Drive them and you will likely feel and hear the difference. The suspension helps in the handling but "stiffening" referrs to the body being stiffer which will provide a much more solid feel ...

 

I agree with the drive them idea...

Find a local dealership with one of the models and take it for a spin, then find the other model somewhere and do the same thing.

That's the only way you'll know if its worth the extra cash.

 

I'm trying to do that, but right now in calgary its almost impossible to find a A4 5spd. I have been looking all over for the last couple of weeks and there isn't one around to drive.

 

Not true: I ordered mine with cloth seat.

 

There are exceptions with regards to the cloth sport seats. A guy in Newmarket managed to get AOA (after several months trying) to approve his order to get the cloth sport seats in his B6. Apparently he had a skin condition with leather.

 

Hm... My dealership never said anything about exceptions when I had speced my car. Lucky me I guess!

 

I have a cloth seat CVT too!!