I currently have a 1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 coupe and a 1989 Mercedes-Benz G Wagon (that runs on LPG and petrol). Both have done over 140,000 miles and I tend to keep cars for a long time. I like both vehicles but really need one car that has four or five doors, is reasonably economical, reliable and can take family, luggage etc and can tow a sailing dinghy occasionally.

I like chain cam engines and rear or 4-wheel drive. It must be automatic. Thoughts are; a four or five-year-old Mercedes-Benz E- or C-Class estate, diesel or petrol. I gather that some diesels can be problematic, though? How robust are the 200 Mercs? A Subaru Forester? A BMW Touring? But I have heard these can have problems. Or an Audi A4 estate (2 .5TDI quattro auto) - how are these for longevity and reliability? I have the chance to buy a 2004 with over 120,000 miles.