Wanted E39 touring 523 528 535 540 - found

..someone else that wants a touring eh? 

Oh and by the way, the insurance premium when changing from my
(previous) 528i SE to the (current) 540i (4.4i) was exactly the same.....
(in case this is a factor, guys)

This will be a long careful search methinks. Primarily because I'm in no
hurry at all to part with the present car - its that good.
One option is to sell/swap the Audi plus cash and buy a sound but scruffy
E39 523 etc, tidy and upgrade it over time and keep the 540 for best and
for when I want to have some fun ;)......
Of your shortlist above (besides the BMW - which ought to be your first
choice) buy a good Discovery. I had one a year back (3.9 V8i) and drove it
to the Costa del Sol and back, I only got rid because it was LHD, otherwise
it was one of the most perfect cars I have owned. If you want to avoid
"issues" with these I suggest buying the best pre '99 you can find as many
built after this time were made in the good old U.S of A and are poorly
put together.
An Audi A6 with a decent sized engine should cause you few problems
but you'll know about it if it does (mine had a new turbo from Audi @
�1000 and a new cat @ �800)
The Honda Cr-V is very reliable but heavy in depreciation terms and
Freelanders.....well, everyone makes mistakes, including Landrover.
Good look in your search, and if you find you're looking for a more
compact estate after all, my Audi A4 Avant is going to go for no-money
to enable a quick sale : )     

What about a W124 Merc Estate? That's what I'd get...