Next Level Performance
August 12, 2026 • 10 min read
Our Verdict
The KW Variant 3 coilover kit is the best all-around suspension upgrade for the 2007-2008 Audi RS4 (B7).
It ditches the factory Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) dampers, adds independently adjustable rebound and compression damping, and lets you dial ride height on a stainless (inox-line) strut body that resists corrosion. Around $3,400, it is the coilover we fit most often to the B7 4.2L V8 chassis at our Tampa shop.
Shop Our Top Pick →The KW V3 coilover kit for the 2007-2008 Audi RS4 (B7) is a two-way adjustable, height-adjustable suspension that replaces the RS4’s aging factory Dynamic Ride Control dampers with a modern, serviceable, stainless-steel setup. The B7 RS4 pairs a high-revving 4.2L FSI V8 — 420 hp at 7,800 rpm, 317 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm, and an 8,250 rpm redline — with quattro all-wheel drive and roughly 3,900 lb of curb weight. That combination is fast, but nose-heavy, and the original DRC hydraulics wear out and get expensive to replace. Below is our full review of the KW V3 kit, how it compares to the KW V1, ST lowering springs, and Hotchkis sway bars, and exactly what the DRC-delete install requires.
The 2007-2008 Audi RS4 (B7): Why Start With Suspension?
The B7 Audi RS4 is one of the last naturally aspirated V8 super-sedans, and suspension is the first upgrade most owners make because the factory hardware is both worn and dated. From the factory, the RS4 used Audi’s Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) — a passive hydraulic system that cross-links the dampers diagonally with fluid lines and a central accumulator to resist body roll and dive without electronics. When DRC works, it rides well; when it fails (leaking struts, sagging corners), replacement is costly and the system cannot be adjusted.
That is the core reason a coilover conversion makes sense on a 17-plus-year-old RS4. A quality coilover restores ride control, lets you correct the RS4’s slightly high, nose-heavy stance, and adds adjustability the factory never offered. The 4.2L FSI V8 (engine code BHF) revs to 8,250 rpm and sends power through a 6-speed manual and quattro AWD, so the chassis rewards a suspension that can be tuned for both street compliance and track body control.
2007-2008 Audi RS4 (B7) Key Specs
KW V3 Coilover Kit for the RS4 (B7): Full Review
The KW Variant 3 (V3) is a two-way adjustable coilover: rebound and compression damping are set independently, so you can firm up body control without turning the street ride harsh. KW rates the V3 at 16 clicks of rebound and 12 clicks of low-speed compression adjustment, and the ride height is continuously adjustable on a threaded stainless-steel (inox-line) strut body that resists the corrosion that seizes cheaper zinc coilovers. For the RS4, KW builds this kit specifically to delete DRC, which is why the listing notes it “requires 68510141” — the DRC conversion hardware (more on that below).
The KW V3 sets rebound and compression damping independently on a corrosion-resistant inox-line body.
On the road, the V3 is the coilover that best matches the RS4’s dual personality. Set to the softer end of the compression range, it keeps highway ride quality close to a well-sorted OEM car; wind the rebound in and it controls the heavy nose over crests and hard braking far better than tired DRC. Because ride height is fully adjustable, you can pull the factory fender gap without the crashy, over-lowered feel that fixed springs sometimes deliver. At our Tampa shop, we typically set a street-friendly drop of roughly one inch and leave headroom for corner-balancing on cars that see track days.
What We Like
- + Independent rebound and compression damping (16/12 clicks) tunes street and track separately
- + Stainless inox-line body resists corrosion far better than zinc-plated coilovers
- + Permanently deletes failure-prone factory DRC hydraulics
- + Continuously adjustable ride height for proper corner balancing
Things to Consider
- – Around $3,400, it is the most expensive option here
- – Requires the separate DRC delete kit (68510141) and a corner-balance and alignment to finish right
How the KW V3 Compares: RS4 (B7) Suspension Options
Not every B7 RS4 needs a full coilover. If your DRC is still healthy and you only want a modest, tidier stance, springs or sway bars cost far less. Here is how the four suspension upgrades we stock for the 2007-2008 RS4 stack up — from a set of sport sway bars near $600 up to the flagship KW V3 coilover around $3,400.
| Kit | Type | Damping Adjust | Ride Height | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KW V3 Coilover KitTop Pick | Coilover (DRC delete) | Rebound + compression | Fully adjustable | $3,394.00 |
| KW V1 Coilover Kit | Coilover (DRC delete) | Preset (fixed) | Fully adjustable | $2,094.00 |
| ST Adjustable Lowering Springs | Lowering springs | Uses stock dampers | Set drop | $969.00 |
| Hotchkis Sport Sway Bar Set | Front + rear sway bars | N/A | Stock | $604.79 |
KW V1 Coilover Kit: The Budget DRC-Delete
The KW V1 is the value coilover for the RS4. It uses the same continuously adjustable ride height and stainless inox-line body as the V3, but damping is factory-preset rather than user-adjustable. For a street car whose DRC has failed, the V1 near $2,100 is a smart, comfortable fix — you lose the track tunability of the V3 but keep the corrosion resistance and the height adjustment.
KW V1: preset damping, adjustable height, and the same stainless body as the V3 for around $2,100.
ST Lowering Springs: Keep DRC, Drop the Stance
ST Suspensions is KW’s value spring brand. These lowering springs work with your existing dampers, so if your DRC is still healthy they deliver a cleaner, lower stance for under $1,000 without the cost of a full coilover. The trade-off is that you keep whatever ride quality the aging factory dampers provide, and the drop is a set figure rather than adjustable.
ST lowering springs keep the factory dampers and drop the RS4 for under $1,000.
Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars: Cheapest Handling Gain
The single most cost-effective handling upgrade for a stock-suspension RS4 is a bigger sway bar set. The Hotchkis front and rear kit near $600 adds roll stiffness and lets you tune the RS4’s understeer-biased balance without touching ride height or damping. It pairs perfectly with any of the coilovers or springs above — or stands alone as a first mod on a car with good DRC.
Hotchkis sport sway bars: the cheapest way to reduce the RS4 nose-heavy understeer.
Installation and the DRC Delete: What to Know
Fitting KW coilovers to a B7 RS4 requires removing the factory Dynamic Ride Control system, which is why the KW V3 listing specifies it “requires 68510141.” That part number is KW’s DRC conversion/delete hardware, and it is mandatory — the coilover struts physically replace the DRC dampers and the hydraulic lines are removed from the car. Budget for that kit in addition to the coilover itself.
The KW V3 struts replace the DRC dampers entirely; the DRC delete kit (68510141) is mandatory.
Plan on a full day in a shop with a lift, spring compressor, and a proper alignment rack. After any RS4 suspension change — coilover, spring, or sway bar — a four-wheel alignment is required, and for a coilover you should also corner-balance the car to even out the RS4’s front weight bias. In our experience, skipping the alignment is the number-one cause of uneven tire wear and a car that pulls after a drop. We recommend installing the DRC delete, coilover, and any sway bars in one visit so the alignment is done once.
Ride Quality, Handling, and Daily Livability
The honest answer on ride quality: a modern two-way coilover like the KW V3, set softly, rides better than a B7 RS4 with worn-out DRC and is competitive with a healthy factory car — while giving you control the OEM system never had. Springs on tired dampers will feel firmer and less composed over sharp bumps. Sway bars change balance, not ride harshness, so they are the most daily-friendly upgrade. For a car that sees canyon roads or occasional track time, the V3’s adjustable compression damping is what keeps the heavy nose planted; for a comfort-first street car, the V1 or ST springs get most of the visual and stance benefit for far less money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do KW coilovers require deleting DRC on the B7 RS4?
Yes. Fitting KW coilovers to a 2007-2008 Audi RS4 (B7) requires removing the factory Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) system. The KW V3 kit specifies it requires part 68510141, KW’s DRC conversion hardware, because the coilover struts replace the DRC dampers and the hydraulic lines are deleted from the car.
What is the difference between the KW V1 and V3 for the RS4?
The KW V1 and V3 both offer continuously adjustable ride height and a stainless inox-line body, but only the V3 has adjustable damping. The V3 provides 16 clicks of rebound and 12 clicks of compression adjustment (about $3,400), while the V1 uses factory-preset damping (about $2,100). Choose the V3 for track tunability and the V1 to save money on a street car.
How much does the KW V3 coilover kit lower the Audi RS4?
The KW V3 kit is continuously height-adjustable, so the drop is set by you rather than fixed. Most B7 RS4 owners run roughly a one-inch drop for a level, factory-gap-free stance while leaving room to corner-balance. KW publishes a model-specific adjustment range for the RS4.
Can I just use lowering springs instead of coilovers on my RS4?
Yes, if your factory DRC dampers are still healthy. ST Adjustable Lowering Springs (around $970) work with the stock dampers to lower the car for under $1,000. If your DRC is leaking or worn, a coilover such as the KW V1 or V3 is the better long-term fix because it replaces the failing dampers entirely.
What is the cheapest handling upgrade for the B7 RS4?
A sport sway bar set is the most cost-effective handling upgrade for the 2007-2008 RS4. The Hotchkis front and rear kit (around $600) adds roll stiffness and reduces the RS4’s factory understeer without changing ride height or damping, and it pairs with any spring or coilover setup.
Do I need an alignment after installing RS4 suspension?
Yes. Any suspension change on the B7 RS4 — coilover, lowering spring, or sway bar — requires a four-wheel alignment afterward, and a coilover installation should also include a corner balance to even out the RS4’s nose-heavy weight distribution. Skipping the alignment causes uneven tire wear and steering pull.
Upgrade Your B7 RS4 Suspension
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