Deep petrol-green Audi A6 C5 saloon on upgraded silver multi-spoke wheels beneath a brick railway arch beside a canal

Audi A6 C5 / 4B.
The coilover guide.

Shop the coilovers

Keep the C5 comfortable enough for the long way home. Start with front-wheel drive, quattro or allroad, identify the original rear suspension, then plan the wheels, usable height and fitting work together.

Which A6 C5 / 4B do you have?11 listed kits · 2 brandsReviewed 9 November 2026

The rounded A6 of 1997.

The C5’s rounded roof and long body suit a clean wheel design and a measured drop. The height still has to work when the car carries people and luggage. Decide how you use it before chasing a particular arch gap.

There are different kits for front-wheel drive, ordinary quattro and the allroad. The factory rear hardware differs too. Match the actual body, engine, build date and suspension equipment; the A6 name alone is not enough.

The C5 saloon arrived in 1997 with a curved roof, flush details and a much softer outline than the preceding A6. The Avant followed in 1998, carrying the same rounded shape into a long-roof estate.

The range took in front-wheel-drive cars, quattro models and the S6. The first allroad was based on the C5 A6 Avant quattro, but brought contrasting body cladding and height-adjustable air suspension. Its market launch was in May 2000. The RS6 joined this generation in 2002 with its hydraulically linked Dynamic Ride Control suspension. Identify those original systems before planning a replacement.

Audi used a four-link front axle on both front-wheel-drive and quattro versions. At the rear, the front-wheel-drive car has a torsion-beam layout with separate spring and damper. The steel-sprung quattro has an independent double-wishbone axle with a spring around the damper. The drivetrain determines which rear hardware the kit must replace.

Even a late C5 is now more than twenty years old. Inspect what is actually fitted and what needs attention before choosing new suspension. Fresh dampers will not renew worn joints, bushes or mounts, and an old conversion may have changed the starting point completely.

Start with your A6 C5 / 4B.

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

Green modified Audi A6 C5 saloon on silver multi-spoke wheels in a cobbled lane

Front-wheel drive

BC S-08 names A6 C5 FWD. The SPAX non-quattro rows distinguish saloon and Avant dates and named engine groups. Confirm those details and the supplied rear spring-seat arrangement; RSX741’s fixed rear figure differs from RSX726 and RSX3-1452.

See front-wheel-drive references
Blue Audi A6 C5 saloon with upgraded silver wheels beside a stone bridge

Ordinary quattro applications

BC S-12 is the C5 AWD reference. SPAX RSX820 and RSX3-1640 name the 1.8T, 2.4, 2.5TDi, 2.8 and 3.0 quattro group with its own dates. Confirm the body and engine against the exact row before treating a general AWD description as approval.

See quattro references
Deep-red modified C5 Avant with wider arches and upgraded multi-spoke wheels outside a country house

2.7T, 4.2 and S6 rows

SPAX RSX821 and RSX3-1642 specifically name the 2.7T, 4.2 and S6 type-4B quattro group. Keep its engine, body and build-date checks separate from the other quattro row. An S6 mention does not establish RS6 fitment.

See the named engine group
Silver first-generation Audi allroad C5 with contrasting arch cladding and upgraded five-spoke wheels outside a workshop

Allroad: plan the air-system change

BC S-19 names the first-generation C5 allroad quattro. The factory car has four-level air suspension. Confirm the exact replacement hardware and electronic work before ordering; the catalogue row does not promise that automatic levelling or the original height controls will remain.

See the allroad reference
Black modified Audi A6 C5 Avant with silver wheel upgrades beside a lake

Avant, load and changed cars

Use the actual body, engine, build date and permitted axle loads. Record any self-levelling equipment or previous suspension conversion. A saloon-only description should not be stretched to cover an estate. The currently named RS6 reference is Avant-only; an RS6 saloon needs a separately confirmed application.

Check my car’s application
Graphite Audi RS6 C5 Avant with upgraded silver multi-spoke wheels outside circuit garages

RS6 Avant and hydraulic DRC

BC S-33 specifically names the 2002–04 C5 RS6 Avant AWD. The factory DRC system links front and rear dampers diagonally through hydraulic circuits. Agree the replacement parts and hydraulic work with a suitable specialist before ordering; the S6 rows are different applications.

See the RS6 Avant reference

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 · Matching FWD C5 / BC Racing BR-RS S-08

Keep the long-distance ride and choose a usable stance.

Read the buying advice

BC Racing BR-RS S-08 is the current C5 front-wheel-drive reference. The published configuration records rubber top mounts and nominal 12 kg/mm front and 6 kg/mm rear springs. Confirm the exact body, original equipment, supplied rear parts and adjustment instructions before choosing the height.

  • Confirm FWD, body and original equipment
  • Inspect joints, bushes and mounts
  • Check clearance with the usual load
View current configurations
Selected configurationSee optionsinc. VAT · Matching non-quattro 4B row / SPAX RSX3-1452

Choose separate damping controls when the setup plan calls for them.

Read the buying advice

The current SPAX RSX3-1452 non-quattro application provides separate bump and rebound adjustment. Its retained application lists 25–65 mm front and rear figures for the named saloon and Avant rows. Confirm your exact row and measurement baseline first, then agree the tyres, spring specification and intended events with the team preparing the car. Keep a recorded baseline and follow the kit’s instructions when changing the settings.

  • Match the named engine, body and date row
  • Agree tyres and the intended circuit use
  • Record each damping change
View current configurations

Specify the suspension around the whole build.

Read the buying advice

Provide the car’s weight, tyres, aero, mounting parts and available suspension movement before ordering. A quattro, S6, RS6 or converted allroad needs its own application and hardware discussion. Agree spring and damper requirements with the team preparing that car, alongside measured setup and inspection work.

  • Describe weight, tyre and aero changes
  • Confirm mounts and usable suspension movement
  • Plan measured setup and regular inspection
Discuss a C5 circuit build

Rear hardware follows the drivetrain.

Conceptual suspension layout

The front-wheel-drive C5 has a torsion-beam rear axle. Its coil spring sits on a separate seat beside the damper. The steel-sprung quattro uses an independent double-wishbone axle, with the spring surrounding the damper. Both are factory layouts; they are not two interchangeable ways to fit the same rear kit.

Match the replacement spring seats, dampers, mounts and adjustment instructions to that actual arrangement. Allroad air suspension and the RS6’s hydraulically linked DRC need their own replacement plans. Confirm the effect on those original systems and the height adjustment at each corner before ordering.

Understand height and spring preload
Green modified Audi A6 C5 saloon on silver wheel upgrades standing normally on a level workshop floor

Renew the foundation before the final height.

Have the fitter inspect the front links and joints, rear bushes, spring seats, dampers and mounting parts. Identify old repairs and conversions. Set aside the work needed to give the new suspension sound attachments before deciding the final stance.

Bring the wheel width, offset, tyre dimensions and any spacer thickness. Check clearance through steering and suspension movement with the normal load, then finish the alignment at the agreed height. Confirm any lighting, levelling or electronic work required by the actual car and replacement system.

Identify the starting suspension

Audi’s original C5 material distinguishes standard suspension, a sport version 20 mm lower and a rough-road version for some export markets. The allroad has a different air-suspension starting point. Identify what remains on the car before interpreting a lowering figure.

Plan the wheel fitment as a complete package

Record width, offset, tyre size and spacer thickness together. Check the inner gap to suspension parts and the tyre’s path beneath the arch. A parked photograph cannot show the clearance needed with passengers, luggage and suspension movement.

Resolve air, levelling and DRC first

Plan the replacement around the allroad’s air system or the RS6’s hydraulic DRC where fitted. Agree the supplied parts, hydraulic or electronic work and the effect on original functions before ordering. Apply the same care to previous suspension conversions.

Set, settle and align

Follow the exact kit’s setting and settling instructions, then check loaded clearance and alignment. Keep the fitted-part and setting records. Recheck the setup after later wheel, tyre or weight changes and follow the inspection requirements.

The current A6 C5 / 4B range.

Compare the controls and hardware included in each range.

BC Racing

The BR-RS references distinguish S-08 FWD, S-12 AWD, S-19 allroad and S-33 RS6 Avant. Current native configurations record rubber mounts and nominal front/rear rates of 12/6, 12/8, 14/9 and 13/8 kg/mm respectively. Confirm body, loads, original equipment and supplied parts; the figures do not establish ideal balance or a complete air/DRC replacement package.

View BC Racing A6 C5 / 4B kits

SPAX

Current non-quattro RSX741 lists a fixed 35 mm rear figure, while RSX726 and RSX3-1452 list front and rear adjustment figures. RSX3 references add separate bump and rebound controls. The quattro rows split the named ordinary-engine and 2.7T/4.2/S6 groups. Keep the exact body, engine, dates and original-height baseline with each comparison.

View SPAX A6 C5 / 4B kits

Find your A6 C5 / 4B coilovers.

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

11 listings

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

6 of 11 shown
All A6 C5 / 4B kit links and part numbers

Before you order.

  1. Identify your car

    Identify the C5 body, engine, build date and driven wheels. Keep S6, RS6 and allroad details explicit.

  2. Match the kit

    Match the full reference, application dates and permitted axle loads. Check saloon and Avant wording rather than relying on the C5 badge.

  3. Check what’s included

    Record the factory rear arrangement and any air, levelling, DRC or conversion equipment. Confirm the supplied components and hydraulic or electronic work.

  4. Check your modifications

    Record wheels, tyres and spacers. Assess steering and suspension clearance with the usual passenger and luggage load.

  5. Plan fitting

    Confirm supply timing before booking fitting. Agree the height, alignment, affected system checks and follow-up inspection.

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 A6 C5 / 4B coilovers.

Check the details before choosing your kit.

Which A6 generation does this guide cover?

This is the C5/type-4B generation: the saloon introduced in 1997, the Avant from 1998 and the first C5-based allroad. Earlier C4 and later C6 cars have different applications. Match the exact body, build date and engine against the current kit row.

Are the rear spring and damper separate on every C5?

No. The front-wheel-drive car has a torsion-beam rear axle with a separate coil spring and damper. The steel-sprung quattro has an independent double-wishbone rear axle with the spring around the damper. The allroad starts with air suspension. Use the hardware and instructions for that actual arrangement.

Which BC Racing references are listed?

S-08 names A6 C5 FWD, S-12 names A6 C5 AWD, S-19 names the C5 allroad and S-33 names the C5 RS6 Avant. Current BR-RS configurations record rubber mounts and nominal front/rear rates of 12/6, 12/8, 14/9 and 13/8 kg/mm respectively. Confirm exact body, equipment, loads and supplied parts against the specific reference.

How do SPAX RSX741 and RSX726 differ?

The retained non-quattro application lists RSX741 at 25–65 mm front with a fixed 35 mm rear figure. RSX726 lists 25–65 mm at both ends. Both record single-adjustable damping; RSX3-1452 records separate bump and rebound controls. Confirm the exact engine, body, dates and measurement baseline before choosing.

Will an allroad keep its original height controls?

Do not assume that. The first allroad has four-level air suspension. Confirm the S-19 replacement hardware, electronic work and effect on the original height and levelling functions before ordering. The catalogue name does not describe a complete conversion procedure or promise retained air-system operation.

Which reference is listed for a C5 RS6 Avant?

BC Racing S-33 names the 2002–04 RS6 Avant AWD. The factory RS6 uses hydraulically linked Dynamic Ride Control. Agree the exact replacement hardware and hydraulic work with a suitable specialist; the application row does not promise retained DRC. An RS6 saloon needs its own confirmation, and an S6 mention on another kit does not establish RS6 fitment.

Does a factory sport car start at the standard height?

No. Audi’s original C5 specification describes the sport suspension as 20 mm lower than standard, with a separate rough-road specification for some export markets. Confirm what is fitted and the kit’s measurement baseline rather than automatically subtracting one quoted number from another.

How low should a road-driven C5 be set?

Choose a usable height within the exact kit’s instructions after checking wheel clearance, suspension movement and the normal passenger and luggage load. Agree the setting with the fitter, finish the alignment and complete any affected lighting, levelling or electronic checks.

Let’s talk suspension.

Find your C5, then include its engine, body, driven wheels and permitted axle loads. Add the original suspension, any conversions and your wheel and tyre details so the exact application can be checked.

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