How economical is a diesel Opel Astra?
How many miles per gallon will a 2008 diesel 1.7 Opel Astra do on average?
Olivia Moore (Carlow )Expert answer
Hi Olivia,
The official figures for a 2008 Astra 1.7 CDTi were 56mpg on the combined cycle and 135g/km of CO2. I'd say you could reasonably expect it to return that kind of economy in daily driving, assuming it's one that's been reasonably well looked after and serviced regularly. Oh, just to note though - that's the figure for the basic model with 15-inch wheels. Astras with wheel sizes 16-inch and above were officially rated at 55mpg.
Hope that helps
Will my new petrol Audi A3 be worth less than a diesel one?
I've just bought a new Audi A3 Saloon 1.4 (petrol) as I do very low annual mileage and mainly urban driving. Will I still take a hit at trade-in time in the next three years or so, due to petrol engine rather than diesel?
John Slevin (Limerick)Aug 2014 Filed under: resale value
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.
What will I do with my two Volkswagen Golf diesels?
We have two cars at present: a 2008 Volkswagen Golf Estate 1.9 TDI diesel (low tax, 90,000 miles, does approx. 10k miles per year), which is a family car doing town trips and three days a week motorway driving 74 miles round trip on the M1 and M50. The other is a 2007 Golf Plus 1.9 TDI with 110,000 miles on the clock doing approx. 20,000 miles per year (mainly round trips of 74km per day seven days per week on the motorway). Very happy with both cars and not giving any problems, but have been told that both cars will need the dual mass flywheel changed at some point as this is often a problem with these Golfs.
Was going to change the Golf Plus for new family car worth approx. €17k - was going to get approx. €5-5.5k as trade in and a loan for €12K. Trying to justify changing car! Both cars are serviced at most 1,000km after service is due. How much is too many miles on these cars? Could I get high mileage on these cars without too much of an outlay on repairs or should I regularly update the car? If I'm to change I was going to look at a Volkswagen Passat, Skoda Octavia or a Toyota Avensis. Am I right in sticking to diesel?
Many thanks
Brian Byrne (Balbriggan, Dublin)Aug 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
Yeah, I think you're probably right to stick with diesel with those sorts of mileages. Mind you, it's worth pointing out that those two Volkswagens you have aren't on mega-miles yet and it could be more cost-effective to spend a little on getting them spruced up and fit for thousands more miles than chopping and changing.
That said, if you're in need of a good, reliable family car then I'd have a long look at a Toyota Avensis estate. The 2.0-litre D-4D diesel engine is a good 'un and cheap to tax, it's comfy, ideal for long motorway runs and if it's not the most exciting car in the world, then at least it's solidly reliable. Spacious too.
Probably the most cost-effective option is to replace the high-miler with something younger and fitter and then spend a little extra to keep the runaround Golf fresh.
Let us know what you decide on.
Can you help me find a wind deflector for my Mercedes?
I am trying to source a wind deflector for my 1994 Mercedes-Benz E 320 Cabriolet. Have searched online but have not found anything remotely like the original Mercedes part. This is a screen that fits over the rear passenger seats to make the driving experience more pleasant from a wind point of view.
Help please!
Derek (Wicklow)
Derek Bell (Wicklow)Aug 2014 Filed under: aftermarket
Expert answer
Hi Derek,
I sent your query to the editor of Mercedes Enthusiast magazine for an expert opinion and here's what was suggested:
Here are a few parts places to try:
www.mercedes-parts-centre.co.uk
Failing all those, send a 'Wanted' advert to [email protected].
Let us know how you get on
Can you give me a little info on the Opel Insignia?
What problems does the Opel Insignia give? What mileage should I expect from a 2.0-litre CDTi diesel Insigna - Im a moderate driver.
Sandra Buckley (Wexford)Aug 2014 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Sandra,
The only persistent issues with the Insignia are electrical problems that can effect everything from the door locks to the alarm system. Usually these are just minor problems that can be fixed, but occasionally the problem is in the wiring loom itself and that's a much bigger deal. Check and make sure all the buttons work and also check the boot area for any dampness - the boot seals can leak and allow in water. For a 2.0-litre diesel Insignia, I'd be disappointed if you couldn't get it to do 50mpg in everyday driving.
Help me choose the right Golf GTI!
I am thinking about changing the car at the moment. Currently have a 2008 mk V Golf GTI and was thinking of upgrading to a mk VI, probably around 2011/2012 reg. Thing is, would I be better waiting a year and picking up one of the mk VII models that came out late last year instead? And also, new GTI instead of new GTD for driving enjoyment?
Simon MacMahon (Dublin)Jul 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Simon,
The thing is that there's not a huge difference between the Mk VI and Mk VII when it comes to driving. The Mk VII is that bit newer and more sophisticated, of course, but in terms of the actual levels of driving enjoyment and quality, they're much of a muchness. If you can find a good Mk VI at a good price, I'd say go for it. Unless that is you're prepared to wait and get the ultimate Mk VII, the one with the Performance Pack fitted. That's another ball game completely.
On the GTD versus GTI front, it's all about your mileage. If you're doing lots of long miles then the GTD provides 80 per cent of the GTI's enjoyment factor with obviously lower fuel bills. If you're not doing mega miles, stick with petrol.
Let us know which way you go
Evoque, GLA, 3 Series or Mazda CX-5?!
I'm driving a Audi A4 4 1.9 diesel and I will be trading in over the next few months. Mercedes-Benz has offered me best deal so far to buy a GLA 220 Urban model. I am also looking at 3 Series BMW Sport 318d, and the Range Rover Evoque and I looked at the Mazda CX5. I drove the Audi Q3 last year and I was very disappointed with the seats. Which of the above would you recommend? My heart would love the Evoque, but my head says it's not a German. I am a lady driver doing mostly motorway and around town driving. I would appreciate any opinion you may have.
Mary O Donnell (Clare )Jul 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
Let us know which way you go
What's up with my Passat's seat?
Hi guys,
Are you aware of any fault with the driver's seat in the Volkswagen Passat? I have a 2011 model and when my back shifts position when driving I can feel a panel in the backrest flexing/popping. It's extremely annoying and I was just wondering of you were aware of any other cases and if there's anything I can do about it
Brendan Cullen (Dublin)Jun 2014 Filed under: seating
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
We asked Volkswagen's tech people about this:
"I've never heard of a complaint like this before, but I'm guessing it's something in the adjustable lumbar support feature fitted to the seat that may not be operating correctly or secured correctly. Depending on the specification of the car this may be manually adjustable or electrically adjustable.
Without any knowledge of the mileage or previous use of the car it is not possible to determine if this is manufacturer defect or from an outside influence.
We would recommend the car is brought to a main dealer for inspection and advise on recommended repair."
Sounds like good advice to us Brendan. Here's the Volkswagen dealer locator.
Let us know how you get on.
Should this dealer replace my engine for me?
I bought a Hyundai i30 off a dealer last July; I paid €6,500 with my own car, which I got €1,600 for. I had six months warranty and in March I discovered an oil leak and brought it to my own garage just up the road. He put in a seal and it cost €100. Then in May the starter went in the car so I had to pay €400 for a new starter.
Then last week I was driving down the road and without warning the car just started to seize. I pulled in and turned off the engine. It was leaking a lot of oil and my local garage collected it. I decided to ring the person I bought it from when I discovered that the engine was gone in my car. I was shocked and expressed my concern to the dealer I bought it from. He told me my warranty was out and that he was not liable, though he said if I paid for an engine that he would fit it free of charge. This will cost me €800 to €1,000 on top of what I paid for the car. My local dealer told me that the engine had been opened before and he found this strange. My question is, is the dealer who sold me the car liable considering it was the engine?
Martina Murphy (Kerry)Jun 2014 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi Martina,
OK. In the strictest terms the dealer is right - if the car is out of warranty then there's nothing he legally has to do. The fact that you took it to your own mechanic in the first instance also probably gives him a get-out clause. Check the fine print of the warranty to see if it includes a coda about where the car must be serviced and maintained in order to keep the warranty in place.
Now, there are a couple of other things worth considering. If the engine was genuinely faulty, and you can prove that the dealer in question knew about this before he sold it to you, then you have a case under the Sale Of Goods And Supply Of Services Act. It would be very tricky to prove beyond a reasonable doubt though. The fact that he's offering a reduced rate to replace the engine could either be interpreted as a sincere gesture of goodwill or the act of a guilty conscience.
Either way, it's worth doing two things. Put pressure on the dealer, warranty or no warranty, to replace the engine free of charge - simply because a car is out of warranty, a major component like the engine shouldn't be failing in this day and age. Secondly, have a word with your solicitor and see what they make of it. You may have a case.
Finally, how old is the car in question? If it's under five years old, then it should still be covered by Hyundai's own unlimited mileage warranty.
Let us know how you get on
I have a few questions about hybrid batteries in cars!
With regard to hybrid cars, are there any health risks from batteries? Are batteries expensive? How long do they last? If cars do 10,000km per year town driving will they last?
Ernest Webb (Dublin)Jun 2014 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Ernest,
Toyota previously answered a question for a reader regarding battery life as follows:
"It depends on the vehicle and how it's driven, but as long as the vehicle is in regular use and is serviced then the battery life is expected to be over 10 years. High mileage batteries can last longer than vehicles that do low mileage or are not in frequent use. Like any other battery type if it is in regular use and kept conditioned this will extend the battery life."
We can confirm that there are no known health risks from the batteries. The cost of replacing the batteries varies from model to model.