So I have the common rip in the driver's seat that has just gone too far, it makes my car look like a piece of crap.

The passenger seat is also broken in regards to the seat heater element. It actually melted the vinyl and then quit working.

I got a quote of $500 for custom suede interior in the front. I'm debating about installing some after market racing seats. Has anyone else done this? Recommendations? Complications? I know some consider it a bit cheesy, but it would look far better than it does now, and I'm really not losing any functionality in regards to heated seats.

Figure I can get a used pair for ~$200.

 

you can probably find someone parting out an a4 and grab the stock seats and swap them out, maybe get real leather ones from a 2.8 car, I know what you mean about the rip, my 02 has the fake leather and the driver seat has a rip and I'm on a hunt for a new seat.

IMO an Audi is a nice car, its not a Honda, I would not even think of putting racing seats in mine.

 

Search around and you might get lucky and find a set of S4 seats.