Tell me about your best Luxobarge experiences!

[bigfatnick]

A year ago, I had a Mk4 Lexus. It was amazing. I sold it because I got a better job and could buy something silly and fast, something I've never been able to do. This was all good, until about a month ago. My brother bought an E65 BMW 730d sport. It's wonderful. I need a luxury car again!

So i think I'm pretty much sold on a W221 s class (despite concerns about Mercedes reliability) or a Lexus LS460 as I can't get a bmw and piss on my brothers parade. However, I am interested in people's experiences in luxury cars in the 10 to 14 grand range. Audi A8's seem to offer good value, but I've never seen the draw to Audis - hard ride, road noise, drab interiors (that everyone else seems to like) vag group average quality/reliability but am happy to be told I'm wrong. Jag xj's - Cosseting but range rover style bills? VW phaeton - no v8's and potential megabills? Honda legend - Anyone ever been in one, I know nothing about them.

Thanks all!

[anonymous-user]

V10 Audi S8. Every man should own one at some point. Great car.

[xRIEx]

I've had my xj getting on for two years, it's cost me about 7 grand including purchase price, not including fuel. About 27mpg, but it does spend most of its time on the motorway.

[anonymous-user]

What's the main criteria - Reliability? Spec? Power? Price? Running costs?

[Sump]

LS430 purchased for £4k, did 25k on it , cost £129 to service at the dealer, nothing went wrong other than a wheel bearing which the warranty paid for. Sold for £4.7k after 2 years.

Amazing car.

[briang9]

Greg66 said:

V10 Audi S8. Every man should own one at some point. Great car.

+1

[bigfatnick]

Greg66 said:

V10 Audi S8. Every man should own one at some point. Great car.

Very interesting, just had a look. They are at the steeper end of my budget, but interesting all the same. Being as they are sporty, is it all hard ride and roadnoise?

xRIEx said:

I've had my xj getting on for two years, it's cost me about 7 grand including purchase price, not including fuel. About 27mpg, but it does spend most of its time on the motorway.

Is this one of the aluminium bodyshelled ones? is it a real rival for the hermetically sealed from the world Lexus/Mercedes?

Edited by bigfatnick on Friday 20th March 23:13

[bigfatnick]

Greg66 said:

V10 Audi S8. Every man should own one at some point. Great car.

Very interesting, just had a look. They are at the steeper end of my budget, but interesting all the same. Being as they are sporty, is it all hard ride and roadnoise?

xRIEx said:

I've had my xj getting on for two years, it's cost me about 7 grand including purchase price, not including fuel. About 27mpg, but it does spend most of its time on the motorway.

Is this one of the aluminium bodyshelled ones? is it a real rival for the hermetically sealed from the world Lexus/Mercedes?

Edited by bigfatnick on Friday 20th March 23:14

[Huff]

fkin' A, man.

[bigfatnick]

Symbolica said:

What's the main criteria - Reliability? Spec? Power? Price? Running costs?

I think reliability is probably at the top. Followed by comfort - encompassing ride comfort, lack of road noise and squishyness of seats. But also a bit of style would be nice. I don't think any luxo car will be underpowered so I'm not too concerned about that. But I don't want it to sound crap - petrol v6's don't sound right to me, I love v8 noise. I'm not too concerned about fuel economy. Nice audio and toasty bum warmers would be nice!

My old ls400 was brilliant in every area bar the gearbox often dropping a cog in a rather uncouth way at roundabouts and mid corner, and the lack of style when it comes to interior and exterior - this is what's swayed me away from a late model LS430, and pushed me towards the LS460 and S class.

Thanks

[bigfatnick]

Huff said:

fkin' A, man.

You wouldn't believe how close you are! Think visually 'the dude' but mentally, Wayne's world, and you're somewhere near writing my biography.

[anonymous-user]

bigfatnick said:

Symbolica said:

What's the main criteria - Reliability? Spec? Power? Price? Running costs?

I think reliability is probably at the top. Followed by comfort - encompassing ride comfort, lack of road noise and squishyness of seats.

You want a V8 Lexus then.

bigfatnick said:

But also a bit of style would be nice.

But you can't have everything.

[bigfatnick]

Symbolica said:

bigfatnick said:

Symbolica said:

What's the main criteria - Reliability? Spec? Power? Price? Running costs?

I think reliability is probably at the top. Followed by comfort - encompassing ride comfort, lack of road noise and squishyness of seats.

You want a V8 Lexus then.

bigfatnick said:

But also a bit of style would be nice.

But you can't have everything.

Ha. I know. But I've had one. It would have to be a 460 I think. Ls460's, who's had a go?

[cptsideways]

760li trust me, been bidding on a few but no joy yet. Sub 4k for a V12 RR Phantom engine in a frock of a Ghost seems possible.

[bigfatnick]

Problem with 7 series, my brother has one and he'd never forgive me if I got one, especially if I got a better one than his.

[anonymous-user]

bigfatnick said:

I think reliability is probably at the top. Followed by comfort - encompassing ride comfort, lack of road noise and squishyness of seats. But also a bit of style would be nice. I don't think any luxo car will be underpowered so I'm not too concerned about that. But I don't want it to sound crap - petrol v6's don't sound right to me, I love v8 noise. I'm not too concerned about fuel economy. Nice audio and toasty bum warmers would be nice!

My old ls400 was brilliant in every area bar the gearbox often dropping a cog in a rather uncouth way at roundabouts and mid corner, and the lack of style when it comes to interior and exterior - this is what's swayed me away from a late model LS430, and pushed me towards the LS460 and S class.

Thanks

Your comfort wish list tempts me to suggest our other car: a SC Range Rover. That is a *really* nice place to spend time! and immensely comfortable. However, although ours has been faultlessly reliable, that is not their universal characteristic...

The S8: so far v reliable. Not too hard a ride. It has three suspension settings; I leave it in dynamic and it is fine for me. There is also comfort which I haven't used but I'd imagine is softer. Well insulated against outside noise, but you really don't want to miss out on the sound of a V10 under load. The Bose is good and the B&O option sound is excellent. Front heated seats are standard. The interior feels like it has been cast from a solid block of something them swathed in leather and aluminium.

Well worth a look even if you end up with something else. A big Jag might also be worth a look, given the wish list.

[xRIEx]

bigfatnick said:

xRIEx said:

I've had my xj getting on for two years, it's cost me about 7 grand including purchase price, not including fuel. About 27mpg, but it does spend most of its time on the motorway.

Is this one of the aluminium bodyshelled ones? is it a real rival for the hermetically sealed from the world Lexus/Mercedes?

Nah, mine's an X308. No idea about the hermetically sealed doodad, I've not driven an S Class or similarsuch. I was just giving my individual experience of maintenance costs.

[User33678888]

How's your appetite for risk?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[WTFWT]

Greg66 said:

V10 Audi S8. Every man should own one at some point. Great car.

I adore the look of these but test drove two and ended up with a CLS55. I know the CLS has less room in the back but it also felt much much faster, had less road roar and rode miles better.

I had the A8 (D3) 4.2V8 before switching to the CLS55 which shares the interior with the S8. Comfiest seats ever and great interior. Mine was double glazed as well which cut down on the road roar a bit. I didn't feel the S8 offered nearly as big a leap over the V8 as I expected.

And yet, once a month, I am scanning the classifieds looking at the S8…

Merc S65, if you can find one!

[PowerslideSWE]

This might be a tall order, but if I were you I'll get myself a mint and full loaded BMW E38 750, dual glazing and all. Very hard to come by now though. V12, not über fast but quick enough, very comfy and quiet, specially on the original 16" wheels, built before bean counters had all the saying regarding costs of construction and probably the best looking BMW saloon ever built, so you can make fun of your brother for buying an E65, good cars tho but pretty they are not.. E38's are also fun to drive and has character in spades. But the newest ones are now 14 years old, so if youre in to alot of toys, then there are other alternatives.

I'll get this one, infact I want to buy it for my self, but the steering wheel is on the incorrect side.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

Other mentioned the Audi S8, that or an A8 W12 would be fantastic aswell, and maybe more suited to your price/age range

Edited by PowerslideSWE on Saturday 21st March 11:30