White Audi A3 8V Sportback with silver multi-spoke wheels outside a stone mill

Audi A3 / S3 8V.
The coilover guide.

Shop the coilovers

The 8V choice starts underneath the car: front strut size, rear axle, body and original damper equipment. Match those first, then choose the adjustment you will use.

Which A3 / S3 8V do you have?25 listed kits · 5 brandsReviewed 7 November 2026

The hatchback family gained a saloon.

A neat set of wheels and a modest drop suit the sharp lines of the 8V. The complication is underneath: two front strut sizes, different rear axles and several bodies can sit behind the same A3 badge. A wheel diameter or engine badge cannot settle the kit reference.

Use the application choices below to narrow the listed kits. The rear spring is separate from the damper on both factory axle arrangements, but that resemblance does not make their springs, mounts or height-adjuster hardware interchangeable.

Audi introduced the third-generation A3 in 2012. The 8V was its first model on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform, followed by an A3 saloon in 2013. That separate boot gave buyers another body choice alongside the compact hatch and five-door Sportback.

The fabric-roof Cabriolet and plug-in e-tron broadened the range further. Audi dates the e-tron to 2014; its battery and powertrain are a reason to check the exact application rather than order from a shared 1.4 badge. The later 8Y arrived in 2020 and needs a separate application.

S3 and RS3 versions add another layer of suspension and equipment checks. A quattro badge tells you about the drivetrain; it does not establish the axle-load rating, front clamp diameter or mounting arrangement of a particular replacement kit.

For a modified road car, work back from the wheels and the journeys you make. Record tyre size, offset, spacers and how often you carry passengers. A little more arch gap can be useful if it leaves the suspension room to move on an uneven road.

Start with your A3 / S3 8V.

Match the model year, engine and body style before comparing brands.

Red three-door Audi A3 8V with silver wheels on a hillside layby

Three-door: size and rear axle first

The short hatch has its own body code and long front doors. BC lists FWD S-17 for a 54.5mm strut and S-21 for 49.5mm. Eibach uses 50mm and 55mm application wording and separates independent-rear from beam-rear versions. Confirm the actual clamp and axle rather than rounding one brand’s label into another’s approval.

View the hatch references
Blue five-door Audi A3 8V Sportback with graphite wheels by stone houses

Sportback: five doors do not identify the axle

For a five-door car, match the exact engine, axle-load limits and rear arrangement. PSS65-15-021-01 to -04 name independent-rear FWD applications; -07 and -08 name a different rear-axle application. The Chinese-market TEIN 35 TFSI row needs a separate market and equipment check.

View the Sportback references
Grey four-door Audi A3 8V saloon with silver multi-spoke wheels in a courtyard

Saloon: use the saloon reference

BC separates the saloon into S-30 for 49.5mm and S-31 for 54.5mm FWD applications. Particular Eibach rows also name 8VS/8VM saloons. Do not extend a hatch-only or rear-beam row to the saloon because another kit uses the same platform name.

View the saloon references
Silver Audi A3 8V Cabriolet with its roof down and upgraded wheels at the coast

Cabriolet: its own body and axle limits

The open 8V7/8VE car uses a four-link rear layout. Eibach lists separate 50mm and 55mm front applications, with different axle-load limits. Some references include electronic-damper cancellation equipment; check what the actual car has and what function the replacement retains.

View the Cabriolet references
Black Audi S3 8V Sportback with bronze wheels on a leafy lane

A3 quattro, S3 and RS3

PSS65-15-021-05 includes particular quattro and S3 applications, with different lowering figures for the S3. S3 Cabriolet uses a separate listed body row. AST and MOTON list specific 8V sports-model entries with 55mm front struts. Have the exact model, body and equipment confirmed; an ordinary quattro row does not approve an RS3.

View the quattro and S3 reference
Green Audi A3 8V Sportback with silver mesh wheels outside a workshop

Changed cars, e-tron and market-specific cases

Include any previous hub, strut, spring, mount or electronic-damper changes. An imported car needs its original market specification. For an e-tron or an application not explicitly named in the kit’s documents, ask for an exact check rather than borrowing a petrol A3 row.

Check my 8V application

What do you want
from the car?

Road miles, circuit weekends or a car built around the lap. Start with how you drive.

Selected configurationSee optionsinc. VAT · 54.5mm FWD BC BR RA / S-17

Keep the height useful for the roads you drive.

Read the buying advice

BC S-17 BR RA is the example for the listed 54.5mm FWD hatch application. Its one-way adjustment changes compression and rebound together. Confirm the rear axle, body and supplied mounting arrangement before ordering, then choose a height that leaves usable travel and tyre clearance. The same engine badge is not a substitute for those checks.

  • Confirm the front clamp and rear axle
  • Keep tyre clearance and useful travel
  • Use the exact kit’s adjustment instructions
View current configurations
Selected configurationSee optionsinc. VAT · 54.5mm FWD BC RM MA / S-17

Understand the hardware before adding adjustment.

Read the buying advice

The S-17 RM MA option uses an inverted front damper. It remains a one-way adjustable range, so it does not add independent bump and rebound controls to the BR example. Check the actual configuration, mounting and intended use, then plan tyres, brakes and alignment alongside it. Choose that construction for the actual build and intended use, with a setting plan agreed before the first track day.

  • Confirm the RM MA configuration
  • Agree the tyre and alignment plan
  • Make one recorded setup change at a time
View current configurations
Selected configurationSee optionsinc. VAT · 55mm 8V MOTON 2-Way / M 532 007SD

Choose independent controls with support to use them.

Read the buying advice

MOTON M 532 007SD is the two-way example in the manufacturer’s 55mm 8V application table. Separate compression and rebound controls give a different setup task from the BC one-way ranges. Confirm the exact A3, S3 or RS3 body entry, spring and mounting package, reservoir installation and tyres before ordering. The application table is not permission to treat every 8V as the same build.

  • Confirm the exact model and body
  • Agree springs, mounts and reservoir routing
  • Plan measured circuit setup support
View current configurations

Two rear axles. A separate spring in both.

Separate rear spring and damperThe coil spring rests between its own seats, beside a separate shock absorber. This fixed component diagram does not show vehicle dimensions, mounting hardware or suspension movement.SpringDamper

On a standard Audi A3 8V, the rear spring and damper are mounted separately.

Component layout only. Mounts, dimensions and adjusters vary by kit.

Audi’s engineering documents show a torsion-beam arrangement on particular applications and an independent four-link arrangement on others. The four-link layout also accommodates quattro. In both drawings, the coil spring sits in its own seat beside a separate damper. The compact illustration identifies those component positions, not the different axle structures.

Identify the axle actually fitted before selecting the rear hardware. Do not assume every FWD car has a beam or use a worldwide engine-power rule: Audi’s US-market 2.0 TDI example has a specific beam arrangement associated with its AdBlue packaging. Eibach’s independent-rear and beam-rear notes need to stay separate. A package described as a rear-coilover conversion also needs its own mounting and installation approval; the factory drawing does not establish that approval.

Understand spring seats and height adjustment
Mechanic with a handheld torch inspecting the rear wheel arch of a grey Audi A3 8V Sportback

Check the whole wheel envelope.

Start with the wheels, tyres and current hardware. Wider wheels and spacers can use the room a lower ride height needs. Check the strut, inner arch and outer lip through the required steering and suspension movement, with the car’s normal load considered. A parked photograph cannot establish that clearance.

Plan the mounting work before booking fitting. AST’s 8V table flags body modification where front top mounts are used, and one listed set description names rear-coilover hardware. Establish the exact package and instructions rather than assuming original mounting points or the same rear arrangement throughout the range. Finish at the intended running height with measured alignment and the specified post-installation checks.

Wheels and tyres

Record width, offset, tyre size and spacers together. Check the inner and outer clearance with the actual wheel, not a nominal diameter alone. Keep enough suspension movement for the roads, passengers and loads the car carries.

Magnetic ride and warnings

Identify any original electronic damping before ordering. A compatible cancellation solution can address a warning, but it does not retain factory-controlled damping in a conventional replacement damper. Check the exact kit’s electronic-equipment notes.

Axle loads and rear axle

Use the vehicle’s actual axle-load plate and the exact application row. Independent-rear and beam-rear hardware are separate checks. S3 and Cabriolet lowering figures and limits must not be borrowed from ordinary hatchback rows.

Mounts, alignment and fitting

Agree retained parts, any body work and reservoir routing with the fitter. The independent rear has geometry adjustment provisions; the torsion-beam example has different limitations. Have the correct procedure applied to the actual axle rather than expecting one universal alignment menu.

The current A3 / S3 8V range.

Compare the controls and hardware included in each range.

BC Racing

S-17 and S-21 name FWD hatch applications with 54.5mm and 49.5mm struts; S-31 and S-30 are the corresponding saloon references. BR RA and RM MA are different selectable configurations. Both ranges use one-way damping adjustment; RM has an inverted front design. Confirm the exact rear axle and supplied package.

View BC Racing A3 / S3 8V kits

Eibach

PRO-STREET-S references split by front diameter, axle loads, rear axle and body. The -01 to -04 independent-rear FWD references differ from -07 and -08 rear-beam applications. The -05 includes dedicated quattro and S3 rows. Cabriolet references have their own limits; use the precise lowering figures and certificate for that row.

View Eibach A3 / S3 8V kits

AST

The manufacturer’s 8V table lists particular A3, quattro, S3 and RS3 entries with 55mm front struts. Mounting and damper arrangements vary across the Street, Street Performance and Clubracing references. Front top mounts carry a body-modification note; ACC-V1906SD also names a rear-coilover package that needs an exact installation check.

View AST A3 / S3 8V kits

MOTON

M 532 007SD and M 532 008SD are the listed two- and three-way choices. Confirm the 55mm application, exact body, spring and mounting specification and reservoir installation. More controls need a setting plan and appropriate support, not an assumption that a road car needs the most complex kit.

View MOTON A3 / S3 8V kits

TEIN

TEIN lists VSF98-C1AA3 for a Chinese-market A3 Sportback 35 TFSI, FWD, 50mm front struts and no DCC. It also includes rear bump-rubber and insulator work. Have market, engine, original equipment and the current instructions checked before applying that reference to another 8V.

View TEIN A3 / S3 8V kits

Find your A3 / S3 8V coilovers.

Prices include UK VAT. Choose an application and brand, then open a kit for its current options and availability.

25 listings

Match the engine, body style and axle-load limits on the product page before ordering.

6 of 25 shown
All A3 / S3 8V kit links and part numbers

Before you order.

  1. Identify your car

    Identify the 8V body, engine, market and FWD or quattro. Record whether electronic damping and any changed hubs, struts or springs are fitted.

  2. Match the kit

    Confirm the actual front clamp diameter, rear axle, axle-load limits and exact manufacturer reference. Use the right body and sports-model row.

  3. Check what’s included

    Establish the supplied front and rear hardware, retained parts and electronics solution. Resolve any top-mount body work or rear-conversion conditions.

  4. Check your modifications

    Record wheels, offset, tyres and spacers. Check clearance through steering and suspension movement at the intended height and normal loads.

  5. Plan fitting

    Confirm current timing before booking fitting. Arrange installation, the correct alignment procedure and the checks specified 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 8V coilovers.

Check the details before choosing your kit.

Which A3 generation does this guide cover?

The 8V generation introduced in 2012 and replaced by the 8Y from 2020. It covers the application checks for the three-door, Sportback, saloon and Cabriolet, with separate sports-model and market conditions. Registration year alone can overlap generations, so confirm the chassis and body code.

How do I choose the front strut size?

Have the actual front clamp and exact application checked. BC uses 49.5mm and 54.5mm labels for the reviewed FWD references; other listed ranges use 50mm and 55mm. Do not convert those labels into approval for a different brand, body or axle without its exact application. Wheel size and trim badges do not settle the diameter.

Does every A3 8V have the same rear axle?

No. Audi documents both torsion-beam and independent four-link arrangements in the 8V family. The choice varies with the actual application and market. Do not assume every FWD car has the same axle or use an engine-power rule worldwide; identify the axle fitted and follow the exact kit row.

Is the rear spring separate from the damper?

Yes, in the reviewed factory beam and four-link drawings the rear coil spring has its own seat beside a separate damper. Their springs and mounting hardware are still application-specific. A replacement described as a rear-coilover conversion requires its own mounting and installation approval.

Can I use an ordinary A3 kit on an S3 or RS3?

Use a reference explicitly supported for the actual sports model, body, strut size and equipment. The reviewed Eibach -05 has dedicated S3 rows with different lowering figures, while AST and MOTON list particular sports-model entries. A quattro badge or shared 8V code does not by itself approve RS3 fitment.

Does a saloon or hatch kit fit the Cabriolet?

Do not assume so. Use the listed 8V7/8VE Cabriolet application with its exact engine, front strut size and axle limits. The open car’s body and suspension specification need their own row. Some Cabriolet references also have specific electronic-damping conditions.

Will magnetic ride still work with replacement coilovers?

Check the exact replacement system. A conventional damper with an applicable cancellation device does not retain the factory electronic damping function; the device addresses a warning. Establish the original equipment and the selected kit’s instructions before ordering.

What should I send for a modified, imported or e-tron car?

Include chassis and body code, engine and market, drivetrain, actual axle loads, front strut size, rear axle and original/current damper equipment. Add wheel width, offset, tyres, spacers and previous running-gear changes. The registration finder identifies the starting vehicle; it cannot confirm modifications or establish an unlisted hybrid application.

Let’s talk suspension.

Find your 8V, then add the body, rear axle, front strut size and equipment actually fitted. Include the wheel specification and any earlier changes so we can check the right reference with you.

Call Coilovers Direct0115 647 9207
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