Sbaer81

I am looking for a 2013/2014 with the sport package. As far as I know there is no VIN decoder like BMW has that shows the options of a vehicle.
Is the only way to ask sellers for a picture of the build label and look up the codes?
Does anyone know what the code is for the sport package?

Jack88

The three digit codes for the Sport Plus Package(the fancy diff one) will be either PPS or PPT. I'm not sure where you would find this, but I'd start by looking in the spare tire well.

theanimala

Are you looking at the Sport Design package which gives the diamond stitch seats or the sports package that gives the differential?

Sbaer81

Differential, suspension and steering

Jack88

There are no definitive visual indicators that cue off the sport package, of which I am aware. Finding the codes I mentioned or a window sticker would be the only guarantee. I suppose you could also go into the mmi and look for the additional options that come with those things.

derfA8L

Bingo! The MMI will have a setting in the Individual Car settings menu for the Sport Differential which would be unique to the Sports Plus package. BTW, as I recall the codes shown on the Monroney window sticker and the order guide are not the same as the vehicle codes found on the option code sticker affixed to the car.

OhNoMrBill

I'll be the Debbie Downer and say "Good Luck finding the needle in the haystack."

Cars.com has only 2 out of 1100 A8 cars with this option set. Search was Sports Plus, 4.0T, 2013/2014. Maybe you are close to one of them.
https://www.cars.com/for-sale/search...=GN_REFINEMENT

It would be easier to get a S8, either a D3 (a bit less money) or 2013 D4 (a bit more). A D4 2014 4.0T are currently in the 50s. You can get a 2013 S8 in the 60s. Payment would be about $200 more.
Used 2013 Audi S8 For Sale | Princeton NJ

Sbaer81

I have a feeling that some listings don't have the sport package listed. I saw a few 2012 with the S-line steering wheel and sent them an email asking for a picture of the built codes. Maybe I get lucky. Coming from a ML63 with the NA6.2l I think I favor the old 4.2 in terms of sound and immediate throttle response over the 4.0T although that torque curve of the 4.0T would be nice.

Mike911A8

I went through this when I bought my D3 ten years ago. I wanted sport option on a SWB, but couldn't find any. I ended up ordering my A8 in order to get what I wanted. It is a very different handling car than a LWB or a non sport, and I'm glad I went that route. I was anticipating the same process when I ultimately moved on to a D4, but when Audi went LWB only on the D4, that was the end of that. The S8 would do the trick, but it is so insultingly expensive new that I refuse to go that route; I saw a new S8 plus at slightly over $150k, and it didn't even have the up grade interior!

If you can find a non LWB with the real sport package, I highly recommend a close look.

derfA8L

No doubt that the NWB will be a bit more agile than a LWB D4....However, I promise you that if you do find a LWB with the Sport Plus package (rear sports diff + dynamic steering), the car will surprise you in its significantly improved handling capabilities re: cornering and stability. Have had those features on the two LWB D4's I've leased, and my experience is that the improvement is substantial, particularly when the suspension is set in Dynamic mode...versus LWB w/o rear sports diff+dynamic steering.