Im looking at getting some new wheels and tires for my 2001 a4. Im a total newb in the way of suspension. Right now i have the basic stock suspension, not the sport suspension. Once I get my new wheels im planning on dropping the car about 1 to 2 inches with some new springs and I have heard that when you drop your car with new springs, you should also get new shocks. Do I really need to buy new shocks too? what would happen to my stock shocks if I just left them and replaced the springs? If its too much trouble just running with upgraded springs I think i might just not lower my car at all. Do people have many pics of what 17" rims look like on the stock suspension?

Well if you just change the spring, not the shocks, your factory shocks will die after a year of running under the new spring.
After your shock died, you will start hearing funny noise. Then you will have to invest another 1000 replace it...
so why not get a coilover and save yourself some $$ from replacing your stocks after!!