[rraustin]

Good to hear. Mine continues to work properly.

 

[rraustin]

I've been doing my due diligence on the KW DDC ECU system for my 2009 S5; ever since I discovered Cuppa's thread (they should pay him for all the exposure he gives those desirable products!). What a car!

I too spoke with Alen H. in the UK and Tom H. here in the US and I am confident the system will work out on my S5 . But now I'm having some concerns regarding the mechanical issues that I've discovered on this and other threads ; man, I may have to purchase one set to install and another for a "back up". !!!

Originally, I was concerned about the CAN bus hook up and having electrical error problems (since no R&D on US spec S5's), but now after seeing this I need to reconsider. I love the technology of the whole W lan Iphone capabilities and the adjusting by the push of a button, but I didn't even consider mechanical issues. I presumed for that amount of money QC would not be a big deal. I do my own wrenching and don't feel like changing a strut in the middle of February !!!

rraustin, you know the "R" in RS5 doesn't stand for Rally right! (just kidding)

Please keep the updates coming as they are very helpful. Stefan

Rennsport only - no rallying...

Got my replacement shock after a month and I am now back to normal with the DDC. Now waiting to see if they cover under the warranty. At first KW said my rear ride height was too low and that would cause the front shock to blow and therefore - no warranty. When I pointed out my rear ride height was as high as the adjustment allowed and gave them the right height measurement (again) they said OK we will reconsider. Ugh. Love it when it works.

Note messy1 has DDC on his RS5 and has had no problems since install 3 or 4 months ago.

If the DDC system blows again I will probably go with this new PSI/Ohlin TTX36 setup. PSi Raceline Audi B8 A4/A5/S4/S5/RS4 suspension system [PSi.B8.TTX2.02] - $5,295.00 : Performance Shock, Inc Expensive! But, rebuildable, light aluminum, custom spring and ride height, adjustable on the car. Would have to run one setting on the street and another on the track. Suspension porn.

I could then sell you my remaining 3 good shocks to put into your damper backup inventory

 

[rraustin]

The wiring loom on mine which needs replacing is the front left which is the longest run

Ugh. Love the flexibility of DDC, but more things that can go wrong.

 

[rraustin]

Just out of interest, are these various kits only suitable for cars that had the ADS damper control option? Just wondering as we have ADS, but not the damper control. Would be nice if an aftermarket option could be linked to ADS and MMI so it feels 'factory' when you swap between settings. I'm guessing running the loom will be the biggest hassle?

In USA we do not have the OE damper control option so not an issue for us.

The wiring loom is the biggest hassle, but not a huge problem for a decent tech. If you had access to a car lift it is probably not that hard to do yourself.

 

[rraustin]

Received the replacement KW damper for the blown one. Took a month to get the replacement in my hands. System back to normal. Now the return for the warranty claim...

Since this is the second problem with this system in 7 months if anything else goes wrong I will switch to somethig else.

Looking at this newly available PSI/Ohlin set-up: PSi Raceline Audi B8 A4/A5/S4/S5/RS4 suspension system [PSi.B8.TTX2.02] - $5,295.00 : Performance Shock, Inc Very expensive, but serviceable (e.g. blown seals can be replaced) , reduces weight due to aluminum shock body. Suspension porn. Only worth it if you track the car a lot.

Pics of the blown damper and oil leaking from the blown seal:

 

[rraustin]

Yes, I for one, did notice. Having said that, if you happen to be one of the unfortunate peeps that has problems with this product, it doesn't bode well for those in how KW is handling it. Having your car out of service for weeks or more while KW determines whether they will honor the warranty is completely unacceptable and unrealistic. Hope this works out well and expeditiously for you.

Thanks. Will see how it works. Note that in both cases, in order to expedite getting the new damper ASAP I have been willing to pay for the new damper up front anf tghen let the warranty process run it's course - still takes friggin forever given the car is disabled.

It's not bad luck as I am still having problems with DDC. Installed in NJ and recently moved to FL and have been having problems with the system. Fought with KW to have both front dampers replaced as the authorized dealer I was working did not feel comfortable changing the leads to the dampers and I don't have $1400 to put down for deposit or purchase 2 new dampers as they were recommending. Not even a month later left damper is giving me problems again and don't have time or $$$ to go and have shop trace everything again because they did not install. You're not alone. I'm tempted to just bag the car and be done with KW as I hope support will be easier in the states vs waiting for Germany to respond due to the time difference.

After almost $4,000 I hate to bag it. Any more problems and I will be moving to as different brand that will probably be manually adjustable coilovers. Bilstein B16-RideControl may be a better bet...

 

[rraustin]

Note that there are other people who have not had any issues with the KW DDC here on A5oc. Perhaps I just have bad luck with this kit...

 

[rraustin]

Well, love it while it is working. But, having 2 dampers go bad twice in one year is taking all the fun out of it. The warranty info says it has a "limited lifetime warranty." They did warranty the first damper where the electronic value that controls the settings went bad. We will see where it goes with this one.

In both cases my choices were:
1. Ship damper to KW for eval - if yes they ship it at no cost. If no, ~$700 and then ship. Car disabled for a month or put OE system back on and then pur KW back on when the replacement arrives...
2. Deposit of $700 and then ship in the bad damper

I chose #2 since #1 is unworkable for me.

 

[rraustin]

More issues with KW DDC

More problems with this KW DDC systems. Blew the left front KW damper on the DDC system. Looks like the seal went since their is thick oil that has leaked down the shock and all around the area below where the seal is. No damping happening there, just bouncing. Contacted KW and was was told after two weeks that they have a replacement in stock in Germany. Waiting to hear if it has shipped...

 

[rraustin]

i have the same issue with the ddc on my car. the blinking red signifies left rear or are there any other diagnostics that need to be done? been driving me nuts for months and the local distributor is useless

My understanding is that the blinking red light indicates a general problem with the system. I was told by the KW distributor that the system goes into service mode when there is a problem which puts the system in sport mode. Have you checked the LED indicator lights on the KW DDC control box? There is an LED (FL, FR, RL, RR) for each of the DDC dampers and one for the CAn BUS connector. All of these should be on if the connections are working correctly. When my system was not working the RL indicator was off. We replaced the rear left damper and now the system works fine. If any of the LED's is off, check that all of the connections and wires are as they should be. If that does not work something may need to be replaced.

 

[rraustin]

Can't believe they find that turn around time acceptable for owners with issues. Shame as they make some decent kit.

Given what's involved (effort & cost wise) to install / set up can understand the reluctance to switch out for Bilstein.

If anything happens to my ADS dampers over time this is the route I'd take rather than replacing with factory, so will be looking to Bilstein on the grounds of the above.

Good luck getting it sorted (quickly)

Apart from the issues stated above the Kw's really do provide a nice stiff ride, I assume Bilstein are good as well but I'm very satisfied with the KW

It is sorted out now.

To Scott's point, the KW system is really great. The handling of the car is tranformed. It is more about replacement part issues for me.

 

[rraustin]

Unfortuneately, I ordered the KW's before knowing about Kris. He was a big help with the brake upgrade.

 

[rraustin]

Yes, it does cause me to pause when it comes to future projects. KW cannot expect that people should disable their cars for two months waiting for parts.

Bilstein has a similar coilover kit to the KW DDC that is supposed to fit the A5 platform. May give that a try next time.

 

[rraustin]

KW replacement shock - finally

One shock has been replaced and the DDC system is now back to working after not working for two months.

Ends up the electronic switch in the left rear shock went bad. This caused the entire system to go in to limp mode which means it is stuck on the middle setting or Sport Mode. Sport is slightly stiffer than the OE RS5 shocks. This was OK and worked for three different track days as well as street driving.

The big disapointment is that it took two friggin months to work through the KW bureacracy and have it shipped from Fichtenburg, Germany. I know another guy that has been waiting even longer for a replacement.

Love the system and what it does for the car. I just pray that I don't need a replacement part again. KW needs to get a sense of urgency when it comes to replacement parts for their very expensive kits.

 

[rraustin]

I have DDC, you may have a bad contact in the rear left shock. Also check the big connector that goes into the controllor unit. My switch kept blinking after installation, and found out that connector was not plug in correctly

I'll check those connectors. Thanks.