I'd have an A4 tdi before a A3 1.6, plus you'll probably get a newer A4 with better spec for your money as they don't seem to hold their values as well as the A3s.
Of those Golfs I wouldn't get a smaller engine one so I'd deffo go for a TDI so either a Bora or a Golf TDI.
I don't really like BMW e36 and they will be quite pricey to maintain.
Honda Civics are probably really reliable etc as per Jap cars but I just wouldn't want one.
Saab's 9 series will be quite pricey to maintain and don't park one in Manchester because apparently the gangs over there always pinch Saab 900 series as their signatures !
For practicality then I guess a Volvo is as safe and as good as anything and they're certainly better looking than they used to be so I'd drive one.
So from my personal opinion and to stop waffling ! I'd look for a decent spec A4, a Bora or a Golf TDI or a decent spec Volvo from that list.
Just take what I say with a pinch of salt though as I own a mk1 convertible, a camper and a Golf Rallye and the most practical out of them is the mk1 !