OK, I was confused. The selling price of the car (to base your lease on) included the full cost of the Sport Package.

Its insanely simple: money. More custom combos mean more cost. Additionally, if people want different wheels/tires at delivery, Audi will be more than happy to sell you an extra set at a $2500 or so cost, lickety split.

Really, WHY would they offer the buyer more customization and less profit???

 

... because if they would attract more buyers thanks to the greater variety, they would have overall more profit, albeit less on per-car basis.

 

I've decided to get the 18" sport package even though I like the 5-spoke 18" wheel a little better than the 10-spoke jobs the sport package comes with. However, I do love the 3-spoke steering wheel, the seats and the idea of a firmer suspension that the sports package offers. I'm trying to accept that with Audi, you can't get everything you want. I know folks who have BMW's and Mercedes' and they tell me that the cars come with every conceivable wheel and tire combination...but they cost a bit more.

I even went so far as to ask my salesman (who is the sales manager) if I could buy the 5-spoke 18" wheels and all-season tires as an additional option for full MSRP ($800) figuring I could just use them for my winter set. I'm having the car built so I said that he can just deliver the extra set of wheels/tires with the car. He laughed (not at me) and said that this is not allowable and he showed me the 2011 Audi Pricing and option guide which backs him up. Apparently, the two options are mutually exclusive. He did, however, say that I'm welcome to purchase those lovely 5-spoke 18" wheels with all-season tires through the parts department for about $2500-$3000. Given that I'm about to drop about $38,000 on the new loaded car, that Audi would expect me to spend another $2500 for another set of wheels and tires because they refuse to allow the sport package to come equipped with all-season tires for those of us in snow-country is crazy! Oh well. I guess I'll just take the pretty-darn-nice 10-spoke 18" summer jobs and drop an extra $750-$1000 bucks in October on a set of all-season tires.

 

I know how you feel. I bought the car with the 18" sport package but I loved the 5 spoke 18s. I eventually scoured the audi classifieds until I was able to find a set of them used for $900 with the stock P6 all seasons. I live in the Northeast so its not uncommon to have 2 sets of wheels here: one for warm weather and another for winter. All in all you will not regret the sport package.

 

When I test drove the A4 Premium w/ Sports Package after I test drove the same model without, I was really surprised at the difference in handling. I could take tighter turns and the car would just stick. Handling is most important to me, so I decided I had to have it. Now 1+ years after I signed the lease, I think it's been worth it. Probably need new tires at the 2 year mark.

 

I just ordered my new 2012 A4 p+ with sport package and b&o. I can't wait for it to arrive...it should be here in early December! This will be my 3rd A4 in 4 years and absolutely love the brand and the car. Audi is truly the benchmark when it come to quality and luxury. The sport package is night and day between the stock configuration which is still very good but the sport package is that much better for a minimal upgrade with the components you get.