A stupid Q....?

[cagedanimal]

or maybe it isnt. looking at mk3 GTI's not sure wether should get 3dr or 5dr.... anyone got any opionions on this one.

also, are there any major spec differences between say an N reg and R reg i should look out or be wary about maybe?

all help appreciated! Geoff.

[garfayliu]

3 door or 5 door down to preference, although 3 doors tend to drop slightly, i.e. bend at hinge.

R reg, later model GTI's have uprated suspension from VR6 (I think) including gas struts and -10mm lowering spring. Also with anti-roll bars at front. The 16V comes with bigger brakes 288mm, same as VR6 and early mk4 1.8T, not sure if that applies to late 8v.

[opel]

get a 3 door loads better 5 doors r family cars no trying to get at anyone with 5 door cars it just wot i like. i have seen sum nice 5 door ones

[Rideandy]

You get air con with the R reg.

[Len]

You get air-con with a 16v P reg.

We have had this debate many times and in the end its down to personal preference.
The 5 door is easier to use, not only when carrying passengers but things like putting the back seats down or even running cables back to sub/amps etc.

The thing most people forget is that the 5 door shell is stronger! It has to be to take the hinges and door catches etc.
Conversely it is slightly heavier.

Personaly its 5 door everytime. But if you aint got kids and dont take passengers in the back then its up to you.

[cagedanimal]

cool. some intresting pov's ...

my take on it is that odd-ly the 5dr looks more 'chunkier' than the 3dr - what i mean is it doesnt look like a roller-skate! (no offence intended to those with 3drs!) Dont get me wrong i like both styles in the mk3, but my preference does have to be the 5dr, just on looks alone..... i was just checking wot the majority of you lot thought about it.

So the later the mk3 the better i think also.

I think i have now made up my mind - if mk3 then it has to be 16v GTI on an R-plate (i dont think i have ever seen any on an S-plate). By the way how many people on Autotrader are passing off 8v's off as 16v's !!!???!!! This is gonna be a tough search me thinks!!

cheers all. Geoff.

[Len]

Yes a P or R reg is best.

Like one with air-con its rare to find one thats also got a sunroof. But some of the latter R's had them, like end of line they threw all the toys on!

An R is the newest Mk 3 you will find, as I believe the Mk 4's also start on R.

Its so obvious as soon as you open the bonnet if its a 16v or 8v that there's no point in trying to pass off an 8v as a 16v.
Surely nobody is daft enough to buy a car without looking under the bonnet!

[stomper]

I've got a late P reg 16v (feb '97) 5 doors with air con, bigger brakes etc.

Like you say later the better, i find the 5 door's are much more practical, especially if you'll have any passengers or loading stuff up in the back with the seats down.

I haven't seen many R reg 16v's, mostly 8's.

When i was looking there was a few jokers passing an 8v off as a 16v, as already been said, can't mistake the 2 really.

[dino]

I HAVE A N PLATE 5DOOR 16V , I WAS/AM A MK1 OR MK2 MAN BUT SINCE I BOUGHT MY MK3 REALLY FELL IN LOVE WITH IT.

GOTTA HAVE A 16V IN MY OPINION , THEY DRIVE LOVELY UNTIL YOU PUT YOU FOOT DOWN AND THEN YOU GET ALL THAT POWER WICKED! I HAD A SEAT LEON CURPA 20VT TRY AND BLOW ME AWAY LAST WEEK AND IN THE END I LEFT HIM BEHIND , THE 16V ARE UNDER RATED IN MY OPINION.

[patch900]

Mine's R reg 8V 3dr with all the bits on bar sunroof. Didnt see many 16V on R plate at all.

Must say if had the cash might have bought a 16V but didnt 

Think 3dr or 5dr both look nice BUT 3dr is supposed to flex more than the 5's by all accounts.