Best saloon car ever made? - Page 2

I-S · Feb 5th, 2019, 18:49

My father test drove an A8 4.2 Quattro against the LS and E38 in the late 90s. We all thought it was an abysmal car - so noisy, uncomfortable hard seats and far too firm suspension.

Interesting how people view things differently.

volvoski · Feb 5th, 2019, 18:52

I have owned many cars,most multi cylinderer and performance based. The Quattro A8 was easily the most competent all round saloon I ever owned. If I had to be in Rome by tomorrow breakfast with my family I cannot think of any other car I’d choose. The V8 power delivery was like a jet turbine as it piled on the acceleration. Only saloon I ever had that could shove you back into your seat accelerating from 120.

biggbn · Feb 5th, 2019, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-S

My father test drove an A8 4.2 Quattro against the LS and E38 in the late 90s. We all thought it was an abysmal car - so noisy, uncomfortable hard seats and far too firm suspension.

Interesting how people view things differently.

Not competitors I would suggest, totally different kind of car albeit from same class, if you see what I mean. The s8 I drove was nowhere near the refinement of my ls400... But then, what is?

kenny · Feb 5th, 2019, 19:08

With you on the BMW E39. The 530d auto I had is the best saloon I have ever owned. The S80 D5 I had was close but just didn’t have the same power.

S60D5-185 · Feb 5th, 2019, 19:12

Definition of best?

Technolgy wise for it's time, the Citroen DS.

For getting families mobile following the post war austerity , for me it has to be 1959 and Alec Issigonis 's brilliant original mini. A true giant in motoring history.

Whippy · Feb 5th, 2019, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-S

My father test drove an A8 4.2 Quattro against the LS and E38 in the late 90s. We all thought it was an abysmal car - so noisy, uncomfortable hard seats and far too firm suspension.

Interesting how people view things differently.

The mistake a lot of people make with these earlier iterations is to spec 'sports or s line' suspension and then bang 20" rims on. It wasn't until around 2010 - 11 that they finally got the suspension to be both firm and capable of being driven without need a surgical brace afterwards. A6 Avant 3.0 biturbo on 18.s with s line trim is my fave rave.

jonnyf90 · Feb 5th, 2019, 19:56

Volvo 164
Volvo 264
Volvo 760
Volvo 960
Volvo 850R

Cheers

DSK · Feb 5th, 2019, 22:28

BMW M5 - all are comfortable, have very strong performance and dare I say the sharpest handling in the class. I had an E34 3.8 M5 and that was a motorway cruiser that would drop its pants when requested and become a a serious racer. The E39 5.0 V8 I had afterwards was quicker but milder in comparison.

Louts Carlton - 177mph, 377bhp, no driver aids, they tried to ban it...

biggbn · Feb 5th, 2019, 22:37

The humble alfasud was voted car magazines car of the decade at the end of the seventies. I had a sud sprint, an alfetta gtv and a 145 green cloverleaf, all joyous things!! Had an e12 m535i with the gatrac box and cord recarros, bought for pennies sold on way too cheap!!

Black dog · Feb 5th, 2019, 22:48

Plenty of the mk2 escorts still rallying! Never had the pleasure of owning one and unlikely will due to the price they fetch now!
Still one of the nicest and competitive cars I've known

Feb 5th, 2019, 18:49	#11
I-S Premier Member Last Online: Jul 22nd, 2021 23:43 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Huddersfield	My father test drove an A8 4.2 Quattro against the LS and E38 in the late 90s. We all thought it was an abysmal car - so noisy, uncomfortable hard seats and far too firm suspension. Interesting how people view things differently. __________________ Our Car 2011 V70 D5 Geartronic Polestar - 38.6mpg over 45524 miles Replaced by

Feb 5th, 2019, 19:12	#15
S60D5-185 Me ? Surely Not! Last Online: Apr 5th, 2024 16:23 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 2007 Volvo XC90 D5 Geartronic. South of Hadrians Wall.	Definition of best? Technolgy wise for it's time, the Citroen DS. For getting families mobile following the post war austerity , for me it has to be 1959 and Alec Issigonis 's brilliant original mini. A true giant in motoring history. __________________ “Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” – Mark Twain 😊 2007 Volvo XC90 D5 SE Geartronic Last edited by S60D5-185; Feb 5th, 2019 at 19:19.

Feb 5th, 2019, 19:56	#17
jonnyf90 Grumpy git born too late! Last Online: Mar 20th, 2024 01:04 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Between Derby & Nottingham	Volvo 164 Volvo 264 Volvo 760 Volvo 960 Volvo 850R Cheers __________________ 1997 965 2.5 SE Manual 1996 944 Classic 2.3 LPT - SOLD/BROKEN/SCRAPPED 1997 S90 3.0 - SOLD to doingitsideways 2021 Škoda Octavia Estate L iV PHEV (Company)

Feb 5th, 2019, 22:28	#18
DSK C70 T5 Last Online: Mar 23rd, 2022 21:00 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Midlands	BMW M5 - all are comfortable, have very strong performance and dare I say the sharpest handling in the class. I had an E34 3.8 M5 and that was a motorway cruiser that would drop its pants when requested and become a a serious racer. The E39 5.0 V8 I had afterwards was quicker but milder in comparison. Louts Carlton - 177mph, 377bhp, no driver aids, they tried to ban it... __________________ 2000 C70 T5 GT Coupe 1998 S70R / 1995 Toyota Supra Twin Turbo 2007 Mercedes CLS 320 CDI / 2011 Mercedes S350 Bluetec 2007 Suzuki GSXR-1000

Feb 5th, 2019, 22:48	#20
Black dog Senior Member Last Online: Apr 15th, 2024 01:33 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Derry	Plenty of the mk2 escorts still rallying! Never had the pleasure of owning one and unlikely will due to the price they fetch now! Still one of the nicest and competitive cars I've known __________________ If I've offended you, good! That was my intention

Feb 5th, 2019, 18:52	#12
volvoski Senior Member Last Online: Mar 18th, 2024 22:01 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: leicester	I have owned many cars,most multi cylinderer and performance based. The Quattro A8 was easily the most competent all round saloon I ever owned. If I had to be in Rome by tomorrow breakfast with my family I cannot think of any other car I’d choose. The V8 power delivery was like a jet turbine as it piled on the acceleration. Only saloon I ever had that could shove you back into your seat accelerating from 120.

Feb 5th, 2019, 19:08	#14
kenny Master Member Last Online: Dec 16th, 2020 20:33 Join Date: May 2009 Location: kirknewton	With you on the BMW E39. The 530d auto I had is the best saloon I have ever owned. The S80 D5 I had was close but just didn’t have the same power.

Feb 5th, 2019, 22:37	#19
biggbn I've Been Banned Last Online: Nov 7th, 2020 20:13 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: dundee View Photos By: biggbn	The humble alfasud was voted car magazines car of the decade at the end of the seventies. I had a sud sprint, an alfetta gtv and a 145 green cloverleaf, all joyous things!! Had an e12 m535i with the gatrac box and cord recarros, bought for pennies sold on way too cheap!!

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