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Hi Patrick,

I've just recently driven the BMW 318d GT with an automatic gearbox in Irish specification (Luxury to be exact) on Irish roads and it's a fabulously comfortable car. It feels (and is) hugely spacious inside and in the boot too. Surprisingly, it's quite different to drive and in character to both the 3 Series saloon and Touring estate. It's even more comfortable on the road and more refined. However, if you're coming from one of those cars and you like how they drive you may not appreciate the reduced 'sharpness' in the dynamics. Most people won't care though and they'll relish the comfort.

The 318d engine seems to cope well enough with the car's weight and the eight-speed automatic transmission is a gem.

Which version are you considering?

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Hi Mark,

The most common fault with that generation Clio was with the bonnet catch that could fail and allow the bonnet to fly open when driving! Worrying that, and it never triggered a full recall, although Renault did offer to inspect and repair cars for free - make sure the one you're looking at has had that done. Engines are pretty solid, but watch for electrical issues with the windows, the CD player and the engine immobiliser. There are reports of cold starting problems, usually because of a faulty air pressure sensor and the cable-operated gear shift can give problems too. If you have difficulty selecting a gear, then the gearbox is on its way out. Cabin trim is pretty fragile and you need to watch for problems with the brake servos and front suspension arms.

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Hi Jack,

Actually, the 300C is really well built. The European market cars were built under licence in Austria and under the skin it's essentially a 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, so all the components are rock-solid, especially the 3.0-litre diesel engine. Where you need to be careful is in making sure it's been looked after. There are a lot of complicated electronic bits and you need to see a full service history with a car like this, as neglect will lead to problems very quickly. If there's no, or patchy, history, walk away. Also, a good few 300Cs saw service as taxis so beware of abused and damaged interiors or knackered suspension.

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Hi Darragh,

Well, there's both good news and bad news. The good news is that the W124 is from an era when Merc built its cars properly, so they're as rugged as the day is long. 

The downside is that this is now a very old car so literally anything can be wrong with it. Ignore any sewing-machine noises coming from the engine - that's just a classic Merc trait and nothing to worry about. Blue smoke from the exhaust is bad news though and could be the piston rings on the way out. If it's an auto then check to make sure there's no hesitation selecting a gear or kicking down. The cabin should stand up to wear and tear pretty well, and there's not much in the way of complex electronics to go wrong but check all the internal systems, like dials, air conditioning and electric windows, to make sure they're in good health. 

With an older car like this, it's always a good idea to get in touch with the owners' club who will be a font of advice and help.

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Hi Ann,

Yes, they should, but it's worth bearing in mind that the Alhambra and Touran are very different vehicles. The Alhambra we'd refer to as a 'full-size' MPV, with proper space inside for seven adults. The Touran is a more compact vehicle, based on the same architecture as the Volkswagen Golf, and the third row seats are much smaller, more suitable for kids than adults. Of the two, we'd go for the SEAT - it's one of the most impressive family cars around and SEAT has a terrific reputation for reliability.

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Hi Ciaran,

With a following wind, you might get €2,500 for your Mitsubishi, but that figure will drop significantly if you use it as a trade-in.

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Hi Michael,

Yes, it should be. OK, so we're talking about a 12-year old car so literally anything could go wrong, but that generation of Astra was sturdy, certainly compared to the rather poor previous generation. The 1.4 petrol (I'm assuming that's the model you are looking at) is robust and quite sporty to drive and because it was never especially loaded with equipment in the first place, there's less to go wrong now. Just tread carefully, make sure there's at least some evidence of previous servicing and if it looks damaged or abused, walk away.

We can't comment on specific cars without seeing them for ourselves and likewise if you need a history or finance check we recommend you go to Cartell.ie.

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Hi Willie,

Generally speaking, the S-Class rides imperiously over any concerns as meek as reliability issues. Which is another way of saying that they're very solidly built. But, they are hugely complex cars with more wiring and computer power than most space craft (that's not an exaggeration either) so make absolutely certain that every button and switch works properly. It's a mammoth task, so we'd recommend bringing some expert help along on the day, or buying a car that comes under Mercedes' own approved used programme.

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Hi Michael,

Many thanks for the compliment. You’re right on the trade-in aspect, although that does seem to be shifting now in the wake of the diesel issue, especially in urban areas. As for the servicing aspect, it’s a tough one for us to look at in a comparison sense, as all garages are different, have different charges and servicing is not a constant. All cars will need to be serviced differently, according to how they are driven.

We have done some diesel versus petrol comparison work in the past though. Have a look here.

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Hi Marc,

Well, both cars will be more or less equally economical over that kind of mileage, but you'll be filling the Skoda up more frequently as it has a smaller fuel tank. 

Even so, we'd say go for the Skoda. With kids (growing kids at that) you'll find the space in the back and the gargantuan boot are blessings from the car gods. The Audi may be slightly sharper to drive and certainly more handsome but as family wheels the Superb really is hard to beat.