Audi A8 / S8 D2.
The coilover guide.
Shop the coiloversKeep the D2’s long, clean shape and leave it room to move. Compare the two SPAX damping controls, identify the original rear equipment and plan the height around your wheels.
The aluminium A8 that started the line
The original A8 suits a simple wheel change and a restrained drop. Its small grille, long bonnet and separate boot belong to a different era of Audi design. Leave enough clearance and suspension movement for passengers and luggage.
The current selection is small: two SPAX kits for the catalogue’s D2 six- and eight-cylinder A8/S8 row. Their adjustment systems differ. The original rear suspension also had an optional hydropneumatic levelling arrangement, so identify the hardware before choosing either reference.
Audi previewed its aluminium Space Frame concept at Frankfurt in 1993, then launched the first A8 in 1994. The production saloon’s structure combined aluminium profiles, castings and sheet panels.
A long, nearly level shoulder line runs between the D2’s conventional lamps, with a low grille above a separate bumper opening. A wheel design that suits those proportions and a modest reduction in arch gap can give the car a more purposeful stance while retaining its original shape.
The next A8 generation arrived in 2002. SPAX’s D2 application row extends to 2003, which makes the chassis identity more useful than registration year alone. A later A8 wearing the same badge needs its own application; the D2 row does not establish a conversion for it.
On a car of this age, start with the condition of the suspension and its mounting points. Fresh dampers cannot remove play elsewhere. Decide which wheels and tyres will stay on the car, then agree a usable height after the fitter has inspected the original equipment.
Start with your A8 / S8 D2.
Confirm the chassis, year and existing suspension before choosing your setup.
A8 D2, six or eight cylinders
SPAX groups the six- and eight-cylinder D2 A8 with the S8 in its 1994–2003 catalogue row. Both current references show 35–50 mm front and rear lowering. Supply the engine, build details, driven wheels and original suspension so the exact application can be confirmed.
Compare the two A8 references
The original S8 D2
The manufacturer row explicitly names S8. Keep the D2 identity and existing suspension details with the enquiry, including any factory sport specification or previous replacement parts. A quoted lowering range needs the correct original-height basis for the car.
See the named S8 D2 kits
Rear levelling or previous conversions
Audi’s original technical material describes optional hydropneumatic rear levelling as well as the conventional damper arrangement. Have the fitted system identified and the replacement plan checked before ordering. The broad SPAX row does not settle that equipment question.
Check my rear suspension
Long-wheelbase, W12 or changed cars
Bring the full specification for a long-wheelbase car, W12, import or circuit project. The listed row names six and eight cylinders without a separate wheelbase breakdown. Wheel, brake and mounting changes also need an exact parts check; a later D3 is a different application.
Discuss my exact D2 buildWhat do you want
from the car?
Road miles, circuit weekends or a car built around the lap. Start with how you drive.
Keep the saloon useful on the roads and journeys you actually drive.
Read the buying advice
RSX964 is the current single-adjustable damping example for the named D2 application. Confirm the supplied rear spring supports and mounting parts, then agree height around the wheel package and normal load. Use the instructions for that exact kit when setting its damping.
- Identify the original rear equipment
- Leave clearance under normal load
- Agree the usable height with the fitter
Choose separate bump and rebound controls when there is a plan to use them.
Read the buying advice
RSX3-1928 is the double-adjustable alternative in the same D2 row. It provides separate bump and rebound adjustment. Discuss the tyres, brakes and intended circuit days with the person setting up the car, then agree the required spring and damper specification. Extra controls alone do not prove a better result.
- Describe the tyres and intended use
- Plan how the two controls will be set
- Include inspection and measured setup
Specify the suspension around the completed car and the events it will enter.
Read the buying advice
Supply measured vehicle weight, tyre details and the complete brake and mounting specification. Include any changes to the original rear levelling system. Agree the hardware and inspection requirements before choosing parts from a general application row.
- Measure the completed car
- Resolve mounting and equipment changes
- Agree the inspection plan
A separate rear spring and damper.
On a standard Audi A8 D2 conventional rear suspension, the rear spring and damper are mounted separately.
Component layout only. Mounts, dimensions and adjusters vary by kit.The original D2 uses a trapezoidal-link independent rear axle. Audi’s drawing shows the coil spring seated on the link beside a separate damper. Calling a replacement package a coilover kit does not mean the original rear spring surrounds the damper.
The same technical material describes an optional partly load-bearing hydropneumatic levelling system, with different hardware in place of the conventional damper. Have that system and any previous conversion checked against the exact kit instructions. The small illustration identifies the conventional component positions.
Understand height and spring preload
Inspect the D2 before choosing height.
Give the fitter the engine and build details, wheel specification and any history of suspension replacement. Ask for the original rear equipment, mounts, bushes and spring supports to be identified before the parts order is settled.
Plan fitting and alignment together, with time for any worn components found during inspection. Confirm the kit’s current supply timing before booking the car in, then arrange a follow-up check after the agreed setup work.
Find the play first
Have the four-link front and independent rear inspected for worn joints, bushes and mounting parts. Record what needs replacing alongside the suspension kit so new dampers are not being asked to disguise movement elsewhere.
Choose the wheel package
Supply wheel width, offset, tyre size and spacer details. Check the clearance through steering and suspension movement with passengers and luggage aboard. Keep enough tyre and suspension travel for the road surfaces the car will use.
Identify the rear system
Inspect the spring seats and establish whether conventional dampers, original hydropneumatic levelling or previous replacement hardware are fitted. Agree which parts will be supplied or reused before work starts.
Set the height, then align
Agree the final usable height before alignment. Include checks of any affected headlamp or original levelling arrangements in the fitting plan, and book the follow-up inspection recommended by the fitter and kit instructions.
The current A8 / S8 D2 range.
Compare the controls and hardware included in each range.
Two current references share the manufacturer’s D2 A8/S8 six- and eight-cylinder row: RSX964 with single-adjustable damping and RSX3-1928 with separate bump and rebound controls. Both list 35–50 mm front and rear lowering. Check the exact supplied parts and equipment conditions; the general RSX handbook is not a D2-specific installation drawing.
View SPAX A8 / S8 D2 kitsFind your A8 / S8 D2 coilovers.
Prices include UK VAT. Choose an application and brand, then open a kit for its current options and availability.
2 listings
Match the engine, body style and axle-load limits on the product page before ordering.
SPAX · RSX3-1928
SPAX RSX Double Adjustable Coilover Kit for Audi A8; S8 6cyl & 8 Cyl (Type D2) - RSX3-1928
A8 D2, six or eight cylinders / The original S8 D2
SPAX · RSX964
SPAX RSX Coilover Kit for Audi A8; S8 6cyl & 8 Cyl (Type D2) - RSX964
A8 D2, six or eight cylinders / The original S8 D2
Before you order.
Identify your car
Identify the D2 chassis, full engine, build date and wheelbase. Record the suspension already fitted.
Match the kit
Match the complete SPAX reference and six/eight-cylinder application with the current kit documents.
Check what’s included
Confirm rear spring supports, mounting parts and reused components. Resolve hydropneumatic levelling or previous conversions.
Check your modifications
Check wheel and tyre clearance through steering and suspension movement with the normal passenger and luggage load.
Plan fitting
Confirm supply timing, then book fitting, alignment and a follow-up inspection at the agreed usable height.
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 A8 / S8 D2 coilovers.
Check the details before choosing your kit.
Which Audi A8 does this guide cover?
The original A8 and S8 D2 family, also identified as type 4D. The two current SPAX references use a 1994–2003 six- and eight-cylinder application row. Audi introduced the next A8 generation in 2002, so confirm the chassis and full build details instead of relying only on registration year.
What is the difference between RSX964 and RSX3-1928?
RSX964 is the single-adjustable damping kit in the current D2 selection. RSX3-1928 is the double-adjustable alternative with separate bump and rebound controls. Both list 35–50 mm front and rear lowering for the named row. Use the instructions for the chosen reference rather than transferring click settings between them.
Are the original S8 and every A8 engine included?
The manufacturer row explicitly names A8 and S8 with six- and eight-cylinder engines. It does not establish a W12 application or provide a separate wheelbase breakdown. Supply the complete specification and original suspension details for an exact check, especially on a long-wheelbase or changed car.
Is the D2 rear spring separate from the damper?
Yes, in the original conventional arrangement. Audi’s D2 rear-axle drawings show the coil in its own support on the trapezoidal link, beside the damper. Check the replacement kit’s rear supports and mounting parts; the package name does not prove a spring-around-damper conversion.
What if my D2 has rear self-levelling?
Audi’s original technical material describes optional partly load-bearing hydropneumatic rear levelling. Have the fitted system identified and agree the replacement plan against the exact kit documents. The broad catalogue row alone does not establish compatibility or a conversion procedure.
Will the car drop by the full quoted 35–50 mm?
The catalogue figures depend on the original suspension. Establish the existing specification, including factory sport suspension or earlier lowering, before estimating the additional change. Agree a height that leaves loaded tyre clearance and usable suspension movement.
Does the product photograph show every D2 part supplied?
The current merchant photograph represents the SPAX range. Confirm the complete parts list, rear spring supports, mounting hardware and original components that must be reused for the exact reference. A range photograph does not establish the contents of this application.
When should I book the fitting?
Confirm current supply timing for the selected kit before booking the car in. Allow for inspection findings and any additional mounting or suspension parts, then include alignment and the required follow-up check in the booking.
Let’s talk suspension.
Find your D2, then include its engine, wheelbase and original rear suspension details. Add the wheel and tyre specification and any earlier changes so the exact SPAX application can be checked.