BMW - 7 Series

7-Series is big but looks leaner and more poised than arch-rival S Class. It's amazingly comfortable, though long-legged rear passengers will find more space in a Lexus LS or S Class. The beautifully finished cabin has excellent seats and lots of equipment, with parking assistance and satellite navigation on many models from the late Nineties onwards.
Handling is sublime, with a supple ride that doesn't insulate the driver from the car's precise responses. It's surprisingly agile for a big car and can be hurried along, even on twisty B-roads. Acceleration from the V8 engines is surging but undramatic; engine and road noise are very effectively suppressed. The six cylinder 728i is more than adequate and can reward the sensitive driver with 25-plus miles per gallon.
7-Series sheds value; mid-Nineties cars are under £10,000 now. Principal reason is running costs; this is a car that cannot be owned on the cheap.