Audi's sport suspension option typically provides:

o slightly lower and stiffer springs

o slightly thicker roll bars

o heavy duty "shock absorbers" (reduced jounce)

I would imagine if you were to order a new A4 with standard suspension and one with sport suspension, that the above would hold true.

I assume "ASSUME" that the addition of ADS changes out the "shocks" -- perhaps it replaces the standard fluid filled shocks with a ferro-fluid shock (think magna ride) that can induce more or less stiffness based on the application of a certain current to the fluid. Or, perhaps it is a more analog solution something like the last generation Audi allroad -- which used air bladders to compress or decompress the metal coil springs effecitively lowering or raising and simultaneously softening and stiffening them and the ride.

I have seen nothing about ADS that claims to alter the ride height, so I will assume that ADS when set to "dynamic" handling does not literally lower the ride height and compress the springs. What, logically then, would happen is the damping is increased or decreased based on the setting via the MMI. If there IS any claim to a "real time dynamic" setting, I would assume the method to accomplish this is much more like MagnaRide than an air bladder that somehow inflates and deflates in a nano-second.

Then, like the new Cadillac CTS, which for all three suspensions offered uses the same springs but different dampers as you progress from standard to sport to performance, the new Audi A4 with ADS takes the approach of having either standard or sport springs and varies the jounce via a relaxing or stiffening of the "shocks."

So, in conclusion (mostly speculation), you can order your A4 with the 19" sport package (as I ordered mine) PLUS ADS and if you like, set the ADS to "comfort" and probably have a soft-stiff ride and vary it to a less-soft-stiff ride to the maximum-stiff ride possible. Each level of stiffening, of course, providing better handling, less floatyness and a more planted to the ground feeling (the opposite of floaty.)

In other words, I don't think ordering a sport package option (either 18" or 19") some how negates the ADS's selection -- it is just a matter of degrees.

The soft setting of the ADS with the standard suspension would be "less stiff" than the soft setting of the ADS with the sport suspension, i.e.

I looked at it as "the best of both worlds."

Once pricing is out I "believe" that I'll go with the 18 inch wheels and sports suspension. That will keep things simpler and cheaper. I'm guessing maybe three grand for the ADS?

Really like my current sports suspension and finally getting the sport seats with the package is nice.

Wish that the Avant had a manual option. If it did, that would be the ticket for me, having previously owned a couple of 'em.

The ADS shocks have a variable valving system which is unlike either the magnetic setup in the TT or the air system in the allroad or A8.

Audi marketing claims ADS has a lowers ride height by 20mm. I'm not sure whether that is an ADS setting or if it is in combination with a "sport suspension" package.