Week three in the shop for DRC system

[Aronis]

Well this is the end of week three for the repair for my DRC system.

Week one - drop off week - parts were in - or not in - two left side control valves, need a left and a right.

Week two - right and left valves in, installed, On-Star module changed (but not coded at On-star). Pick up last Sat, rear shocks clunking, handling terrible, On-Star not on. Took car home, dug out On-Star, called in ESN and SIDN to On-Star, got On-Star working and phone also, had to eat left over minutes since dealer did not take note as stated of how many minutes were left. So I planned on taking the car to another dealership, got half way there, got call on my cell phone from the original repair site, he really wanted me to let them try again, so I turned around and brought car back to them and got a nice loaner (A6 ) , now end of week three waiting on two rear shocks.

Week three - they located and ordered two rear shocks (right and left) but still reluctant to order front shocks as well. So far no word on parts, but expect them in today! Perhaps they will have the new rear shocks in early next week.

Moving tomorrow, truck all loaded, leaving at 5 am, trailering the A6 loaner so I have a ride back home after the move to apartment. LOL.

Next step after DRC is repaired, new tires - going with PS2's as they appear to get the most complementary comments here and I have had them before on an M3.

Mike

[nene]

Thanks for keeping us posted Mike. Let's hope that the rear shock replacement put an end to this nightmare. After observing that the issue remains only after valve replacement, one wishes they'd be smarter about replacing all parts that my indeed new attention. Keeping fingers crossed.

[Benman]

Originally posted by nene
After observing that the issue remains only after valve replacement, one wishes they'd be smarter about replacing all parts that my indeed new attention.

Mike

That is just ridiculous! They STILL haven't ordered all the correct parts?!? Man, I can only imagine how tweaked you must be! Three weeks, that just sucks. Your getting up there with HyOctane!

Hope this ends soon for you (and in a good way).

Ben

[gjg]

Mike, we (rather my partner) had the same issue around three times - at the end, after major pissing contest with the local equivalent of AoA (much smaller but about the same shitty attitude) car went to different dealer and viola .... properly pressurized DRC does wonders ....

this is 01/2004 manufacturing date Avant.

I had - so far - not a single problem with my + since I got it, manuf. date 07/2005

it is rather shocking to see such level of service provided in US - it also demonstrates the committment and ability of AoA to provide quility service for cars they sell ...

On the other hand, don't worry - next one will not have 3 or 4 years of warranty services and you will have better incentive to make the dealership work for the money. That is, if you will go that way.

[Aronis]

One more part on order, seal kit, due in on Saturday.

Supposed to be finished on Tuesday.

Mike

[Aronis]

Week 4.

The new rear shocks are in, and the system recharged. I have not driven the car yet, was going to pick it up today after hearing it was 'done'.

But they wanted to keep it a few more days to drive it again after it sat in the cold!

Apparently today the drove it again and heard a thump from the rear. This was not as loud as before, but 'still there' even after changing the shocks, thus they came to the conclusion that it 'must be something else.'

This is despite the fact that the thump as very loud before and the ride was horrible.

I was told they took everything out of the trunk trying to find the thumb, and somewhere along the way disconnected what ever control module which leads to the keys being decoded to the car! This is more than just a dead battery in the key which requires an easy recode which anyone can do....so they need all the keys to recode. I wonder why this module needed to be disconnected?!?

So, apparently the ride is ok and the loud noise is gone, but they are going to keep working on the car for another week to find the last little noise.

I told them I dropped a small flash light somewhere behind the rear seats about 6 months ago, but they too had the back seats out and could not find anything. ( I looked for that flash light for about an hour! Crazy, it disappeared somewhere back there!)

I guess since I complained to AoA, they are not going to leave any bolt unchecked!

Mike

[Benman]

Originally posted by Aronis
Week 4...

A whole month without the Beast!?! I can't imagine! Sorry to hear they are still "fixing" the car.

Ben

[Aronis]

they realized I am a fussy Bastard and don't want to take any chances..LOL

[Benman]

Originally posted by Aronis
they realized I am a fussy Bastard and don't want to take any chances..LOL

When it comes to the Beast, aren't we all?

Ben

[Aronis]

that is one of my biggest gripes (don't want Iconcls getting on my back for complaining here....)

We buy their High End Car's and get treated like we just Ripped Them Off and left the lot for 10,000 below sticker price....with a life time of free gasoline!

I'm getting a Honda Civic after this lease...

Mike

[Benman]

Originally posted by Aronis
that is one of my biggest gripes (don't want Iconcls getting on my back for complaining here....)

Originally posted by Aronis

We buy their High End Car's and get treated like we just Ripped Them Off and left the lot for 10,000 below sticker price....with a life time of free gasoline!

I'm getting a Honda Civic after this lease...

Mike

They sometimes do act as if we're doing them a favor! Weird? I thought only Ferrari owners had to put up with that!

Ben

BTW, for what it's worth, if you're serious about the Civic, get a Toyota instead. Personally, I prefer Hondas over Toyotas, but lately, the CSI for Honda dealers has been down. Toyota right now stands unbeatable (last year 97%! Incredible!).

[Minou]

I gather you are in the USA with your problem, let me assure you that over here in the UK things are no better. My Audi dealer in Leicester has had my Rs6 4 times for up to 2 weeks at a time to sort out the suspension, they have just finally decided that it is a DRC valve problem, which I suggested to the mechanic in January, and the part is on back order from Germany and due to arrive on march 8th. This after replacing rear shocks and front struts and bleeding the system, all to NO change. Even though they road tested the car each time and brought it back to me as"OK now".

Having run numerous Range Rovers for many years (my first was 3 years after they were produced) in standard and Overfinch modified form (small block Chevy with appropriate handling and brake mods) I have to say that the worst cars I have for being in the garage have been german, BMW and Audis. I am heading back to a uprated Range Rover I think.

German engineering and service leaves a lot to be desired.

colin

[Benman]

Originally posted by Minou
I gather you are in the USA with your problem, let me assure you that over here in the UK things are no better.


colin

Well Colin, misery loves company so at least we don't feel alone.

Ben

[Aronis]

I don't thinks its an issue of German Service, but service for a German Car in another country by service people who are NOT car enthusiasts! Why are they in that business? I don't know.

I am not about to being week 6 in a few days.

AOA Advocates have upped the anti to the regional service rep...what ever that means.


I keep asking if the Mechanic in Latham could pick up the telephone and speak with the Mechanic in so other dealership who has successfully fixd this system on another car.

Speaking with the "Resources" at AOA is useless unless one of those resources is a guy who has actually fixed this sytem before! The technocrats on their PC"S looking up specs on the system is of no use here.

The began asking questions about my lease, how long etc. today.....I think an early lease end is going to be offered.

Mike

[Benman]

Originally posted by Aronis


The began asking questions about my lease, how long etc. today.....I think an early lease end is going to be offered.

Mike

Very sucky to hear! Sorry that things have still not worked out for you. Paul (HyOctane) seems to be in the same boat (only his is not a lease).

Well, if you do go back to Honda, the all new Civic Si Sedan is coming out.

Ben

[Aronis]

Oh!

I have family (outlaws in Canada) and a family member of my wife has a guy who works for Honda where they make the Civics....they can't make enough Si s LOL..selling well I guess.

I looked at the stripped Civic sedan....14,000 off the lot.....

LOL

Mike:trash:

[Aronis]

Spoke with Assistant of AOA VP today!

Another "we will look into it"

LOL

Drove a VW GTI tonight....6 spd DSG auto....58 miles on it so was easy on it, but VERY nice...loaded for 28k, loads of room front and back, I was very surprised!

Civic too small.................

I'll hear more tomorrow, perhaps end of lease comes early....

uurrrrrrrggggghhhhhhhhh

Mike

[mr]

Drove a VW GTI tonight....6 spd DSG auto....58 miles on it so was easy on it, but VERY nice...loaded for 28k, loads of room front and back, I was very surprised!

did you drive the golf GTI???
I'm surprised, that you say it has more room in the back than the honda civic.
I also test drove one a few months ago -> great car in my opinion.

rgds
mr