My dream car

[oldcro]

An S Class with all the options reduced in size to that of the C Class with 4 wheel drive.

 

[fyonn]

I agree. and it kinda annoys me that so many manufacturers seem to equate big with expensive. would we refuse to buy an expensive small car?

I'd love to see audi make an A3 with the same build quality, power, features and options as they spend on an A8, same with BMW, mercedes etc.

I guess they'll say that it's because no-one would buy them, but is it true?

 

[popuptoaster]

cant see why anyone would want an expensive small S class when you would lose so much of the comfort and effortless power that comes with a big car???

 

[st4]

Big cars are comfortable because the occupants are further from the wheels, increasing ride comfort and decreasing road noise. This in turn makes them more stable @ high speed but less manouverable.

A C class will never match an S class for comfort for will be sportier to drive. My advice to oldcro (budget permitting) is to buy a used S class next time. If you need 4wd and its an MB then its ML, GL or R class time, if not Audi do a nice comfy A8

 

[wemorgan]

cant see why anyone would want an expensive small S class when you would lose so much of the comfort and effortless power that comes with a big car???

But then maybe that's the engineering challenge to achieve the same levels of comfort and power in a smaller car.

Would a C-class with airmatic suspension be a partial solution? Citroen do something similar in the C5.

 

[wemorgan]

Big cars are comfortable because the occupants are further from the wheels, increasing ride comfort and decreasing road noise. This in turn makes them more stable @ high speed but less manouverable.

The dimensions can't be changed, but new materials can go a long way to improve the comfort of cars.

'Quiet Steel' is one example.

 

[Meldrew2]

Surely the ideal car would have sizetronic fitted as standard.

The sizetronic feature automatically senses the road conditions, passengers, traffic etc and varies accordingly.

It commences with the appearance of an economical C class diesel. When passengers approach, it becomes an E class, or an S class if the passengers are wearing suits. If more passengers approach, it becomes a V class. Rear window tint varies proportionally according to ugliness of passengers.

When parking, it becomes an A class. (Smart ForTwo in cities.)

It automatically becomes a GL when within 200 yards of a private school.

If a GTi pulls alongside at the traffic lights, it's engine automatically becomes a 6.7 litre AMG powerplant, whilst changing to electric power when approaching the London congestion charge zone,

When the sun comes out, it becomes an CLK cabriolet.

When the sole male occupant approaches a sole female driver, it senses her preferences and becomes a flashy SL, a practical B class or a bicycle, depending on her politics/fashion sense/vegetarianism. If the female driver is also in a vehicle equipped with sizetronic, all her windows "black out" so the annoying pervert alongside cannot offend her with his stare.

When the driver has been out for a pleasant evening's refreshment, it becomes a chauffer driven stretch limo.

To ensure world-wide use, when at an airport, it becomes a pocket-sized Dinky toy, enabling it to be carried on board and automatically reinflates to full size on leaving the terminal building at the destination airport.

A hologram device ensures that the correct number plate and tax disc is shown at all times.

 

[Meldrew2]

Big cars are comfortable because the occupants are further from the wheels, increasing ride comfort and decreasing road noise.............

If so, please explain why I do not experience ride comfort and decreased road noise on the top deck of a Routemaster bus, as I am some 20 feet from the wheels....

:bannana: :bannana: :bannana: :bannana: :bannana:

 

[KillerHERTZ]

If so, please explain why I do not experience decreased road noise on the top deck of a Routemaster bus, as I am some 20 feet from the wheels....

:bannana: :bannana: :bannana: :bannana: :bannana:

Thats because 14 year old Candice has her Burberry Clad twins are screaming in the row in front.

 

[whitenemesis]

Is it MB that are developing a laser sensor system for the suspension so that it can be predictive instead of simply reactive?

IIRC the sensors sweep the road ahead, about 10-20m, and adjust the spring and damping characteristics to even out the ride.

So the car readies itself for the pothole / drain cover rather than react to hitting it

 

[Meldrew2]

Thats because 14 year old Candice has her Burberry Clad twins are screaming in the row in front.

Yes, but it's really nice for the twins to go out with Grandma once in a while

 

[verytalldave]

I agree. and it kinda annoys me that so many manufacturers seem to equate big with expensive. would we refuse to buy an expensive small car?

I'd love to see audi make an A3 with the same build quality, power, features and options as they spend on an A8, same with BMW, mercedes etc.

I guess they'll say that it's because no-one would buy them, but is it true?

I dont know how many members of this forum are HI-FI buffs, but there used to be, way back in the mists of time a loudspeaker manufacturer called IMF.
Their main stock in trade were huge, heavy transmission line speakers. Marvellous things to behold and hear. Probably the best in the world at the time, and still highly regarded today (I still use a pair in my lounge).
Their philsophy was to produce without regard to cost, only with regard to sound. Consequently their speakers were very expensive - but the best.
They also went on to make "compact" speakers that were smaller and more suited to a normal living room environment. However they remained steadfast in their priciples and would not compromise on quality - again regardless of cost. These speakers were superb little gems and nowadays are still sought after by "those in the know". However, because these speakers were small (ish) , they were still expensive. When people walked into a hi-fi shop and asked to audition speakers "around £400 a pair", there would be a line of speakers, most would be large and visually impressive. And then stuck at the end there would be these tiny little speakers by IMF. Even though they sounded miles better than all the rest put together, not many were bought. And it was only down to the fact that people buy most things with their eyes only. It was percieved by most as small equals cheap and large equals expensive. Wrong, but thats the way it was - and still is.
For those that are interested, see the old IMF lineup here..........
I still use a pair of Super Compact's and a pair of CM3's and I have yet to hear anything which makes me want to part with them.
Even a good pair of LS3/5a's.
http://imf-electronics.com/

 

[popuptoaster]

The dimensions can't be changed, but new materials can go a long way to improve the comfort of cars.

'Quiet Steel' is one example.

this is true, but while your new materials are making a small car as comfy as a current big one, the new materials are also making the big cars even MORE comfy so the gap is still there.

 

[oldcro]

I agree that smaller cars may not have the bulk which can help provide a smoother ride, although Citroen do come close. I was thinking also of the list of options available for the S class which could be fitted to a C class, but are not just to maintain the exclusivity of the S class. Forget the price for now, cause if I could afford an S class and a smaller version was available I would buy it.

The S class is not the best on single track roads of which we have many due to their extra bulk. They are also a pain judging by other similar size cars in supermarket car parks, where spaces are provided for city size cars only.

My S reduced to C class size is just a dream car, but the state of the worlds finance at the moment who knows what is round the corner.

 

[popuptoaster]

I love big cars, im not compensating for anything, its just im over 6'7" so smaller ones feel REALLY cramped and end up with no rear leg room at all, even if the drivers seat does go back far enough.

 

[st4]

I agree that smaller cars may not have the bulk which can help provide a smoother ride, although Citroen do come close. I was thinking also of the list of options available for the S class which could be fitted to a C class, but are not just to maintain the exclusivity of the S class. Forget the price for now, cause if I could afford an S class and a smaller version was available I would buy it.

The S class is not the best on single track roads of which we have many due to their extra bulk. They are also a pain judging by other similar size cars in supermarket car parks, where spaces are provided for city size cars only.

My S reduced to C class size is just a dream car, but the state of the worlds finance at the moment who knows what is round the corner.

I think what you really need is an E class. You are a prime candidate for one.

Honestly, you want a luxurious car thats not too bulky. The E class is just that. Its not that wide (okay its effing long) and has most of the C classes dynanism with a bit more luxury and refinment + a massive boot. I wouldn't get too carried away re fancy electric gizmos, the BMW 7 has those 2, but the S is better "set up" and this is what makes it a good luxury car. Its the comfort and luxury that make cars good, not radar this and active that.

However, the way car prices are going and if you're finances are stable (I do not know this but you will) it may be worth you're while to jump on the boat and pick up the big daddy S class if you really want one (£25k-£35k buy you a nice 500 or 320cdi). After all you only live once and the S class will have a feel good even the E cannot match.

It just seems from you're posts, that you'd be happier with a more comfy larger car, which the E and S class are. If the S is too big, try the E instead.

 

[stevesey]

A hologram device ensures that the correct number plate and tax disc is shown at all times.

And what is the correct number plate when passing speed cameras.

 

[st4]

And what is the correct number plate when passing speed cameras.

Your bosses, any ex wives, etc...

I'd love to put my old bosses regi plate on my car and drive it 120mph thru a camera :bannana:

 

[oldcro]

I think what you really need is an E class. You are a prime candidate for one.

Honestly, you want a luxurious car thats not too bulky. The E class is just that. Its not that wide (okay its effing long) and has most of the C classes dynanism with a bit more luxury and refinment + a massive boot. I wouldn't get too carried away re fancy electric gizmos, the BMW 7 has those 2, but the S is better "set up" and this is what makes it a good luxury car. Its the comfort and luxury that make cars good, not radar this and active that.

However, the way car prices are going and if you're finances are stable (I do not know this but you will) it may be worth you're while to jump on the boat and pick up the big daddy S class if you really want one (£25k-£35k buy you a nice 500 or 320cdi). After all you only live once and the S class will have a feel good even the E cannot match.

It just seems from you're posts, that you'd be happier with a more comfy larger car, which the E and S class are. If the S is too big, try the E instead.

Anything larger that the C class would be an inconvenience, so might as well dream about an S class. Thing is I want all the gizmos, radar this and that with everything active. I love gadgets. I also love new cars and given the choice would always choose new over used (assuming finances allowed of course).

However, saying that my non Mercedes dream car is a Bristol Blenheim3 which has no gadgets, not even ABS, but it does have class by the bucket loads.

 

[oldcro]

I've just read the specs on the new E class, and most things available in the S class are included plus some more. Looks like this could be my ideal car to dream about.
Now where did I put that lottery ticket?