Audi A5 or BMW 3 Series Coupe?
Hello,
I am looking at buying a used car at the moment. Trying to decide between an Audi A5 and BMW 3 Series Coupe. The 2.0-litre diesels look like the sensible option. I would like low mileage, but don't want anything newer than 2008 really. I would get M Sport if I end up going for BMW, but S line not so important for the A5. Max budget is €25k.
I'm interested in your general opinion of both cars. Would you have a preference? Is there anything in particular that I need to watch out for? Better engine options keeping in mind the tax, resale etc? I only do about 10k miles per year...
Thanks in advance, John
John O'Connor (Celbridge)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
At 10k miles a year, to be honest, you’d be better off going for a petrol model as you’re just not going to get the fuel savings out of a diesel to justify the extra cost, plus you might be running into issues with exhaust filters. Of the two cars, the BMW is without question the nicer to drive, and it has a fractionally more spacious interior than that of the Audi. The Audi is seriously well-made though, so from a reliability point of view, we’d probably give that one the nod. Just make sure you buy one with a full, preferably main dealer, service history.
Will the new '132' plate alter used values?
Is there any likelihood if 2012 models reducing in value when the new 132 plate is introduced?
John Coleman (Waterford)Mar 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi John,
We don't expect the plate change to 132 have any effect on the value of 2012 cars. Very few people seem aware of the new registration system so we don't believe it will alter things this year at all. Even when it has become the norm we don't envisage a step change in values as soon as the plate changes each six months - it'll be a gradual process. The mileage and condition of a car counts for just as much.
Hope that helps
What do you think of the Nissan Tiida?
2008-09 Nissan Tiida: what should I look out for? How reliable, spacious and good is it as a second family car?
Alan Trayer (Naas)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Alan,
We don't know of any widespread common issues with this car. It's built on Nissan/Renault mechanicals that are quite well proven. It's moderately spacious for the money, but it's not a car we'd often consider, as there are plenty of other better cars available for the same price. Apparently many unsold examples found their way from Ireland to the UK, where they were never marketed as a new car.
In summary: not bad really, but not recommended either.
Let us know how you get on.
Looking for a wheelchair suitable taxi.
I am looking for a suitable clean vehicle for wheelchair accessible taxi business. Dublin area. Can you help?
Kieran Mc Eneaney (Dublin)Mar 2013 Filed under: taxi
Expert answer
Hi Kieran,
Here’s what we’ve found on Carzone that’s wheelchair accessible, or you could get in touch with the guys at Motability Ireland who would be able to help.
How economical is the Skoda Yeti?
What is the Skoda Yeti's 2.0 diesel fuel consumption like?
Tom Hartigan (Limerick)Expert answer
Hi Tom,
The front-wheel drive only Yeti 2.0 TDI returns 52.3mpg (5.4 litres/100km). The four-wheel drive version returns 46.3mpg (6.1 litres/100km).
The Yeti is one of those cars in which it's possible to get close to the official figures - especially on the open road and the motorway.
Hope that helps
Should I go for a Skoda to replace my Golf?
I currently drive a 2009 Volkswagen Golf and am looking for something a bit bigger. I'm six-foot five and my problem is that, with the driver's seat in the correct position for me, you cannot fit our rear facing baby seat, or the first forward facing seat behind me. The only option is to place them on the passenger side, which leaves my older daughter sitting behind me, with her knees in my back, resulting in pins and needles for her and and an uncomfortable drive for me. The other issue is that the frame of the buggy takes up all the boot space, leaving no space for the weekly shop, or for luggage etc. I know the Skoda Superb has miles of leg room, and boot space but are there any other cars I should be looking at? I have always driven diesel and would prefer to stick with it, so I think 2009 would be best in terms of tax and getting two years before the next NCT. A lot of the Skodas on Carzone.ie seem to have huge mileage; what would you consider excessive for a 2009 car?
John Maher (Ennis)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
The Skoda Superb or Octavia would have been our first suggestions. The Octavia hasn't quite as much rear legroom as the Superb, but it's still better than the Golf's - and the boot is huge. High mileages on diesel Skodas are nothing to worry about so long as it has a proper service history and is in good order. Taxi drivers regularly do hundreds of thousands of kilometres. Avoid high mileage DSG automatic gearboxes, but otherwise they are really robust. So long as the history and price are good I'd not worry about buying one with over 150,000 kilometres on the clock.
One last thing to consider: if you do less than 20,000 kilometres a year a petrol car may suit you better. They're generally cheaper to buy and better suited to low mileage use. They're also quieter!
Hope that helps, but do come back to us if you need more assistance and have a budget in mind so we can narrow down the search for you.
Is there much difference between 1.6- and 1.8-litre TDCi Focus?
Is there much of a difference in the fuel economy of a 1.8 diesel Ford Focus and the 1.6? We were advised to stear clear of the 1.6 with high mileage.
Martina Carty (Cork)Mar 2013 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Martina,
We're assuming you are referring to the post-2008 Focus here, so correct us if not. The 1.6-litre models are up to 10mpg more efficient and generally have much lower emissions too to help reduce your annual tax bill.
Be aware that the 1.6 TDCi engine only had issues from 2004 until about 2008. Cars/engines made after that date should be just as reliable as the 1.8-litre.
Hope that helps
How much will I offer for this Toyota Levin?
I'd like to put on offer on this Toyota Levin. How much do you think it's worth?
Thanks.
Ciaran Mc Cashin (Drogheda)Mar 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Ciaran,
There are not many Toyota Levins about and without seeing the car it's a tough call to make, but you should certainly offer much lower. If you test drive the car and its history and condition check out then we'd suggest offer in the region of €1,400.
Let us know how you get on.
How much is tax on a 2005 Ford Focus?
How much is tax on a 2005 1.8 diesel Ford Focus?
Stephen Guilfoyle (Ennis)Mar 2013 Filed under: road tax
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
Cars registered in 2005 are taxed according to their engine size, so that Focus (which has a 1,753cc engine) is taxed in the 1,701- to 1,800cc band. Since the 2013 Budget that costs €636 per year to tax.
Hope that helps
Mazda RX-8: what should I look out for?
What should I be looking out for if I was to buy a Mazda RX-8?
John Hayes (Newmarket-on-fergus)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Put simply, the RX-8 is usually costly to run and requires a lot of maintenance. Make sure you go into it knowing what to look out for and what it will cost you. In general, you'll want to ensure that the previous owner stuck rigidly to the servicing intervals and regularly topped up the oil. Stay away from cars that have no service history.
It's worth having a mechanic do a compression test of the engine too to check it and ask them to look at how old the spark plugs and leads are, as these are costly to replace.
Other than that, the suspension components are prone to wear, so watch out for slack responses and body control while cornering, which may indicate that it needs new dampers and anti-roll bar bushes.
Best to pay for a full mechanical inspection from an expert in this case.
Hope that helps