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Audi Q3, Q5, SQ5, Q7 and Q8 Coilovers

These four Audi SUVs all have quattro, but their suspensions differ. Some have adaptive (electronic) dampers, some have self-leveling, and the first Q7 can have air ride. Those features matter more than the model name when you pick coilovers for an Audi SUV. Start with your model and years, then check those features. Where BC makes a kit, it is listed first in each section.

Not sure if you have air ride or adaptive dampers? Call 1-800-460-9106.

Gray Audi SQ5 lowered on coilovers in a glass office plaza at blue hour
Dampers, self-leveling and air ride
Audi Q models

Animated illustration. It shows where coilovers sit on a car, not your exact kit. Depending on the car and the kit, coilovers can lean forward or back or stand straight up, and some cars use a separate spring and shock in the rear. Your ride height depends on the kit and how it is set up.

Your Q model and years

Three things to check before you pick a kit

We carry twenty-three kits for these SUVs. Check these three things before you choose one.

Adaptive dampers

KW sells different Q5 kits depending on electronic damping or Active Damping Suspension. BC's later Q7 kit is "Without EDC."

Self-leveling

KW's FY Q5 kits do not fit self-leveling cars. Bilstein's 8R Q5 kits are also for cars without it.

Air ride

BC makes a kit that converts the Q7 from air ride to coilovers. Solo-Werks' Q5/SQ5 kit is "Non-Air Ride."

BC Racing coilovers for Audi SUVs

Seven BC kits for four SUV lines

BC Racing coilovers for the Audi Q models come in three series: BR, DS and RM. Every BC kit comes in BR. Only the Q3 kit also comes in RM. The Q5/SQ5 8R kit and the Q7 air conversion kit come in BR only. Free shipping on BC Racing kits in the continental US.

See all BC Racing coilovers First-generation Q5

How BR, DS and RM differ

Most BC kits for these SUVs come in BR and DS. Either one is a full coilover suspension.

BR

BR has one 30-click knob that sets compression and rebound together.

DS

DS has BR's knob plus a digressive piston for firmer control. You can get it on five of the seven BC kits.

RM, Q3 only

RM is BC's upside-down (inverted) monotube, made for MacPherson strut cars.

BC's Q5/SQ5 8R kit is "Extreme by Default," so talk ride height with us first. Swift Springs for BC kits are ordered through the Custom Build for BC Coilovers page.

KW, Bilstein, Solo-Werks and Ksport for the Q models

We carry four more brands for these SUVs. Call 1-800-460-9106 and we will help you compare them.

KW

KW has eight kits for these SUVs, including the only kit for the second Q3.

Bilstein

Bilstein has four B12 Pro-Kits: two for the 8R Q5 and two for the 8U Q3.

Solo-Werks and Ksport

Solo-Werks lists one first-generation Q5/SQ5 kit. Ksport has three: both Q5 generations and the first Q3.

Kit picks for a daily Q5, an SQ5 or a Q7 on air ride

Daily 8R Q5

Check for electronic damping first.

Kits to look at: KW 8R with or without electronic damping, Bilstein B12 (no electronic or self-leveling), Solo-Werks (non-air ride)
SQ5

Four kits list the SQ5 by name.

Kits named for the SQ5: BC Q5/SQ5 8R, Solo-Werks Q5/SQ5, KW SQ5 8R (without electronic damping), KW FY (with Active Damping, not self-leveling)
First Q7 with air ride

One coilover kit converts it.

Kit to look at: BC Q7 Air To Coil Conversion, in BR

Every Audi SUV coilover kit we carry

We start with the Q8 and Q7 and end with the Q3. Card names are short versions of each kit's product name.

Notes in BC kit names: "Extreme by Default" means the kit ships as BC's Extreme Low version as standard, built shorter for a lower drop.

The second Q5, with one SQ5 kit

Codes: FY (KW), QY (Ksport)
Good to know: KW makes one kit for cars with Active Damping and one for cars without. Neither KW kit fits self-leveling cars, and the Active Damping kit comes with an ESC module. BC's AWD kit comes in BR or DS.

First Q5 and SQ5

Codes: 8R; B8 (Ksport)
Good to know: BC's Q5/SQ5 kit comes in BR only and is "Extreme by Default." KW makes kits with and without electronic damping; the one with it includes a magnetic ride cancellation unit. The Solo-Werks kit is "Non-Air Ride." Both Bilstein kits are for cars without electronic or self-leveling suspension.

The first US Q3

Codes: 8U
Good to know: BC's FWD/AWD kit comes in BR, DS and RM, and it is the only set of Audi Q3 coilovers you can get in RM. KW's kit fits 2WD and 4WD. Bilstein has separate kits for the 2.0 TFSI and the TDI.

Quick comparison table

Model Years What decides the kit BC Racing series
Q8 2019 on BC only BR, DS
Q7, 2016 on 2016 to 2024 BC only, not for cars with EDC BR, DS
Q7 4L 2006 to 2015 Air ride or coil springs, for BC BR, DS
Q5 FY 2018 to 2024 Active Damping for KW, and KW kits do not fit self-leveling cars BR, DS
Q5 and SQ5 8R 2008 to 2017 Electronic damping for KW, air ride for Solo-Werks BR
Q3 F3 2019 to 2023 KW only No BC kit
Q3 8U 2015 to 2018 Engine, for Bilstein BR, DS, RM

Before you buy: what Audi Q3 to Q8 owners run into

Audi SUVs are family cars first. People who lower a Q5 or a Q7 usually want a cleaner stance and a little less body roll, not a track setup, so the forums carry few coilover stories. BC Racing still lists a kit for each of these models. Q5 owners mention one wear item in particular.

Front upper control arm bushings
Q5 and SQ5 (8R, 2009 to 2017, and FY)

Q5 owners on forums report clunks and noises cured by new upper control arm bushings. Others warn that light surface cracks are normal and factory marks in the rubber can look like damage. A heavier SUV loads the arm bushings hard, and worn ones will make noise and shift the alignment on new coilovers.

Before you install: Inspect the front upper arm bushings during the install, replace them only if deeply cracked or noisy, and align afterward.

Audi Q5 history

Audi's mid-size SUV arrived in 2008

Audi writes that "The first generation Q5 celebrated its debut in April 2008."

  1. Ingolstadt
    Built at Audi's main plantProduction ran "at the main plant in Ingolstadt."

That first Q5 is the 8R on this page, and it has kits from the most brands.

Questions about air ride, dampers and the SQ5

Can an air-suspended Q7 go to coilovers?

BC lists an "Air To Coil Conversion" kit for the first Q7, in BR. Call us before you order it.

Does a Q5 with adaptive dampers need its own kit?

At KW, yes. KW sells 8R kits with and without electronic damping, and FY kits with and without Active Damping Suspension.

How low does the BC first-generation Q5 kit sit?

BC names it "Extreme by Default." Ask us about ride height before you order it.

Which BC series can I get for these Audi SUVs?

Every kit comes in BR. All but two also come in DS; the 8R Q5/SQ5 and Q7 air conversion kits are BR only. RM is only available for the first Q3.

Do you carry Audi SQ5 coilovers?

Yes. Four kits have it in their name: BC and Solo-Werks 8R kits, a KW SQ5 8R kit, and KW's FY Active Damping kit.

What warranty does BC give on these kits?

BC Racing North America currently lists a two-year limited warranty on full kit orders, subject to its warranty terms. The other four brands each publish their own terms.

Other Audi pages

Coilover Kits by CarEvery car page. Does Your Car Have Adaptive Dampers? Keep Them, Cancel Them or Replace ThemKeep, cancel or replace the electronic dampers on your Q3. AWD, RWD or FWD: Why Drivetrain Changes the Coilover Kit You OrderWhy the drivetrain changes which kit fits your Q3. Coilovers for Trucks, SUVs and Raised BuildsCoilovers on a taller, heavier car like the Q3. Comfort and Stance on a Daily Driver: Setting Up Coilovers for BothA comfortable drop on a Q3 you drive every day. How to Set Ride Height on CoiloversMeasure and set the drop on your Q3. Audi A4 and S4The sedan and Avant. Audi A3, S3 and RS3Audi's compact sedan and hatch. Adjustable vs. non-adjustable coiloversAdjustment on an SUV. How to install coiloversA guide to the fitting. BC Racing for AudiBC's Audi kits.
Model, years and suspension options: we will match the Audi kit

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Call 1-800-460-9106