£15k 5 door sporty hatchback required

[Ciaran]

I currently have an i3 for daily journeys to work etc and fancy a weekend sporty car. I've around £15k to spend and like the look of the following:

BMW M135i
Merc GLA45
Merc A45

I need a 5 door so I can take my golden retriever with me plus carry the kids and a few bags if we are heading anywhere.

Is there anything else I should look at - I'm only looking for petrol cars and would consider a fast estate along the lines of an S4 or 330i.

Thanks

[66HFM]

S3 Sportback
Cupra Leon
Golf R H/B or Estate

[Ciaran]

66HFM said:

S3 Sportback
Cupra Leon
Golf R H/B or Estate

Forgot about the S3 Sportback, will take a look at those. Not really a Golf fan I'm afraid.

[m3cs]

Focus ST 2.3T
308 GTi 1.6

[Quattr04.]

The Merc gearbox is utter trash, and boot on the m135i is tiny, you won’t get a dog and bags in it.

[Belle427]

M140 but might not be big enough for the dog really, a 330i Touring might work though but not what id call sporty.
Leon Cupra is a bit too Golf like but good value, the 4 drive estates are very nice.

[Quattr04.]

The Merc gearbox is utter trash, and boot on the m135i is tiny, you won’t get a dog and bags in it.

[ZX10R NIN]

Ciaran said:

I currently have an i3 for daily journeys to work etc and fancy a weekend sporty car. I've around £15k to spend and like the look of the following:

BMW M135i
Merc GLA45
Merc A45

I need a 5 door so I can take my golden retriever with me plus carry the kids and a few bags if we are heading anywhere.

Is there anything else I should look at - I'm only looking for petrol cars and would consider a fast estate along the lines of an S4 or 330i.

Thanks

None of the above will do what you want an S3 Sportback might just about tick the boxes but it depends on how much you like your dog.

CLA45:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404058...

If it's going to be a weekend car I'd forget the above & find yourself the nicest RS4 you can find:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409234...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502169...

Or be sensible & buy an S4:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502098...

[Kevin-2g5x2]

Always had 'sporty' hatchbacks, Leon Cupra, Golf gti, Focus St etc, currently running an S3 Sportback (2017) and regularly transport labrador, he's been happy in all of them but you'll have slightly better headroom for the dog if you go estate (Leon/ Focus) and should be within budget.

[Ciaran]

I probably love my dog more than my kids lol!

The dog goes into the boot of my i3 and bags usually go in the back seat, for for longer journeys I have an XC90. As long as the boot is bigger than the i3 it should be grand and the S3 / GLA45 seem to fit that bill.

[StoutBench]

Ciaran said:

66HFM said:

S3 Sportback
Cupra Leon
Golf R H/B or Estate

Forgot about the S3 Sportback, will take a look at those. Not really a Golf fan I'm afraid.

Not a golf fan but an Audi A3 is ok? How does that work?

[Ciaran]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411055...

This looks like it ticks the boxes.

[Ciaran]

Thought I'd update this. I ended up buying a 2016 S3 Sportback from a chap in Livingston. Delighted with it so far!