A4 1.8T questions

[Glenn Lawton <lawtonglenn@gsmai.com>]

I drove (actually wailed on a bit) a 1.8T automatic/sport pkg
at Pass&Weiss/Burlington MA on Saturday, and I REALLY want one (manual).
I have a couple of questions, which are, I think, answerable
by 2.8 owners, and I'll take other free advice too.

1. The dealer said he'd credit me for the tires (GY RS-As) if
   I brought my own prior to delivery. Sounds good to me, depending
   on how much credit they give, but: Has anyone fit larger
   tires, the same dia as the OE 205/55-16, say 225/50-16? P-Zero? S-02?

2. I've been doing some business with them for 11 years, and I know
   that there is MSRP, Wholesale, Invoice, and then the price that 
   they really pay after promotions etc. Since this is a hot car,
   and kind of low priced, should I expect to get much/any off??
   He offered to split MSRP/Wholesale, with me, which is $1,520 off
   the $26,860 list for 1.8Tq/5spm/sport/pearl/heated seats.
   Is 5.7% off good??

3. There have been many posts regarding how lo-fi Bose is.
   I like hi-fi, but at home, not in the car. In fact, I removed
   the stereo in the urq for three more gauges, and the 4kq's radio
   has been broken for three years. My question is:
   Does anyone have/like the 8 speaker non-Bose, non-$660 option, stereo??

4. The Mass emissions package is free, and I'm sure I can get it
   if I want, but I live in NH, don't anticipate moving soon, or
   selling the car in MA, but you never know. Does anyone know what
   mods the MA emissions are, and how do they affect performance???
   (Just typing that, and I know I don't want it)

5. (Rhetorical) Why did they have to change the formulation on the
   Pearl White paint? Now, every time I park the Pearl A4 next to 
   the Pearl 20VCQ, I'm going to say, "yup, that one's whiter, and
   that one's creamier".

BTW, the car moves out pretty good, I got it to drift in the bowling
alley parking lot, controllable at the limit, tires seem a little
too compliant(loose) when stressed, spent most of my time at WOT
(don't buy a demo that I've driven), and while 150hp is OK, as soon
as Hoppen/TAP/Ned convinces me that their chip is best, I'll put it in.

I guess I'll spring the $100 to order one now for Mar-97 delivery, I'm
kind of excited, as I haven't bought a NEW car(4kq) since Dec-85. Looking
forward to your insights/advice....

Glenn Lawton