You know I'm conflicted on this one - they are both good looking cars, but I saw an S3 sportback in Glacier yesterday at the dealer and thought it looked better than my 3 door misano. Yet, the service guy at audi thought my car was, his words, 'awesome' and described the sportback as a bit too close to being an estate to look sporty. What do you think? Personally, even through I have a 3 door, I think the sportback has the edge in the looks department... I thought differently when I ordered of course. LOL! May be a case of coveting what you don't have?
Which is better looking - S3 sportback or 3 door S3?
- Thread starter SilureMark
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Sportback looks far far better than the 3dr, I recall the test car doing the rounds at dealers & I still have the pics of, I think the 3dr is stunning but too boxy, the SB looks sublime on the road.
Why preclude the saloon?
Personally think the best looking Audi's are the RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant and R8.
Sportback gets my vote, with bars. Like a mini RS6 Avant.
Although 3 door in white with black pack gets pretty close.
The more I see the saloon on the road the more I think Audi shouldn't have bothered.
Personally think the best looking Audi's are the RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant and R8.
Sportback gets my vote, with bars. Like a mini RS6 Avant.
Although 3 door in white with black pack gets pretty close.
The more I see the saloon on the road the more I think Audi shouldn't have bothered.
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Always a contentious topic this normally. I remember the debates on the 8P forums
Personally I prefer the sportback - purely for the back end. I think the rear lights have a more aggressive look.
Personally I prefer the sportback - purely for the back end. I think the rear lights have a more aggressive look.
I've always had three-doors.
With the 8P, I always thought the 3-door looked a better, cleaner shape than the Sportback.
With the 8V I think they're now reversed and the Sportback looks better. There's something slightly awkward about the rear of the three-door that I can't quite put my finger on.
The Saloon looks better than both.
With the 8P, I always thought the 3-door looked a better, cleaner shape than the Sportback.
With the 8V I think they're now reversed and the Sportback looks better. There's something slightly awkward about the rear of the three-door that I can't quite put my finger on.
The Saloon looks better than both.
SB for me I think it looks more complete but have to say the 3dr still looks really good ( apart from the rear lights drooping down...just looks weird)
Saloon also looks fantastic and is what I would have ordered if it was available at the time when I ordered mine!!
Saloon also looks fantastic and is what I would have ordered if it was available at the time when I ordered mine!!
I am in the same dilemma. for me the hatch back is out. its between the saloon and the SB for me. for the OP, I prefer the look of the SB to the hatch 100%. I actually find the SB has more of a hot hatch look.
I think the Saloon is just a totally different "look" for the A3.
Not wishing to "dis" the 3-door or Sportback at all (I've had four of them after all) but I think the Saloon looks a bit more "sensible" or "grown up" than the 3-door or Sportback, simply by virtue of not being a hatchback.
I was also surprised by the amount of space in the saloon's boot. You always think of a hatchback as being the most practical option but there's significantly more space in the saloon's boot. The only downside is you obviously can't put tall items in as the rear shelf doesn't remove.
Not wishing to "dis" the 3-door or Sportback at all (I've had four of them after all) but I think the Saloon looks a bit more "sensible" or "grown up" than the 3-door or Sportback, simply by virtue of not being a hatchback.
I was also surprised by the amount of space in the saloon's boot. You always think of a hatchback as being the most practical option but there's significantly more space in the saloon's boot. The only downside is you obviously can't put tall items in as the rear shelf doesn't remove.
Didn't mention the saloon as I think it's a different kind of car altogether and appeals to different people that would buy the hatches... not many votes for the 3 door... I do like the saloon, but it wouldn't work for me. If the thunderstorms hold off this afternoon and the missis doesn't drag me out shopping, I'll give mine a clean and finally get some pictures up on the forum. Autosol on standby - me pipes are a bit dirty 
3 door - looks more sporty and prefer the bigger doors and rear lights.
3 door for me. I always assumed the only reason people went for the SB was practicality, but maybe not!
For me:
1. Saloon
2. Sportback
3. 3 Door
Sportback looks great with the roof rails, 3 door looks too small.
1. Saloon
2. Sportback
3. 3 Door
Sportback looks great with the roof rails, 3 door looks too small.
I've always preferred 3dr, but not nowadays. Prefer the SB.
I even prefer the M3 over the new M4.....Maybe it's an age thing as I approach 40
I even prefer the M3 over the new M4.....Maybe it's an age thing as I approach 40
Saloon, SB then hatch.
As for M3 or M4, (I've had an M3 coupe of 2 generations ago), I think they are both equally ugly, though obviously superb mechanically. In fact, I can't think of a single current model BMW that I like! they've completely lost the design plot.
As for M3 or M4, (I've had an M3 coupe of 2 generations ago), I think they are both equally ugly, though obviously superb mechanically. In fact, I can't think of a single current model BMW that I like! they've completely lost the design plot.
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Years ago I had an 8P S3 3 door as I reckoned it looked better.
Recently I went in to order a white or black 8V 3 door and ended up placing an order for an Estoril Blue sportback.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Recently I went in to order a white or black 8V 3 door and ended up placing an order for an Estoril Blue sportback.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I agree with the dealer. The SB looks like an A4 Avant IMO. But that's just what I personally think. They're both good looking cars, but it had to be the saloon once I'd seen it.
Brennan
Former Audi Driver
Lol, the daftest statement I've ever read. Of course the front doesn't match the back. One has headlamps and an engine and the other has a boot and rearlights. Problem I find with the sb is that it looks to similar to the 8p and boring...
Although I like the look of the saloon I am disappointed that they didn't use the SB S-Line feature in front of the front wheels. I think it makes a great design statement whereas the saloon looks like a Sport.
The saloon looks more grown up, a bit more premium looking than the 3 or 5 door IMO
Yeah, I think you could be right about saloon making a comeback. You do see a lot more on the roads these days.
Looking like the SB is edging it then. The missis didn't like the SB at all, saying it looks like an old fart's estate car; not saying she made me order a 3 door, but well, if you're married, you'll know what happened... I'm happy with my S3, so that's good enough. I kind think it looks like a mean little ******, stealthy, but mean. If I had the SB, I'd want the 3 door and that, sums it up for me. All A3's look good, it's just case of which works for you
Looking like the SB is edging it then. The missis didn't like the SB at all, saying it looks like an old fart's estate car; not saying she made me order a 3 door, but well, if you're married, you'll know what happened... I'm happy with my S3, so that's good enough. I kind think it looks like a mean little ******, stealthy, but mean. If I had the SB, I'd want the 3 door and that, sums it up for me. All A3's look good, it's just case of which works for you
Yeah....why did they leave out that next gen model design feature on the S3 saloon? I love that piece, sets of the front with some real purposeful look.
