The invention relates to a suspension for motor vehicles having controllable chassis clearance and stiffness, and includes a helical spring (1), having a controlling device (2) which is secured to the body of the vehicle and is located rotatably, preferably by means of a transmission stage driven by an electric motor. The controlling device (2) is embodied as a shaped nut, which is screwed directly onto the coils of the preferably cylindrical helical spring (1) and has roller bodies which are located along the helical line and are connected to coils of the helical spring; the controlling device (2) is fully movable and fixable onto and relative to the helical spring. The suspension for motor vehicles ensures enhanced stiffness of the suspension in the event of a decrease in the chassis clearance, reduced stiffness of the suspension when the chassis clearance is increased, and the possibility of building in a telescoping damper inside the helical spring without blocking access to its upper fastening point.