instead I am now looking at the just announced S4 with the new 3.0TSFI.

Not going for the Mercedes or BMW diesels?

Is it true no B8 S4 Avants for the US?

That would be what I'd want/need to buy to make up for not buying the Q5. Hopefully, the Q5 TDI will be here in a year or two.

Right now, I'm in no hurry to buy a Q5, as I have a Ford 500 AWD company car. The thing is almost as big as a Q5 and, more importantly, it's free, well almost. Hoping to replace it with an A6 TDI in two years.

The 2001 A4 only has 90K on it, so it's good to go a little longer. And, of course, I wouldn't dream of selling the 1990 V8 5 speed. The only full size, AWD, MT car ever imported into the US. It only has 130,000 on it now.

And if your choice is not there then why are you hanging on?
You have waited a long time to decide not to wait.