2012-13 ish wafty luxury barge -17-18k

[Technoholic]

Hi guys

So following my last post where I asked for information on a Range Rover or alternative, having driven a few over the weekend I’ve realised they’re not for me. So that leaves me looking for alternatives. I currently have a 2018 7 series that I want to get rid of, so probably now looking for an equally luxurious barge around 2013, budget of around 17-18k.

I’ve driven the s class lwb today, which as I remembered before, I’d like driving on a cloud, and seems like the obvious choice. But I wonder if anyone has any experience of these vs Jag XJL, and any others with air suspension.

Alternatively, I wouldn’t mind an estate as long as it has air suspension too and rides well.

As you can see, ride quality is key, not sportiness, along with as many toys as possible. There are many well specced s classes around but want to consider my options before defaulting to that.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

[ninjag]

If the XJ is on the table then I would definitely recommend Portfolio or Portfolio S as they come with the updated Meridian sound system as standard and it's excellent.

[Summit_Detailing]

From experience there is night and day difference in ride quality between XJ and S-class, XJ decent enough in isolation but not a patch on the S-class for out and out comfort.

I'm looking for a LWB s-class at the moment too, albeit sub £10k - perfect tool for doing lots of miles in.

Good luck with your search.

cheers

Chris

[flatso]

Lexus LS460

[InfamousK]

Technoholic said:

Alternatively, I wouldn’t mind an estate as long as it has air suspension too and rides well

See this is why I looked at Range Rovers, I couldn't think of a luxury estate that prioritised ride quality.
I have tried the E350 (213) with air suspension and I didn't think it was all that.

[SWoll]

If ride comfort and gadgets are the top priorities just buy the S-Class. Nothing else is going to come close.

[ninjag]

Do all the s class come with air suspension? I've driven the W221 350 and was ok, huge turbo lag and vague handling. Never been in the latest gen though.

[Technoholic]

Yes they do. I drove a 221 350 today and the turbo lag was there but not terrible and better in sport mode. Also I found the handling ok for what it is, I don’t expect point and go steering but for what it is it’s more than ok for me

[ninjag]

Maybe I was expecting too much, maybe the car was a bit of a lemon as we had spent almost £20k over five years in repairs although mainly electrics and a recurring abs issue.

I like how the new A8 detects bumps and adjusts the ride height so the car glides over them and staying level. Not sure what older cars would do that but it must be sublime to experience.

[Technoholic]

The new S class has that too, it's supposed to be good. I'm now thinking of pushing my budget a little as I can just about get into a W222 with a little more money, and having test driven one when I got my 7 series, it's sublime.

Can't believe how much these cars lose value over the years, so much car for the money now

[ninjag]

Technoholic said:

The new S class has that too, it's supposed to be good. I'm now thinking of pushing my budget a little as I can just about get into a W222 with a little more money, and having test driven one when I got my 7 series, it's sublime.

I would. I know the W221 was updated half way through its cycle but it's still a 2006 car. I never liked that light grey dash and steering wheel, it didn't suit the premium image. W222 looks far better inside.

[ZX10R NIN]

Here's a leftfield option, I've supplied two both are very happy the rides really good (I drove one back from Aberdeen to the SE)
very comfortable & decently swift to, you'll also have a years Manufacturers Warranty left which you can extend.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

4.7 BiTurbo S500

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or the 4.2tdi A8

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Shrimpvende]

I had an XJ Portfolio and couldn't get on with driver's the seat. Sounds silly but I found it really really uncomfortable, it had a hard spot right in the small of my back and I just couldn't get it right. I remember googling around and seeing others having the same issue with XF's also. The seats do look slightly different from the ones I had in newer cars but not sure which model year the change came in.

Other than that it was very quiet for a diesel, economical, powerful and smooth. All round not a bad car but the general quality and reliability was fairly poor. I'm not a fan of mercs but would imagine the S class is objectively the better car in most ways. Also the Jag infotainment is rubbish!

[Shiv_P]

I'd go for a D4 A8 over a W221 S Class. It's a better car in a lot of ways including I think ride quality

[Technoholic]

What about over a w222?

Also what I’m looking for in ride for this car is waftness and compliance, not ultimate handling. That’s what my TVRs are for.

[ZX10R NIN]

Try that Genesis put it in comfort if you want waftiness & compliance.

[Technoholic]

I have to say the genesis looks like an intriguing option

[ZX10R NIN]

They're actually a very good car, no the cabin isn't Mercedes level when it comes to the switchgear but the cabin materials are very good, the seats are very comfortable (the second one I supplied had dynamic seats) as are the rear seats.

The suspension was designed for the American market so is slightly softer than it's european counterparts, the engine really pulls when required think Lexus LS & you're on the right track.

[ninjag]

Shrimpvende said:

I had an XJ Portfolio and couldn't get on with driver's the seat. Sounds silly but I found it really really uncomfortable, it had a hard spot right in the small of my back and I just couldn't get it right.

I know exactly what you mean about that small of the back thing, at first I was like wtf myself, but then I accidentally raised the front part of the lower seat (which by default dropped the angle of the rear of the bottom part) and it solved it for me.

[ninjag]

I'm sure I've read that those Genesis cars are meant to be over-engineered? Can't be a bad thing!