Best Audi S4 & S5 (B8) Coilovers & Suspension Guide

The right Audi S4 & S5 (B8) coilovers and suspension upgrade turns a fast-but-nose-heavy sport sedan into a genuinely composed corner-carver. From 2009 to 2016, the B8 and B8.5 platform paired a supercharged 3.0 TFSI V6 (333 hp, 325 lb-ft) with quattro all-wheel drive, but the factory dampers were tuned for comfort and the long engine sits ahead of the front axle. At NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, the most requested S4/S5 handling fix is a proper coilover setup, so here are the five kits we recommend most and how to choose between them.

Why the Audi S4 & S5 (B8) Needs a Suspension Upgrade

The B8 Audi S4 and S5 understeer from the factory because roughly 55% of their curb weight sits over the front axle, with the supercharged 3.0T V6 mounted ahead of the front wheels. That longitudinal layout is what makes these cars feel nose-heavy on turn-in, and it is exactly what a well-chosen suspension kit is designed to correct. The US-market S4 (2010–2016) and S5 (4.2 V8 coupe 2008–2012, then 3.0T from 2013) both ride on the same MLB chassis, so the same coilovers, springs, and sway bars fit across the range.

The stock dampers prioritize a plush highway ride, which leaves the chassis floating over mid-corner bumps and diving under braking. Lowering the car 1–2 inches drops the center of gravity, tightens the wheel gap, and — when paired with quality adjustable dampers — sharpens body control without wrecking daily comfort. On a heavy quattro car, a stainless or galvanized coilover body also matters: the OE aluminum-and-steel dampers corrode over 100k miles, and a rebuildable coilover is a long-term investment. Below are the five kits we sell and install most, ordered from track-focused flagships down to budget-friendly springs.

The 5 Best Coilovers & Suspension Kits for the Audi S4 & S5 (B8)

1. KW Variant 3 (V3) — Best Overall

The KW V3 is the best all-around coilover for the B8 S4/S5 because it separates rebound and low-speed compression damping into two independent adjusters. That means you can firm up body control for a canyon run without turning the ride harsh over Tampa expansion joints. The inox-line stainless struts resist corrosion, and KW's TUV-approved lowering range lets you dial in roughly 0.8 to 2.0 inches front and rear.

2. Ohlins Road & Track — Best for Track Days

The Ohlins Road & Track is the track enthusiast's pick for the B8 chassis thanks to its 46 mm monotube damper and patented DFV (Dual Flow Valve) technology. A single 20-position knob adjusts compression and rebound together, so it is far easier to tune at the track than a two-way system, and the motorsport-derived valving keeps the tire planted through fast transitions. This one kit fits A4, A5, S4, S5, RS4, and RS5 B8 models.

3. KW Variant 1 (V1) — Best Value Coilover

The KW V1 is the best-value coilover for owners who want a quality drop without fiddling with damping dials. KW pre-tunes the fixed valving for a firm-but-livable ride, so you get the same stainless struts and roughly 0.8–2.0 in of lowering as the V3 while saving about $1,200. It is the kit we recommend for a clean daily-driver stance on the S4 or S5.

4. KW Height Adjustable Springs (H.A.S.) — Best for Keeping OE Ride

The KW H.A.S. kit is the smart pick if you want a lower stance but love the factory ride quality. Instead of replacing your dampers, it installs height-adjustable springs onto the stock S4/S5 struts, giving roughly 0.4–1.4 in of infinitely adjustable drop while keeping OE comfort and any factory electronic damping. It is the cleanest way to lose the wheel gap without committing to a full coilover budget.

5. ST XA Coilover Kit — Best Budget Adjustable

The ST XA is the best budget adjustable coilover for the B8 because it is built by the KW Group and adds rebound damping adjustment for well under half the price of the V3. The galvanized steel struts and CNC-machined aluminum spring perches deliver a proper coilover drop and a tunable ride, making the XA the value sweet spot for street S4 and S5 owners. Fitment covers 2008–2017 A4/S4/A5/S5 (B8) — confirm your exact model year at checkout.

Audi S4 & S5 (B8) Suspension Comparison Chart

Here is how the five kits stack up on the specs that matter most for a B8 S4 or S5 build — damping adjustability, lowering range, intended use, and price. We have added the H&R Sport Springs as the lowest-cost entry point for buyers keeping their stock dampers.

Coilovers vs. Lowering Springs: Which Is Right for Your B8?

Choose coilovers if you want adjustable ride height and improved body control; choose lowering springs if your only goal is a cheaper, better stance on the stock dampers. That is the whole decision in one sentence, and for most B8 S4/S5 owners the follow-up questions are budget and how the car is used.

Lowering springs like the H&R Sport Spring set (around $373) bolt onto your factory struts and drop the car roughly 1.4 inches for the least money. They sharpen turn-in and kill the wheel gap, but they work the OE dampers harder, so ride quality gets busier and worn stock shocks will wear faster. Springs are the right call for a clean daily-driver look on a tight budget.

Coilovers replace the strut and spring as a unit, giving you threaded ride-height adjustment and — on the KW V3, Ohlins, and ST XA — tunable damping. That is what lets a heavy quattro S4 turn in flat and stay composed on a track day. If you plan to run wider wheels, autocross, or corner-balance the car, coilovers are worth the jump. The KW H.A.S. splits the difference: adjustable ride height on the factory dampers, so you keep OE comfort with a real, tunable drop.

Do You Need Sway Bars and an Alignment on a B8 S4?

Yes — a set of adjustable sway bars and a corner-balance alignment are the two upgrades that unlock the most from any B8 S4/S5 suspension change. Because these cars are nose-heavy, a stiffer, adjustable rear anti-roll bar is the single most effective tool for dialing out factory understeer and rotating the car on turn-in.

The ST Anti-Swaybar Set (around $629) adds adjustable front and rear bars with multiple stiffness holes, letting you fine-tune balance to your driving style after the coilovers are in. Owners chasing sharper geometry often add adjustable control arms and RS4-style front components to gain camber, but for most street cars, coilovers plus sway bars plus a proper alignment is the sweet spot. Whatever you install, budget for an alignment: dropping the car changes camber and toe, and skipping the alignment will chew through the inner shoulders of your tires within a few thousand miles.

How Much Does an Audi S4 / S5 (B8) Suspension Upgrade Cost?

A B8 S4/S5 suspension upgrade runs from about $370 for lowering springs to roughly $3,400 for a flagship coilover kit, before installation. Where you land depends on how much adjustability you want and whether you keep the factory dampers.

On the budget end, H&R Sport Springs sit near $373 and the KW H.A.S. height-adjustable springs are around $1,144 — both reuse your OE struts. Full coilovers span the value ST XA at about $1,399 and KW V1 near $2,194 up to the premium Ohlins Road & Track (around $3,300) and KW V3 (around $3,394). Plan on another few hundred dollars for professional installation, plus roughly $150–$250 for the mandatory alignment. Add the ST sway bar set (around $629) if you want to attack the factory understeer directly. Every kit on this page ships free from NLP Performance, and select brands qualify for extra savings at checkout.

How Hard Is It to Install Coilovers on a B8 S4/S5?

Installing coilovers on a B8 S4 or S5 is an intermediate DIY job that typically takes an experienced enthusiast 4–6 hours with hand tools, a spring compressor, and a jack and stands. The front struts come out from above once the top mounts and sway-bar end links are disconnected, and the rears use a separate damper-and-spring arrangement typical of the MLB platform.

The two things that trip owners up are seized 10-year-old hardware — soak the bolts in penetrant first — and setting the ride height evenly side to side before the alignment. We recommend setting your target height, driving the car to let the suspension settle, then measuring fender-to-hub before booking the alignment. If you are not comfortable with strut work, our Tampa shop and most reputable independents can knock out the install and alignment in an afternoon. Explore the full range on our suspension collection.