Have a 2011 S4, got the basic model with the sport differential as I put the Stasis exhaust, software upgrade and 20" wheels on it. The Stasis package was around $6K and the bump in hp to 410 and torque to 375 was way more worth it, to me, than spending the $6K on "luxury" items I don't need.
Flooring it in third gear sends shivers down my spine.
I've had no problems with the vehicle, sixth VAG product in the family in the last ten years, no electrical gremlins with any of them.
Disappointing though that we seem to be losing the A3 hatch with standard transmission in NA, wife is on her second and wants a third. We were hoping the S3 hatch would land on our shores.