Audi Q5 8R.
The coilover guide.
Shop the coiloversA good wheel choice suits the original Q5’s broad arches. Keep enough suspension movement for its daily work, then match the driven wheels, axle loads and fitted dampers. The SQ5 has its own lowering figures.
The original Q5, before the sharper edges
The first Q5 has a softer, rounder shape than the Audi SUVs that followed it. A modest drop and a well-proportioned silver wheel can sharpen that shape while keeping the car useful. Decide how it needs to sit with passengers and luggage aboard before choosing a height.
BC Racing names the all-wheel-drive 8R; the two Eibach references have different front axle-load limits. One Eibach reference also names the SQ5, with a different lowering range. Use those details alongside the engine and original suspension equipment.
Audi unveiled the Q5 in April 2008. It joined the larger Q7 in the SUV range with a shorter five-seat body, a long bonnet and a tailgate that wrapped round the rear corners. The gently curved roof and broad wheelarches still give a modified 8R a recognisable shape.
The original chassis used a five-link front axle and a trapezoidal-link rear arrangement. Audi also offered controlled dampers with drive select. On a car that has changed hands or had previous suspension work, identify the fitted components before treating a dashboard menu as a parts list.
The 2012 update changed the lamps and exterior details, revised the chassis tuning and brought electromechanical steering. It kept the original Q5 family rather than introducing the later FY shape. Build details are more useful than a registration year at the change between generations.
Audi announced the SQ5 TDI in June 2012. Its silver mirror finish and different bumpers changed the familiar body’s appearance. Its factory sports suspension was lower, which helps explain why a kit can quote different lowering figures for Q5 and SQ5.
For a road build, give the wheels some tyre sidewall and leave space above them for the loads the car carries. A large wheel can fill the arch visually without an extreme suspension drop. Check width and offset together, including spacers already fitted to the car.
The first-generation range also included a hybrid. Have its exact application checked before choosing suspension: the current Eibach engine lists for these references do not name that model. Include the original damper specification and any previous changes when asking about it.
Start with your Q5 8R.
Match the model year, engine and body style before comparing brands.
BC Racing for a matching AWD 8R
The maker list names S-20 for Q5 AWD, 8R, 2009 to 2017, with a 46 mm front shock requirement. The current BR RN listing has no supplied front top mount and rubber rear mounts, with nominal 11 kg/mm front and 6 kg/mm rear rates. Confirm the engine, original controls and complete parts before ordering.
Check the BC Racing Q5 kit
Eibach: up to 1,220 kg front
PSS65-15-013-01-22 names listed Q5 and Q5 VAN 8RB engines from November 2008 to December 2016. Its axle-load limits are 1,220 kg front and 1,360 kg rear, with 40 to 80 mm front and 45 to 85 mm rear lowering. It excludes levelling control; identify any original electronic dampers and the required error handling.
View the 1,220 kg reference
Eibach: up to 1,325 kg front
PSS65-15-013-02-22 has a 1,325 kg front limit and the same 1,360 kg rear limit. For its ordinary Q5 engine rows, lowering is 40 to 80 mm front and 45 to 85 mm rear. Match the engine, axle loads and certificate; the different front rating does not make this an automatic upgrade for every Q5.
View the 1,325 kg reference
SQ5: use its own lowering row
The -02 Eibach listing also names SQ5 TFSI and TDI quattro, with 5 to 45 mm front and 10 to 50 mm rear lowering. Its limits remain 1,325 kg front and 1,360 kg rear, without levelling control. Check the precise engine and equipment. The ordinary Q5 figures and the BC application are separate checks.
Check the listed SQ5 applicationWhat do you want
from the car?
Road miles, circuit weekends or a car built around the lap. Start with how you drive.
Set the stance around the passengers, luggage and roads the car needs to carry.
Read the buying advice
For the matching AWD 8R application, S-20 BR RN is the named road example. The current listing gives nominal 11/6 kg/mm rates and no supplied front top mount. Have the mounts and other reused parts assessed, and agree a usable height with the fitter before arranging alignment.
- Match the AWD 8R application
- Inspect the reused front mounts
- Allow room for normal loads
Discuss the tyre and brake changes before choosing a suspension specification.
Read the buying advice
An SUV used for a circuit day still needs clearance through steering and suspension movement. Bring the wheel and tyre details, brake changes and original damper specification to the discussion. Agree the hardware and inspection work before choosing settings for the event.
- Describe the wheel and brake changes
- Identify the original damper controls
- Agree preparation and inspection work
Have the finished vehicle and intended events assessed before selecting the parts.
Read the buying advice
Changes to weight, tyres or mounting points need to be part of the suspension brief. Give the people preparing the car the measured vehicle details and event requirements. A road fitment listing alone cannot settle the spring and damper specification for that build.
- Measure the finished vehicle
- Confirm the mounting arrangement
- Plan the setup and follow-up checks
Trapezoidal links. Separate rear spring.
On a standard Audi Q5 8R, the rear spring and damper are mounted separately.
Component layout only. Mounts, dimensions and adjusters vary by kit.Audi’s original Q5 drawing shows the rear coil on its own seat beside the damper, within an independent trapezoidal-link axle. The front uses a five-link arrangement. Calling the replacement package a coilover kit does not describe the position of every rear component.
The Eibach fitting notes distinguish a threaded front unit from a separate rear height-adjustable unit. Confirm the exact rear supports, dampers and reused parts for the selected reference. Keep that check with the car’s original damper-control specification.
Understand height and spring preload
Start with the mounts and the fitted controls
The S-20 BR RN listing specifies no supplied front top mount. Have the existing mounts assessed and confirm the complete installation parts. Eibach also notes that additional OE components may be needed; check the instructions and certificate for the exact reference.
Identify any original controlled dampers before removal. The Eibach notes say the original electronic damping function is lost and a fault message needs appropriate handling. Then plan the wheel-clearance checks, alignment at the agreed height and a follow-up inspection.
Record wheel width and offset
Include tyre size and spacers when discussing the height. Have the wheels checked through steering and suspension movement, with the car’s normal loads accounted for.
Read the axle-load figures
Compare the vehicle’s permitted front and rear axle loads with the exact Eibach application and certificate. The two references have different front limits; use the one approved for the car’s engine and specification.
Identify the fitted damper system
Check the dampers, connectors and vehicle specification. Agree what happens to original electronic damping and warning messages when the chosen suspension is fitted.
Allow for worn installation parts
Inspect mounts, bushes and spring supports before the work. Confirm what is supplied and what needs reuse or replacement, then allow time for alignment and the fitter’s follow-up checks.
The current Q5 8R range.
Compare the controls and hardware included in each range.
S-20 is the maker’s Q5 AWD 8R reference, with a 46 mm front shock requirement. The current simple listing is BR RN, with no supplied front top mount and rubber rear mounts. It gives nominal rates of 11 kg/mm front and 6 kg/mm rear. Check the exact vehicle and original equipment, including any SQ5 or hybrid enquiry.
View BC Racing Q5 8R kits
The -01 and -02 Pro-Street S references have front limits of 1,220 and 1,325 kg respectively; both have a 1,360 kg rear limit. Ordinary Q5 lowering is 40 to 80 mm front and 45 to 85 mm rear. The -02 SQ5 rows give 5 to 45 mm front and 10 to 50 mm rear. Both exclude levelling control and require checks for original electronic damping, additional OE parts and the current certificate.
View Eibach Q5 8R kitsFind your Q5 8R coilovers.
Prices include UK VAT. Choose an application and brand, then open a kit for its current options and availability.
3 listings
Match the engine, body style and axle-load limits on the product page before ordering.
Eibach · PSS65-15-013-01-22
Eibach Pro-Street S Coilover Kit for Audi applications - PSS65-15-013-01-22
Eibach: up to 1,220 kg front
![BC Racing Coilovers - Audi Q5 (09-17) [8R]](/images/09cf8cd191b679-480.webp)
BC Racing · BCR-S-20
BC Racing Coilovers - Audi Q5 (09-17) [8R]
BC Racing for a matching AWD 8R
Eibach · PSS65-15-013-02-22
Eibach Pro-Street S Coilover Kit for Audi / Porsche applications - PSS65-15-013-02-22
Eibach: up to 1,325 kg front / SQ5: use its own lowering row
All Q5 8R kit links and part numbers
Before you order.
Identify your car
Identify the original 8R or 8RB family, exact engine and driven wheels. Keep the later FY generation separate and identify an SQ5 or hybrid explicitly.
Match the kit
Match the reference to the exact vehicle. Check the BC 46 mm front shock requirement or the Eibach engine, axle-load and certificate conditions.
Check what’s included
Agree the supplied and reused parts, especially the BR RN front mounts. Identify electronic damping, levelling equipment and the required control or warning-message work.
Check your modifications
Check the chosen wheels and tyres through steering and suspension movement at the intended height, with normal loads included.
Plan fitting
Confirm current supply timing and complete parts before booking fitting. Include alignment at the agreed height and the required 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 Q5 8R coilovers.
Check the details before choosing your kit.
Which Q5 generation does this guide cover?
The original Q5 8R family, including the specifically listed 8RB Q5, VAN-labelled and SQ5 applications. Audi introduced the Q5 in 2008 and updated it in 2012. Check the chassis and build details alongside the registration year; the later FY and Q5 Sportback are separate applications.
Does the original Q5 have a separate rear spring and damper?
Yes. Audi’s Q5 technical drawing shows a coil on its own seat beside the rear damper within a trapezoidal-link axle. Confirm the replacement rear supports and dampers for the exact kit. The Eibach fitting note describes a separate rear height-adjustable unit.
What does the BC Racing S-20 application specify?
The maker list names Q5 AWD, 8R, 2009 to 2017, with a 46 mm front shock requirement. The current BR RN listing specifies no supplied front top mount and rubber rear mounts, with nominal rates of 11 kg/mm front and 6 kg/mm rear. Check the exact engine and original equipment before ordering.
How do I choose between the two Eibach references?
The -01 reference has a 1,220 kg front axle-load limit; -02 has a 1,325 kg front limit. Both have a 1,360 kg rear limit. Match the engine, permitted axle loads and certificate to the correct reference. Use the SQ5-specific lowering row for an SQ5.
Which listed Eibach kit names the SQ5?
PSS65-15-013-02-22 names SQ5 TFSI and TDI quattro, with 5 to 45 mm front and 10 to 50 mm rear lowering. Its limits are 1,325 kg front and 1,360 kg rear, without levelling control. The ordinary Q5 figures are 40 to 80 mm front and 45 to 85 mm rear; use the row for the exact car.
What happens to the original electronic damper control?
The Eibach fitting notes say the original electronic damping function is lost and a fault message needs appropriate handling. Agree the required error-handling work and whether an additional module is needed before fitting. Warning suppression does not retain the original damping adjustment.
Do these listings automatically cover a Q5 hybrid?
The current Eibach engine lists do not name the hybrid, and the BC maker row alone does not settle that application. Give us the exact vehicle and original suspension specification for a check before choosing a kit.
What should I check before booking fitting?
Confirm the exact application, wheel and tyre specification, complete installation parts and current supply timing. Have worn mounts, bushes and spring supports assessed. Arrange alignment at the agreed height and include the fitter’s follow-up inspection.
Let’s talk suspension.
Find your Q5, then include the engine, driven wheels and permitted axle loads. Tell us about the original dampers and wheel changes so the exact reference and fitting requirements can be checked.