Quitest, comfortable, refined long distance mile muncher

[DrYazz]

I have made trips between Berkshire and Vienna in a single day previously.
That is, over 900 miles. Usually getting the Eurotunnel at 07:20, arriving in Calais at around 09:00.
The next 12-15 hours to drive across France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and then finally into Austria (shortest, if not the most scenic route).

Plane would obviously make most sense, but boy, what a drive.

Now I want something different to make the journey in. I am looking to spend £5000 max on a car which would make this journey in extreme silence and comfort. If it can get close to 30-35 mpg that would be a bonus (I intend to average 70-80 mph average speed for the whole journey).

At those prices, a diesel would probably be unobtainable. What are my choices:

Lexus LS400 - circa 1998-2000
Mercedes S class - circa 1999-2001
Old shape 7 series circa 2001

Any recommendations/ advice?

I have never owned luxury vehicles before. So, how much more refined is say an S class over an E class or 7 series over a 5 series?

[PHmember]

I used to do similar in an old style (E38) 730i, it did spot on 30mpg on long journeys & was unbelievably quiet at 90mph on the payage. Personally don't think you can get much better for those sort of trips for under £5k.

[Scootersp]

2000 GS430? Has the 4.3 vvti of the later LS which is apparently more frugal than the 4 litre it replaces (ie the one on your list)?

[Fittster]

A nice Jag?

[sjc]

Six months ago I bought one of these for 2300 quid

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

in exactly the same spec, engine and mileage as the one above,after looking at 100K miles XJ's,7 series,LS400's etc.
It's simply fantastic for what you'll need, and they're complete and utter bargains because of the image.Had one bulb go in that time.

[mr_spock]

Porsche 928? It was designed to do exactly that. Although 30mpg is a bit optimistic, you might get 25 if you cruise slowly, say around 80-90. Or an Omega Elite, 3.0 or 2.5. I did some major miles in mine and it just went like the clappers very smoothly indeed. I did the same in my old Saab 900, so maybe a late 9000 with all the extras? Great seats...

[DrYazz]

sjc said:

Six months ago I bought one of these for 2300 quid

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

in exactly the same spec, engine and mileage as the one above,after looking at 100K miles XJ's,7 series,LS400's etc.
It's simply fantastic for what you'll need, and they're complete and utter bargains because of the image.Had one bulb go in that time.

I am sure the V6 is smooth and quiet in your 75, but surely it cannot match a V8 which has around 1500cc more in cubic displacement?

[R60EST]

I would also suggest considering an Audi A8

[DrYazz]

mr_spock said:

Porsche 928? It was designed to do exactly that. Although 30mpg is a bit optimistic, you might get 25 if you cruise slowly, say around 80-90. Or an Omega Elite, 3.0 or 2.5. I did some major miles in mine and it just went like the clappers very smoothly indeed. I did the same in my old Saab 900, so maybe a late 9000 with all the extras? Great seats...

Is the Omega (even with the smooth V6 variants you mention) going to be a hushed silence at motorway speeds?

They are excellent value, and a rare sight these days, but I want minimum cabin noise. I am not convinced about the Saabs for the same reason.

[JJM]

Have you considered a late E39?

[skyslimit]

sjc said:

Six months ago I bought one of these for 2300 quid

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

in exactly the same spec, engine and mileage as the one above,after looking at 100K miles XJ's,7 series,LS400's etc.
It's simply fantastic for what you'll need, and they're complete and utter bargains because of the image.Had one bulb go in that time.

Waft-tastic!!! I really want that!

[DrYazz]

R60EST said:

I would also suggest considering an Audi A8

The very elegant A8 version which came out in 2003 are outside my budget. Cannot find examples of these below £7500. But an amazing car for that price.

The pre-2003 model is not a shape I am fond of. It has not aged too well, IMHO. Unlike the S class Merc of the same era.

[heebeegeetee]

How about a well specced Passat?

In reality probably as quiet and comfortable as anything else mentioned, plus you'd only need to stop once for fuel.

[sjc]

DrYazz said:

sjc said:

Six months ago I bought one of these for 2300 quid

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

in exactly the same spec, engine and mileage as the one above,after looking at 100K miles XJ's,7 series,LS400's etc.
It's simply fantastic for what you'll need, and they're complete and utter bargains because of the image.Had one bulb go in that time.

I am sure the V6 is smooth and quiet in your 75, but surely it cannot match a V8 which has around 1500cc more in cubic displacement?

For ride comfort and silence on the motorway and as a place to sit for hours it's as good as anything,exactly the reasons I bought it.For the same money you'll get a car with 100K less miles.I tried all the barges previously,a 1995 100K mile Daimler Six ( yep, that's six cyls again!)was the only other thing as soothing.

[skyslimit]

heebeegeetee said:

How about a well specced Passat?

In reality probably as quiet and comfortable as anything else mentioned, plus you'd only need to stop once for fuel.

Just dont take one down a B road. Lousy suspension and comedy brakes with real friday afternoon build quality. I hated mine.

[heebeegeetee]

Or how about a £10k Boxster S? Reasonable luggage spoace, 32 mpg on a 14 gall tank, then when you get to Austria it'll outhandle your Ferrari whilst allowing you to see all of the scenery.

No good if you're anywhere near 6' though.

[DrYazz]

JJM said:

Have you considered a late E39?

This is the 5-series BMW right? Just before Chris Bangle's 2004 angled offering.

I have, but what I do not know is how less refined and quiet, if at all, the 5 series would be compared to the 7 series? Even if they had the same 6 or 8 cylinder engines?

[heebeegeetee]

skyslimit said:

heebeegeetee said:

How about a well specced Passat?

In reality probably as quiet and comfortable as anything else mentioned, plus you'd only need to stop once for fuel.

Just dont take one down a B road. Lousy suspension and comedy brakes with real friday afternoon build quality. I hated mine.

There is the handling, yeah.

[R60EST]

DrYazz said:

JJM said:

Have you considered a late E39?

This is the 5-series BMW right? Just before Chris Bangle's 2004 angled offering.

I have, but what I do not know is how less refined and quiet, if at all, the 5 series would be compared to the 7 series? Even if they had the same 6 or 8 cylinder engines?

You'd also be able to find a diesel variant within budget if you went for an E39 . Worth a test drive before you comit to anything

[EDLT]

XJR:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1592493.htm