Could I afford to insure a 1.9 diesel?
Hi,
I am looking to buy myself a new car soon enough. I am simply waiting to have a full year on my insurance. I got insured on a 1.6-litre petrol Audi A3 Sportback, as my first car, with Axa insurance. The quote was around €3,700. I am looking for a diesel this time and I am wondering what kind of quotes I could be expecting if I try to get insured on a 1.9 diesel this time? There aren't many 1.6 diesel cars around that I would like to get.
Thanks!
Kris M (Dublin)Jul 2019 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Kris,
The problem is that Irish insurers are a bit blunt-force when it comes to deciding their rates, and generally speaking (and completely erroneously) they simply tend to go by engine size. So even though there are plenty of older 1.9-2.0-litre diesel engines with similar power outputs to a more modern 1.6, they’ll probably quote you more just because it’s a bigger engine. Stupid, but then that pretty much sums up the insurance industry in Ireland. All I can suggest is either biting the bullet and getting a 1.6 that maybe you’re not as keen on, or finding a really good local broker who can help you track down quotes that us mere mortals can’t find.
How much to privately tax an Amarok?
How much is the private road tax on a 2.0-litre version of the Amarok? I’ve seen €660, €750 and €1,200 online? Is it based on the CO2 or engine size?
Joe
Sligo
Joe Devaney (Sligo)Jul 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
It’s actually €710, the rate for cars with engines sized between 1,901cc and 2,000cc (the Amarok 2.0 is actually 1,968cc). As we’ve said before, for some bizarre reason, if you’re taxing a commercial vehicle as a private car, you go back onto the old by-engine-capacity system.
Read this for more: Buying a commercial vehicle for private use
Will the new Mercedes CLA get more power?
Hi guys,
Re the new Mercedes CLA, will Mercedes be bringing the higher powered diesel models to the market? Currently it looks like the only offering is the 1.5-litre 116hp model.
Colin H (Kildare)May 2019 Filed under: future engines
Expert answer
Hi Colin,
Yup, Mercedes will be bringing the CLA 220 and CLA 250 diesel models, with their 2.0-litre engines, to the market in due course, but the CLA is launching initially in Ireland with the lower-power petrol and diesel versions. The rest will follow over the next few months.
Should this Qashqai's belt be changed?
Hi all,
I am close to buying a 2012 Nissan Qashqai+2 Tekna model with 89,000 miles on the clock. When I asked the garage about the timing belt and water pump, they said it was too early, that it's usually done at 120,000 miles; is this true? I am worried because it's a lot of money to spend to be screwed over...
Timothy O'Sullivan (Killarney )Mar 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Timothy,
The timing belt on the 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine (and hence the water pump) should be changed every 150,000 kilometres or six years - whichever comes first. If the belt on that car has never been changed, it really should be as soon as possible.
All other engines in that car use timing chains, incidentally.
When to change my Astra's timing belt?
When does the timing belt need changing on an Opel Astra (A16LET engine)?
Peter Hill (My Waverley)Jan 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
The A16LET engine is a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit according to our records, producing 179hp and manufactured from 2009 to 2014.
If your engine is pre-2010, the recommended change interval is 150,000 kilometres or 10 years, whichever comes first. For engines made after that date, it's still 150,000 kilometres, but the maximum time between changes is six years.
Am I paying the correct tax on my Audi?
Hi,
I own a 2009 Audi A3 petrol and wondered if I'm paying too much road tax as many seem to think so including staff of car tax office, due to the year as the new regulations were brought in 2008. Was advised to go to NCT by staff at tax office, however NCT says it only deals with imported cars. How can I get the assessment on CO2 rechecked?
S. Farrell (My Waverley)Dec 2018 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi there,
By 2009 all cars on sale will have been on the current CO2-based tax system, so if you think you’re paying too much, then you need to go back and check up the figures for the model you own. The A3, in 2009, came with a choice of four petrol engines — 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0-litre turbos - and an older naturally-aspirated 1.6 petrol. There’s quite a bit of difference between the engines when it comes to CO2 figures. The 1.4 turbo has rated CO2 emissions of 139g/km, which would mean motor tax of €280 a year, which I guess isn’t too bad. The older 1.6 engine, in spite of having 20hp less, has CO2 emissions of 162g/km, putting it in Band D, with an annual tax bill of €570. The 1.8 160hp engine has 155g/km emissions, which just scrapes into Band C, with €390 a year tax, while the 2.0-litre turbo, with its 200hp engine, is in the same boat as the 102hp 1.6 engine, with 166g/km and tax of €570.
If you let us know the precise spec and engine of your car, we might be able to help out more.
Which Merc A-Class has the better chassis?
Hello,
I have read conflicting information from several sources re the type of rear suspension available on the new Mercedes A-Class hatchback. I understand that some get torsion beam while others get multi link, but unable to get a definitive list on those that get the multi link type.
Some say that the A 250 only gets it, another that both the A 200 AMG Line and A 250 get the it. While finally, another source said that if the car is fitted with 19-inch alloys even in lesser powerful engine variants it will get the better rear suspension setup. Any ideas which info is the right one? I am looking to see if it's possible to get the multi link rear suspension on the upcoming A 180 petrol AMG Line or whether it will need 19-inch alloys to make the switch.
John M, Carlow
John Moran (Carlow)Nov 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
It’s not to do with wheel sizes, but engines and trim grades. The A 250 always comes with multilink rear suspension, while the A 180 d always gets a torsion beam. It’s the A 200 in the middle that has the variance – the Sport models have a torsion beam, the AMG Line cars gain the multilink set-up. We don’t know exactly what the A 180 petrol will do as yet, but we’d guess it will follow the A 200’s pattern, rather than the A 180 d’s formula.
Do VAG TSI engines have timing chain probs?
Hi,
Looking at a 2013 Audi A1 1.4 TFSI S tronic. Am I right in saying these engines are susceptible to the timing chain stretching and a hefty repair bill if it does? Would you steer clear of this engine or, generally, any of VAG TSI/TFSI engines pre-2015?
Thanks
Colin McGowan (Dublin)Oct 2018 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Colin,
There are well-documented issues with stretching VAG timing chains, unfortunately, and yes, it's very expensive to replace a chain. The problem is usually identified by a distinctive rattling on cold start-up before it manifests itself in engine running issues and there are also chain inspection ports on these engines so, if a car you're looking at has had proper maintenance, you can have the chain inspected.
How often to change Audi Q3's timing belt?
How often should you change the timing belt on an Audi Q3?
Donna Parker (Sydney)Aug 2018 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Donna,
For the first-generation Audi Q3 (pre- and post-2015 facelift), regardless of whether you have one of the 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engines or any of the 2.0-litre TDI diesels, the recommended maximum interval (regardless of time) is 210,000 kilometres. The 2.0-litre TFSI petrol model uses a timing chain, not a belt.
Petrol Audi A3, BMW 318i or Honda Civic?
Hi,
I'm planning on buying a brand new 2018 Audi A3 1.0-litre TFSI S line Saloon or 2017 BMW 318i M Sport or 2018 Honda Civic 1.0-litre Turbo. Please help me with the questions below since I have no way getting a test drive:
1. Which one is more fun to drive?
2. Are these cars fast?
3. What is more reliable and costs less to maintain?
4. What is the overall best car?
Thanks, Arjun
Arjun De Silva (Kandy)Jul 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Arjun,
OK, let’s take these questions in order.
1: The BMW. The Honda runs it surprisingly close, but you just can’t beat the steering and rear-wheel-drive balance of the BMW.
2: How do you mean fast? They’re not performance models, but thanks to turbocharged engines with decent torque curves, they feel brisk enough in everyday driving. As long as you’re not planning to take on any Ferraris at the traffic lights, they’ll do.
3 & 4 together: The Honda. Nothing is as reliable as a Honda, not even a Toyota, and of the three cars here, while it may lack the premium badge, it also has the roomiest interior, will have slightly lower servicing and maintenance costs and, in the long term, should be more reliable than either of the German cars.
Read our reviews for more: