I wouldn't considering actually doing a factory order until I knew what the pricing was. I had to commit a deposit when I factory ordered my B5, but at that time pricing was well known and you could negotiate as well. I essentially shopped for the best price on a factory order and once I had that I put the order in for that price.

My current car was a factory order at a very modest amount over invoice. While the pricing was in hard copy, I put nothing down and signed nothing. It was all verbal and an extremely smooth deal.

I'm also waiting for pricing and will attempt to repeat the above process.

I was able to negotiate price, pit dealers against each other and get a good deal, all without setting foot in a dealership. In my case I wanted some unusual color and interior combinations so the deposit made sense.

So, how does this work without pricing in hand yet? Did they estimate?

. . .the reason is that the car configuration I ordered, so the dealer says, would not be difficult to sell and when I order one it actually makes their floor planning lower in cost.

The ordered cars, in my experience, ALWAYS are lower in cost to the customer than a car in stock, espeically if the car in stock has been through one round of internal interest charges.

There will be more room to discount is the concept.

Now, if I had ordered a spcial, historically difficult to sell color or option combination, well I am certain there would be some skin in the game required of me -- perhaps $500.

I need a "piece of paper" and a bona fide order in hand to extend my AF lease -- you may not be in the same circumstances.

Unless you have a document that specifically says the deposit is a use it or lose it proposition, deposits are refundable and your order is non binding (in that case.)

If you order a car with screaming chicken fat yellow as the exterior choice and purple alcantara interior (both at special order upcharges), well you are probably going to be subject to a non refundable clause.

If you know what you want and it is not beyond the pale, you are, typically, under no obligation. Money down or no (unless, as mentioned you have a document that says otherwise.)

Relax -- this is the bread and butter car for Audi dealer and AoA -- the price increase will be there, it will be a couple of points -- but even so, the content of the basic car has grown, in some respects offsetting this upcharge from the B7.

that and the stuff I want (3.0 TDI) isn't available yet. I figure I'll wait until MY 2010 to relieve the gotta-have it over-bendage and then I can do another dealer fight. I've had success with the 500 mile radius Invitation to Bid approach. Email makes it quite easy to pit dealers against each other.

That's what I did with my 2001 B5. Until they have pricing there's no point in trying to shop methinks, unless you can get more than one dealer to promise invoice + X% then have them fight over the X%. I figure that's highly unlikely though.

History shows all new Audi models go for full tilt (or above sticker) due to supply, demand, and hype. This not only happens with Audi (the B5, B6, and B7, et al), but with the other German counterparts too. New releases bring in a lot of interest and business and dealers act accordingly. Those who want the B8 this fall will be paying high, there is no getting around it. For many, it's a worthwhile sacrifice. I am not saying it's a wrong or bad thing to be doing. I'd be in the pool too if I could afford it. The B8 is hotness.

Yes, you're right for most people, but not all.
I work for one of Audi's major part suppliers and we get the suppliers discount that is very generous even for new models, including the RS4, but not the R8.

Basically, we get discounts on almost every make sold in America.

What's even better is that if there are dealer incentives, we get those on top of the discount. One of the better benefits that we get.