Refined cars?

[wadsy]

spookly said:

Just get this. V12, comfort... it's big but has parking sensors :-)

Probably too big and the fuel bills would certainly be!

Cheers

[wadsy]

allroad one said:

Ahem. Stuttgart has something to say. Something quite scary indeed..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...


Bring out the big guns you say?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Now youre talking mean....

Nice

But too big!...anything similar but smaller?!

Cheers

[wadsy]

HustleRussell said:

wadsy said:

Thanks for replies/suggestions chaps

Any thoughts on A5 3.0 TDi Quattro or 4 series 430d?

Cheers

On the smaller wheels / tyres they might be alright. Neither Audi nor BMW are known for their comfortable ride these days though.

True!

[mike74]

I've owned an Impreza sti which I actually found to be too refined, to the point where I considered it be rather boring and uninvolving to drive.

[RobM77]

This largely depends on spec. For example, the 3 series isn't generally known for its refinement, but in objective tests for noise at speed they frequently come up tops. The reason is that very few of them out in the real world have the standard wheel and tyres - mine does and it's extremely quiet and has a pretty good ride too. I rode in an S Class a few years ago with my wife and we got straight into my 3 series and it was genuinely just as quiet, if not slightly quieter. I drove an A4 for a few months a few years ago though, and on 19s it was so noisy we had to stop for a rest on a long journey!

[ST270]

Second vote for a Lexus IS - very similar looking to the RC and near identical interior. For the most refined waft-ability go for the 300h. Whisper quiet and exceptional build quality with lots of standard kit....

[Otispunkmeyer]

Tuvra said:

You want a fully loaded Volvo, S60 probably.

Yeah, heavy car, but utterly planted and smooth on the motorway. 5 cylinder engine notably smoother in operation than anything with 4 cylinders.

[Otispunkmeyer]

Jim AK said:

Lexus IS?

I'd say the ride is a bit stiff and the diesel a tiny bit on the gruff side, but everything else is pretty good refinement wise. Not sure on the latest one... I know they don't do the diesel anymore so that is a bonus!

Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Wednesday 27th July 09:26

[Rovinghawk]

S-type Jag? An XE when prices drop a little?

[KillerHERTZ]

CLS

[matrignano]

BMW 3 Series GT

[cerb4.5lee]

If you want ultimate refinement I would avoid the diesels and stick with a nice petrol for sure, although the diesels are good at the performance/economy mix.

[craigjm]

Petrol automatic Lexus IS or a comfort spec petrol C-class. 3 series tend to be a bit hard even in SE trim and XE really won't be in budget yet. The Lexus IS closest to a mini S class though.

[RobM77]

cerb4.5lee said:

If you want ultimate refinement I would avoid the diesels and stick with a nice petrol for sure, although the diesels are good at the performance/economy mix.

As we've discussed before, this depends on the type of driving that you do. Admittedly I've only ever owned one diesel car, but what I've noticed in that car (my current daily driver) is that in crawling traffic the diesel is horrifically noisy compared to a petrol equivalent, but above about 20mph you can't tell the difference, unless you floor it and listen carefully. If, like me, you never drive in towns, then in my opinion and experience at least, it makes no difference at all in refinement whether you have a petrol or a diesel.

[TazLondon]

I've had an XF and didn't particularly rate it for comfort. It wasn't bad but not the ultimate in comfort. For the budget you're probably looking an older E-Class if you want great refinement in a car that isn't the size of a luxury barge. Also, as others have mentioned, an upper end Volvo would probably be a good bet - something like an S60, V70 or an S80.

The Citroen C5 with Hydractive suspension is quite a rare beast these days. The newer ones have standard suspension these days so won't ride anywhere near as the older ones with the Hydractive suspension. So it's worth checking to see which suspension the C5 has if you're looking to get one. I had one and it had the best ride of any car I've ever been in up to an S-Class. But, it failed on many other aspects.

[wadsy]

cerb4.5lee said:

If you want ultimate refinement I would avoid the diesels and stick with a nice petrol for sure, although the diesels are good at the performance/economy mix.

I should have said; the car would be my wife's daily driver and as such needs good economy for her commute and not too big so it's not awkward/inconvenient in work/shop car parks.

The comfort/refinement requirement is for me on longer journeys as my health isn't good.

I'm wondering if we can find a car that gives the all-round ability needed or if we'd need more than one car, which then of course may well bring increased running costs!

She currently has a Golf mk5 TDi and I have an old Pajero as a run-about/off-road, maybe we should consider something like a Jag XK as a 'GT' for the longer trips!?...but, I know she's not keen on three lots of running costs!

Thanks for all the replies/input

Cheers

[wadsy]

RobM77 said:

This largely depends on spec. For example, the 3 series isn't generally known for its refinement, but in objective tests for noise at speed they frequently come up tops. The reason is that very few of them out in the real world have the standard wheel and tyres - mine does and it's extremely quiet and has a pretty good ride too. I rode in an S Class a few years ago with my wife and we got straight into my 3 series and it was genuinely just as quiet, if not slightly quieter. I drove an A4 for a few months a few years ago though, and on 19s it was so noisy we had to stop for a rest on a long journey!

A good point

[cerb4.5lee]

RobM77 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

If you want ultimate refinement I would avoid the diesels and stick with a nice petrol for sure, although the diesels are good at the performance/economy mix.

As we've discussed before, this depends on the type of driving that you do. Admittedly I've only ever owned one diesel car, but what I've noticed in that car (my current daily driver) is that in crawling traffic the diesel is horrifically noisy compared to a petrol equivalent, but above about 20mph you can't tell the difference, unless you floor it and listen carefully. If, like me, you never drive in towns, then in my opinion and experience at least, it makes no difference at all in refinement whether you have a petrol or a diesel.

Yes that's a fair point.

[anonymous-user]

wadsy said:

allroad one said:

Ahem. Stuttgart has something to say. Something quite scary indeed..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...


Bring out the big guns you say?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Now youre talking mean....

Nice

But too big!...anything similar but smaller?!

Cheers

Of course.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...


Ok, a more serious answer..
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[wadsy]

allroad one said:

wadsy said:

allroad one said:

Ahem. Stuttgart has something to say. Something quite scary indeed..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...


Bring out the big guns you say?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Now youre talking mean....

Nice

But too big!...anything similar but smaller?!

Cheers

Of course.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...


Ok, a more serious answer..
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Cool truck!

I've tried a C350 and must admit I wasn't that impressed...interior quality not as nice as an Audi, ride quality not great and engine a bit rough!