Hi all,

After my car was involved in an accident (not my fault), the car has been sitting in my driveway for the past few weeks and have noticed that the rear has dropped way down on both sides. I've posted about my air suspension problems before, but it seems as if I have a very slow leak as it's taken quite some time for the suspension to drop - it's not just an overnight occurrence.

I've been quoted £349.06 + VAT for a genuine air spring (part number 4F0616001J ) plus £105 + VAT for fitting per side, making this job a total of 2 x air springs (£698.12) plus 2 x fitting (£210) plus VAT which brings the total to £1,089.74

I've seen these on ebay but they're not genuine Audi parts...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/For-Audi-A6-C6-4F-2005-2011-Rear-Air-Suspension-Shock-Air-Bag-4F0616001J-RPF-/131383040220?fits=Model%3AA6%7CPlat_Gen%3A4F2%2C+C 6&hash=item1e970a18dc:g:vHIAAOSwj0NUk7vl

This 3rd party part is only £115 bringing the total expense down significantly.

My questions to you fine people are as follows...

Does anyone have any experience with these parts or can recommend different parts? Would these last as long as the genuine parts? Do you think having 3rd party parts fitted reduce the resale value of the car when I come to sell it on (I'm thinking of keeping the car another 2 years or so, plus after that my other half might want to keep it on for herself for another year or two after that)?