_Zerocool_
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All valid points. I've always had 3drs but I've now got the sportback. my main reasons for going for the 5dr were I prefer the rear lights and the mrs would be less likely to make me get rid if we had kids!
which is best? 3dr or 5dr S3?
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Wicked666
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Prior to my SB, i've only had 3dr but would not go back now.
Imo, 5dr makes the S3 one of the most practical cars around (Easier with passengers, can drop seats and load up car, its still fast etc).
The missus expecting combined with my A3 finally giving up was my primary reason for getting it was. I'm glad I did because I think the stance of the car looks better and more in proportion. The rear lights make it seem wider than it is and I love catching a reflection of the side of the car when driving about. PLus not sure how I would have been able to get my son in and out of his seat in a 3 door without twisting him in some unnatural way!
Imo, 5dr makes the S3 one of the most practical cars around (Easier with passengers, can drop seats and load up car, its still fast etc).
The missus expecting combined with my A3 finally giving up was my primary reason for getting it was. I'm glad I did because I think the stance of the car looks better and more in proportion. The rear lights make it seem wider than it is and I love catching a reflection of the side of the car when driving about. PLus not sure how I would have been able to get my son in and out of his seat in a 3 door without twisting him in some unnatural way!
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You should have gone for the 3 door and got rid of the Mrs if she had kids.
_Zerocool_
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Personal preference I suppose, but there are a few differences!
Despite having the same wheelbase, a Sportback is 5.4cm longer, which is actually down to the rear bumper being a bit bigger. This means you get a little more boot space in a 5 door, 20 litres to be precise, but for passengers there is absolutely no difference in legroom compared to the 3dr, just ease of entry (pardon!)
Also, a Sportback has slightly less structural rigidity, so there is a wee bit of difference in the way the two cars drive/handle (although this is more noticeable on cooking model fwd' A3's), and it also carries an additional 40kg's over a 3dr.
Hope this helps
Despite having the same wheelbase, a Sportback is 5.4cm longer, which is actually down to the rear bumper being a bit bigger. This means you get a little more boot space in a 5 door, 20 litres to be precise, but for passengers there is absolutely no difference in legroom compared to the 3dr, just ease of entry (pardon!)
Also, a Sportback has slightly less structural rigidity, so there is a wee bit of difference in the way the two cars drive/handle (although this is more noticeable on cooking model fwd' A3's), and it also carries an additional 40kg's over a 3dr.
Hope this helps
Bainie
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Old thread resurrection !!!
This is the closest I have got to answering my question though , looking for an S3 , I have an 8 year old son, what's the space in the back like in the 3dr ? Is access easy enough, I did read that buckets were not great for getting in /out of the rear ? Can you get adults in the rear whilst the front seats are set back ?
I like the look of both , missus prefers the 3 door ...
This is the closest I have got to answering my question though , looking for an S3 , I have an 8 year old son, what's the space in the back like in the 3dr ? Is access easy enough, I did read that buckets were not great for getting in /out of the rear ? Can you get adults in the rear whilst the front seats are set back ?
I like the look of both , missus prefers the 3 door ...
In my opinion, 3dr looks way better, 5dr looks like an estate. You can fit adults back in 3dr as long as they aren't tall (and as long as you are not sitting all the way back as I am). I am 190cm tall, sit all the way back and only a small child could sit behind my seat.
That a lot of "as long as" lol...
5 door looks way better in my humble opinion, as do the rear lights!
I'm 6 foot tall and have the seat all the way back, and can still sit behind my own seat...
5dr. Sportback is way more practical. Get a 3dr. if you like showing your Crack when bolting the kids/baby seat in the back seat.
s3_trev
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If you have small kids, I wouldn't bother with 3-door. I wanted 3door, but bought 5-door as I have a 5yo daughter. Makes it so much more practical and doesn't look too bad with some lowering springs and roof bars to set things off 
S3 AEX
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I prefer 3dr I've got two kids 5-8 and have no problems with them getting in or out of car and plenty of room in back for them and adults. Recently had 4 adults in my car going upto skipton for work with no lack of room issues what so ever. It's all down to personal preference I suppose.
Bainie
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*lol* , my crack is safe as he can get in out himself. Have a mini at the moment, so used with a 3 door , but no way can you carry adults in the back . I like the look of both , but 15k is my budget , so a 5 door would be a high miler , Though I have seen a couple . Don't want to buy a 3dr and then realise the back is tiny. Live in Shetland so cannot go to a dealer and check . Going to be getting rid of a BMW 3 series as well , so need some space in case we need to carry the parents etc ...
I guess that it's all relative and will largely depend on what the individual preference is and the level of inconvenience you are happy to put up with. I have to admit, the 5-door definitely grew on me.
Bainie
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Looks and the point whatever of a second to 60 make no difference to me between the 2 . As long as there is plenty space for him in the back with 2 adults in the front thats the main thing, sounds like the 3 door has that , and with my budget there are a lot more to choose from .
Do the bucket seats really restrict rear access ??
Do the bucket seats really restrict rear access ??
s3_trev
Northern Ireland
As far as I know, the buckets do not tilt forward, so therfore this would restrict access. Totally make up for it as they look so good though!
15k. will get you a nice A4 Avant, even more room than an A3 and more to choose from. If the roads up there are rough don't buy any of the S line models, they have very firm suspension and low profile tyres. Even better would be a Quattro version for the winter drives.
Bainie
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A4 avant was the original idea TBH, replace the 3 series with one, then decided to go down to 1 car , so need something which replaces the 3 series and mini , practicality for her, fun for me ! Roads up here are superb , mini is lowered on BC Br's , not going to get much stiffer than that !
2.0 tfsi A4 does look good, even considered waiting till next year for an S4 .... But decision is made, just sort out the selling first before the buying ...
2.0 tfsi A4 does look good, even considered waiting till next year for an S4 .... But decision is made, just sort out the selling first before the buying ...
Just got my S4, love it. You may run out of island if you chose one of them 
How do you buy and sell a car up there mate?
How do you buy and sell a car up there mate?
Bainie
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Not easy buying / selling up here , tend to have to trade in, which is a ball ache when selling 2 for one ! Sometimes they sell but not often . I then buy on the mainland and get it shipped up , £200 ferry ride each way on top of the sales figure . My mini threw up ABS/DSC/Brake lights today . Mini are paying for it to go to Aberdeen to be fixed so pretty good service there it has to be said .
There are a good few Rs4's up here as well as S3's , and a heap of M3's / M5's , Oh also a Lambo, Viper and a tuned R8 ... Roads are superb ...
There are a good few Rs4's up here as well as S3's , and a heap of M3's / M5's , Oh also a Lambo, Viper and a tuned R8 ... Roads are superb ...
Same here, I was used to 3drs, but with the RS3 had no choice but have the Sportback 5dr.
At 6ft 3, 3 doors are easier to get in and out of.
For me, Visibility is better in a 3 door as the middle pillar is further back with bigger doors, but in a side on crash I would prefer to have the pillar protection of a 5 door, as my seating position is partially behind it.
While I have owned a string of 3 door hatchbacks and a coupe , as a passenger I'm not keen being in the back of a vehicle without an easy way of escape.
I like to have a door, although in an accident, I appreciate it's not always going to be possible to use it.
At 6ft 3, 3 doors are easier to get in and out of.
For me, Visibility is better in a 3 door as the middle pillar is further back with bigger doors, but in a side on crash I would prefer to have the pillar protection of a 5 door, as my seating position is partially behind it.
While I have owned a string of 3 door hatchbacks and a coupe , as a passenger I'm not keen being in the back of a vehicle without an easy way of escape.
I like to have a door, although in an accident, I appreciate it's not always going to be possible to use it.
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3 Door for me. I have never liked the prospect of kids, (or Grandkids), fiddling with the doors or windows. There is plenty of room in the back, I do prefer the further set back 'B' pillar and it is a stronger and lighter shell. I can get in the back seat comfortably with good legroom, (although the last back seat passenger ripped out the heated seat wires on the passenger side), and lastly, I think it looks better.
I very seldom buy anything other than a 3 door, Audi or not.
However, there are some very nice 5 doors on the forum and the RS3 is lovely.
I just don't fancy one on my drive.
I very seldom buy anything other than a 3 door, Audi or not.
However, there are some very nice 5 doors on the forum and the RS3 is lovely.
I just don't fancy one on my drive.
Our cars do have childlocks on the back doors and a switch to turn the rear leccy windows off.
It's not a problem now.
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Cars had child locks many years ago, they were a pain in the neck back then, when you forgot they were on and you had to get out to open the door for somebody in the back.
My original comment still stands, (for me), I'm afraid.
Carefree69
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I'm basing this purely on looks alone but the 5 door imho is miles better looking.
The rear of the 3dr looks way way dated to me, and those lights....No thanks.
I'm not even going to mention the complete PITA it is carrying passengers in a 3dr.
The rear of the 3dr looks way way dated to me, and those lights....No thanks.
I'm not even going to mention the complete PITA it is carrying passengers in a 3dr.
The original S3 was a 3 door.. The Mk2 06 8P only ever came in a 3dr and thats the way it should have stayed!
The S3 sportback in 8P guise looks like an estate...
Its all down to personal preference in whatever its main use is for! But whens the last time you seen a S3 sportback track car? Sportback was just to give the family guys something to hold onto, instead of getting their balls chopped off by their missus... In 8v form I prefer the sportback to the 3dr, but that doesn't look like an estate
The S3 sportback in 8P guise looks like an estate...
Its all down to personal preference in whatever its main use is for! But whens the last time you seen a S3 sportback track car? Sportback was just to give the family guys something to hold onto, instead of getting their balls chopped off by their missus... In 8v form I prefer the sportback to the 3dr, but that doesn't look like an estate
