Best luxury saloon ever?
Discussion
Obviously a purely subjective answer but what in your opinion is the best luxury saloon ever all things considered? I've always been more of a hot hatch/estate fan, as I love the practicality of a tailgate and have only ever owned two saloons, a mk3 Cavalier briefly and a Civic, neither of which I would consider to be "luxury". However, a friend's dad used to pick us up from secondary school on a Friday afternoon in the early 90s in his dark grey Rover Sterling and I always loved that car and fancied something similarly luxurious one day. Despite the practical limitations of the saloons that I have owned, I did consider a Jetta when I got my current Golf Estate and did note that it felt tighter, quieter and more refined than the Golf, presumably due to the stiffer bodyshell. A larger saloon with a bigger boot would certainly mitigate the practical compromise.
So, 5-Series or bigger, V6/I6/V8, automatic, what would you recommend? I wouldn't be averse to a V6/I6 diesel but I don't really understand the new ULEZ regulations and that would be my concern with a diesel. I'm assuming that the answer is probably BMW, Mercedes, Audi or Jaguar but I guess something more leftfield like a Lexus, Volvo or Porsche could equally qualify or a Bentley/Rolls at the higher end. I haven't had any significant seat time in a 5-Series but a lot of people seem to love the E39 5-Series on here or do the newer 5-Series offer a better package? I have spent some time in W211 E-Classes and really quite liked them and a W220 S320, which I was less keen on. I wasn't keen on the C5 A6 and I drove the C6 A6 briefly and found the steering a bit overlight. I always thought the D2 A8s were cool though. I drive what I like and am not bothered about driving a 20 year old car if that's what I like. So from your experience, what do you believe to be the best luxury saloon ever?
So, 5-Series or bigger, V6/I6/V8, automatic, what would you recommend? I wouldn't be averse to a V6/I6 diesel but I don't really understand the new ULEZ regulations and that would be my concern with a diesel. I'm assuming that the answer is probably BMW, Mercedes, Audi or Jaguar but I guess something more leftfield like a Lexus, Volvo or Porsche could equally qualify or a Bentley/Rolls at the higher end. I haven't had any significant seat time in a 5-Series but a lot of people seem to love the E39 5-Series on here or do the newer 5-Series offer a better package? I have spent some time in W211 E-Classes and really quite liked them and a W220 S320, which I was less keen on. I wasn't keen on the C5 A6 and I drove the C6 A6 briefly and found the steering a bit overlight. I always thought the D2 A8s were cool though. I drive what I like and am not bothered about driving a 20 year old car if that's what I like. So from your experience, what do you believe to be the best luxury saloon ever?
My first thoughts, as above, would be the Mercedes 600, what a formidable creature.
Though they're so much more primitive, I have to admit ultimately for me it would be the Silver Cloud.
Such a beautiful vehicle.
Edit- If buying a car to live with now, for not unreasonable money, I would be compelled by the Lexus LS 460 above most other things.
Though they're so much more primitive, I have to admit ultimately for me it would be the Silver Cloud.
Such a beautiful vehicle.
Edit- If buying a car to live with now, for not unreasonable money, I would be compelled by the Lexus LS 460 above most other things.
Edited by Wheel_Turned_Out on Friday 26th February 14:50
TheInternet said:
white_goodman said:
a mk3 Cavalier briefly and a Civic, neither of which I would consider to be "luxury".
Astonished by this suggestion. Someone clearly hasn't experienced the Diplomat.seabod91 said:
All depends on budget. But I’d love one of these to waft about in. Probably because it’s likely I could afford one some day.
Great cars, however I would NOT be having one that's lowered, bad wheels and barried up - so probably loses things that make a luxury car (comfy/smooth ride etc.). That is the anthesis of what these cars are.Dracoro said:
seabod91 said:
Great cars, however I would NOT be having one that's lowered, bad wheels and barried up - so probably loses things that make a luxury car (comfy/smooth ride etc.). That is the anthesis of what these cars are.I'd nominate the Rolls Royce Spirit. Effortless wafting, near silence from the engine and beautifully appointed interior. Incredibly comfortable - I've driven them some very long distances a few times and been staggered by the level of comfort (my dad worked for Rolls Royce motors, I've never actually owned one).
Sadly Rolls Royce have lost their way in spectacular style and now produce vulgar bling.
I still find myself contemplating buying a Spirit and having it fully restored to use as a semi-daily car.
Sadly Rolls Royce have lost their way in spectacular style and now produce vulgar bling.
I still find myself contemplating buying a Spirit and having it fully restored to use as a semi-daily car.
To be seen in, and to get out of the back when arriving somewhere, nothing makes a bigger statement than the Grösser 600 (as per Idi Amin above).
To drive, the current BMW M760iL takes some beating. (When they lose another few k, I’ll be getting one to replace the current 760)
Looks are obviously subjective - in that regard, the Quattroporte (pretty much any version!) wins for me.
To drive, the current BMW M760iL takes some beating. (When they lose another few k, I’ll be getting one to replace the current 760)
Looks are obviously subjective - in that regard, the Quattroporte (pretty much any version!) wins for me.
Magnum 475 said:
I'd nominate the Rolls Royce Spirit. Effortless wafting, near silence from the engine and beautifully appointed interior. Incredibly comfortable - I've driven them some very long distances a few times and been staggered by the level of comfort (my dad worked for Rolls Royce motors, I've never actually owned one).
Sadly Rolls Royce have lost their way in spectacular style and now produce vulgar bling.
I still find myself contemplating buying a Spirit and having it fully restored to use as a semi-daily car.
I've a lot of love for the Spirit. Admittedly not a "beautiful" car as such, but in the sea of odd shaped crossovers at the moment there's something hugely pleasing about that squared off shape, and a big old-fashioned saloon car. Sadly Rolls Royce have lost their way in spectacular style and now produce vulgar bling.
I still find myself contemplating buying a Spirit and having it fully restored to use as a semi-daily car.
I'd be inclined towards an earlier one, a MK 1, before active ride and all that, when it was basically a rebodied Shadow II.
Deep pockets for fuel and bork-fund accepted, I think it'd be the best all rounder for a sort-of daily Roller.
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