on. The problem is still on the back of your mind and it does cause you to not trust or rethink attitudes towards Audi. That is what keeps your money in your pocket and not buy another new Audi at this time.

Now, this would be a different story if it affected all the A4s out there. Why, because there would be an official "recall" of the suspension. Why, because there are 150,000 A4s to every RS6. People would be crashing and losing life and limb. That would wake up the accountants. Ie Ford Explorer. I could go on and on but you should get the idea.

I will not buy a new Audi right now.
I will not buy a new Lexus right now.
I will not buy a new Mercedes right now.
I will not buy anything new.

So, to recap....these sorts of things do remain in our minds and do shape our future spending. Audi should have realized that buyers of the flagship model vehicles and the most expensive in the line should be taken care of. Period. Look at the economics...900 cars in the US. Take care of them for gosh sakes. These folks have the money and ability to buy literally millions of dollars worth of product over each ones lifetime. Add it up. Also add up how many people these folks talk to. They dont talk to 7-11 clerks...they talk to bankers, lawyers, doctors....ect. Nothing against 7-11 clerks but again you get the idea.

There you go.

I like your motivation Dave -

I'd say unfortunately by this point most of the crew here is resigned to the fact that Audi won't be doing anything to make owners of a model that is nolonger under warranty (4yrs) or in the press happy.
Is this a bad thing - Hell yeah.
Will it effect future sales - not enough

And in this economy -

But when i see my Audi dealer or anyone wants to ask a few questions about my ride- i mention it. Ya never know right....

[HeadShot]

You know when i realized AUDI didn't give a crap about RS6 owners... about a year ago - (still under warranty but with less than a year left) i went in for a regular service and needed a comp car. instead of the automatic upgraded to the best fleet or service car they could give ya as usual you would have to pay extra for that service that was now only allowed to A8 / S8 owners - the guys who love Audi drive RS6 and the rich give a fucks drive 8's but we get screwed. That and after they dropped my engine under warranty and fixed a turbo sensor leaving me with an oil leak that is not a major (Audi now has a class for leaks and won't fix the small stuff even if they caused it) but leaks enough to leave me wondering why i preach Audi over BMW or MERC.

Fuck It.
They have done us no favors - honor nothing and screw ya on fixing there problems. Buy used, and go aftermarket.

The four rings is just that, a big circus

[HeadShot]

I love the R8, would love to have one, - have been close to the buy up : but after the support Audi showed for the RS6 - your an idiot not to consider that, if problems come out with the 8 later - over heat etc..... Audi is making it clear they don't give a damn, if they are on to the new thing... so why waste 120K+ when can get any number of vechicles that will match it at the price or far less ie.. the vet! - Nissan, etc. (hate em but had to mention it!) guess there more concerned with the Lambo market.. pimps and and crack market heros.
If Audi is that clueless like i said ... let em burn!!!

[DHall1]

Well,

I seem to have struck a cord here.

Pretty simple really. Screw people over and you better get ready for the return. These sorts of things do stay on the minds of RS6 owners.

I hope the RS4 stands the test of time better. Both great cars...the DRC seems to be causing similar problems on the 4. We will see.

[SpinEcho]

I think Audi is banking on some simple numerical realities here. How many people who purchased an Audi in the last year do you think have even heard of DRC or the RS range, let alone know someone or someone's friend who has an RS or has had DRC trouble? We (RS/DRC owners) are insignificant from a numerical standpoint, and even if we all tell a friend who tells a friend, Audi figures it probably won't make a difference.

Things get 'swept under the carpet' every day, and only a small number of those things ever get uncovered or come back to bite the guilty party in the ass.

[BLITZEN]

In Business School we were required to read case studies. I remember one that was specifically about the recall Ford made on those tires that were exploding. And it had other examples of automotive recalls too.

What I remember most is that nearly all the recalls they mentioned involved major damages and actual deaths beforehand (multiple). The companies then calculate expected deaths (to come), average settlements, and $$ per death in deciding whether to fix the issue or just let it run its course!

[DuckWingDuck]

Ya, ultimately, as SpinEcho said, the overwhelming number of people who will buy or consider Audis will have not heard of the RS (except MAYBE the RS4) or the DRC. And for those of us who have had to deal with it, there are still plenty who are hardcore owners.

To be honest, I may very well buy another Audi. Of course I am not pleased about the DRC and wished that Audi would have covered mine but ultimately, I know that I bought a finicky car and these sorts of issues are what comes with finicky Euros. I know many will not agree with me on this (and have voiced their opinions when I brought this up before) but when you are buying a small production vehicle that has not had hundreds of thousands of hours in testing, this WILL happen!

[Hy Octane]

Isnt it illegal to knowingly sell you a faulty replacement for a faulty suspension over and over again? I think its called fraud.
We seem to have forgotten that a cars suspension parts should not have to be replaced during the first 100k or so... yet here we are doing it twice a year. Someone up at Audi should be forced to explain this to its customers and not be allowed to continue this ripoff. So, how do we get a spokesman to come forward and explain?

[sallyh]

Hi all

Have they fixed the DRC issue on the new RS6? If so, why can't they do a permanent fix on the previous model? Honestly, I find it bizarre that people get so fed up that they replace the DRC with something else yet Audi still stick with it and talk it up in their ads.

[DuckWingDuck]

I'm fairly certain DRC is faulty in the RS4 but it being a lighter car, it's far less apparent. The new RS6 is simply too new to tell at this point I suspect.

[Erik]

Just as I predicted, now people are sending ME these e-mails and complaints.

I'm Erik at RS6.com, not Eric at Audi.

[DHall1]

Erik,

That is the funniest quote I have heard the entire week. Sorry your getting these.

Everyone-open the attachment in my first post. Look at the press release and write down the real Eric's email and phone number. Send that Eric the nasty emails.

Just as I predicted, now people are sending ME these e-mails and complaints.

I'm Erik at RS6.com, not Eric at Audi.