Well here's an interesting one. As many will already know, I have a three door cooper but will be buying a 5 door (probably) quite soon.
I've been told by the sales reps that the 5 door is destined to be a big seller for Mini and I can understand why - it's a bigger market. Do I like it? Yes, probably enough to buy one though in my heart I'd say the 3 door looks better. But, and here's the big one for me, the three door just isn't quite big enough for us. The fact the drive handles the same seals the deal for me. If I felt I was just buying a more expensive focus then I'd be looking elsewhere.
However, I've been keeping a keen eye on the cars for sale throughout the UK (showroom and demonstrators) AND via a very helpful Facebook page of my local dealer who photographs every new car sale they make, and the 5 door really isn't showing up as much as I would expect. I know it's early days, but comparing the furore of the F56 launch and then the big marketing push mini have done with the F55 I genuinely wonder if the 5 door has been the big hit Mini were expecting.
Someone with a greater depth of information may be able to point us in the direction of sales figures for the UK and beyond(?)
Does any of that matter? Nope, not to the majority of people on this forum - we're here because we like talking about, and seem to really enjoy, our cars. It matters to me as I really need to play the discount game to get what I want and more options = more wiggle room to get what I can afford in a 5 door.