My experience has been that version 2000 reports are converted to 2005 when loaded into VS 2005.  I want to process reports without converting.  Basically I need what service pack of SQL/RS 2000 to edit, deploy, and run in full benefit of VS 2005?  SP 3?  SP 4?  Or do I have to upgrade to SQL/RS 2005?  How do I justify the expense to my client if so?  Thanks.

I could be wrong but I don't think you can use VS.NET 2005 with RS 2000.  I think the business Intelligent studio report only work w/ rs2k5.

Again, i have not try it and am not sure. 

I agree with Bruce.

You can't use vs2005 to produce RS2000 reports or run on a RS2000 server. You can run RS2000 reports on a SRS2005 server, without converting, but that’ll give you the same result as running on RS2000. Obviously you can still connect to a SQL2000 db irrespective of which RS you use.

If your client needs that which RS200 cannot offer, then they'll have to front up the cash for SRS2005.