Small cars that drive like luxobarges
Discussion
For those who don't need the space offered by large luxury barges like the BMW 7-Series, Merc S-Class or Jag XJ but still want the serene 'magic carpet' ride quality, which smaller cars get close to such a ride quality?
I'm talking about a lack of road noise in the cabin, a wafting sensation, hushed fast progress (mile-munching ability), ability to deal with poor road surfaces effortlessly and a premium cabin interior with lots of toys - all within the body of a smaller family-sized car.
I'm talking about a lack of road noise in the cabin, a wafting sensation, hushed fast progress (mile-munching ability), ability to deal with poor road surfaces effortlessly and a premium cabin interior with lots of toys - all within the body of a smaller family-sized car.
It's hard to replicate in a smaller car as a lot of what you desire is gained by a long wheel base - especially the wafty ride.
Avoid anything in m-sport, amg, s/green line spec. A nice SE spec anything will do you well.
How small are you thinking? Comparatively are you talking Fiesta or Focus...
Avoid anything in m-sport, amg, s/green line spec. A nice SE spec anything will do you well.
How small are you thinking? Comparatively are you talking Fiesta or Focus...
You know, I was only pondering this exact topic earlier today.
Without being a miserable old sod, I came to the conclusion that none do. I have been in or driven recently quite a lot of nicely specced mainstream stuff of the BMW 3 series/Audi A4 segment and even the non sport 'luxury' models ride very hard. In BMWs case, run flat's really don't help. Someone once remarked on here that Audi's set up was so hard that if you drove over a coin at 1MPH, it was possible to feel what date it was minted.
The last car I had with a remotely decent mix between ride and handling was the much revered E39 5 Series in old man SE spec.
The modern man (and woman, presumably) dictate that ridiculous large wheels, handling and low suspension is the norm across just about every model except Rolls/Bentley and possibly Jaguar.... Those cars seem to attract favourable comments re ride save for the F Type. I haven't yet had the pleasure of any recent Jags personally though.
Apologies, this has made me sound like a sprout eating Steptoe type old fart!
Without being a miserable old sod, I came to the conclusion that none do. I have been in or driven recently quite a lot of nicely specced mainstream stuff of the BMW 3 series/Audi A4 segment and even the non sport 'luxury' models ride very hard. In BMWs case, run flat's really don't help. Someone once remarked on here that Audi's set up was so hard that if you drove over a coin at 1MPH, it was possible to feel what date it was minted.
The last car I had with a remotely decent mix between ride and handling was the much revered E39 5 Series in old man SE spec.
The modern man (and woman, presumably) dictate that ridiculous large wheels, handling and low suspension is the norm across just about every model except Rolls/Bentley and possibly Jaguar.... Those cars seem to attract favourable comments re ride save for the F Type. I haven't yet had the pleasure of any recent Jags personally though.
Apologies, this has made me sound like a sprout eating Steptoe type old fart!
TazLondon said:
For those who don't need the space offered by large luxury barges like the BMW 7-Series, Merc S-Class or Jag XJ but still want the serene 'magic carpet' ride quality, which smaller cars get close to such a ride quality?
I'm talking about a lack of road noise in the cabin, a wafting sensation, hushed fast progress (mile-munching ability), ability to deal with poor road surfaces effortlessly and a premium cabin interior with lots of toys - all within the body of a smaller family-sized car.
For the S class in an A class feeling any electric car is serene, my leaf even rides well but isn't a luxury car. Possibly an i3 ? Failing that the Lexus IS 250 is the nearest to your utopia I'm talking about a lack of road noise in the cabin, a wafting sensation, hushed fast progress (mile-munching ability), ability to deal with poor road surfaces effortlessly and a premium cabin interior with lots of toys - all within the body of a smaller family-sized car.
Quhet said:
How about something French like a C5 or 508?
I've not been in them but I'd imagine they're set up for comfort rather than for handling...
I had a C5 a few years ago - fantastic ride quality but the affair short-lived as it suffered from massive reliability issues and the interior was fairly cheap-looking.I've not been in them but I'd imagine they're set up for comfort rather than for handling...
CX53 said:
The Mondeo is pretty enormous these days to be fair
I was thinking the same, it's not something I would describe as small. Not sure how close it is in refinement to something like a 7 series though but they are sold at very different price points.ETA: always found the Passat good but I don't consider it small either.
Id say a c350e.
It is literally silent as it is electric most of the time, it has air suspension and has some s class switch gear.
0-60 in 5.9
Toys are rear camera, auto parking, auto, burmeister stereo, electric seats, heated seats, pre heat from merc app, pretty much everythng really
It is literally silent as it is electric most of the time, it has air suspension and has some s class switch gear.
0-60 in 5.9
Toys are rear camera, auto parking, auto, burmeister stereo, electric seats, heated seats, pre heat from merc app, pretty much everythng really
Edited by jonah35 on Saturday 20th August 22:17
TazLondon said:
Thinking 3-Series/Mondeo sized cars - so fair practicality but not acres of unused space when 90% I'll be the only one in the car.
How about a 330d luxury auto with the smallest wheels and no run flats?TazLondon said:
LOL. Has anyone every bought one???
Yes. I saw one parked in Oxford two weeks ago. I don't think it is just the long wheelbase of these cars that make them so wafty, as many cars have gotten longer over the years. I think part of it is the weight of the car, along with fairly soft suspension with well setup rebound it soaks up the bumps nicely.
In a smaller car you don't have the same mass.
In a smaller car you don't have the same mass.
I was very impressed by the new Passat, it's a much more refined car to drive than the older version. I would imagine the same would be true for the Golf, since the Passat isn't a small car.
My old 1-series (non-M sport) was also a brilliant place to sit and let the miles tick by.
I've been driving my sister's diesel A1 for the past few days, while it needs a bit of encouragement to overtake on the motorway it's generally a relaxing car to waft about in on cruise control.
ETA - I remember driving a works Peugeot 3008 once and was pleasantly surprised at how well it devoured the miles. Reliablity/longevity notwithstanding, it exceeded my expectations by a long way. The previous works Pug, a 307, was dire.
My old 1-series (non-M sport) was also a brilliant place to sit and let the miles tick by.
I've been driving my sister's diesel A1 for the past few days, while it needs a bit of encouragement to overtake on the motorway it's generally a relaxing car to waft about in on cruise control.
ETA - I remember driving a works Peugeot 3008 once and was pleasantly surprised at how well it devoured the miles. Reliablity/longevity notwithstanding, it exceeded my expectations by a long way. The previous works Pug, a 307, was dire.
Edited by sebhaque on Sunday 21st August 00:23
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