Is the Audi Drive Select option worth the $3000, IF
 

you only intend to drive on the street? What advantages are there over the stock suspension for everyday driving?

If you like to drive a bit sportier from time to time then yes. If you never get so much as a squeak
 

out of a wheel around the turn then you probably aren't getting any more out of it that the standard suspension. I guess in the end you need to drive both.

No...get the sport suspension and save the dollars. You'll never know the difference.

+1 My honest opinion having both ADS and S-Line is pick one and save the $.
 

Ideally driving an ADS car in dynamic back-to-back to one with Sport would tell you which ride is tight yet supple, that elusive combo found in BMWs. I tend to agree with bpp above. I find that my ADS individual settings are for a comfort suspension since the sport is already so good and tight. Also, my steering = auto and engine/throttle = dynamic. Go with one or the other and invest the money saved in a nice set of bigger wheels and tires. However the sport rear differential is a must have, if available. The new S4 will have both options!<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4b8/msgs/23477.phtml">Check out this thread and great chart</a></li></ul>

Bob, what is different in the sport suspension package?

Sport gives you the 24mm drop, stiffer suspension, larger sways.
 

Get the Sline, skip the ADS. I drove the ADS at Pocono and you feel the differences in the settings but...so what? Don't forget too ADS tweaks other stuff...steering input, throttle sensitivity. Aftermarket will answer lots of questions the ADS does but the ADS lets you toggle back and forth in those chosen tweaks whereas when you install aftermarket they are there for the duration. If it were me, I'd save the bucks for additional options aesthetic or comfort.
Beware though as if you skip the ADS other perf. options may not be available.

Also keep in mind the ADS suspension will eventually wear out.
 

I'm sure it will be about as fun to repair as DRC.

I don't know the details of the suspension pieces, but it could also limit your choices of aftermarket suspension depending on how integrated the control system is.

ADS is far removed from the ancient DRC technology and is no way related.

I know, I just mean that most specialized or new technology parts are very expensive to
 

fix or replace when they eventually wear out.

Like I said, I haven't seen how they implement it, but I could imagine a situation where the hardware that controls the dampers interferes with the fit of a traditional aftermarket part.

Or similarly, how will the electronics that control the suspension/stability control/ads react if parts of the system are removed?

If you are only planning to keep the car for the warranty period it probably wouldn't be a concern, but if you were hoping to have it for 100k+ miles it would be something worth investigating.

...it's all magic, illusion and mirrors. :)