My first RS5

[PLAYRZ]

After much procrastination, I decided to pull the trigger on an RS5. The A5 is a beautiful car but I missed the extra performance too much. The new B9 shape does nothing for me at the moment and the likelihood of the 2017 RS5 being a turbo V6 was enough to get me over the line.

Last pic of the A5 on the way to the dealership



My new baby...















Absolutely loving the car so far, it makes such a great noise. As usual, already planning the mods. Current thoughts are Bilstein coilovers, Capristo exhaust and I'm really liking the look of the Brixton wheels. Anyone had any experience with these guys? Recommendations?

[4RingRook]

Awesome upgrade - congrats!

[JamesRS5]

Congratulations, a great upgrade.

Let me try and dig out the part number for the small license plate holder that will fit your front plate perfectly. Seems a shame to mount a small plate on the huge plate holder.

[PLAYRZ]

Thanks guys. That'd be fantastic James, I didn't realize that was even an available option, much appreciated. Been watching your build thread with much interest too, love what you've done to your car.

[JamesRS5]

I'm trying to find an email from the dealership where the part number was listed. I'll get back to you, if not, I'll pull the plate off mine, I have it fitted as I was going to get the smaller license plate but ended up with the square plate instead. I just adapted the bottom of the small plate holder to allow the square plate to fit.

The plate dimensions were 29.5 x 8.5cm

[LittleDevil]

Really nice car!

8T0 807 285 A T94 = 318x100mm

[JamesRS5]

There you go, Ales to the rescue. Do you stock these Ales?

I have all 3 sizes on my parts shelf, the US square shape, the Euro plate and this smaller plate holder.

[PLAYRZ]

Great info guys. My license plate dimensions are 370x100mm (thanks Australia) but either of those sizes should work better than the current setup.

[Rshane]

Awesome ride, and you got the fastest color, congrats!

[Sweep]

Love that interior color. Props to you committing to keeping that clean. I would only pick that if I planned to get rid of it after a couple years

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[DreDay]

That interior is awesome! Enjoy!


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[namvar]

Congratulation and welcome to the club!

[JamesRS5]

Gtechniq do a leather sealant L1 which prevents any color transfer to the seat from clothes, especially blue jeans.

[Aiserock]

That's a sexy interior, I love it but I would have it ruined quick.

Nice Ride!

[Mops@Nemesis]

Beautiful RS. Congrats! The A5 looked super clean as well.

[JamesRS5]

Absolutely loving the car so far, it makes such a great noise. As usual, already planning the mods. Current thoughts are Bilstein coilovers, Capristo exhaust and I'm really liking the look of the Brixton wheels. Anyone had any experience with these guys? Recommendations?

Looking at the pictures and the ride height at the front, is your car fitted with DRC suspension? Easy way to tell is to look on the individual settings in the MMI CAR menu, if you have 'suspension' as one of your settings and the ride changes from soft to hard between Comfort and Dynamic then you're on DRC.
If that's the case then lowering becomes a pain, not impossible, just more painful. Have a look at KW H.A.S (for a DRC car) if you want height adjustment or the other two major springs Eibach Pro and H&R OE Sport will work without throwing up any codes. I had the Eibachs before fitting the KW and loved the ride.
The ECS spacer kit is a great addition too, really improves the stance of the car.

[PLAYRZ]

Thanks for all the positive feedback guys, much appreciated. Unfortunately I realise the white interior is going to require a little more maintenance to stay looking its best, but its just looked so good with the Daytona Grey, I couldn't say no.

James, you've been a wealth of information. You are correct, the car does have DRC, I have the following options available to me in the ADS Individual Settings menu -



I've read through a few threads on the forum and noticed you did a comparison of the Eibach, H&R and KW (HAS) springs. What were your final conclusions on this for DRC equipped cars? Are you happy with the ride heights? Any issues with wheel alignment, scrubbing, etc. ? What spacers did you finally settle on?

You also mentioned "It took us 5 hours of swearing and bleeding knuckles (dampers have to stay in the car with DRC) but they are in. Initial thoughts; I'm very impressed, the ride is just as good if not slightly softer than the Eibachs springs in Comfort mode and still firm but certainly more compliant in Dynamic mode. The ride height has dropped by around 1cm at each corner from the Eibachs ride height with the spring platforms wound to their lowest position." Curious to know why the dampers needed to stay in the car for this?

Sorry for all the questions, I can just see that I'm going to run into a number of 'issues' when it comes time to do the mods, which will hopefully be in the next few months.

[JamesRS5]

Great, DRC is a nice option to have and really makes the car a pleasure to cruise around in comfort and can be solid when you want some fun in dynamic, you also don't have any body roll through the corners. It's how the car should handle from the factory without having to upgrade anti-roll bars.

On the down side, it makes working on the suspension more of a pain, the DRC system is pressurised at 19 Bar (280psi) so removing the struts is a job for Audi only as they have the correct equipment for draining and re pressurising the system.
There is a way to work around it, it just involves a lot of jiggling and moving to get the front struts in a position where you can remove the spring without disconnecting the hydraulic lines.

My favourite setup with the OE rotor wheels was the ECS aggressive spacers (10mm rear/12.5mm front) and the Eibach springs. This gave a really nice ride, an improvement over the stock springs.
I had the Vossen wheels on order and with 21" wheels I wanted to go a little lower so fitted the KW H.A.S adjustable springs. With these springs fitted I needed to install the adjustable upper arms due to running a little too much negative camber.

This is my car with Eibachs and ECS spacers:



The KW H.A.S springs are nice and ride well but you need to factor in the extra expense of the upper arms to pull the camber out, the springs are already quite expensive so with the upper arms added in and fitting and alignment, it become a costly modification. The Eibach Spring needs no alignment other than a check of the toe angles after install and gets 90% of the lowering the KW's offer.

KW H.A.S fitted with ECS spacers




If you decide on lowering it, give me a shout and I'll put a guide together for you.

[PLAYRZ]

Yes, good and bad news! The drop on your car using KW HAS looks slightly better IMO from the pics. The front on the Eibach setup appears higher than the rear (negative rake). Interesting that both springs claim a 1.0" drop yet the KW appear lower? I do plan on changing out the wheels (likely next year) but would like to do the suspension and exhaust shortly.

If you could give me any tips or guides on changing out the springs on a DRC setup myself that would be fantastic. I'm about 200km away from my nearest Audi dealer and could only imagine the ridiculous cost it would incur having them do this for me. Thanks again James, this info really helps!

[JamesRS5]

Eibachs were definitely a positive rake, it may just be the light on that photo but the rears sat a few mm higher than the front. DRC equipped cars seem to come with negative rake from the factory, mine sat nearly 1cm higher at the front!

I'll dig out some pics and get the guide done for you. The only specialist tools you should need is a set of Spring compressors, the very simple ones that hook over the spring.

[patmusk]

Congrats! Beautiful car and color choice.

[PedroRS5]

Congratulations on your RS5! I had to buy mine because the power characteristics and sound of the Audi V8 are indeed intoxicating, especially with the Sport exhaust. Funny how it sound loud at first, but now I feel it sounds so muted that I'm looking at a Kline.

I see that not only are you on the wrong side of the world, but you also drive on the wrong side of the road...must be the coriolis effect ;)
However, you got DRS and U.S. cars did not...does that mean that WE are in the wrong side of the world?

Do seal the leather. My lunar seats ended with some color transfer from blue and black jeans but cleaned up perfectly. I have since sealed the leather seats.

Best wishes and enjoy the car!

[namvar]

i didn't realize that DRC was even an option? We have it on our Q7 and now I am disappointed that it was not available to us,

[avimore]

Congrats! Beautiful car.

[superswiss]

i didn't realize that DRC was even an option? We have it on our Q7 and now I am disappointed that it was not available to us,

The DRC has only ever been offered on RS cars as far as I know. The adjustable suspensions on other models use air or adjustable dampers. The DRC is unique in that it diagonally connects the front and rear dampers and actively eliminates squat, roll and dive. It's more of an active rollbar than an adjustable suspension for comfort purposes. It wasn't an option in the US for the RS5, because they had to redesign the rear crash zone and that's where the central valves go. The new design didn't leave enough room for the valves. We can blame the US crash regulations. I believe it has something to do with the battery being in the trunk that the US requires reinforced crash zones in the rear. The DRC is heavily skewed towards rock hard for the track. Comfort is only slightly more comfortable than the fixed suspension we get and Auto is about the same, however Dynamic is brutally hard and would be pretty much unlivable on US roads, so I don't feel I'm missing out on much.

BTW, congrats OP on the new car.

[PLAYRZ]

Eibachs were definitely a positive rake, it may just be the light on that photo but the rears sat a few mm higher than the front. DRC equipped cars seem to come with negative rake from the factory, mine sat nearly 1cm higher at the front!

I'll dig out some pics and get the guide done for you. The only specialist tools you should need is a set of Spring compressors, the very simple ones that hook over the spring.

Mine sits almost 13mm (0.5") higher in the front than the rear! I do like the idea of the ECS aggressive spacers (10mm rear/12.5mm front) and the Eibach springs but not sure this will give me enough of a drop to lose the wheel gap and remove the negative rake. Eibach Pro Kit (Part Number:15101.140) claims Front Lowering 1.0 in; Rear Lowering 0.8 in. so should at least even it out a little more.

However, you got DRS and U.S. cars did not...does that mean that WE are in the wrong side of the world?

Correct Car looks phenomenal by the way Pedro. What spring/spacer combo are you running?

I've taken everyone's advise to seal the leather, ordered some Gyeon Q2 Leather Coat today to help protect the seats.

James, Pedro, namvar, patmusk, you all have fantastic looking machines. Just discovering all of your build threads, so much win in all of them, so much reading/research to do, so many questions!

[JamesRS5]

If you don't think the Eibachs will be low enough then the KW H.A.S is your only option really.

Superswiss, there is a night and day difference between comfort and dynamic with regards to ride comfort. I believe it's full name is "active sports suspension plus with dynamic ride control" the damping rate definitely changes between the modes.

[PLAYRZ]

Found this on draining and filling the DRC system.... what a PITA! God I hope I'm able to swap the springs without having to go through all that.

[JamesRS5]

I looked at buying one of these from Snap-On but after speaking to Audi, they connect it up to a digital machine as well as well as the pump to take readings from the dampers.

Don't worry, you'll be fine if you go for the KW Spring and my guide for replacing them.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Correct Car looks phenomenal by the way Pedro. What spring/spacer combo are you running?

He is running the GMG lowering spring, and 10mm spacers all-around.

[JamesRS5]

I enquired with GMG if their springs would work with DRC, they said unfortunately they wouldn't.
KW are designed specifically to work with DRC and give a similar drop.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Yea the HAS will go super low. I'm sure you remember Rene's 5...




Mops on the move

[JamesRS5]

What a great looking car.

[jgd]

Very nice congrats enjoy.

[ICU2]

So does this mean Kline as in the "Full Monty" or just the exhaust, no headers? U know U want to ...... Just skip the vacation this year & spend the $ on the car, I'm sure the Mrs.'s won't mind @all.

Congratulations on your RS5! I had to buy mine because the power characteristics and sound of the Audi V8 are indeed intoxicating, especially with the Sport exhaust. Funny how it sound loud at first, but now I feel it sounds so muted that I'm looking at a Kline.

I see that not only are you on the wrong side of the world, but you also drive on the wrong side of the road...must be the coriolis effect ;)
However, you got DRS and U.S. cars did not...does that mean that WE are in the wrong side of the world?

Do seal the leather. My lunar seats ended with some color transfer from blue and black jeans but cleaned up perfectly. I have since sealed the leather seats.

Best wishes and enjoy the car!

[superswiss]

Superswiss, there is a night and day difference between comfort and dynamic with regards to ride comfort. I believe it's full name is "active sports suspension plus with dynamic ride control" the damping rate definitely changes between the modes.

Correct, there is. That's not my point, though. My point is how the comfort level in each mode compares to the standard RS suspension. Comfort on the DRC is only slight more comfortable than the standard suspension, however Dynamic on the DRC is brutally more uncomfortable than the standard suspension and basically unusable other than on smooth European roads and the track, so if the DRC had been available in the USA, due to the terrible roads here, most wouldn't get to enjoy Dynamic mode very often unless they are into punishing themselves every day.

IMO, an adjustable suspension such as the DRC only makes sense if the road conditions where one lives allows for regular use of all the modes. If you essentially have to keep it in Comfort/Auto modes, because the Dynamic mode is just unbearable on your roads and Comfort/Auto modes don't offer much more comfort over the standard fixed suspension, you might as well just stick with the fixed suspension. At least that's what I keep telling myself .

[NPuter]

Dynamic steering without ACC

Wish that were an option here.

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[zhclvn]

Welcome to the Daytona Grey Club <3

[PedroRS5]

- Quote: "Car looks phenomenal by the way Pedro. What spring/spacer combo are you running?"

GMG springs and ECS 10mm spacers all around. Seems that you will need coilovers to lower your car and maintain DRC.


- Quote: So does this mean Kline as in the "Full Monty" or just the exhaust, no headers? U know U want to ...... Just skip the vacation this year & spend the $ on the car, I'm sure the Mrs.'s won't mind @all."

I would do X-pipe first, then headers if I need to drop the engine :D Shhhh, she might be listening...

[PLAYRZ]

I enquired with GMG if their springs would work with DRC, they said unfortunately they wouldn't.
KW are designed specifically to work with DRC and give a similar drop.

Yea the HAS will go super low. I'm sure you remember Rene's 5...

Looks like I'll be going with the KW HAS springs then. I assume I'll also need UCA's and of course spacers to finish out the look until I sort my wheels out.

GMG springs and ECS 10mm spacers all around. Seems that you will need coilovers to lower your car and maintain DRC.

Unfortunately no, if I replace with coilovers I'll lose DRC functionality.