Audi A3 8V Coilovers

Coilovers for the A3 8V cover the hatchback and Sportback, the saloon and the cabriolet, and quattro models up to the S3 and RS3. Many sets also name the front strut diameter (50 or 55 mm) and the rear axle: Bilstein’s B14 and B16 titles, for example, separate the twist-beam cars from those with multi-link rear suspension.

Then work out how much adjustment you actually need. KW’s V1 has fixed damping, the V2 and V2 Comfort adjust rebound, and the V3 adds compression, with V3 and V4 Clubsport sets on top. ST’s X and XA sets, and its XTA, cover similar ground. Cars with electronically controlled dampers can keep that function with KW’s DDC ECU kits, which come with their own control unit.

H&R separates its sets, monotube and twin-tube, by front axle load, with the line at 985 kg. It also has its own versions for the quattro A3 and the S3, the S3 cabriolet included. Eibach’s Pro-Street-S and BC Racing sets, the latter listed for a 54.5 mm strut, are further height-adjustable options.