C class coupe options. 2005-ish car. Advice please

[JABB]

Looking for a daily driver and need reliability. In merc terms, I have had an SLK, C class estate ( R reg ), E class estate ( 55 plate ) and a c class coupe C220CDI ( 55 plate )
I am again looking for a good car and have £5000 to spend. The E class with under 120k on the clock is out, and the one I had ended up with DPF problems and cost a fortune. This has put me off DPF, rightly or wrongly.
I don't want a petrol estate as I don't want to fund BP.

I am therefore looking again at a C class coupe, post 2005? facelift.

Can anyone offer an overview of the cars and reliability please?
Is one a stand out must have, and is the petrol a much better bet ( 12k a year miles ) or was I just very unlucky on the DPF?

[eldar]

Up until 2008/2009 or so DPF was an option. Get one without. If tou can get the VIN you can check if it had one.

[JABB]

Is it possible to tell without the vin? If it is Euro4, I take it it has a filter, if not Euro4, was that optional?