If I take this image and install it on a new machine, it loads up in audit mode on the first boot, which I then have to replace the unattend.xml file and run sysprep again to get the settings to take, ...

I have a windows deployment server running Server 12 R2. WDS Version: 6.3.9600.16384. Deployment WorkBench Version: 6.3.8298.1000. When the image computer is set up ...