What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Which reliable, economical four or five door car would you recommend?
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.
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.
Asked on 5 December 2012 by NB, Heydon, Norfolk
Answered by
Honest John
All have problems. Check them at www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar
Of those you list, there are probably fewest problems with a Subaru Forester, but the petrol auto is belt cam. Only the diesel manual is chain cam. A Honda CR-V is chain cam and you can get a petrol automatic. The W211 E-Class from August 2006 was enormously improved. But all these German cars are having piezoelectric injector problems and other problems as well. Don't believe any of the myths.
Of those you list, there are probably fewest problems with a Subaru Forester, but the petrol auto is belt cam. Only the diesel manual is chain cam. A Honda CR-V is chain cam and you can get a petrol automatic. The W211 E-Class from August 2006 was enormously improved. But all these German cars are having piezoelectric injector problems and other problems as well. Don't believe any of the myths.
Similar questions
After reading your column we purchased a FIAT Panda for our two daughters to learn to drive. We have owned it for four years and it has proved an excellent choice. Our older daughter is now 21 and is due...
Can you please recommend an economic automatic car, not van, to accommodate at least a husband of 82 and a wife of 77 with arthritis, two golf bags and two electric trolleys. We currently have one car...
I am recently retired and despair of finding a car that is basic enough for me. My priorities are versatility for carrying loads, safety, economy, and the ability to tow a small trailer. Gadgets and comfort...
Related models
Roomy and versatile. Very comfortable, pleasant and relaxing to drive. not at all cumbersome. 2.2 i-CTDI diesel is excellent.
Excellent range of refined engines. Comfortable long distance car. Superb ride quality. Models from 2006 are much improved and more reliable.
.jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Good compromise between a station wagon and an SUV. Now available with 2.0 litre chain cam 'boxer' diesel engine.
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
