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Recommend a reliable, good quality car for comfortable motorway cruising?

I'm getting ready for retirement and want to change my car. We do a lot of European touring so want something spacious, comfortable, reliable and a good motorway cruiser. As it will probably be the last car I buy, reliability and quality are a must. We'd prefer an estate and I've narrowed it down to one of the following, all 2-3 years old: Ford Mondeo Titanium X, Audi A6 Avant S Line or Mercedes E-Class.

Asked on 22 October 2010 by CL, Bedale, N. Yorks

Answered by Honest John
A late W211 E-Class is probably best because by 2007 the bugs were out of it and it's a very good-looking, very safe car. All the engines are chain cam. But, of course, a Mondeo offers better value for money and cheaper repairs and servicing. The diesel engines are belt cam. The A6 looks stunning, but is expensive to service and fix. The 4 cylinder diesels are belt cam; 6 cylinder diesels chain cam.
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