Arnott replacements for 2011 C6/4F A6 allroad

[NucMed]

Forewarned is forearmed, so they say ... as my 2011 A6 allroad is just coming up to 120 000km, I have started to give the airbag suspension some thought to what happens when it blows (not if, but when) and how to beat it to the punch.

Has anyone here had any experience with the replacement/re-manufactured Arnotts for C6/4F A6 allroads? I've done a cursory search, but there mainly seems to be information on the C5 replacements from Arnott.

Cheers, all the best for 2023 & beyond

 

[Alister]

From what I understand the Arnotts replacements still get a good rap.

 

[jnrdavo]

agree Alister, they have had a good rap from what I have read.

 

[NucMed]

Thanks to both you and Alister, since there seems to be little mention of the "newer" (C6/4F) versions around & whilst I see quite a few of that vintage A6 allroad for sale around the >150-250 000km mark, I've never seen mention of replaced airbag suspension (including struts) ... wondering if people are just being quiet about it or the later version is more reliable/robust that the original C5 version as delivered new.

Cheers, all the best

 

[Cameron]

Having had a C5 for 10 years that needed the stupid bags replaced by Audi under warranty multiple times, and then moving to the Arnott ones when it was my cost (which never failed), yep, the OEM had design faults.

I've had a C7 for almost 10 years and it's still going on the original bags, so they are clearly much much better. (The C7 sunroof is a different story... that seems to be the weak point...)

Cam

 

[Wudka]

I wanted the Arnott myself, however, they are not supported with the lifetime warranty here in Australia and distributor fees were very high.

Replacement of the x2 rear bags was quoted in excess of 2k AUD.

So I did research and replaced my bags with this brand -

https://www.miessler-automotive.com/Suspension_273

The quality appears to be very good and in a side by side vs the original Continental bags, I felt these were manufactured with more "finesse".

I replaced both rear bags in my C7 and so far so good - about 20k kms in.

 

[NucMed]

I wanted the Arnott myself, however, they are not supported with the lifetime warranty here in Australia and distributor fees were very high.

Replacement of the x2 rear bags was quoted in excess of 2k AUD.

So I did research and replaced my bags with this brand -

https://www.miessler-automotive.com/Suspension_273

The quality appears to be very good and in a side by side vs the original Continental bags, I felt these were manufactured with more "finesse".

I replaced both rear bags in my C7 and so far so good - about 20k kms in.

Thanks Wudka, just on the importation, were there any problems buying o/s and getting them here? As I've started getting the occasional suspension weirdness (compressor running more regularly & noisily, front right dropping 2cm in 24hrs), I suspect my time is coming, so a looking at importing all the relevant parts (compressor, bags, struts, valve block, sensors) and getting my "normal" DE-alike garage (Audi/BMW/Mercedes/Skoda/VW) to do the installation.

I never took a lot of interest in the adjustable suspension (former multiple Citroen owner here ... lol) just left it at whatever the previous owner had set it at when I picked the car up, which I think was Automatic, although he seemed to have fun running it up and down (nothing else to do in his 30 min peak hour traffic jams for an ostensibly 5 minute commute) and said that the valve block/distributor had been replaced at about 50 000km (I bought the car at 80 000km). I think the first time I looked at the MMI air suspension settings was last week when I noticed the compressor running.

Any info on how your parts are going would be appreciated, cheers.

 

[Wudka]

Thanks Wudka, just on the importation, were there any problems buying o/s and getting them here? As I've started getting the occasional suspension weirdness (compressor running more regularly & noisily, front right dropping 2cm in 24hrs), I suspect my time is coming, so a looking at importing all the relevant parts (compressor, bags, struts, valve block, sensors) and getting my "normal" DE-alike garage (Audi/BMW/Mercedes/Skoda/VW) to do the installation.

I never took a lot of interest in the adjustable suspension (former multiple Citroen owner here ... lol) just left it at whatever the previous owner had set it at when I picked the car up, which I think was Automatic, although he seemed to have fun running it up and down (nothing else to do in his 30 min peak hour traffic jams for an ostensibly 5 minute commute) and said that the valve block/distributor had been replaced at about 50 000km (I bought the car at 80 000km). I think the first time I looked at the MMI air suspension settings was last week when I noticed the compressor running.

Any info on how your parts are going would be appreciated, cheers.

Big apologies.
I haven’t checked in and didn’t see your question.

I’ve done over 50k now on them and no problems whatsoever (knock on wood).

I do play between sports and comfort a lot and I do raise the vehicle multiple times a week to off-road when I’m on a job site.
Just in case.

They really did look the part when I unboxed. They looked like quality items and inspection found them to be good.

The courier fee was higher than the parts themselves, but other than that no issues.

I would purchase from them again if I needed to.

 

[NucMed]

Cheers, & just to say thanks Wudka, in middle of 80hr trip back to AU, will write more when I get back Tuesday.

 

[NucMed]

Big apologies.
I haven’t checked in and didn’t see your question.

I’ve done over 50k now on them and no problems whatsoever (knock on wood).

I do play between sports and comfort a lot and I do raise the vehicle multiple times a week to off-road when I’m on a job site.
Just in case.

They really did look the part when I unboxed. They looked like quality items and inspection found them to be good.

The courier fee was higher than the parts themselves, but other than that no issues.

I would purchase from them again if I needed to.

Sorry to hear of your gearbox drama, sounds like a major problem that in theory, would be easily solved. Encouraging to hear you resolved it.

Also encouraging to hear your rear Miessler airbags are still going strong.

I'm going to try to organise a trip up to my "local" DE-alike service centre 150km away in the next week or so to check what is required for my suspension weirdness as the green (mostly) and yellow (rarely) lights suspension are becoming more regular and the compressor is running more regularly, then order up a new compressor (including valve block et cetera), right & left front struts and although from your account, the cost of shipping sounds like a horror.

I'm guessing all up, it's probably going to be cheaper than getting Audi to do it. The big problem will come trying to get it done before it gives out completely ... the DE-alike service centre used to be able take a booking a week in advance, now they're talking booking a month ahead ...

 

[Wudka]

Sorry to hear of your gearbox drama, sounds like a major problem that in theory, would be easily solved. Encouraging to hear you resolved it.

Also encouraging to hear your rear Miessler airbags are still going strong.

I'm going to try to organise a trip up to my "local" DE-alike service centre 150km away in the next week or so to check what is required for my suspension weirdness as the green (mostly) and yellow (rarely) lights suspension are becoming more regular and the compressor is running more regularly, then order up a new compressor (including valve block et cetera), right & left front struts and although from your account, the cost of shipping sounds like a horror.

I'm guessing all up, it's probably going to be cheaper than getting Audi to do it. The big problem will come trying to get it done before it gives out completely ... the DE-alike service centre used to be able take a booking a week in advance, now they're talking booking a month ahead ...

Hey,

Yeah, I am relieved that thus far it looks like I have located the fault and fixed it.
I still need to replace the solenoid valve and re-work the arrangement of that wiring harness including making provision for it to not allow the buildup of water at the base of the plug.

Does your vehicle drop in height? When left overnight?
Mine used to drop on one wheel only and when it got bad, it would error during drive and not maintain height, so I replaced both bags within that week. I initially thought it might be a leaky valve.

Never had a return of that issue after replacing the bags.

The replacement is not hard to do, if you have even basic mech skills. Audi wouldn't lock in a price when I called them, other than to tell me I was looking at a few thousand in bags alone. If I had a hoist, it would have been 30mins a side worst case. What they charge cannot be justified.

 

[NucMed]

Does your vehicle drop in height? When left overnight?
Mine used to drop on one wheel only and when it got bad, it would error during drive and not maintain height, so I replaced both bags within that week. I initially thought it might be a leaky valve.

Never had a return of that issue after replacing the bags.

The replacement is not hard to do, if you have even basic mech skills. Audi wouldn't lock in a price when I called them, other than to tell me I was looking at a few thousand in bags alone. If I had a hoist, it would have been 30mins a side worst case. What they charge cannot be justified.

I get what you're saying about replacing the rear airbags, relatively simple, although the front is more of a problem, even if I had all the relevant gear (last car I worked on was my Citroën CX 2500 Familiale back in the late 1990s-early 2000s, got rid of all tools when I sold it). Now, especially with everything being electronically controlled, it's way out of my league (the Citroën suspension was easy, the green spheres were easy access in your face like the proverbial and a slightly more sophisticated version of oil filter wrench was all that was required to remove and replace).

I've not checked the drop on the front right recently, but some months ago I noticed front driver's side was down ≈2cm over 24hrs. However, when checking the alleged "correct" distance between underside of the guard and centre of the wheel, they were all exactly the same 395mm height (they're meant to be 388mm front and 380mm rear). I re-calibrated it with VCDS and they "seem" to be ok, however, as mentioned, the lights come on from time to time, mainly the green, but then go out again when it regains equilibrium (or whatever it's doing), it's really just the more frequent running of the compressor that concerns me, so a possible leak from "somewhere".

Now, it may be, since I can never recall seeing the green or yellow suspension lights before the re-calibration, that putting the correct values into the system has allowed them to work correctly for the first time since I've owned the car, but the compressor feels like is on its way out anyway.

Regardless, I'll try to get the DE-alike service centre to have a look sooner rather than later & let me know what their thoughts are so I can import the required parts from Miessler (I think minimum will be the compressor & valve block kit), but I'm bracing myself for the front air spring dampers/struts too (all up, ≈30kg shipping weight).

 

[NucMed]

Does your vehicle drop in height? When left overnight?
Mine used to drop on one wheel only and when it got bad, it would error during drive and not maintain height

For the first time it has, this morning after about 20hrs sitting, the front right dropped all the way down, but rose up again when the compressor started. It was showing both yellow & green lights from time to time whilst driving & when I returned to the car after 5 minutes, it had dropped again on the right front, the driver side.

I'd already ordered the compressor kit due in a week or so, so now it looks like I'm up for the full front set (≈AU$2 500 ) ... although I've seen people say they've only replaced the affected side. Unsure why one side would be more prone than another to failure (but I'm not a mechanic).

Eurotech Canberra will look at the car in early April, so at least, in theory, all the parts will be there for them by then.

 

[NucMed]

For the first time it has, this morning after about 20hrs sitting, the front right dropped all the way down, but rose up again when the compressor started. It was showing both yellow & green lights from time to time whilst driving & when I returned to the car after 5 minutes, it had dropped again on the right front, the driver side.

I'd already ordered the compressor kit due in a week or so, so now it looks like I'm up for the full front set (≈AU$2 500 ) ... although I've seen people say they've only replaced the affected side. Unsure why one side would be more prone than another to failure (but I'm not a mechanic).

Eurotech Canberra will look at the car in early April, so at least, in theory, all the parts will be there for them by then.

OK, all done, the parts from Miessler in DE all arrived (compressor & valve block kit, both front struts & and air line repair kit) in early April, but could not get a booking with EuroTech in Fyshwick (ACT) until early-mid May.

Miessler also do an redesigned/upgraded version of the front struts which are more expensive than their OEM version, but I went for the OEM version which were available for a discount price for buying the pair, whereas there is no discount for buying both left and right redesigned/upgraded ones together ...

It, of course, remains to be seen whether they will be as good as/better/worse that Arnott ...

The car is now repaired and back now for a few weeks and all seems to be ok, in fact the ride is better than I have ever known (I bought from the 1st owner with 82 000km in 2020, all serviced by Audi).

The car feels very different, much smoother on the 150km drive over the goat track back home and the height on all corners remains correct at 388mm & 380mm (I don’t think I have heard the compressor run once since it's been back ... even when it was new to me, I could hear & now that I know, more worryingly, feel it run regularly, although I never knew it was the compressor). I’m thinking that the suspension may have never been "correct" during the time I have owned it. The original owner had the air suspension valve block replaced (I think under warranty, so done by Audi Sydney where he had the car serviced).

Vijesh at EuroTech mentioned that the air suspension should be checked and if necessary bled/refilled at every service then re-calibrated at ≈45 000km intervals (apart from any other air suspension problem that may occur outside those scheduled periods).

It also might explain why there was such a strange setting of 395mm for all four corners of the car. I never really looked at the air suspension controls in the car & just left it at what the original owner had it at (probably Automatic or Comfort) when I picked the car up from him in Jan 2020. As a former Citroen owner (2 x GS Club 1220 1 x CX 2500 Familiale) adjustable suspension was no big deal/novelty, so never really checked it out on the Audi. Neither Audi or the Audi specialist that used to service my cars in Sydney mentioned there may have been a problem.

So, in the final reduction, I can highly recommend both Miessler for the quality, price & rapid delivery (and their speedy replies to e-mails) of their parts and Vijesh Otto at EuroTech for his work on the repair/replace work he performed.

 

[jnrdavo]

nice to see, something that most people don't tackle. They end up putting in coil-overs and missing out on the comfort and adjustability.
It's good to know there are kits out there that not only work, but somebody can actually fit them properly as well.

Looking at your list of cars, one rings a bell with me. My dad had a citreon Familiale, not sure what model/generation.
All I know is that it was a 7 seater, and he did 120 miles an hour on the motorway in UK or europe at some point with 5 in the car!

the good old days when you drove at speed, with your knees doing the turning on the freeway with the family abroad

Pic below is not ours, but I think the same one he had.

 

[NucMed]

nice to see, something that most people don't tackle. They end up putting in coil-overs and missing out on the comfort and adjustability.
It's good to know there are kits out there that not only work, but somebody can actually fit them properly as well.

Looking at your list of cars, one rings a bell with me. My dad had a citreon Familiale, not sure what model/generation.
All I know is that it was a 7 seater, and he did 120 miles an hour on the motorway in UK or europe at some point with 5 in the car!

the good old days when you drove at speed, with your knees doing the turning on the freeway with the family abroad

Pic below is not ours, but I think the same one he had.


View attachment 32804

That's the one, although just looking at the mirrors, probably late-1970s to early-1980s, mine was one of the last Series 1 7 seater versions (1985) before the Series 2 ones redid the interior & dash/instruments went conventional (well, conventional for Citroën) ... I can only find one unflattering photo of mine, the rest are all in storage several hundred km away ...

Fantastic & comfortable long distance load carriers, not fast off the mark, but once wound up, run forever at high speed regardless of bends or quality of road surfaces.

I just wish the Audi air suspension parts & the work were as simple as the Citroën's ... 4 green spheres (and the main accumulator) ≈AU$100 each, an afternoon, a slightly more glamorous oil filter wrench as the removal/replacement tool and job done. No hoists, computers or anything else.

I was the second owner from ≈1990-2001. Sadly it got trashed (windows smashed, all panels including roof bashed in) by some ratbag who'd decided that any cars parked in Woollahra were owned by billionaires that deserved it ... police didn't want to know ...



@Wudka put me onto Miessler (he'd replaced his rear air suspension bags with theirs) & they were really easy to deal with, absolutely recommend them as no-fuss suppliers with really rapid responses (caveat regarding unknown whether good as/better/worse than Arnott notwithstanding).

As for Vijesh Otto at EuroTech, a real find (well, put onto him by Anthony Costello who he used work for some years ago), definitely use him for major work again. Vijesh seems to do a lot of Audi R8s, RSs and so on, I felt a fraud bringing him such a low-end machine ... lol

 

[Wudka]

That's the one, although just looking at the mirrors, probably late-1970s to early-1980s, mine was one of the last Series 1 7 seater versions (1985) before the Series 2 ones redid the interior & dash/instruments went conventional (well, conventional for Citroën) ... I can only find one unflattering photo of mine, the rest are all in storage several hundred km away ...

Fantastic & comfortable long distance load carriers, not fast off the mark, but once wound up, run forever at high speed regardless of bends or quality of road surfaces.

I just wish the Audi air suspension parts & the work were as simple as the Citroën's ... 4 green spheres (and the main accumulator) ≈AU$100 each, an afternoon, a slightly more glamorous oil filter wrench as the removal/replacement tool and job done. No hoists, computers or anything else.

I was the second owner from ≈1990-2001. Sadly it got trashed (windows smashed, all panels including roof bashed in) by some ratbag who'd decided that any cars parked in Woollahra were owned by billionaires that deserved it ... police didn't want to know ...

View attachment 32805

@Wudka put me onto Miessler (he'd replaced his rear air suspension bags with theirs) & they were really easy to deal with, absolutely recommend them as no-fuss suppliers with really rapid responses (caveat regarding unknown whether good as/better/worse than Arnott notwithstanding).

As for Vijesh Otto at EuroTech, a real find (well, put onto him by Anthony Costello who he used work for some years ago), definitely use him for major work again. Vijesh seems to do a lot of Audi R8s, RSs and so on, I felt a fraud bringing him such a low-end machine ... lol

I'm glad it worked out!
From my viewpoint, the rear bags looked better than the originals I was replacing them with and the front struts looked like they were reconditioned in a really precise manner.

I agree that they were extremely professional and easy to deal with.

My front end is in need of some love now, so I am starting to research bush packages to replace as many as possible in one hit, as I think that I will keep the car another couple of years. Still remains to be seen.