Best Audi R8 (Type 42) Coilovers & Springs (2008-2015)

The Audi R8 (Type 42) is Audi's first-generation mid-engine supercar, sold in the U.S. from 2008 to 2015 with a 4.2L V8 (420–430 hp) or 5.2L V10 (525–550 hp) mounted in an aluminum Audi Space Frame. A set of Audi R8 (Type 42) coilovers replaces the factory struts — including the optional Magnetic Ride (MRC) dampers — with height- and damping-adjustable units so you can lower the car, corner-balance it, and control body motion in a way the OEM suspension never could. This roundup covers the coilover and lowering-spring kits we stock for the 2008–2015 R8, ranked by capability and price.

Why Upgrade the Coilovers on a Type 42 R8?

Coilovers give a Type 42 R8 adjustable ride height and damping that the factory suspension cannot match. The stock car rides tall for a supercar and, on V10 examples, relies on Audi's Magnetic Ride (MRC) magnetorheological dampers that soften with age and are expensive to replace. A quality coilover kit lets you drop the R8 15–40 mm, set spring preload for proper corner balance, and adjust rebound and compression for street comfort or track precision — all without the five-figure cost of OEM MRC struts.

The Type 42 platform is worth doing right. The 4.2L V8 makes 420–430 hp and the 5.2L V10 makes 525 hp (550 hp in the 2014–2015 V10 Plus), and the aluminum spaceframe keeps curb weight near 3,600 lb. That combination rewards a suspension that controls the sprung mass precisely. Every kit below is a direct bolt-in for the 2008–2015 R8 — no chassis modification — and all are sold and shipped through our Tampa, FL shop.

KW V4 4-way adjustable coilovers for the Type 42 R8 (V8, non-MRC).

Best Audi R8 (Type 42) Coilovers at a Glance

The four kits below cover the full range from full 4-way race-ready coilovers to a simple lowering spring set. Prices run from about $425 for springs to roughly $8,800 for the flagship KW V4. Use the table to match capability and MRC compatibility to your budget, then read the individual breakdowns underneath.

Lowering figures follow each manufacturer's R8 application chart and are approximate; final ride height depends on wheel/tire package and corner-balance setup. All four kits fit both the coupe and R8 Spyder / Cabrio.

KW Coilover Kit V4 – Best Overall (Non-MRC V8)

The KW V4 is the sharpest-handling coilover we stock for the Type 42 R8. It is a 4-way adjustable system: low-speed and high-speed compression are tuned independently, and rebound is set separately, so you can control body roll and dive without making the ride harsh over broken pavement. KW builds the struts from its stainless-steel "inox-line" tubing for corrosion resistance and a long service life. This part number (kws3A711004) fits the 2010–2015 R8 V8 without factory Magnetic Ride.

KW Suspension

KW Coilover Kit V4 (2010-2015 R8 V8, non-MRC)

$8,774.00

Part Number	kws3A711004
Fitment	2010–2015 Audi R8 (Type 42) V8, non-MRC
Warranty	Limited warranty (KW)

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KW Coilover Kit V3 – Best for MRC-Equipped R8s

The KW V3 is the right coilover for a Type 42 R8 that left the factory with Magnetic Ride. It ships with a magnetic-ride cancellation module, so removing the MRC struts does not trigger a suspension warning on the dash. The V3 is a 2-way adjustable coilover: compression and rebound are tuned independently (though not split into low- and high-speed like the V4), which covers the vast majority of street and spirited-driving needs. This kit (kws35210101) fits all 2008–2015 R8 models and engines with factory MRC.

KW Suspension

KW Coilover Kit V3 (2008-2015 R8, w/ MRC)

$6,964.00

Part Number	kws35210101
Fitment	2008–2015 Audi R8 (Type 42), all engines, MRC
Warranty	Limited warranty (KW)

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The KW V3 includes an MRC cancellation module for factory Magnetic Ride cars.

H&R RSS+ Coil Over – Best Value Coilover

The H&R RSS+ is the value pick when you want a true coilover, not just springs, without spending KW money. It is a monotube, damping-adjustable coil-over (a single adjuster combines compression and rebound), and at about $4,000 — marked down from $4,450 — it undercuts both KW kits by thousands. This part number (hrs32058-1) fits the 2008–2015 R8 and R8 Cabrio in V8 and V10 form, for cars without MRC.

H&R

H&R RSS+ Coil Over (2008-2015 R8 V8/V10, non-MRC)

$4,005.00 $4,450.00

Part Number	hrs32058-1
Fitment	2008–2015 Audi R8 / R8 Cabrio V8 & V10, non-MRC
Warranty	Limited warranty (H&R)

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H&R's RSS+ is a monotube, damping-adjustable coil-over and the value coilover pick.

H&R Sport Spring – Best Budget Lowering Option

If you only want a modest drop and a tighter stance on the factory dampers, the H&R Sport Spring set is the budget answer at about $425 (down from $499). These progressive-rate lowering springs bolt onto the OEM struts and drop the Type 42 R8 roughly 20 mm for a lower center of gravity and reduced fender gap, while keeping the stock damping and ride character. Part number hrs29058-1 fits the 2008–2015 R8 and R8 Cabrio, V8 and V10.

H&R

H&R Sport Spring (2008-2015 R8 V8/V10)

$424.15 $499.00

Part Number	hrs29058-1
Fitment	2008–2015 Audi R8 / R8 Cabrio V8 & V10
Warranty	Limited warranty (H&R)

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H&R Sport Springs drop the Type 42 R8 about 20 mm on the factory dampers.

MRC vs Non-MRC: Which Kit Fits My R8?

The single most important fitment question on a Type 42 R8 is whether your car has Magnetic Ride (MRC). MRC uses magnetorheological fluid dampers and a control module; fit a coilover without addressing MRC and the car will log a fault and light the dash. The KW V3 (kws35210101) is the kit built for MRC cars because it includes the cancellation module. The KW V4 (kws3A711004) and H&R RSS+ (hrs32058-1) are for non-MRC cars. The H&R Sport Spring reuses your factory dampers, so it works on either — but only if those dampers are still healthy.

Not sure which you have? V10 cars more commonly came with MRC, but it was optional across the range, so check the build sheet or the damper markings rather than assuming. Our team in Tampa can verify fitment by VIN before you order so the kit that arrives is the right one for your chassis.

Installation, Alignment, and Corner Balancing

All four kits are direct bolt-in replacements that reuse the factory mounting points — no cutting or welding. Plan on roughly 6–8 hours of shop time for a coilover install on the Type 42 R8, since the mid-engine layout makes the rear dampers more involved than a typical front-engine car. Coilovers must be set to the desired ride height, then the car needs a corner-balance and a full four-wheel alignment to realize the handling gains and protect tire life.

For a street R8 we typically target a mild drop that clears speed bumps and driveways, factory-style camber, and a slightly firmer-than-stock damping setting. For track use, more negative camber and stiffer compression sharpen turn-in. Because the R8 sits low and has limited ground clearance, we recommend keeping the drop conservative unless the car is dedicated to track duty.

Which kit should you buy? If your R8 has no Magnetic Ride and you drive on track days, the KW V4 is the clear pick — its independent low- and high-speed compression damping lets you soften the ride for the street and firm it up for the circuit without ever pulling a spanner to the spring perch. For an MRC-equipped street car, the KW V3 is the sensible answer because the included cancellation module keeps the electronics happy while still giving you real height and damping adjustment. Budget-focused owners who simply want a lower, tidier stance should start with the H&R RSS+ coil-over, or the H&R Sport Spring if a fixed, comfort-biased drop on healthy factory dampers is all they need. Whichever you choose, verify your MRC status first and plan for a corner balance and alignment afterward.