Best car for ride comfort - but not too boring

[webreaper]

Hi all, looking for a car recommendation from people in the know.

I'm after a replacement vehicle for my Seat Leon, but something that has extreme levels of comfort and ride quality. Need to absolutely minimize bumps and jarring for medical reasons.

My initial thoughts were something with air suspension (Citreon seems obvious) but I want something that has at least some vague chance of being a bit interesting and engaging to drive.

So my next thought was an Audi A6 Avant (need something decent-sized) - but it seems the air suspension option is like hen's teeth on a used Audi. Next option would seem to be an Allroad, which has the air as standard but they look to be guzzlers and quite expensive too.

So what other options should I consider? Looking for something 2-3 years old, under £20k, and probably a diesel 2.0-2.5L engine. Wondered if Merc do an air-suspension model (don't know the MB range very well)? Any other models/marquee which have outstanding ride quality/smoothness?

[Krikkit]

Tried an XJ of the previous generation? (Obviously current ones are a bit beyond budget) They're pretty damn comfy.

What about an S-class?

[webreaper]

Don't want a Jag - had an x-type before and it was okay but not that fussed again.

Do they do an estate S?

[edo]

D3 A8. Lovely ride.

Here is one under 3 years old. Possibly want one with smaller wheels for the ultimate ride, but these ride well even on the larger alloys.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

[fathomfive]

Citroen C6.

Maybe not engaging to drive, but certainly an interesting car.

[webreaper]

Yeah, I know. But I'm not sure the XJ will be either economic nor subtle.

[Jaguar steve]

webreaper said:

Yeah, I know. But I'm not sure the XJ will be either economic nor subtle.

XJ is both I'd say. Very cheap to buy now and far less agressively overstyled and in yer face ugly than the competition IMO.

Post 2003 aluminium bodied XJ has air suspension which has a very isolating ride especially on the smallest diameter wheels available. The earlier steel sprung V8 XJ's are exceptionally good if fitted with the touring suspension option and small diameter wheels too.

Only other cars I've driven that have anything like an pleasant ride quality over long distances are the Citroen C3 Picasso, Citroen C4 and Vauxhall Omega. The new Astra is not bad either. The very few prestige German cars I've been in - with the possible exception of the E class Mercedes - have all been bone crackingly uncomfortable. Seems to me most new car buyers are following the trend for "sporty" rock hard suspension and the biggest alloys thet can be squeezed under the arches. All to the detriment of a comfortable smooth ride.

[DanDC5]

E-class estate?

[webreaper]

Yep, definite possibility. Do they have air suspension?

[Tophatron]

While the ride quality of a lot of recent cars is ruined by (optional) stupidly massive wheels, there are still some that have great ride comfort on a standard setup.

Case in point is a 2007 Merc E220Cdi I drove recently. It was extremely comfortable, mostly because it had normal 16" alloys with pretty thick profile tyres. Like this:



Cosmetically it might look look the best, but you can't look at the car while you're driving it!

[mat777]

Ride comfort = go american

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-CADILLAC-ELDORADO-/...

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-LINCOLN-TOWNCAR-/16...


Alternatively, if you want to remain in the land of good taste, then a Citroen C6 or air suspended Range Rover P38 or L322 would also do the job admirably

[Jez0099]

Mercedehave air suspension on some e class's and i belive ml's also have it

[frosted]

Tbh , anything with standard suspension will fit the bill and @ 20k I would look at a Toureg , Lexus RX400h even a CRV . Loads of cars to choose from

[davepoth]

Jaguar steve said:

webreaper said:

Yeah, I know. But I'm not sure the XJ will be either economic nor subtle.

XJ is both I'd say. Very cheap to buy now and far less agressively overstyled and in yer face ugly than the competition IMO.

Post 2003 aluminium bodied XJ has air suspension which has a very isolating ride especially on the smallest diameter wheels available. The earlier steel sprung V8 XJ's are exceptionally good if fitted with the touring suspension option and small diameter wheels too.

http://www.carpages.co.uk/jaguar/jaguar-xj-16-03-07.asp

53mpg really isn't uneconomical in many people's books - and has has been said, it really does ride nicely. Get it in a dark colour and it'll blend right in.

[Presuming Ed]

My Merc has a great ride compared to similar BMW and Audi's. Why not go for seomthing like a large petrol E-Class in non sport spec with 300 odd horses. If a Merc doesn't float yer boat Jags are supposed to have the best ride/handeling compromise.

[GravelBen]

Always been impressed by Subaru Outbacks on rough stuff but no idea how they compare to the Citroens, Mercs etc.

[LeoSayer]

I drove a 1.6 diesel Golf bluemotion when on holiday last year.

It had the softest most compliant ride I've felt in years.

[webreaper]

I find it hard to believe that any XJ will average 53mpg. My 1.9 TDi Leon won't manage that. And I'm looking for an estate ideally, as I need to take stuff to/from my allotment.

[Mr Gearchange]

Volvo S60 on smaller wheels with a high profile tyre.

[frosted]

webreaper said:

I find it hard to believe that any XJ will average 53mpg. My 1.9 TDi Leon won't manage that. And I'm looking for an estate ideally, as I need to take stuff to/from my allotment.

Of course it doesn't, not many cars can get 50mpg constantly