Expert answer

Hi Jakub,

Right, here’s what we’ve gleaned with a little help from Nissan and a dive into its archives…

There were basically two specifications of Primera from 2002 to 2008. The entry model was an SE, which came with a full colour display in the centre of the dash, trip computer, colour reversing camera (one of the first cars to deploy this tech, as I recall), climate control, power steering, front and rear electric windows, electric mirrors, height-and-lumbar adjustable driver's seat, CD player stereo with six speakers, ABS with EBD and brake assist, six airbags, front pretensioners for the seatbelts, remote central locking, alarm, 16-inch alloy wheels, front fogs, chrome door handles and body coloured mirrors.

The T-Spec model got all of that and added auto dimming rear view mirrors, auto wipers, leather trim, power and heated seats, steering wheel audio controls, premium audio system, active headrests, cruise control (for the 1.8 petrol model) and 17-inch alloys.

Expert answer

Hi Eoin,

The rear wiper is an easy one to start with as it's very common with this car. The wiring loom gets broken near the hinge for the hatchback so you'll need a good mechanic or auto electrician to fix that one, but it shouldn't cost a fortune to do.

It's trickier to assess your fogging-up problem from afar. It essentially means there is moisture in the car somewhere, though sometimes simply cleaning the inside of all the windows properly sorts this out. Other than that, avoid using recirculation of the interior air, do use the air conditioning if you have it and, if all else fails, consider leaving a dehumidifier running for a while in the cabin to take out moisture.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Lisa,

With the help of SIMI we've found that the value should be €69,455 to help with your BIK calculations.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

The D3 model has 136hp and the D4 has 163hp ao we're not sure which you're interested in, but here's all the data in any case:

- S60 D3 136hp manual: 65.7mpg (4.3 litres/100km)

- S60 D3 136hp Geartronic auto: 58.7mpg (4.8 litres/100km)

- S60 D4 163hp manual: 65.7mpg (4.3 litres/100km) [yes, the same!]

- S60 D4 163hp Geartronic auto: 58.9mpg (4.8 litres/100km)

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Paraic,

First and foremost is the running costs, but I guess they're on the same level as any large SUV-based commercial with an automatic gearbox - they're heavy on fuel and tyres, etc.

Other than that, while the Discovery 3 is proving to be more reliable than its predecessor, it's hardly the most dependable truck of its type. Some cars are perfect, but others have loads of issues, from the electrics to the air suspension and even to full engine failure.

Don't settle for anything less than a full service history and make sure you have the car checked out by someone that knows what they're looking at too.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Maria,

If it’s the four-wheel-drive version (a 2WD model was occasionally offered) then it should have a maximum towing capacity of 3,504kg, which should easily handle a horse box with two on board. Just make sure that the combined weight doesn’t put you over the total 3,500kg limit, or you’ll need a special towing licence. Official fuel economy when the car was new was 31mpg, or 8.9 litres per 100km.

Expert answer

Hi Sandra,

Both are lovely, and if the prices are more or less the same, we’d go for the 5 Series as it’s bigger, comfier and slightly nicer to drive. Make utterly sure it comes with a full service history, though, and beware of issues with the infamous timing chain.

Expert answer

Hi David,

We can't find any information on a known issue so I would suggest you bring the car to a good auto-electrician or in-car entertainment specialist to have it sorted out.

Expert answer

Hi Nabeel,

No, the S40 gearboxes were all pretty solid, both manual and automatic. If an S40 is going to develop problems, it’s usually with the turbo on the 1.6 diesel engine, or with the central locking or ignition system. There is a bit of a disadvantage in terms of fuel economy with buying an auto S40, but it’s not a huge gap, depending on how you drive.

Expert answer

Hi Tommy,

First up, gearboxes: a six-speed gearbox in a given car usually means it is officially more economical than it would be if it had a five-speed gearbox, but that really will depend on the type of roads it's driven on and the driver's own style. It's not correct to say that a six-speed Renault, for example, is automatically more economical than a five-speed Ford though, as there are many more factors to consider. Best to look at the official combined consumption figures as a gauge - even though they're not usually achievable in the real world they are a good measure of one car against another.

A quick search on Carzone.ie reveals that your budget may get you into a 2009 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi. There are plenty of different trim levels and 90- or 110hp derivatives available so take a close look at the specifications, history and mileage. Most of those are now in Band A4 with emissions of less than 120g/km and fuel consumption as low as 4.3 litres/100km (65.7mpg).

In terms of Golfs, it looks like you'd be lucky to get a 2008 version (the old one) for that same money, which means it'd have to be a 1.9- or 2.0-litre TDI engine. These cost more to tax (especially if you go pre-2008) and are a little less econonomical than the Focus above.

There don't seem to be many Renault Méganes fitting your description and budget, though a look elsewhere reveals that you may find a 2010 version at this price powered by the 1.5-litre dCi engine. This came in 86- and 110hp guises. The former is virtually as economical as the Focus and the latter only uses a little more fuel.

Finally, the Citroen C4: in terms of economy, the 2008 1.6 HDi 92hp engine is up there with the Focus etc, though there are more powerful versions available too.

In summary, if fuel economy is your priority then it's probably best to stay away from the older Golf, with its larger engine. The others are all very close and so it comes down to personal preference. We'd go for the Focus, not least because of the much wider choice of examples on the used market.

Come back to us if you need more assistance narrowing your search.