Expert answer

Hi Simon,

Generally speaking all three of these cars are really well built and shouldn't give you any major troubles. The BMW 2.0-litre diesel engine has some well documented and recurring issues with weakness in the turbo, but if you buy one on BMW's approved used programme, you'll get a two-year warranty that should cover you for any issues. The Diesel Particulate Filter issue on the Audi 2.0-litre TDI engine is usually related to drivers doing too low a mileage at too low a speed for the DPF to heat up sufficiently to clean itself - it's a recurring problem on any diesel car bought by someone who fundamentally doesn't understand how diesels work and are best driven.

I'd say of the three, my choice would be the last-gen C-Class. If you're looking at 2013, try and track down one of the last Edition C models - they were loaded with equipment and got an extra AMG body kit and nice wheels too. Superb to drive, cracking 2.1-litre diesel engine (if it touch noisy) and the only drawback is that they're not very spacious in the rear.

Of course, if it's reliability and reliability above all that concerns you, buy a Lexus IS 300h and you won't go wrong...

Expert answer

Hi Simon,

We can’t seem to find any sales record for the M135i, but there have been a whopping five M2 Coupes sold this year. Audi has racked up 27 sales of the S3 since 2013 while Mercedes has four A 45 AMG and three CLA 45 AMG sales to its credit in the same period.

Expert answer

Hi Simon,

These cars are all verrrrrry thin on the ground. Mercedes-Benz Ireland doesn't officially designate its '45 AMG' sales as separate models so was unable to give us a figure, but Audi provided us with S3 and S4 numbers. In 2013, three S3s and four S4s were sold, while thus far in 2014, five S3s and one S1 have been sold. Across town at BMW, approximately half a dozen M235i Coupés have been sold this year.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Susan,

For your budget, you could consider an Audi A3 1.9 TDI five-door. Classy, good to drive and very economical. Perhaps not the most spacious car in the world in the back and boot, but it will take a buggy.

Or, how about a car based on the same mechanical package as the A3, but with the boot space to be able to handle a whole creche's worth of kiddy clobber? I speak of course of the Skoda Octavia. A brilliant car, with tonnes of space, and your budget would get you a 2008 model with the 1.9 TDI diesel engine in range-topping 'Elegance' trim. So, comfy then.

Skoda not your thing? Want something classier? I have just the thing... How about a 2008 Volvo V50 estate with the 1.6-litre diesel engine? An easy 50mpg, family practicality thanks to the estate body and your mind will be forever at ease on the safety front.

What do you think?

Expert answer

Hi Paudie,

OK, you need to sit down with your PCP provider and find out exactly where you stand. PCPs are not all the same - some allow you to use the equity built up over and above the minimum agreed used value (assuming there is any) to act as your deposit for the next car, others require you to save for the next deposit while paying the repayments on the existing car. You need to find out exactly what your plan allows you to do. 

It would also be well worth your while shopping around a bit. If the dealer you bought the car from isn't willing to give you a decent exit from the PCP to move you to a van, try somewhere else. Plenty of van makers have plenty of special offers and deals going and you may well be able to get yourself into a better situation elsewhere. Ring around, walk around and ask around would be my advice.

Please do let us know how you get on

Expert answer

Hi John,

To be honest, it's a little hard to tell. The A3 Saloon hasn't been out long enough for us to get a solid handle on its resale values but we can work from a couple of basic assumptions:

 1. Yes, diesel is currently more highly valued than petrol.

2. That won't always be the case - now that the mad post-2008 scramble for diesel has subsided buyers are starting to get wise to the value of petrol power again, helped by improved engine tech.

3. An Audi, any Audi, will likely have stronger residual values than most other marques so you're already ahead of the game.

So I guess the answer is yes, your depreciation will be a little sharper on petrol than on diesel but I suspect it won't be by very much. Fret not and just enjoy owning one of our favourite current cars. 

Expert answer

Hi Sean,

We asked Audi Ireland about this for you and though your registration or chassis number would be needed to give an accurate quotation, here's a ballpark figure:

"If the vehicle is greater than three years old and a 2.0 or smaller engine the fixed price for a clutch replacement is €949. This does not include the flywheel as in many cases it is not required."

Come back to us with your details if you'd like a more accurate figure

Expert answer

Hi Dan,

Of all the ones you've mentioned there, I'd actually have a long, hard look at the Volkswagen Jetta. True, it's not the most exciting car of all, but with the 1.6 TDI diesel engine coupled to the DSG automatic gearbox, you should be able to squeeze terrific fuel economy out of it: 55mpg should be easily do-able, perhaps even the sunny side of 60mpg. It's sweeter to drive than you'd think too, really comfy and built like a tank.

What do you think?

Expert answer

Hi Dave,

A really decent car, actually, and an interesting alternative to the likes of a BMW 3 Series or Audi A4. Lexus' quality and reliability are both utterly off-the-clock-good so there are few, if any, problems to worry about. As long as it comes with a full service history, you should have nothing to be concerned about there. It's not quite as polished an all-rounder as a 3 Series though - space in the back is surprisingly tight, the ride quality can be very firm and while the 180hp 2.2-litre diesel is punchy and economical, it's not especially refined. Still, it has one of the best-looking and best-made cabins in the business and we think it's an uncommonly handsome car too.

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

Let us know which way you go