I have been digging through the FSM and I haven't crossed anything that will answer my question.

If I ground the neutral switch making the ECU think the car is in gear should make the AWS stop functioning. I know the parking brakeneeds to be applied to operate the convertible top, but will making the neutral switch inoperable cause any issue?

 

plan B you could just stick something in the big AWS hose, it'll probably want a small hole in it, as the ECU richens it up when the AWS is on

 

The S5 cars use the AWS solenoid AND the BAC valve. Plugging the AWS valve will not work.

 

I've been considering the very same thing.
I don't have a vert, so that's not a concern and as yet can't find a reason it wouldn't work.
I've already deleted the AWS solenoid and redone the feed hose (on the S5 NA, the same metered air that feeds the AWS also supplies air to the OMP injectors, so you have to keep something for that).

The only thing I wonder about is that my car idles up when you put it in gear (about 150-200 RPM) and I don't know if I'd miss that.

 

Is the timing changed when starting the car? If the car thinks it's in gear then the timing would not adjust.

 

I imagine it'd just as if you had the car in gear and started it with the clutch pedal depressed.