S3 Sportback Autocar first drive

I like the idea of the S3 sportback myself, although having a Tdi version in the company it really offers very little in terms of rear space above the 3 door just rear access.

Leg room in the sportback is really only suitable for children for any lengthy journeys so if you're wanting space why not just buy an A4....infact what's the difference in price between an S3 SB and a A4 3.2Fsi?....nothing?
 
S3IZZO said:
Leg room in the sportback is really only suitable for children for any lengthy journeys
Click to expand...

My A3 sportback regularly took 4 big blokes (all 6'+ and 14 stone+) from Scotland to England for football matches, often down and back in the same day.
None of them ever complained about a lack of rear legroom.
It's hardly palatial, but it's hardly as cramped as you suggest either.
 
The sportback has more interior space than the previous model A4 (apparently).

From the 'Dad' perspective its just far easier regardless of space to load/unload your kids with a 4 door, I still prefer a 3 door because I've never been very practical plus we tend to use the wifes car for family stuff anyway, I'm sure if we only had access to one car the S3 SB would make perfect sense and be the car of choice.

BTW I like the sound of 'S3 SB' sounds sort of cool - probably my age !!! LOL :O
 
I can't see how anyone could say it's easier in a three door!
Regardless of how much the seat slides forward, I've seen the contortions people have to put themselves through to fasten a child restraint in the back of a three door.
I also don't like the idea of my daughter being in the back of a three door, should there be an accident.
I had a two door Puma crash outside my house a while back.
Neither of the two doors would open, because of the damage.
So I had to carry the young lad in the passenger seat out the window, and his mother had to be cut out.
There was zero damage from the B-pillar back, so back doors would have opened easily.
No offence, but I think you're just looking for excuses to keep your 3 door, which I can understand, even if I don't agree with it.
It can be hard facing the practical truth, but every 3 door owner I know has, at least, switched to 4 doors when kids come along.
 
This is the predicament that I'm in too. My daughter is 7months old and currently in an infant carrier (rear facing) and I found it easier to get her into a 3 door Golf than a C class Merc. Getting the belt around the back of the carrier was much easier in the Golf as the front seats move forward, giving loads of room.
However, the next car will be a 4/5 door when she's in a front facing seat as I believe (from experience) that it will be easier to get her in and out.
Bowfer - good point about the accident scenario. I'd not considered that.
 
davemk said:
Getting the belt around the back of the carrier was much easier in the Golf as the front seats move forward, giving loads of room.
Click to expand...

Buy a carrier/seat base that permanently belts into the car.
Then the carrier just clips onto the base.
Hey presto, no more buggering about with belts.
 
S3IZZO said:
I like the idea of the S3 sportback myself, although having a Tdi version in the company it really offers very little in terms of rear space above the 3 door just rear access.

Leg room in the sportback is really only suitable for children for any lengthy journeys so if you're wanting space why not just buy an A4....infact what's the difference in price between an S3 SB and a A4 3.2Fsi?....nothing?
Click to expand...

The legroom is identical to that of the 3 door. So that means when I'm driving the only people that can fit behind me normally are children and even then theres not masses of room!
 
That's the wierd thing with our infant carrier. It's got a base (I bought it for the "no more buggering about with belts" reason) but it still needs to be belted around the back of the carrier itself. PITA! Still, she'll be out of it very soon.....thankfully!
 
Matt said:
The legroom is identical to that of the 3 door. So that means when I'm driving the only people that can fit behind me normally are children and even then theres not masses of room!
Click to expand...

Do you have the driver's seat set well back or something?
I never had anyone complain about lack of room in my sportback.:uhm:
 
S3IZZO said:
Leg room in the sportback is really only suitable for children for any lengthy journeys so if you're wanting space why not just buy an A4....infact what's the difference in price between an S3 SB and a A4 3.2Fsi?....nothing?
Click to expand...


I hear what you're saying but, for me, I just don't like the interior of the A4 as much as the A3.
 
I'm having difficulty finding a booster that fits between the side bolsters of my seats.
They all just sit on top of the bolsters, hovering above the seat squab.
Even deflating the bolsters (they inflate/deflate electrically) doesn't make a difference.
 
audi upgrades
davemk said:
I hear what you're saying but, for me, I just don't like the interior of the A4 as much as the A3.
Click to expand...

Another plus of the S3 SB for Fathers us the potential to now order those lovely bucket seats which isn't possible on the 3 door as no isofix or airbag de-activation meaning the kid always has to go in the back which is less accessible as a result of those lovely buckets.

I did the maths recently and for £30K you can have a nice spec S3 SB with buckets which would look and feel pretty special, just have to see one up close before I decide wether to go for one of these and save £5K or stick with the TTs and the contortionist classes :)

Before anyway says the TT-s isn't practical I have ordered rear isofix you know :)
 
magnus911 said:
really? I'm 6'5" and if i put the chair all the way back i can't really reach the pedals or the steering wheel comfortably...
Click to expand...

I must have long legs and arms then :) If I am any closer I feel hunched up. With it right back my arms are slightly relaxed which is how they are meant to be and my feet control the pedals comfortably. Maybe I am taller than I think or just have long arms and legs
 
Matt said:
I must have long legs and arms then :) If I am any closer I feel hunched up. With it right back my arms are slightly relaxed which is how they are meant to be and my feet control the pedals comfortably. Maybe I am taller than I think or just have long arms and legs
Click to expand...

Wouldn't want to sit behind you at the cinema :)
 
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