Most comfy armchair with an engine?

[Ed Moses]

Jaguar S-Type with 17” rims and non-sport seats. A nice ride and they can push on when needed.

And I second the vote for the Full Fat Rangy with the smallest rims you can fit.

Edited by Ed Moses on Friday 21st December 07:00

[flatso]

Another vote for the C5 exclusive....a true hidden treasure.

[Resolutionary]

Audi A8 (D2 generation) with the Recaro seats. Supremely comfortable speaking from experience, as commented by everyone who rides in mine.

[fernando the frog]

Never thought of the C5. I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for one now.

Also I love the Edd China suggestion

[JaredVannett]

Can anyone think of smaller sized cars that offer a superb ride, or is that just impossible due to 'fancy suspension' packaging constraints?

I like these barges, but not sure I could live with parking them in a practical sense everyday, a bit like trying to dock a ship

The citroen C5 is getting close size-wise.

[The Dangerous Elk]

Only an old school Xantia could come close to the C5.

You can find good ones still about but prices are rising and estates are very hard to find now.

It is all about low profile tyres and "The Ring" these days.

The C5 like all cars is quite light at parking speed and has an OK turning circle

[craigjm]

how does a C5 differ from a C6 suspension wise for there to be such a call for the C5

[The Dangerous Elk]

Depends on the model.

C5 Mk1/2 used a different system (aka Xantia) with rear swing arms.

The later Mk3 (correctly called the C5x7) uses the same floorpan and set-up as the C6 with multi-link all round as with the C6. Being narrower and lighter they are not as "soft" and the seats are not as "Armchair" as a C6. The C5x7 is still bloody comfortable and knocks the spots of the Audi/BMW tooth shakers.

The Mk1/2's are the most comfortable but cannot really be regarded and a car to throw about a lot, they are the ultimate Magic carpet car (unless you go classic and get a CX/DS) for long commute/travel .

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/car-reviews/citroen/c5...

Edited by The Dangerous Elk on Friday 21st December 17:38

[troika]

I used to have an E38 7 series. It was the definition of your thread title. Lovely thing.

[feef]

craigjm said:

how does a C5 differ from a C6 suspension wise for there to be such a call for the C5

1st generation C5 was hydractive. 2nd gen was coil springs with the exception of the Exclusive trim level which got hydractive.

The C6 is hydractive across the board.

I'd go with a C6 to meet the brief of the OP, or also a VW Phaeton

[craigjm]

feef said:

craigjm said:

how does a C5 differ from a C6 suspension wise for there to be such a call for the C5

1st generation C5 was hydractive. 2nd gen was coil springs with the exception of the Exclusive trim level which got hydractive.

The C6 is hydractive across the board.

I'd go with a C6 to meet the brief of the OP, or also a VW Phaeton

As I thought which is why I suggested the C6

[The Dangerous Elk]

craigjm said:

As I thought which is why I suggested the C6

C6 has to many electronics, it is essential that only a specialist touches it, C5x7 Exclusives are far far more practicable and considerably more suitable for a daily driver.

Edited by The Dangerous Elk on Friday 21st December 20:29

[flatso]

I had a Xantia that was an supremly comfortable cruiser. I once got into my sisters Volvo S80 and I asked her if something was wrong with her suspension....she had just brought it back from the regular maintanance. I honestly thaught her suspension was shot.
The last gen C5 as estate with maximum exclusive trim (leather everything, duble glased windows, massage seats) is a proper “well kept secret” even on the german used car market.

If I wee looking for an affordabke, special feeling comfort-cruiser this would be on top of the list, way above any passat or skoda etc.

[talksthetorque]

JaredVannett said:

Can anyone think of smaller sized cars that offer a superb ride, or is that just impossible due to 'fancy suspension' packaging constraints?

I like these barges, but not sure I could live with parking them in a practical sense everyday, a bit like trying to dock a ship

The citroen C5 is getting close size-wise.

To be honest, the longer the wheelbase, the more settled the ride ( with similarly set-up suspension.)
If you think about a 1" change in height of one end of the car over a bump.
The shorter the wheelbase, the greater the angle that the body will move up and down at each end. Double that effect as the bump pitches the car as the car goes over the bump with the front wheels, then the back.
Other things that could help are bigger sidewalls on the tyres and softer suspension.

[PurpleTurtle]

Prinny said:

If you can get past the slightly challenging looks, an e65/6 bangle 7-series is a fantastic way to waft away the miles when you’re in the comfort seats (a must) and on 18” wheels.

This one has both those options (first I found on A/T - not suggesting it’s the one you should actually buy)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

A good one is a lovely way travel - a bad one will be ruinous. You have been warned!

Jaysus that is a ridiculous amount of luxury for three and a half grand. One wonders what the annual cost would be on running one of these? I only do about 4,000 miles a year so fuel not too much of an issue but I guess one big garage bill could be very hefty.

[bennettse2025]

troika said:

I used to have an E38 7 series. It was the definition of your thread title. Lovely thing.

What are these like reliability-wise? I keep eyeing them up on auto trader. Tempted to trade in my Lexus for one but my car is practically bombproof.

They're getting on for 20 years old now. Are they sensible for daily driving duties or would it spend every other week in a garage?

They look fking stunning

[JaredVannett]

talksthetorque said:

JaredVannett said:

Can anyone think of smaller sized cars that offer a superb ride, or is that just impossible due to 'fancy suspension' packaging constraints?

I like these barges, but not sure I could live with parking them in a practical sense everyday, a bit like trying to dock a ship

The citroen C5 is getting close size-wise.

To be honest, the longer the wheelbase, the more settled the ride ( with similarly set-up suspension.)
If you think about a 1" change in height of one end of the car over a bump.
The shorter the wheelbase, the greater the angle that the body will move up and down at each end. Double that effect as the bump pitches the car as the car goes over the bump with the front wheels, then the back.
Other things that could help are bigger sidewalls on the tyres and softer suspension.

Thanks, that does make a lot of sense.

[troika]

bennettse2025 said:

troika said:

I used to have an E38 7 series. It was the definition of your thread title. Lovely thing.

What are these like reliability-wise? I keep eyeing them up on auto trader. Tempted to trade in my Lexus for one but my car is practically bombproof.

They're getting on for 20 years old now. Are they sensible for daily driving duties or would it spend every other week in a garage?

They look fking stunning

Never had any problem. However, I bought it in 2000 (1998 car), ran for about 4 years. Great car.