Well a few months back I borrowed an A6 s line for a few days...my *** and back have been yearning to have it back ever since.

So today I went and did something really stupid, I mean so daft it hurts, no really it does.

Took a 3l diesel A8 round the block, well it was on loan to us

Dammit!

Now a guy I used to work with swore by 10year old 5 series BM's, as many toys as you get now(kind of), but oodles of comfort and a hefty fuel bill.

Having briefly flirted with autotrader an various petrol twin turbo audi productions I'm returning to the opening statement of comfort.

As to why no a skoda? Well I still have one and I cannot get a trader to look me straight on it, so rather than be robbed blind I'm going to *cough* something to it. But a daily driver it isn't!

So comfort kings, what would be on your short list for a 3year old luxo barge that' not so barge like? Upper cap 20k as that's the Octy price tag and has to be a tourer/estate.

For those of you who remember Huck, I also remember him being left behind by 2 octs in his 330D sport and how he felt underwhelmed by it...however he wasn't left behind so much as didn't have quite as much to prove

I'm fairly certain a big block would do and I'm actually quite tempted for it to be diesel, but not essential, auto is ok if I can have paddles

See how silly was it to drive a 60k car?

Just found a 545i sport Estate down the road...but I can't really go that big in petrol, I mean c'mon 25mpg combined...

Anyway go hog wild, I trust in the force.

Phaeton? I love those cars......

Colin , I think you answered your own question really.

A6 3l diesel or even the 2.7 if you're pushed.

Should manage one for 20k.

(puts Flame Suit on) How about a Volvo V70 T5 / D5? They shift, they hold plenty stuff and they have some of the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in. Tiptronic option is actually quite good to use as well.

Jag XJ? Mid teens (£) will get you about a 2003ish plate, around 40-50k miles, 3.0 V6, maybe the 3.5 V8. Or for a few more miles you might find a 4.2V8. Plenty of toys, comfort. Hows this: Auto Trader UK - JAGUAR XJ SERIES 3000 cc XJ6 3.0 V6 Sport 4dr Auto

or this: Auto Trader UK - Jaguar XJ 4.2 V8 Supercharged R SWB

There is a nice A8 4.2 quattro thingy on auto trader, 05 plate I think, a few miles on it (52K maybe) but my god is that thing loaded (advert says it cost £80k new). Here: Auto Trader UK - AUDI A8 4.2 Quattro Sport 4dr Tip Auto MEGA HIGH SPEC

I drove one of those v8 jags from Manchester to south Coventry, took the long route...super smooth and very nice. Suspect one would get used to the late arrival of the g-force from steering input.

Had not even thought Jag...Volvo is the dark horse on my list too as they are hugeeeee

A6 2+ yes, the a6 I had was a 1.9 or 2 unit and, nice as it was, didn't go well enough for the size, but it wasn't going backwards either.

There is a nice A8 4.2 quattro thingy on auto trader, 05 plate I think, a few miles on it (52K maybe) but my god is that thing loaded (advert says it cost £80k new). Here: Auto Trader UK - AUDI A8 4.2 Quattro Sport 4dr Tip Auto MEGA HIGH SPEC

But could you really buy a car from someone that uses the word "MEGA" three times in the advert :eek:

If it has to be an estate of capacious proportion, I'd consider 5-Series Touring (530d), V70 D5 and an A6 Avant with whichever diesel unit you can achieve for budget, hopefully a 3.0TDi

I don't think you'll find better OEM seats than Volvo, if that's becoming a consideration; pity the general handling is a bit stodgy. They are improving though, slowly - must be Ford's influence.

If not constrained by shape, it would have to be a Phaeton for me

Steve

Used Volkswagen Phaeton.... hands down the biggest bargin on the used car lots of the world!

Good thoughts chaps I like

My rough thoughts were 5##, 3##, A6, Merc, Volvo, the last two having had the least research. It think the stint in the mx5 has also tipped me over to rwd a little, but the lack of space has ruled out another rag top. This is a bit saddening, as it's a great experince and helps to keep you awake like no other method I know.

Jaguar XK - big car comfort, sports car performance. There's an article in this month's Evo about what to look out for, etc. when buying second hand.

Rob.

Another couple of chevaux noir:

SAAB 9-5 Estate: comfier seats than the Volvo and quicker too. I loved all 3 of my SAABs and they are akin to a Volvo with an attitude Find an Aero or a 3.0TDI

Vauxhall Signum - 3.0TDI, ask Q what it's like

Renault Avantime or Vel Satis - You want luxury? Pick one up dead cheap as they drop in value faster than the redbaron over a cliff

Ever considered an Alfa 159 sportwagon? (top of the range diesel or petrol v6.)

Don't listen to Clackson, if they are so unreliable why do most of the secondhand ones have well over 100k on the clock, + you might have some change to offset the rising fuel costs ().

20k will get you a one year old one from a main dealer.

Plus it is the best looking by far & rarer than most of the others.

Subaru legacy tourer - now they do a diesel as well

Merc C/E class estate

Volvo V70, XC70

All will be pretty expensive to service

BMW 525d can be had for well under £20k and under 3 years old.

Same straight 6 engine as the 330, but marginally detuned and a lesser fuel bill.

Very nice to drive too.

Saab, another one I'd totally over looked, mainly as the dealer is on the very wrong side of town...umm they do some nice blocks

Alfa, likewise, not overlooked, often looked at but I'm afraid of them, same for Fiats.

I don't rate the saabs since GM took them on. Somebody I knew had one spend most of it's first few months of ownership at the main dealer over a large number of faults.

They might not all be like that, but the fact they couldn't fix them wasn't a great sign IMHO.

But could you really buy a car from someone that uses the word "MEGA" three times in the advert :eek:

I would be more concerned by the business name, Oscar Goldman he was Steve Austin's boss ...... the Bionic Man

I have no other contribution to this thread ok I do ....don't rule out the Volvo's, I have had and 850R and a V70R when living in Germany and they were probably the best cars I have ever owned, comfortable (very) and rapid, the 5 pot D5 motor is quite sweet as well.

bro in law is going for a 520d touring which is stupidly fuel efficient and low emissions and has as much oomph as the V70 D5 (which he used to have). He doubt he would even entertain it if a barge like that didn't have enough poke!

I don't rate the saabs since GM took them on. Somebody I knew had one spend most of it's first few months of ownership at the main dealer over a large number of faults.

They might not all be like that, but the fact they couldn't fix them wasn't a great sign IMHO.

The "Vauxsaabs", as people are saying.

citroen C6 has to be the king of comfort.

2006 Citroen C6 2720 cc 2.7 HDi V6 Lignage 4dr Auto

4 Doors, Automatic, Saloon, Diesel, 10,000 miles, Silver, 1 Owner(s), PAS, ABS, Air conditioning, Remote central locking, Front electric windows, Front fog lights, Alloy wheels, Alarm, Navigation system, Trip computer, Cruise control, Side airbags, Electric door mirrors, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Drivers airbag, Reverse parking aid, 3x3 point rear seat belts, Front head restraints, Folding rear seats, Isofix child seat anchor points, Headlight washers, Service indicator, Full size spare wheel, Lumbar support, Rear headrests, Immobiliser, Front armrest, Heated front seat, Rear armrest, Body coloured bumpers, Traction control, Height adjustable drivers seat. £14,995. Price: £ 14,995Tel:(0845) 1237967

Distance:193 miles

http://dws.keycast.com/DWS/CF/templates/app_c/PDF.aspx?lsid=2398&dom=918&vehicletypeid=1&vehicleid=4058534

Ok, it's a bit older, but come on... clicky

citroen C6 has to be the king of comfort.

2006 Citroen C6 2720 cc 2.7 HDi V6 Lignage 4dr Auto

4 Doors, Automatic, Saloon, Diesel, 10,000 miles, Silver, 1 Owner(s), PAS, ABS, Air conditioning, Remote central locking, Front electric windows, Front fog lights, Alloy wheels, Alarm, Navigation system, Trip computer, Cruise control, Side airbags, Electric door mirrors, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Drivers airbag, Reverse parking aid, 3x3 point rear seat belts, Front head restraints, Folding rear seats, Isofix child seat anchor points, Headlight washers, Service indicator, Full size spare wheel, Lumbar support, Rear headrests, Immobiliser, Front armrest, Heated front seat, Rear armrest, Body coloured bumpers, Traction control, Height adjustable drivers seat. £14,995. Price: £ 14,995Tel:(0845) 1237967

Distance:193 miles

http://dws.keycast.com/DWS/CF/templates/app_c/PDF.aspx?lsid=2398&dom=918&vehicletypeid=1&vehicleid=4058534

If you got one that was a year old then it would be even cheaper I'd guess. They are not easy to sell second hand the C6, but that suspension is amazing.

Ok, it's a bit older, but come on... clicky

(ROAD TAX only £185 per year)

If you got one that was a year old then it would be even cheaper I'd guess. They are not easy to sell second hand the C6, but that suspension is amazing.

And it's the only real Citroen left, now the C5 has become another Mundaneo clone with electronniccy gimcrackery!