OK, searched quite a bit and could not find answer...

What led me to this is searches, lurking, etc. here which say that many of the A3 and A4's which say (have the badges, etc.) are S-Line only had the cosmetic stuff done (though not clear on if this means only exterior S-Line stuff or exterior and interior). i.e. suspension has not been upgraded/lowered.

Answer I could not locate was how do I tell if an A3 or A4 I am looking at which has S-Line badges has the S-Line suspension upgrades?

 

I know in 06 and 08 you could tell be the Seats. The s-line seats are sportier

 

If I recall correctly, for A3 at least, S-Line was available only with the 3.2l V6 and quattro.

 

The 09 A3 , you can get sline with the 2.0t ... J had one as a loaner and other than the seats, performance was identical to my prem pkg

 

The Sport Package on the 2006 A3 2.0T had most of the pieces that became "S-Line" in subsequent years (there was no 2006 A3 S-Line), except the more aggressive-looking lower front bumper that showed up in 2007 (?). The changes included lower and stiffer suspension (different shocks, springs and anti-sway bars) and the Sport front seats mentioned previously. The wheels were painted differently on Sport models. The 3.2 had all those elements as standard, AFAIK.

The Sport/S-Line was available with both engines every year on the A3 - optional with the 2.0T (both FWD and Quattro), standard with the 3.2. I'm pretty sure the suspension and seats were always as I described, but other pieces included with that package have varied each year. Power adjustment for the S-Line driver's seat became available in 2008.

It may be different now, but 2006-2008 A3 Sport/S-Line were noticeably lower, distinctly better handling, and worse-riding. Koni FST shocks replacing the Sport shocks helps the ride significantly without hurting the handling. It still falls short of the sublime handling/ride balance of my old 1993 BMW 325i Sport.

My limited experience with A4's (two loaners of the previous generation, don't recall if either was S-Line) was that they were noticeably smoother, had less back seat space, and were much less fun to drive. Couldn't wait to get my A3 Sport back!