[notorious]

Many thanks Adrian.

It looks like we will not get engaged with S and RS series -- too sporty and too high rpm on motorways.

S5 not available in Avant, so not considering that one too.

I wonder what is the most bullet proof engine and gearbox combination. Still believe it is Petrol + Manual. Really want something that doesn't break due to simplicity. I love keeping cars for a very long time, this is why I think this way.

Is it worth considering increasing budget and going for a newer A4 Avant models, i.e. years 2014-15 or so? Or is it a bad idea since engines became so complicated these days due to environmental restrictions. It looks like manuals are slowly dying for modern mainstream cars. Where this world is going... Perplexed.