Best Audi R8 Coilovers and Suspension (2017-2023 4S)

The best Audi R8 coilovers and suspension upgrades for the 2017–2023 Type 4S range from KW's $14,594 HLS V4 hydraulic-lift track system down to a $424 set of H&R Sport Springs — and the right choice depends almost entirely on whether your car left Ingolstadt with Magnetic Ride or passive dampers. The second-generation R8 shares its aluminum-and-carbon spaceframe with the Lamborghini Huracán and carries a 532–610 hp 5.2L naturally aspirated V10, so its factory suspension is already sharp. Upgrading is about control, stance, and driveway clearance — not fixing a flaw. This guide compares six proven kits we fit at NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, with real part numbers, fitment, and pricing so you can match a setup to your exact R8.

Why Upgrade the Suspension on a Type 4S Audi R8?

The 2017–2023 Audi R8 (Type 4S) already handles brilliantly, but its suspension is built around one of two very different factory systems, and that dictates every upgrade decision. Cars optioned with Magnetic Ride use magnetorheological dampers whose fluid stiffens under an electric current; cars with the passive sport suspension use conventional fixed dampers. A coilover or spring designed for one will not correctly integrate with the other, which is why nearly every kit below is sold in two distinct part numbers.

There are three real reasons R8 owners upgrade. First, stance — the factory ride height leaves a visible fender gap that lowering springs or coilovers erase. Second, track control — adjustable damping and corner-balancing let you tune the 3,700 lb, mid-engine chassis for grip instead of comfort. Third, and most overlooked, ground clearance — a lowered V10 R8 has a front lip that catches on driveways, gas-station aprons, and speed bumps. KW's Hydraulic Lift System is the only solution here that lets you go low and still clear obstacles on demand. At our Tampa shop, driveway scrape is the number-one complaint that sends R8 owners looking for a suspension change in the first place.

Best Audi R8 4S Suspension Upgrades Compared

Here are the six Audi R8 (Type 4S) suspension kits we recommend, ordered from the full-tilt track system to the budget stance spring. The single most important column is Best For: match the kit to whether your car has Magnetic Ride or passive dampers before anything else. Prices are current at NLP Performance.

KW HLS + V4: The Ultimate R8 Track and Street Coilover

The KW HLS + V4 is a German-made, 3-way adjustable motorsport coilover paired with a hydraulic front-axle lift, and it is the most complete suspension solution available for the Type 4S R8. The V4 damper offers independent low-speed compression, high-speed compression, and rebound adjustment, so you can dial the mid-engine chassis for a smooth street pass or a flat, planted track lap. The integrated Hydraulic Lift System (HLS) raises the front axle up to 1.8 inches (45 mm) in seconds, letting you run an aggressive ride height without destroying the front lip on every driveway.

At $14,594 it costs more than most people's first car, but it replaces two purchases — a top-tier coilover and a separate nose-lift kit — with one integrated, stainless-steel system engineered specifically for the R8's Magnetic Ride chassis. For a track-driven or heavily built V10 R8, nothing else here competes.

H&R RSS+ Coilovers: Adjustable Performance Without Six Figures

The H&R RSS+ is a German-made monotube coilover that brings genuine ride-height and corner-balance adjustability to the R8 4S for roughly a quarter of the KW's price. Crucially, H&R sells it in two versions so it integrates correctly with your factory dampers: an Adaptive kit (part hrs32132-2, $4,572) that retains Magnetic Ride, and a Passive kit (part hrs32132-1, $4,005) for cars on conventional sport dampers. Both drop the car into an aggressive, gap-free stance while preserving a street-usable ride, and both currently carry a discount off their $5,080 and $4,450 list prices.

KW Height Adjustable Spring Kit: Lower the Stance, Keep the Ride

The KW Height Adjustable Spring Kit (HAS, part kws253100AM, $1,864) is the smart middle ground for R8 owners who love their factory dampers but want to delete the fender gap. Instead of replacing the shocks, it swaps in KW's threaded, adjustable-perch springs that work with the OE Magnetic Ride struts — so you keep the full adaptive damping experience and comfort/sport modes while dialing in a lower, more purposeful stance. It is the least invasive way to lower a 4S R8 without giving up the electronics you paid for.

H&R Lowering Springs: The Budget-Friendly Stance Upgrade

If you want the look without the coilover budget, H&R's two spring options are the entry point. The VTF Adjustable Lowering Springs (part hrs23005-1, $1,152) are the standout: they give you a range of ride-height settings while retaining the factory adaptive dampers, so you can fine-tune the drop the way you would on a coilover but at spring-kit money. The Sport Springs (part hrs28742-1, $424.15) are the simplest, most affordable path — a fixed, progressive-rate drop of roughly 0.5–1.0 inch that works with the factory passive dampers and installs in an afternoon. Both are German-engineered and warranty-conscious.

Magnetic Ride vs Passive: Which R8 Kit Fits Your Car?

Before you buy, identify whether your R8 has Magnetic Ride or passive sport suspension — it determines the exact part number you need. Magnetic Ride cars use adaptive magnetorheological dampers and must run a kit engineered to retain or replace that system correctly; the H&R RSS+ Adaptive coilover, the KW HAS springs, and the H&R VTF springs all keep those factory dampers working. Passive cars take the H&R RSS+ Passive coilover or the H&R Sport Springs. Installing the wrong version can throw suspension fault codes or ruin ride quality, so confirm the option on your window sticker or with our Tampa team before ordering. The KW HLS + V4, as a full 3-way coilover, replaces the factory setup entirely and is the answer for the most serious builds.

How to Choose the Right Audi R8 Suspension

Choose your R8 suspension by matching budget and intent to the right tier. For a track-driven or big-power V10 build that still sees the street, the KW HLS + V4 ($14,594) is the definitive choice because it combines 3-way damping with a hydraulic nose lift. For enthusiasts who want real coilover adjustability at a sane price, the H&R RSS+ ($4,005–$4,572) is the value pick — just match it to your damper type. If you love the factory adaptive ride and only want to lose the fender gap, the KW Height Adjustable Spring Kit ($1,864) or H&R VTF springs ($1,152) keep your Magnetic Ride intact. And for the tightest budget, H&R Sport Springs ($424.15) deliver the stance for the least money. Every kit here is in stock and ships from NLP Performance.