Discussion
Don't you think that you should be replying to the OP and not going off at a tangent on your own likes and dislikes? I mean, he seems to have had a pretty hard time of it yet here you are discussing performance cars with rock hard suspension in many cases. The poor fellow has just finished six years of cancer treatment, has a bad back, and I would think that the last thing he is thinking of is four-wheel drifting or opposite locking. No they haven't been mentioned, but please get back on track. Personally, I thought the reference, given his circumstances, to a Skoda Superb might very well hold water, but equally so do many of the other suggestions. Anyway, I'd be pleased to hear again from the OP.
dme123 said:
I've said it before and I'll repeat it here - for most drivers in their daily car how comfortable the seats are is more important that which wheels are driven, what fuel it uses and how much power it has. If you have something cripplingly uncomfortable you're going to f
king hate it, no matter how great it might be dynamically. I'd be really careful buying an Audi if you have a bad back as I find their seats to be a real mixed bag in various models.
If you want understated and comfortable (and a billy bargain) and have back trouble then try a Volvo S80 or V70 if you want an estate. Dynamically pretty dull but in a different league for driver comfort and with the absolute best seats in the business. I'm willing to overlook how mediocre most Volvos are to fling around on a twisty road for how supremely comfortable and competent they are in normal daily car usage. Nobody thinks you're a cock or paperclip salesman in a big Volvo either and a V70 doesn't look out of place anywhere.
This^^^. Or a Mercedes E Class. More of a gentlemans carriage than either BMW or Audi.king hate it, no matter how great it might be dynamically. I'd be really careful buying an Audi if you have a bad back as I find their seats to be a real mixed bag in various models.If you want understated and comfortable (and a billy bargain) and have back trouble then try a Volvo S80 or V70 if you want an estate. Dynamically pretty dull but in a different league for driver comfort and with the absolute best seats in the business. I'm willing to overlook how mediocre most Volvos are to fling around on a twisty road for how supremely comfortable and competent they are in normal daily car usage. Nobody thinks you're a cock or paperclip salesman in a big Volvo either and a V70 doesn't look out of place anywhere.
Edited by corvus on Saturday 29th November 15:08
gizlaroc said:
The E Class is no where near as comfy as the 5 series, it has horrible seats, terrible parameter steering and is extremely noisy in the cabin too.
A very poor recommendation.
I was thinking of the W211. But, assuming that you are talking about the newest one, and it is noisy and has bad seats, what is the point of it?A very poor recommendation.
I have owned 3 Audi A3's prior to owning an E46 330ci...I preferred the BMW to all of them except maybe the 2.0t one I owned briefly, but it had a lot of modifications so does not really count.
After I sold that I am now back in another A3 and honestly find it boring.
But then I am comparing a 3.0 n/a petrol BMW to a mix of sub 200hp A3's. I often wonder how close the comparison would be between a 330ci and a 3.2 quattro A3.
After I sold that I am now back in another A3 and honestly find it boring.
But then I am comparing a 3.0 n/a petrol BMW to a mix of sub 200hp A3's. I often wonder how close the comparison would be between a 330ci and a 3.2 quattro A3.
corvus said:
I was thinking of the W211. But, assuming that you are talking about the newest one, and it is noisy and has bad seats, what is the point of it?
There isn't, I kept it for 4 months and 10k miles and and got out quick. I loved my S211 estate, actually preferred it to the 535d sport touring I had before it. But the new one misses the point of what a Merc should be completely.
New C Class seems to be getting back on track.
Roundozo said:
^ This.
Had Audi, was OK, wouldn't go back
Had BMW, loved it, have gone back.
In the spirit of balance, Over the years I've had 3 audi's and 1 BMW. Left Audi(S3 8p) to go to BMW(E90 330D) and then left BMW to go back to Audi (S4 - B8). Had Audi, was OK, wouldn't go back
Had BMW, loved it, have gone back.
IMHO the audi is the nicer place to be, and the nicer drive. The 330d engine was the best part of the car, slush box being not so great.
Jonny_ said:
OP, the best advice is to test drive some cars and decide which YOU like!
I tried suggesting that early on and got a load of abuse for it... It's true though, especially if we're talking Audi and BMW, which are two makes with totally different mechanical layouts that are therefore going to drive completely differently, so the test drive is usually the decider. I shall await the usual battering for daring to suggest this.
fatboy b said:
LuS1fer said:
Jaguar.
'Nufff saidhttp://www.autoexpress.co.uk/jaguar/xf/89397/new-j...
Friend of mine had Audis, moved to the XF and now has a new XJ.
I think they would both be a fine choice, so really down to personal preference. A large diesel estate would suit me nicely too! I don't think anything that Rob said was unreasonable but he obviously has a preference for BMW. In my experience, the A6 is vastly superior to the mass-market A3/A4 and more how I would expect an Audi to be. The 3.0 V6 diesel is a lovely engine. Personally, of the two, I would go for the Audi in quattro guise (but then I live in Manitoba, Canada) where it snows for a bit longer than 3 weeks per year!
However, in my experience though, Mercedes and Jaguar offer more comfort and are a bit more "gentlemanly" than a BMW or Audi. I haven't driven the latest E-Class though (some people say it's rather disappointing) and I think on average, XF Sportbrakes are more expensive than BMW/Audi and less to choose from, so that's a factor.
If an estate car is not essential, I would also be considering an Audi A8 or VW Phaeton diesel either with the 3.0 V6 diesel or possibly the V8 diesel in the Audi.
How about an SUV? Comfortable ride, estate car practicality and a comfortable, elevated driving position. Granted, running costs will be a little bit higher but not significantly so at 5000 miles/year.
Range Rover?
BMW X5?
VW Touareg?
However, in my experience though, Mercedes and Jaguar offer more comfort and are a bit more "gentlemanly" than a BMW or Audi. I haven't driven the latest E-Class though (some people say it's rather disappointing) and I think on average, XF Sportbrakes are more expensive than BMW/Audi and less to choose from, so that's a factor.
If an estate car is not essential, I would also be considering an Audi A8 or VW Phaeton diesel either with the 3.0 V6 diesel or possibly the V8 diesel in the Audi.
How about an SUV? Comfortable ride, estate car practicality and a comfortable, elevated driving position. Granted, running costs will be a little bit higher but not significantly so at 5000 miles/year.
Range Rover?
BMW X5?
VW Touareg?
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