Our current petrol Merc C200k auto estate has been excellent, but is returning just 29mpg, is 8 years old and close to 100k.

It takes a family of four on school runs, family holidays, been stuffed to the gills, had 4 bicycles on the back on a towbar, hauled a heavy dayboat up and down a steep slipway and still come back for more.

However sturdy as it is, it won't last forever and I don't want to face an expensive repair bill in the future despite regular servicing. Here's my problem; the car needs to do daily short stop start school runs and every month take a family of 4, with all the gear, 120 miles to haul a boat up and down a slip and not get dragged into the drink! Where do I start to look?

DPF diesel problems v petrol but rising fuel costs? 4x4 or quattro or regular estate? Must be economical for day to day? Reliable but with good, decent performance, I would like to be able to overtake safely! Prepared to pay up to 30k but for that must last 7-10 years as can't afford to change it after 3. C-class, 3-series, A4, new X3, Q5, Skoda, Honda, HELP! Really need some good advice on where to start looking.