Model Year | 2009 | 2008 | |
Model | BMW 3-Series | Audi A3 | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Wagon | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 108.7 in | 101.5 in | 7.2 in |
Length | 178.2 in | 168.7 in | 9.5 in |
Width | 71.5 in | 69.5 in | 2 in |
Height | 55.8 in | 56.0 in | -0.2 in |
Curb Weight | 3462 lb. | 3263 lb. | 199 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 15.9 gal. | 15.0 gal. | 0.9 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.5 in | 38.1 in | 0.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.4 in | 54.3 in | 1.1 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.5 in | 41.2 in | 0.3 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.0 in | 36.9 in | 1.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 55.1 in | 52.8 in | 2.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 34.6 in | 34.8 in | -0.2 in |
Total Legroom | 76.1 in (over 2 rows) | 76 in (over 2 rows) | 0.1 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 24.8 ft3 | 13.1 ft3 | 11.7 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 58.0 ft3 | 54.6 ft3 | 3.4 ft3 |
2009 BMW 3-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Relatively small back seat room. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Coupe 414-horsepower 4.0L V8 6-speed manual RWD |
Power seats are very comfortable, even for long hauls. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Sport seats fit me exceptionally well. Plush enough for the wife to enjoy a long drive. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I found the sport package seats comfortable see full BMW 3-Series review |
2009 BMW 3-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
tight and not too useful a space see full BMW 3-Series review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Rear seat room not as expansive as competitors. Trunk capacity could be better. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Tight for large people. Fine for kids. Smaller than a G37, much smaller than a Maxima. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 414-horsepower 4.0L V8 7-speed automated manual RWD |
Wish the rear seats had 1" more legroom. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2009 | 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Limited for adults see full BMW 3-Series review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual AWD |
With a 6-foot driver, rear seat room is barely adequate for adults, for short trips. This is typical for this car segment, though. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2009 | 0 | Not much room in rear see if driver is 6 feet tall see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
A bit small for me, both in the seat and in the cabin in general. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
2 small for adults over 6 ft see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
It has a back seat, but unless it is a short trip it is very tight for adults. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 Audi A3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
A lot less leg room when compared to the GTI, but the rear hatch space is bigger. see full Audi A3 review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Really just a 4 place vehicle...3 across in the rear is not comfortably possible. see full Audi A3 review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Slightly too close to each other in arm room. see full Audi A3 review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
The back seat is too small for most adults. I hadn't thought about it much when I bought the car, but it became apparent. I'd take friends to lunch and they are uncomfortable.Even ifa personplans on sitting small children in the back, they grow and the useful life of the car is affected. I wish the Europeans would figure that out. see full Audi A3 review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Due to the position of the doors it is hard to get in and out of the car. see full Audi A3 review |