Seems like a lot of people here are spec-ing to the mid-40's, but I've always preferred buying the best-performing stripper model (insert joke here) I can find with only the options I really need. Once an A4 pushes 50k, it's too small of a jump to the S4/S5/M3 (also stripper, of course).

Looking at the Premium trim, they nixed the Xenon+LED headlights, which are a distinctive styling feature of the B8, and that's a bummer. I wonder if they can be bought separately and installed without rewiring. Other than that, there is nothing major (to me) differentiating the Premium Plus from the Premium. I don't need power seats, but I could see that as some people's reasoning to move up to the midlevel. Driver Info System is nice, too.

Addendum: What do the non-Xenon headlights even look like?

Thus, mostly for neutering the headlights, the Premium saves you $4k. Seems like a good deal.

So I'm interested in a DSB 2.0T Premium Sport 6MT with Homelink - $34.8k seems pretty fair for such a vehicle(and the MT may knock a grand off that). Anyone with a similar viewpoint? Or am I that cheapskate that everyone hates for sullying the good name of Audi?

Edit: For comparison's sake, a comparable 328i sedan is 38.6k.

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/14154/a4_leds.jpg"></center><p>

and that pushes the trade in favor of the Premium Plus. Also, items like bluetooth, 6-CD changer, trip computer and Audi Music Interface are things I would use on a daily basis.

So my minimum trim level woudl eb the mid-level Prem. Plus. However, I do like your line of reasoning. I just can't see getting options like Drive Select or S-line when the car is already so expensive.

...for you. I say get whatcha like. If you don't need/want anyting offerd in the higher trim levels then it certainly makes sense to skip them. Give it a little bit and FWD cloth models will be here for even less $$$.

That being said let's see what you give up by not moving to Premium Plus.

The aforementioned Xenons &amp; LEDS
Different style wheels
Bluetooth
Three zone climate control
Heated front seats
Homelink
Chrome trim around side windows (I personally prefer no chrome.)
Autodimming interior/exterior mirrors
Compass
6CD Symphony radio
Audi music interface (replaces Aux-input) Memory for driver seat and ext. mirrors,
Driver information system with Trip computer Trunk storage package
Rain/Light sensor

As you mentioned if you don't need/want any of that then pocket the cash. However the sum of those extras is in line with a $4000 increase so I can't really fault Audi for the price structure.

Maybe I'm off-base, but I'd say a retrofit of the Xenons may very well cost you half of the $4,000 savings.

I'm not going to cut that far. That's just crazy.

Good thing you made the list. I was going to list them out, but then got lazy and highlighted only a few things.

So the AMI has no aux input? It's included in the description on the site...

make it clean without a bunch of warning codes and glitches you can VAG away.

No sunroof, which I don't use. No ski sack or cold pack, which you don't need with cloth. No conv pack. I think I bought it for $28K.

...to me at least, an expensive, overrated, functional downgrade in seating material over cloth. But I know I'm in a very small minority in that regard.

But, I'll keep hoping they eventually bring it back as an option (and not only in black!).

Give me a 'stripper' manual Avant Q w/ beige or light gray cloth, please!

The thing is that not all cloth is created equal. There's cloth that is better than leather, and cloth that is worse than leather. I'll take some supportive, cool cloth seats over leather, but Audi cloth is a bit disappointing.

I do disagree with you in that I would want my cloth seats in black. Beige interiors look great new, but don't wear so nicely.

Skinny chinese guy like me tend to slide around on leather seats around corners. Wait that's because of the non-existent lateral support on the B7 "sporty" seats.

...show no real 'wear'. A few stains, that are there mainly because I've been too lazy to clean them.

Can't speak to beige, but not sure why it would be any different (and it WOULD hide the dog hair better!).

Black's a non-starter in any material - too damn hot (CA). Plus, see the dog hair comment!

Not sure what disappoints you about Audi's cloth, it's been great for me.