LIMOUSINE motoring comes very much cheaper a few years down the road and that's just as true of the big cars that hold their value best like the BMW 7-Series.

The people who buy them new - mostly companies - take the big depreciation and you enjoy the savings.

Most of these big BMWs will still look marvellous thanks to a life of dealer cosseting and they have serious performance in all the various models.

They are fairly bulletproof and can stand long mileages as long as they're serviced.

Handling and road holding are brilliant and they often feel much smaller because they are so agile.

After 2002, the smallest 730i six had 227bhp and the range topper was a 6.0 litre V12 with 428bhp.

The 3.0-litre is not hugely quick but still has a fair turn of speed and could almost be called frugal , but there is also a much more sought after 3.0-litre turbo diesel.

All have an automatic gearbox, a marvellous ride and marvellous refinement.

The interior is enormous and very comfortable and the ride is superb, soaking up the very worst roads with ease.

: Audi A8