Comfortable family cars ... can you recommend something, please?
I recently sold a very comfortable MB auto 2007 E class saloon and bought a 2010 BMW X1 (2WD, manual) with run flat tyres, with which my wife is totally unimpressed. The ride is hard and 'choppy' and it has to go. I'm looking for a used car that glides like the E class but it has to be shorter (garage space) and with an auto box. Would prefer a premium brand but anything goes as long as it glides rather than crashes over today's roads. An alternative might be to change the run flats (225/45, R18) on the X1 for 'ordinary' tyres if this is possible and feasible. Recommendations would be truly appreciated, thank you.
Asked on 8 January 2016 by Phil Stockford
Answered by
Honest John
Changing the tyres will make a lot of difference. I'm currently running a Honda HRV that came on 205/55 R17 Michelin Primacy 3s and was okay. Then, expecting snow, I blagged a set of Michelin Cross Climate all weather tyres the same size. The difference is unexpected and remarkable. The car rides more softly, more smoothly and more quietly. You're on quite possible the worst combination of tyres and suspension for comfort, but to improve matters on an X1 you could probably go down to 17" wheels with non runflat Cross Climates as on my HRV. Otherwise, it's a matter of swapping the car for one that prioritises ride over handling. Maybe a new Mercedes C Class on £900 optional air ride suspension, 16" wheels and 205/60 R16 tyres running at 30PSI. Not an A Class or a B Class. Not an Audi on anything more ambitions than 16" wheels with 205/55 R16 tyres. Not any BMW. ven an F30 BMW on ED spec 205/60 R16s doesn't ride brilliantly. Possibly a Mazda 3 or a Mazda 6 on 17" wheels with 55 profile tyres.
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See also: Honest John Car Chooser
www.honestjohn.co.uk/chooser/
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