Just to throw a spanner in the works why not consider Japanese? I've just sold a Mitsi Legnum VR_4 and I must say what a wonderful car that was; had it 6 years cost me next to nothing in servicing and in trithI'm sorry I got rid of it! It's a large 5seater estate with plenty of room, a 2.5 V6 with 280 bhp and 0-60 of 5.8 secs plus all the leccie extras you could want (sunroof, auto tiptronic g/b, yaw control, ABS, windows, cruise etc etc.) and extremely reliable. Only drawback in my book was the 23mpg average - and that's driving carefully!! Use it well and expect less than 20mpg!! But a lot cheaper and more 'family' than a GTI or A4 or any German car for that matter - just my opinion!!