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Should I go ahead with Audi A6 order?

Any advice about buying a new Audi A6 diesel in view of the current emissions scandal? Dealers are vague and evasive with answers.

Many thanks

PAT HIGGINS (ROSCOMMON)

Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

The dealers are, in fairness, being evasive because they don't have the full picture yet. None of us do, to be honest. However, there's no really good reason for not buying an A6. It's an excellent car, very frugal and lovely to drive, and beautifully built too. If it does turn out to be one of the cars on which the CO2 emissions and fuel consumption has been under-estimated, then you will be compensated for any gap - Volkswagen Group has promised that customers will not be out of pocket as a result of all this. So I'd say go ahead - cracking car.


What do you think of the Dacia Sandero?

What do you think of the Dacia Sandero 1.5 diesel?

Martin Murray (Ennis)

Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

The Sandero is one of those ‘Ronseal’ cars – it does what it says on the tin, and the tin is pretty cheap. It’s a very simple, small hatchback that’s long on value but short on refinement or excitement. The front is perfectly comfy for a long journey but the back seats are rather cramped if you’re trying to squeeze taller passengers or kids in big car seats in. It’s a solid, practical and pretty reliable thing though. Nothing wrong with it, and at that price point, that’s the point. The diesel though? It’s a very good engine, that 1.5, but in a car like the Sandero you’re probably better off going for either the basic 1.2 or the really impressive 900cc turbo petrols as you’ll be a long time getting the extra purchase price of the diesel back in fuel savings.

Read our Dacia Sandero review here


What insurance options for an older car?

My car is year 2000 and I can't get insurance due to being out of the country for only a year! Anywhooooo, what are my best options now? Have cancelled NCT and not buying tax!

Ash Aisling (Ennis)

Nov 2015 Filed under: insurance

Expert answer

Hi Ash,

Well, obviously you could sell it and try and buy something younger, but don't lose hope - you can still get insurance for older cars. Try and find a good broker who can run through the options for you.


Should I buy a new Skoda Octavia L&K Combi?

Hi, you reviewed the Skoda Octavia L&K recently and I was wondering what wheel and engine noise were like in the cabin of the car. I am close to making a decision on a Combi estate version and the spec is very high compared to other similarly priced cars. Overall would you think it would be a good investment, as I intend to keep it for five years at least?

Many thanks, Ian O'Neill

Ian O'Neill (Waterford)

Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Ian,

Cracking car, but yes, you do get a good bit of tyre noise, especially in the back. Take it for a good test drive on the nearest motorway or dual carriageway to see if it's too noisy for you.


Toyota Auris or Renault Clio, with €10,000 to spend?

Hi, I am looking to buy a second hand car with a budget of €9000-10,000. I will be driving an average of 10,000 miles per year. I looked at a 2010 Toyota Auris petrol for €9,000, but have been told that this car is not very fuel efficient. I was looking at a 2014 Renault Clio petrol for €10,500, but again am unsure as to the fuel efficiency. Which of these two cars would you recommend and are there any others you could suggest that would be suitable for the mileage I will be doing and my price range?

Thanks

Louise Donovan (Limerick)

Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Louise,

You're looking at two very different cars - the Auris is considerably larger and more practical than the Clio, but both are actually pretty frugal. The 1.4 VVTi petrol or 1.33 VVTi petrol in the Auris is actually quite economical, as long as you drive it with reasonable care: 45mpg should be easily achieved in daily driving.


What small new cars are the best for Jan 2016?

Please advise on best cars for young lady who wishes to buy new in January 2016 with no trade in, a cash buyer. She likes those with four doors, but may opt for three depending on price.

Thank you

Fergal Reidy (Celbridge)

Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Fergal,

I presume you mean something small to medium if you're contemplating three doors. If you want to go really small, the best ones are the Hyundai i10, Volkswagen up! (as well as the Skoda and SEAT versions) and the Renault Twingo - a car I know isn't quite as technically good as the others but I personally really like it. 

If you want to go a bit bigger, then your best bets are the Honda Jazz (pricey but really well equipped), the Skoda Fabia or the Mazda2. The Hyundai i20 is also worth looking at but it might be better to wait until it gets Hyundai's new 1.0 turbo engine.

Here are some relevant reviews:

Hyundai i10 review

Volkswagen up! review

Skoda Citigo review

SEAT Mii review

Honda Jazz review

Skoda Fabia review

Mazda2 review

Hyundai i20 review


Will PCP work with higher mileages?

Hi there,

My beloved Alfa 1.9 JTDm 159's gearbox has gone and now needs to be replaced. Considering it is an 06 and has over 242,000 miles on the clock, it will need a clutch and DMF replacement as well. Is it worth it, and what diesel cars would be recommended for someone driving 35,000 miles a year? Are PCP options even feasible at that mileage?

Sad Dave in Kells

David Delaney (Kells)

Oct 2015 Filed under: finance

Expert answer

Hi David,

Yes they are - you can negotiate a higher mileage limit on a PCP but it means you'll reduce the guaranteed minimum future value so your monthly repayments will be a bit higher. 

Mind you, I'd hate to see a gorgeous Alfa fall by the wayside. Get a quote for a replacement and see how much it is. There's always the new Alfa Giulia coming next year...

If you decide on a replacement though, the best mid-size diesel saloons around at the moment are (in no particular order) the Skoda Superb, the Mazda6, the Volkswagen Passat and the Ford Mondeo.

A few relevant reviews:

Skoda Superb review

Mazda6 review

Volkswagen Passat review

Ford Mondeo review


When does my Mondeo's timing belt have to be changed?

At what mileage interval does the timing belt have to be changed on a 2012 Ford Mondeo 1.6 TDCi Titanium?

Niall Durr (Roscommon)

Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Niall,

It's every 140,000km or 10 years, whichever comes first. We would recommend going a little earlier than the recommended intervals on all cars.


What do you think of the 2005 BMW 1 Series?

I'm looking at a 2005 BMW 1 Series with 105,000km on the clock. Are these cars reliable and are they going to be dear to run? It's a 1.6-litre petrol engine. Any advice on the car?

Thank you

Karen Murphy (Dublin 10 )

Oct 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Karen,

If it's the 1.6 petrol you should be fine - it's the diesel engine that gives trouble on older BMWs. Have a good poke around it all the same and make sure it's been looked after properly. Make certain it has a full service history, and check for obvious signs of abuse like parking scrapes or battered alloy wheels.


Do all diesel cars require AdBlue topping up?

Regarding your comment in the Audi A4 review that "all diesel A4s have a 12-litre AdBlue tank that will require topping up between services; the car warns you 1,600km before it runs dry". I presume a similar feature will apply to other marques. How much roughly do you think it will cost to get it topped up, and what would happen if it's not topped up? Will the engine refuse to run or will it damage the engine (as well as the environment)?

Thanks

Philip Donegan (Ballina)

Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

Not all marques and not all models use AdBlue as yet. AdBlue is a urea solution that can be injected into he exhausts of diesel cars to neutralise a significant proportion of their emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) - very much in the news at the moment of course. The rule of thumb is generally only that larger, more powerful engines need an AdBlue treatment system as many smaller engines don't need the assistance. Each manufacturer, and indeed each individual engine, will have its recommended AdBlue top-up times, and it will be directly related both to mileage and how much acceleration the car has been doing. You can top up the AdBlue tank yourself - a 1.5-litre refill should cost around €11-12.


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