Audi A3 / S3 8P.
The coilover guide.
Shop the coiloversStart with the strut diameter, then the drivetrain. Find the right 8P reference for your wheels, roads and original suspension before choosing the adjustment you want.
The A3 that grew into a family.
The 8P looks settled on a good set of wheels and a modest drop. Getting there starts with a less visible detail: the front strut diameter. A 50mm kit and a 55mm kit are separate applications, even when the cars wear the same engine badge.
Three-door, Sportback, quattro and Cabriolet rows need their own checks. The independent rear suspension keeps its spring separate from the damper; that shared layout does not make every spring, mount or kit interchangeable.
The second A3 arrived in 2003 with a larger body and an independent four-link rear axle. Audi kept the compact three-door shape, added cabin space and introduced electromechanical steering. The 8P sits between the first-generation 8L and the MQB-based 8V.
The five-door Sportback arrived in 2004 with a longer rear body and the Singleframe grille. A fabric-roof Cabriolet joined the range in 2008. Their suspension components and tuning differ, so check that the kit names the actual body: three-door 8P1, Sportback 8PA or Cabriolet 8P7.
The S3 and the 2011 RS 3 Sportback gave the generation its faster factory versions. A quattro badge, however, does not settle the suspension reference for either. The exact sports-model row, axle loads, original equipment and certificate still matter.
For a road car, decide what you want to keep as well as what you want to change. Sensible tyre sidewalls, space for passengers and usable suspension movement can matter more than a small arch gap. A car with wider wheels, different hubs or earlier suspension work needs those changes included in the kit choice.
Start with your A3 / S3 8P.
Match the model year, engine and body style before comparing brands.
Front-wheel drive: 50mm strut
Check the actual front strut body diameter and the engine row. SPAX lists separate 50mm references for the three-door and Sportback applications. Eibach uses even suffixes in the PSS65-85-014 range, with different front axle-load limits. These are not quattro kits.
View the 50mm FWD kits
Front-wheel drive: 55mm strut
Match the 55mm reference to the engine and body. SPAX and Eibach list body-specific applications; AST and MOTON specify 8P1. Check a Sportback separately where it is not named. Wheel size and an S line badge do not establish the strut diameter.
View the 55mm FWD kits
A3 quattro: keep the exact body row
SPAX RSX759 and RSX3-1518 are listed for a 55mm three-door quattro. Eibach covers particular quattro engines, while AST and MOTON specify 8P1. Match the actual body and drivetrain; a three-door application alone does not confirm Sportback or S3 fitment.
View the quattro references
Cabriolet: the 8P7 application
The open car has its own suspension tuning and body bracing. The listed Eibach PSS65-15-007 references name 8P7 applications with 55mm front dampers. Match the engine and axle limits; a hatchback kit or a later 8V Cabriolet reference is not enough.
View the Cabriolet kits
S3 or RS 3: check the sports model
Eibach PSS65-15-007-02-22 includes specific S3 rows with different limits and lowering figures from the ordinary A3. Check the exact certificate and original equipment before choosing it. An A3 quattro application does not establish RS 3 fitment.
Check my S3 or RS 3
Changed running gear or uncertain specification
Include hub or strut changes, existing suspension, wheel width and offset, spacers and any electronic damper equipment. A registration identifies the starting vehicle; it cannot establish what a previous owner has fitted.
Check my modified 8PWhat do you want
from the car?
Road miles, circuit weekends or a car built around the lap. Start with how you drive.
Keep the car usable at the height you choose.
Read the buying advice
SPAX RSX744 is the 55mm FWD road example here. Its listed range is 35-65mm at both axles, with adjustable damping. Match the engine and body row first, then leave enough tyre and suspension clearance for the roads and loads the car actually carries. The quoted range is not a recommendation to use its lowest setting.
- Confirm the 55mm FWD application
- Plan wheel and tyre clearance
- Keep useful suspension movement
Choose separate controls with a setup plan.
Read the buying advice
RSX3-1488 is the double-adjustable 55mm FWD example, with separate bump and rebound controls and a listed 35-65mm range at each axle. Its rows include particular three-door and Sportback engines. Agree the exact application, tyres and intended circuit use before ordering; more controls need a useful setting plan.
- Match the exact engine and body row
- Understand bump and rebound changes
- Plan tyres, brakes and alignment
Specify the car before specifying the dampers.
Read the buying advice
MOTON M 532 006SD is the two-way example for the listed 8P1, 55mm FWD or quattro application. It is a non-inverted monotube kit with separate rebound and compression adjustment on remote reservoirs. Confirm the exact build, spring and mounting specification for the car, its tyres and intended use. This row does not approve an unlisted Sportback, S3 or RS 3.
- Confirm 8P1, drivetrain and 55mm strut
- Agree the spring and mounting specification
- Plan reservoir routing and setup support
Independent rear suspension. Separate spring and damper.
On a standard Audi A3 / S3 8P, the rear spring and damper are mounted separately.
Component layout only. Mounts, dimensions and adjusters vary by kit.The 8P uses an independent four-link rear layout. Audi's original drawings show the coil spring seated inboard of a separate damper on both the FWD and quattro assemblies. This is not the FWD 8L torsion-beam arrangement. The driven rear carrier, body-specific components and tuning still need their own references.
A height-adjustable rear spring seat and a damping adjuster do different jobs. The listed FWD SPAX rows give 35-65mm at the rear; the reviewed quattro references give 25-55mm. Follow the exact kit's instructions for spring location, usable movement and final alignment rather than treating the drawing as an installation guide.
Understand height and spring adjustment
Check the mounts before adding adjustment.
AST's 8P1 application table warns that body modification is needed where front top mounts are used. Establish the exact mounting arrangement before choosing a kit or adding camber plates. A set that works with original mounts does not establish clearance for every optional plate.
Have retained mounts, bearings, bushes and fasteners inspected while planning the work. Record the wheels, tyres and spacers, then check clearance through steering and suspension movement. Set the intended running height before the final alignment, and follow the kit's specified post-installation checks.
Wheels, tyres and arch clearance
Check width and offset together with tyre size and the proposed height. Look at the strut, inner arch and outer lip through steering and suspension movement. A wheel that clears while parked may still contact under load.
Original damper equipment
Establish whether the car has electronic damper control. Eibach's listed replacement-kit notes say that this function is lost and a warning may need addressing. A cancellation module does not turn a conventional damper back into a factory-controlled adaptive one.
Axle loads and body-specific parts
Use the actual vehicle plate and exact engine row. Eibach's FWD references divide into different front axle limits and strut diameters. Cabriolet and quattro rear hardware cannot be chosen from the appearance of the car alone.
Mounts and the finished setup
Agree any required body work, retained parts and reservoir installation before fitting. More adjustment is useful when someone can set it for the actual car. Finish with measured alignment and the checks specified for the selected kit.
The current A3 / S3 8P range.
Compare the controls and hardware included in each range.
The FWD references split by 50mm and 55mm strut diameter, with different engine rows within each size. RSX provides adjustable damping; the listed RSX3 references separate bump and rebound. Reviewed FWD rows list 35-65mm at both axles. The separate 55mm three-door quattro references list 25-55mm. Preserve the exact body and engine conditions.
View SPAX A3 / S3 8P kits
The six PSS65-85-014 FWD references divide by 50/55mm diameter and front axle-load limits of 1035, 1105 or 1170kg. PSS65-15-007 covers particular quattro and Cabriolet rows, with separate S3 conditions. Check the certificate, original equipment and additional parts. The USA-catalogue 8598.711 is a market-specific application, not blanket approval for a UK car.
View Eibach A3 / S3 8P kits
AST lists 8P1, 55mm FWD and quattro applications. The mounting arrangements differ between original-mount 5100 Street, Street Performance with front top mounts and Clubracing. RAC/RIV-V1901SD have conflicting replacement-reference notes in the manufacturer catalogue; ask us to confirm the current part number before ordering either.
View AST A3 / S3 8P kits
The current table names 8P1, 55mm FWD and quattro rows for M 532 106SD, M 532 006SD and M 532 005SD. They offer one-, two- and three-way control respectively. Confirm the supplied mounting and spring specification and plan the reservoir installation where applicable. Those rows do not establish Sportback or sports-model fitment.
View MOTON A3 / S3 8P kitsFind your A3 / S3 8P coilovers.
Prices include UK VAT. Choose an application and brand, then open a kit for its current options and availability.
27 listings
Match the engine, body style and axle-load limits on the product page before ordering.
MOTON · M 532 006SD
MOTON 2-Way Motorsport Coilovers for Audi, VW Applications - M 532 006SD
Front-wheel drive: 55mm strut / A3 quattro: keep the exact body row
SPAX · RSX3-1490
SPAX RSX Double Adjustable Coilover Kit for Audi applications - RSX3-1490
Front-wheel drive: 55mm strut
Eibach · PSS65-85-014-02-22
Eibach Pro-Street S Coilover Kit for Audi / SEAT / Skoda / Volkswagen applications - PSS65-85-014-02-22
Front-wheel drive: 50mm strut
AST · ACT-V1003SD
AST 5100 Street Performance Coilovers for Audi, VW Applications - ACT-V1003SD
Front-wheel drive: 55mm strut / A3 quattro: keep the exact body row
MOTON · M 532 106SD
MOTON 1-Way Clubracer Coilovers for Audi, VW Applications - M 532 106SD
Front-wheel drive: 55mm strut / A3 quattro: keep the exact body row
SPAX · RSX742
SPAX RSX Coilover Kit for Audi applications - RSX742
Front-wheel drive: 50mm strut
All A3 / S3 8P kit links and part numbers
- AST · ACC-V1905SD: AST 5100 Clubracing Coilovers for Audi, Seat, Skoda, VW Applications - ACC-V1905SD
- AST · ACT-V1003SD: AST 5100 Street Performance Coilovers for Audi, VW Applications - ACT-V1003SD
- AST · ACU-V1903SD: AST 5100 Street Coilovers for Audi, Seat, VW Applications - ACU-V1903SD
- AST · RAC-V1901SD: AST 5300 3-Way Motorsport Coilovers for Audi A3 / A3 Quattro 8P1 - RAC-V1901SD
- AST · RIV-V1901SD: AST 5200 2-Way Motorsport Coilovers for Audi A3 / A3 Quattro 8P1 - RIV-V1901SD
- MOTON · M 532 005SD: MOTON 3-Way Motorsport Coilovers for Audi, VW Applications - M 532 005SD
- MOTON · M 532 006SD: MOTON 2-Way Motorsport Coilovers for Audi, VW Applications - M 532 006SD
- MOTON · M 532 106SD: MOTON 1-Way Clubracer Coilovers for Audi, VW Applications - M 532 106SD
- SPAX · RSX3-1484: SPAX RSX Double Adjustable Coilover Kit for Audi applications - RSX3-1484
- SPAX · RSX3-1486: SPAX RSX Double Adjustable Coilover Kit for Audi applications - RSX3-1486
- SPAX · RSX3-1488: SPAX RSX Double Adjustable Coilover Kit for Audi applications - RSX3-1488
- SPAX · RSX3-1490: SPAX RSX Double Adjustable Coilover Kit for Audi applications - RSX3-1490
- SPAX · RSX3-1518: SPAX RSX Double Adjustable Coilover Kit for Audi A3 Coupe Quattro 2.0T Fsi; 2.0TDi (Front Strut Dia. 55mm) - RSX3-1518
- SPAX · RSX742: SPAX RSX Coilover Kit for Audi applications - RSX742
- SPAX · RSX743: SPAX RSX Coilover Kit for Audi applications - RSX743
- SPAX · RSX744: SPAX RSX Coilover Kit for Audi applications - RSX744
- SPAX · RSX745: SPAX RSX Coilover Kit for Audi applications - RSX745
- SPAX · RSX759: SPAX RSX Coilover Kit for Audi A3 Coupe Quattro 2.0T Fsi; 2.0TDi (Front Strut Dia. 55mm) - RSX759
- Eibach · 8598.711: Eibach Pro-Street Coilover Kit for Volkswagen / Audi applications - 8598.711
- Eibach · PSS65-15-007-01-22: Eibach Pro-Street S Coilover Kit for Audi / Volkswagen applications - PSS65-15-007-01-22
- Eibach · PSS65-15-007-02-22: Eibach Pro-Street S Coilover Kit for Audi / Skoda / Volkswagen applications - PSS65-15-007-02-22
- Eibach · PSS65-85-014-01-22: Eibach Pro-Street S Coilover Kit for Audi / SEAT / Skoda / Volkswagen applications - PSS65-85-014-01-22
- Eibach · PSS65-85-014-02-22: Eibach Pro-Street S Coilover Kit for Audi / SEAT / Skoda / Volkswagen applications - PSS65-85-014-02-22
- Eibach · PSS65-85-014-03-22: Eibach Pro-Street S Coilover Kit for Audi / SEAT / Skoda / Volkswagen applications - PSS65-85-014-03-22
- Eibach · PSS65-85-014-04-22: Eibach Pro-Street S Coilover Kit for Audi / SEAT / Skoda / Volkswagen applications - PSS65-85-014-04-22
- Eibach · PSS65-85-014-05-22: Eibach Pro-Street S Coilover Kit for Audi / SEAT / Skoda / Volkswagen applications - PSS65-85-014-05-22
- Eibach · PSS65-85-014-06-22: Eibach Pro-Street S Coilover Kit for Audi / SEAT / Skoda / Volkswagen applications - PSS65-85-014-06-22
Before you order.
Identify your car
Identify 8P1, 8PA or 8P7, the engine and FWD or quattro. Record original suspension equipment and any hub, strut or drivetrain changes.
Match the kit
Confirm the front strut diameter, exact engine and body row, axle limits and manufacturer part number. Check the current certificate where one is specified.
Check what’s included
Establish the supplied mounts, rear spring hardware and any extra OE parts. Resolve body-modification or replacement-reference notes before ordering.
Check your modifications
Record wheel width, offset, tyre size and spacers. Check the arches, struts and other nearby parts through the movement needed at the intended height.
Plan fitting
Confirm current timing before booking fitting. Agree installation and alignment, retain the exact instructions, and arrange the specified checks after the suspension settles.
See what the adjustments do.
Choosing coilovers for road and track
Compare the kit against your roads, tyres and setup plans before counting adjusters.
Ride height and spring preload
Understand the two adjustments before choosing a lowering range.
What spring rate tells you
Compare force and movement, read the units and choose a spring with the damper in mind.
Spring rates and top mounts
Read the front/rear figures and check which mounts come with your kit.
Questions about Audi A3 / S3 8P coilovers.
Check the details before choosing your kit.
Which A3 generation does this guide cover?
The second-generation 8P family, including three-door 8P1, Sportback 8PA and Cabriolet 8P7 applications. The 8V arrived while some 8P bodies were still being sold, so registration year alone is not enough. Match the actual body and chassis details.
How do I choose between 50mm and 55mm struts?
Have the front strut body diameter checked against the exact kit application. Engine badges, S line trim and a shared platform do not prove which diameter is fitted, especially after earlier hub or strut changes.
Can a FWD kit be used on an A3 quattro?
Use a reference that names the actual drivetrain and body. The quattro rear assembly accommodates drive to the rear wheels; the FWD assembly does not. Both keep the spring separate from the damper, but a general A3 or 8P label does not establish kit interchangeability.
Can I use a hatchback kit on the Cabriolet?
Choose an application that names 8P7 and the actual engine, strut diameter and axle limits. The listed PSS65-15-007 references have particular Cabriolet rows. Audi adapted springs, dampers and other parts for the open body; neither a hatchback application nor a later Cabriolet reference is sufficient.
What about S3 and RS 3 fitment?
Check the exact sports-model application. PSS65-15-007-02-22 includes dedicated S3 rows with different limits and lowering figures, so use the exact certificate and original-equipment details. Do not transfer an A3 quattro row to an S3 or RS 3 without explicit support for that model.
Will electronic damper control still work?
Do not assume it will. The listed Eibach replacement-kit notes say electronic damper control is no longer available and a warning can occur. An applicable cancellation solution addresses the warning; it does not restore factory-controlled damping to a conventional replacement kit.
Is the rear spring separate from the damper?
Yes. The original 8P rear drawings show a separate coil spring and damper on the independent rear suspension. A kit may adjust rear height at the spring seat. The exact spring hardware, mounts and installation conditions still vary by application.
What details help with a modified 8P?
Include the chassis and body, engine, drivetrain, original and current suspension, front strut diameter, wheel width and offset, tyres and spacers. Mention any changed hubs, mounts or electronic equipment. The registration finder helps identify the starting vehicle but cannot confirm those changes.
Let’s talk suspension.
Find your 8P, then add the strut diameter, engine, body and suspension already fitted. Include the wheel specification and any earlier changes so we can check the exact reference with you.