What exactly am I getting for the money?<p>Plus, can anyone tell me if the 16", 5 spoke wheels are available for the 1.8T as part of the Sport Package? Or do I have to get the 16", 7 spoke? If not, will dealers swap them out?

If you ask nice the dealer might swap for the 5-spoke...but why? The 7-spoke looks much nicer! =)

First of all you MUST like the wheels that come with the sport package. My dealer would not swap for the 5 spoke version (like the 2.8), yours might. I have heard of dealers doing it, but it is rare. I think the 7 spoke sport wheels are acceptable, they sure look better than the ugly stock wheels. The tires alone was enough for me. ZR rated tires are great! Sport steering wheel is another plus (GREAT looking option. It is $180? if purchased alone). The suspension is lower and stiffer (not too stiff). In my opinion, it is well worth it!<p>Hope this helped.<br>Ty<br>99 1.8tQSM

Better handling with little or no comfort penalty, nicer wheels, better tires, cool steering wheel, great price compared to aftermarket. Regarding the swap, it all depends on how smooth a talker you are or how much money you have. Anything is possible! :)<p>Steve

If you're going to modify the car, get the parts you will NOT modify. Going to modify everything engine and suspension? Then don't pay for the sport suspension and throw it away! Just order the sport steering wheel and sport seats. Have a set of Recaros from your 3-series that you'd like to install in your A4? Then don't get the sport seats!<p>Try never to pay for a part of the car you'll change or won't use, it's wasteful.<p>Cameron<br>

In 98, the sports package was only $ 450.00 if I recall correctly.<p>The sports package handling is a drastic improvement over the stock set-up. I drove a 2.8 30V without the sports package and the body-roll while in corners was simply too excessive IMO. The sports package strikes an excellent balance between vast handling improvements and ride comfort.<p>The Dunlops on the 98 2.8 model were also a vast improvement over the 15" tires.<p>The steering wheel is nice and the 7 spoke rims really grew on me. Initially, I also inquired about swaping out for the 15 inch 5 spokes when my car arrived. I decided to keep the 7 spokes ended up liking the 7 spoke more than the 5 spoke.<p>I later purchased 17 inch wheels because I bent one of my stock rims on s sink hole. I probably would have simply replaced the stock wheel had it not cost over $ 500.00 for a new wheel and tire. I, therefore, decided to upgrade to 17" wheels. I, however, still believe that the sports package was a worthy investment despite not keeping the original wheels.<p>I do have a 98.5 2.8 and am not sure whether the 7 spoke are the same as they were on the 98 models; but, the handling and the looks of the lowered suspension and the steering wheel were wll worth $ 450.00.

Well, I have a 98 1.8T Q manual and of course the sports package. Really, other than the steering wheel (which I think looks a lot nicer than the non-sport one), I have virtually taken out or will take out the parts from the sports package.<br>The 7 spokes "sporty" rims first of all I think looks uglier then the non sports 5 spokes. So I finally changed them this past weekend. Also, I have ordered new shocks/springs and sway bars and they are coming soon (can't wait!!). So yea...basically I have taken out everything that comes with the sports package.<br>I guess the question is, do you want to do that kind of modifications to your A4? Your choice..<p>Kev

When I bought my 1.8t in '97 the sport seats were a part of the Sport package. I'm not sure whether you can purchase them separately now, but they are a vast improvement over the stock seating. Plus, the only way to get away from the imitation leather and into cloth was to get these seats.<p>The sport suspension is stiff enough for spirited road driving, but I wouldn't buy it expecting to race the Mt. Washington Hillclimb. It is a nice compromise setup.<p>If you do not plan on extensive modifications, get the Sport package. It was the best $1000 I have spent on my A4. <p>I haven't done a thing to my Audi and it is a wonderful car. I save my modifications for the my VW (and the A4 once it is out of warranty).

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It's possible the 99.5's will have different wheels for both stock & sport. If the new stock wheels are those shown on the pic of the silver A4 in the Germany report, IMO the sports are going to have to be pretty ugly to want to switch to those.