3 series touring is 94 deep and 95 wide. There is a wider bit near the opening but then it narrows to 95 because of the wheel arches. Don’t know how it compares to the a4 but it’s not a massive boot for an estate.

I had a 2010 3 series touring – boot space was pathetic, nice car though. Since March have had a 5 Touring (still a Company Car) which has much more space, but the boot is well smaller than a Mondeo Estate

94 what?

Kippers.

If you are considering these cars and are worried about boot size then you are considering the wrong two cars!

Back in 2005 I test drove a 320d touring and an A4 avant. I bought the Beemer.

Beemer probably had the smaller boot of the two – can’t remember – but the Audi seemed to have NO suspension. Harshest ride I’ve ever experience

Test rode the Beemer, Audi, Passat, Accord and a Mazda 3 (I think). The Passat, Honda and Mazda were massive estates, loads of room, but I didn’t really enjoy driving them. The Audi was ok, but by far the nicest to drive was the Beemer.

Edit: Boot on the beemer can be a pain though, it always seems to be just a little too small for a lot of things you try and put in it (mostly baby stuff… parms, travel cots, etc.) Don’t regret getting it though. Easy to chuck a bike in the back though.

You could google “A4 Avant Dimensions” and something like this could be found: 🙂

EDIT: Oops, now realise you meant the last model. I think this changed around the 08/58 plates. So 09 models would be the new one (I think, unless the Allroad ran for another year or thereabouts).

But found this on another forum. A guy asked:

And someone answered thus:

All measurements are of course approx. and for example C will be less at the top than the bottom as the seats slope back etc.

My MTB goes in the back if I take the front wheel off (29er) but it goes on the roof as it’s infinitely easier.

No probs.

If you go HERE[/url], you can download the user manuals as pdfs for any 3 series from 98. The dimensions aren’t as detailed as in the Audi manuals though.

EDIT: Or googling “3-series brochures” will give you lists of brochures to download for various models. Best dimensions I could get was this:

You can also get the measurements/dimensions from the autotrader website. As I was looking at both cars I distinctly remember the Beemer being a little bit larger. Although they are not as large as you think.

For info, I have a 3 series touring. It’s a wonderful car but basically it’s full to the brim with two bikes and two lots of riding gear for a weekend away. You need a roofrack if you want to take more. You ideally need a roofrack to keep your interior reasonable too.

For me, when I’m riding on my own, the bike goes in, wheels off, plus kit box and there’s plenty of room to spare. Sorted.

if you want a big boot in that size class you unfortunately need to go for the run of the mill cars – passat, mondeo, octavia etc.

The only exception is the Volvo V70 which is huge as unlike Audi and BMW they fit a flat boot lid. I’ve been looking at 5 series and A6 estates and had decided on a 2007-8 A6 (3 litre tdi quattro) but on looking at one I realised you only have just over a foot of ful height boot between the back of the seats and the bit where it curves, yet the car is huge.

Skoda Superb is one that is often forgotten about.

Beemer E91 owner here. As others have said – seats up the space is not vast.

However where you win (other than the way it goes round corners 😀 ) is seats down. The rear passenger area is pretty spacious – there’s loads of legroom compared to my old B5 Passat, so when the seats are folded you get a pretty decent space. Add in that the seat squabs don’t need folding up against the back of the front seats, and the internal length is a hair longer than the Passat. Max width is compromised by the wheelarch intrusion, but it’s not a massive problem with bikes.

We can comfortably get 2 people, 3 bikes and a fortnight’s worth of kit in, and not be over the level of the luggage cover (ie still full view out of the rear view mirror).

As an alternative – have a look at the Jag X-type. Being based on a Mondeo floorpan, it’s pretty big, although the floor is still fairly high as most of the petrol models are 4×4, so need space for a rear diff. Not as nicely made as the german stuff, but very viable.

@ssmith1979 don’t buy a car to fit the pushchair, just get a foldable McClaren.

FWIW I am an Audi fan over BMW, I like the way they drive, build quality and the availability of Quattro’s, I did find the A4 estate a bit small so bought an A6 which is fabulously roomy for 4 adults, great on long distances etc but a handful in a tight multi-story car park

OT: what’s the view on an A5 Sportback as an alternative? I like having a hatchback but without the estate shape. I’ve got a Merc B Class at the moment which is great for bikes but quite fancy something a little less box shaped.