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VW Beetle Coilovers

We carry twenty-three sets of VW Beetle coilovers for the air-cooled 1302 and 1303, the New Beetle and the 2011 to 2019 car. On the newest car, the rear suspension decides the kit.

Not sure if yours is torsion beam or multi-link? We can check from the VIN: 1-800-460-9106.

Red Volkswagen Beetle Turbo lowered on coilovers on a college town street with bicycles

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.

Check the rear, strut and roof

Know these three things before you choose Beetle coilovers.

Twist beam or IRS

On the 2011 to 2019 car, BC, Solo-Werks and Ksport make one kit for each rear: twist beam or independent (IRS).

Front strut size

BC makes 54.5mm and 49.5mm kits; Ksport and Bilstein kits are for 55mm.

Hardtop or convertible

KW and Solo-Werks make separate kits for the New Beetle convertible.

BC Racing coilovers for the Beetle

BC: two A5 kits and a New Beetle kit

BC Racing coilovers for the VW Beetle come in these series: BR, DS and RM. Free shipping on BC Racing kits in the continental US. The New Beetle kit comes in BR or DS only, and BC has no kit for the air-cooled car.

See all BC Racing coilovers BC's two 2012 to 2019 kits

BR, DS and RM on a Beetle

Here is how the three BC series differ.

Compression and rebound share a single 30-click knob.

It has the same knob, plus a digressive piston for firmer control.

RM is an upside-down single-tube shock for MacPherson strut cars. It comes on the A5 kits only.

Four more brands for the Beetle

The kit counts below are from our store. Call 1-800-460-9106 and we will help you compare.

Bilstein

Bilstein has six kits, B12 and B14: three for the A5 and three for the New Beetle.

KW has seven kits, including the only ones for the 1302 and 1303.

Solo-Werks and Ksport

Solo-Werks has four kits and Ksport has three. Each Solo-Werks kit is named for a rear layout or body style; Ksport does this on the A5 only.

Three example Beetles and their kits

2014 Beetle Turbo

This car has the multi-link rear, so it takes these kits.

Kits to look at: BC Beetle (54.5mm Front Strut + IRS Only), Solo-Werks Beetle (With Multi-Link Rear Suspension), Ksport Beetle Turbo, Convertible

2016 base Beetle, torsion beam

This car takes the twist beam kits.

Kits to look at: BC Beetle FWD (49.5mm Front Strut - Twist Beam Rear Only), Solo-Werks Beetle (With Torsion Beam Rear Suspension), Ksport Beetle, Base Model

2004 New Beetle Convertible

This car takes the convertible kits.

Kits to look at: KW New Beetle (1Y) Convertible, Solo-Werks New Beetle Convertible, Bilstein New Beetle Cabriolet/Convertible B12

All twenty-three VW Beetle coilover kits

We list the newest car first. The kit names come from our product names.

A5, the last Beetle

Code: A5; 16 (in KW kit names)

**BC Racing kit**The BC Racing coilover kit for the 2012 to 2019 Volkswagen Beetle. Photo: BC Racing.

Good to know: The rear suspension decides this one. BC has two kits, both in BR, DS or RM: "54.5mm Front Strut + IRS Only" and "49.5mm Front Strut - Twist Beam Rear Only." Solo-Werks and Ksport have separate multi-link and torsion beam kits; Ksport's multi-link kit is for the Turbo and Convertible. Bilstein's B14 is for a 55mm strut and IRS, without electronic suspension, and Bilstein has two B12 kits too. KW's kits depend on engine up to 2013, then cover all engines.

The New Beetle

Code: MK4/A4; 1Y, 9C (in KW kit names)

**BC Racing kit**The BC Racing coilover kit for the 1998 to 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle. Photo: BC Racing.

Good to know: BC has one New Beetle FWD kit in BR or DS. KW and Solo-Werks each have a separate convertible kit. Bilstein's B14 kit name says "Wheel Spacers May Be Required," and a separate B12 kit covers the 2003 to 2005 Cabriolet/Convertible. Ksport has one kit.

Air-cooled 1302 and 1303

Code: 11, 13, 15; 1302, 1303

Good to know: Only KW makes kits, for the 1302 and 1303 sedan and convertible. Two of its kits have the same name, so call us before ordering and we will confirm the right one.

1302 to A5 side by side

Group	Years	What decides the kit	BC Racing series
A5 Beetle	2011 to 2019	Rear suspension and strut size; engine (KW)	BR, DS, RM
New Beetle	1998 to 2010	Coupe or convertible	BR, DS
Classic 1302/1303	1971 to 1981	KW only	No BC kit

Before you buy: what Beetle owners run into

Beetle owners range from air-cooled restorers to New Beetle daily drivers, and few of either group fit coilover suspension. The one issue we could confirm is on the 1302 and 1303, where the front strut top mounts changed during production.

Front top mount differs on 1302 and 1303

1302 and 1303, 1971 to 1979

Parts catalogs list one front strut top mount for 1302 and early 1303 cars built to mid 1973, and a different one for 1303 cars from August 1973 on. The strut top is not one part for all years, so a worn or wrong mount affects how a new strut seats.

Before you install: Check your build date and the top mount fitted before ordering, and replace a worn top mount and bump stop while the strut is out.

Beetle history

The last Beetle built

F&I and Showroom magazine reported in July 2019 that the final Beetle was built at Puebla, Mexico.

2019

Scott KeoghVolkswagen Group of America's president and CEO, as the magazine quoted him: "It's impossible to imagine where Volkswagen would be without the Beetle".
Legacy

VW's farewell"While its time has come, the role it has played in the evolution of our brand will be forever cherished".

Beetle questions: rear axle, convertibles, classics

How do I tell which 2012 to 2019 Beetle kit I need?

Start under the back of the car. Torsion beam and multi-link (IRS) cars take different kits from BC, Solo-Werks and Ksport. BC also names each kit by front strut size: 54.5mm with IRS, or 49.5mm with the twist beam.

Do New Beetle convertibles need their own kit?

Often, yes. KW and Solo-Werks make separate convertible kits, and Bilstein has a B12 kit for the 2003 to 2005 Cabriolet/Convertible.

What does "Wheel Spacers May Be Required" mean?

It is in the name of Bilstein's B14 kit for the New Beetle: your wheels may need spacers. Call us and we will go over your wheels before you order.

Can a 1970s Beetle take coilovers?

KW's two kits name only the 1302 and 1303, sedan and convertible, 1971 to 1981. If your Beetle is another model, call us before ordering.

Which BC Racing series fit a Beetle?

Both 2012 to 2019 kits come in BR, DS or RM. The New Beetle kit comes in BR or DS. BC has no kit for the classic car.

What does BC cover under warranty on a Beetle kit?

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

Related Volkswagens and guides

Coilover Kits by CarEvery car page. Comfort and Stance on a Daily Driver: Setting Up Coilovers for BothA comfortable drop on a Beetle you drive every day. How to Set Ride Height on CoiloversMeasure and set the drop on your Beetle. After You Lower It: Alignment Timing, Driver-Assist Calibration and Headlight AimAlignment, driver-assist and headlight checks once the Beetle is lower. VW Golf and GTIVolkswagen's hatchback line. VW Jetta and GLIThe Volkswagen sedan. How to install coiloversStrut fronts and either rear layout. All Volkswagen coiloversEvery VW kit we list.

Not sure which rear your Beetle has? We will help you pick the kit

Call us about VW Beetle coilovers weekdays, 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern.

Call 1-800-460-9106