A3 or A3 Sportback??

[aiaudi]

I have recently ordered an A3 sline in Daytona grey but when I went to test drive the car I saw the sportback sline in Glacier white and I am now thinking about changing. I am 24 and am not sure if the 3 door looks more sporty. I would appreciate your thoughts.
I have added comfort pack, SD sat nav, Hill hold, privacy glass as extras and wondered if there was any other extras that I should add as well?

Thanks!

 

[driver_tim]

Well I'm biased as a I own a three door in Daytona Grey, but I'd say you've made a good choice! I'm sure some will disagree but I personally think the three door is sportier and more appropriate for a younger person. There's also the small point that it's cheaper

 

[PilotAudi]

I think on the 8V both 3 and 5 door look good. The 5 door does offer greater practicality which is why we bought one. It's all very personal.

On the previous 8P version I reckon the 5 door Sportback looked far better than the 3 door unlike on the A5 where the Coupe is the real 'looker'.. Just my views...

 

[h5djr]

Out of interest, looking at the in the Audi Annual Report 2013 at the section that gives the number of car deliveries to customers, 18% of A3s were the 3-door version (34,448) and 82% were Sportbacks (156,201)

 

[Flibble]

Do you need the extra doors? If it's normally only you and a front seat passenger than there's not much point having the 5 door.

 

[PilotAudi]

There will always be other issues Fibble.

 

[steeve]

I prefer the look of the three door, I definitely feel it looks more sporty. But I need the extra room and ease of entry for more than one passenger. So I bought the SB.

Your choice at the end of the day.

 

[aiaudi]

Just really the two of us that use it. 3 door it is then! Might as well while im young. Thanks!

 

[Audimad]

Sportback for me as i think the 3 door looks like a face lift of the old A3 where as the sportback looks like an all new model, (which it is of course).

 

[andywil13]

I like the way that the roof bars make the SB look like a more sporty version of the a4 avant in some ways.

 

[Scotty2011]

I have a 3 door, however the room in the back for passengers is not great at all, but its very very rarely I ever have more than one passenger in my car so suits me perfect. All depends on what you need for practicality.

 

[RossR]

Sideways visibility can be slightly impaired in the sportback as the B pillar is further forward. I also think the 3 door looks a bit better. However I have a 1 year old daughter, so access to the back seats trumped both of those and I bought a sportback.

 

[Scotty2011]

Sideways visibility can be slightly impaired in the sportback as the B pillar is further forward. I also think the 3 door looks a bit better. However I have a 1 year old daughter, so access to the back seats trumped both of those and I bought a sportback.

Ross has nailed that one. When I drive my dads A3 sportback, I go to look left for oncoming traffic and there I see a quality pillar right in my way.

 

[GreatBallsofFire]

Just really the two of us that use it. 3 door it is then! Might as well while im young. Thanks!

Very handy to have the rear doors and easy put grocery bags and stuff. I would never buy a 3-door, unless intend to only race wit the car.

 

[Scotty2011]

Very handy to have the rear doors and easy put grocery bags and stuff. I would never buy a 3-door, unless intend to only race wit the car.

Isn't that what the boot is for?

 

[Stevo985]

In terms of aesthetics, the 3 door version wins hands down for me.

I've just ordered a 3 door, so don't have it yet.
But I took my dad along when I test drove one and he literally couldn't get out of the back seat without me and the salesman pulling him out!

So I'd say if practicality is an issue, the 5 door should definitely be a consideration.
personally, the 3 door will suit me just fine

 

[h5djr]

In terms of aesthetics, the 3 door version wins hands down for me.

I've just ordered a 3 door, so don't have it yet.
But I took my dad along when I test drove one and he literally couldn't get out of the back seat without me and the salesman pulling him out!

So I'd say if practicality is an issue, the 5 door should definitely be a consideration.
personally, the 3 door will suit me just fine

I have the same problem. I have a 95 year old Mother and, whilst she is still quite agile, I think if she got into the back of a 3-door she would never get out. The extra doors are also useful if we go out with friends. None of us are as young an agile as we used to be so the rear doors help again.

Personally I do actually prefer the looks of the Sportback, so it's not a problem for me.

 

[Stevo985]

Yeah I don't actually think the 5 doors makes a huge amount of difference to how the A3 looks.
As opposed to an A5 (I'd been looking at A5s before settling on my A3), which I think looks significantly better in Coupé as opposed to Sportback.
A3 there is much less of a difference.

Both great cars anyway, but yes the backseat does seem a bit awkward to exit from on the hatchback!

 

[warren_S5]

I have a 3 door 8P and the doors are massive. I have no kids so had no desire to add additional unnecessary doors, but when I got out of a 5 door Leon Cupra R and into the S3 8P my immediate observations were:

1) the doors are much more subject to being blown out in strong wind
2) it's much harder to get out the car in small spaces / garages as the longer doors need more room to open
3) like Dave has mentioned, my 83 yr old mother in law tried once to get in back. It was hopeless as she's round as a barrel and as agile as a tortoise. Never again.

I like the 3 door and 5 door equally, but unless the seat design (in terms of the way the seat slides forwards) has been improved significantly then it can be a palaver getting people in and out of the back (who are beyond teenage years).

Tough call.

 

[cemerson]

Always practicality over looks for me, so 5 door regardless - but I actually think the 5 door looks better than the 3 door anyway.

 

[Joetidman]

I am 24

3 Door, don't bother with extra doors until you need them. If you have trouble opening a door and getting out at 24 then you have other issues. I'm moving from a 2 door Scirocco to a saloon due to now having 2 small kids, otherwise I'd be sticking with coupe's...

 

[GreatBallsofFire]

3 Door, don't bother with extra doors until you need them. If you have trouble opening a door and getting out at 24 then you have other issues. I'm moving from a 2 door Scirocco to a saloon due to now having 2 small kids, otherwise I'd be sticking with coupe's...

Perhaps you have friends/relatives you want to take out for a ride? If one have, then the 5 d is likely the only option. It's good if you would ever get a dog too The used car valure might be lowered to due a more limitied population of (young) potential byers as well?

 

[SilureMark]

I think on the 8V both 3 and 5 door look good. The 5 door does offer greater practicality which is why we bought one. It's all very personal.

On the previous 8P version I reckon the 5 door Sportback looked far better than the 3 door unlike on the A5 where the Coupe is the real 'looker'.. Just my views...

Just shows that we all have a different view on things. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that. I'd agree the new 3 door and 5 door both look good - at a push, now I have got used to seeing the new A3 on the road a lot, I'd say the 3 door looks the best. On the previous model, I always thought the sportback was the looker. Bottom line is, it's your car and if you're happy, who gives toss? The best looking new A3 I have seen on the road thus far was a glacier 3 door S3 with black styling and titanium alloys.

But an A5 coupe a real looker? Good grief! An ugly big boat is one description I would use. It's one of the few cars Audi make that I wouldn't want if you gave it too me. I've had a few as loaners and wasn't impressed with the whole package. About the only thing I did like was the interior.

 

[PilotAudi]

Yup each to there own. We tried Cayman and Boxster S ( had one for a week) and whilst loving the handling bought Audi as a daily driver.

 

[Stevo985]

Definitely each to their own!

I think the A5 is beautiful (coupé, not SPortback, although that's still nice). The best looking car Audi make, imo.

I was very close to going for an A5 this time around. Still chuffed with my A3, but I must admit the A5 would be my first choice.

 

[PilotAudi]

Well stevo I have to agree the A/S5 coupe is beautiful but IMHO ( don't want to offend anyone Warren ;-). ) the S3 is a far more complete package (8V)...

 

[warren_S5]

Well stevo I have to agree the A/S5 coupe is beautiful but IMHO ( don't want to offend anyone Warren ;-). ) the S3 is a far more complete package (8V)...

Your banned ;-)

 

[PilotAudi]

Your banned ;-)

Thanks mate... Might get a life now! ;-)

 

[Little Red Monster]

I am a pensioner and I like a 3 door too. Firstly more room to get in and out of the car, only negative point the door is larger when opening it in a supermarket car park! When the grandchildren are in the back I feel they are more secure - they have to get past me to get out!! Finally I prefer the sportier look of the 3 door.

 

[Flibble]

Very handy to have the rear doors and easy put grocery bags and stuff. I would never buy a 3-door, unless intend to only race wit the car.

I use the boot or the front passenger footwell for shopping.

 

[Q5 TRS]

Do you need the extra doors? If it's normally only you and a front seat passenger than there's not much point having the 5 door.

That was my main point. I can't be bothered to get out of the car to slide a seat forward as carry passengers often. So I opted for the SportBack.
Not that it has any more boot space as Quattro takes up quite a bit.

 

[PilotAudi]

One of the reasons for getting 5 door was to put elderly relatives in the back more easily to avoid them damaging the side bolsters on front seat !

 

[Itguy]

I bought a sportback because of the smaller size of the front doors and the ease of access to the back.

I had a mk4 gt tdi in 3dr and hated every minute of it. 5dr is just so much more practical and i think looks better on the new 8V chassis.

If we didn't have a dog id have bought the saloon.

 

[PilotAudi]

Putting dogs in a nice new Audi??? Should have bought a Rover ;-)

 

[GreatBallsofFire]

I bought a sportback because of the smaller size of the front doors and the ease of access to the back.

I had a mk4 gt tdi in 3dr and hated every minute of it. 5dr is just so much more practical and i think looks better on the new 8V chassis.

If we didn't have a dog id have bought the saloon.

Do you put you dog in the rear compartment? My Jack Russel jumps directly in her box in the back seat, thank good for the 5 door. I rather have her free sitting in the front seat looking cool, but as she suffer from sudden emesis now and then I tend not to (and its not legal, as well).

 

[slipped_disc]

One thing I don't like about my 3 door A3 is the fact that there is only one intermediate "stop" position between door closed and door fully open. At this stop, there's not an awful lot of room to get out, but opening the door past that I'm always afraid of it flying on out and hitting something as they're so wide. What do others think? Is the 5 door the same?

 

[PilotAudi]

One thing I don't like about my 3 door A3 is the fact that there is only one intermediate "stop" position between door closed and door fully open. At this stop, there's not an awful lot of room to get out, but opening the door past that I'm always afraid of it flying on out and hitting something as they're so wide. What do others think? Is the 5 door the same?

Yes but with shorter doors not quite as big an issue.

 

[Itguy]

Dog goes in boot. Have ordered a full load liner from Titan covers in boot flap.

Will probably get the custom fitted dog guard too for it rather than using my nasty old one

 

[fredonaudi]

Dog goes in boot. Have ordered a full load liner from Titan covers in boot flap.

Will probably get the custom fitted dog guard too for it rather than using my nasty old one

Never heard of Titan covers, are they any good?

 

[Itguy]

I'll let you know when I get it! A week or so