There is one Audi ring that will fit that's available from your dealer. It's off an older Audi (maybe an 80 or 90). Best bet, do a scan in the archives for the part number.

Andy Hedin
'97 A4 1.8Tqms, Garrett 1.0 Bar, ABT Filter, Borla Exhaust, European Headlights, more...

Does every 98 A4 (2.8QM) have side impact air bags? Is it possible some of the earlier models didn't? My seats don't have any placards or SRS imprint on them anywhere (unless the previous owner removed them).

Which is what I have, with side bags

This car is early enough that, according to what I read, it has '97 tail lights (amber turn signals). Though it has a 30v engine so its not a rebadged '97, its build date is 8/97. This is the VIN: waued68d6wa006776

If your VIN is higher then you must have airbags? If lower then I couldn't be positive.

The first 98 version of A4 was the 2.8 30V with Cognac leather, Audi baseball cap emblems on the fenders, amber turn signals at the back and no atmosphere concepts. This version doesn't have side airbags and leather sports seats available whosoever. (A4 forum used to call this 98 A4 2.8)
The second version of 98 A4 were those without cloth sports seats. From October 97 to March 98 production, all the cloth sports seats were discontinued due to side airbags and customers complained of 97 Jacquard Satin sports seats as too narrow for 1.8T. The 2.8 started to have leather sports seats as an option. This 98 has side airbags standard across the board. How to identify this one with the later 98.5 ones? The cupholders are located at the old location instead of the newer ones. This version of A4 started to have all red tailights and no baseball Audi badges on the fenders, also Atmosphere concepts with Advance Terra Cotta replaced Cognac interior. (A4 forum used to call 98.5 2.8 and 98 1.8T)
The third version of 98 A4 was called 98.5 because of the new cupholders location and the introduction of the Jacquard Relief sports seats on the 1.8T. This version has side airbags standard across the board either. (A4 forum used to call this 98.5 A4). My girlfriend has this version of 1.8T. The sports seats have a big word (SRS AIRBAG) on the side.
Tom (A4 model-year change expert)
97 A4 1.8TQMS
99 BORA GLS 2.0
00 (OR 01) NEW BEETLE GLS 1.9TDI (ON ORDER)
98.5 A4 1.8TQAS WETTED