Why does my Peugeot 308's radio cut out?
Why does the radio in my 2012 Peugeot 308 cut out? Is it a fault in the radio or aerial or what?
Padraig Devaney (Galway )Aug 2015 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Padraig,
I'm afraid that's not an easy one to answer from afar. It could be a problem with the stereo unit or its connections, including the aerial's, it could be the speaker system too or of course it could be the radio signal in your area.
Best bet is to bring the car to a good local mechanic or auto electrician.
Hope you get to the bottom of it
Honda Accord, Passat or Mondeo?
Hi,
Two weeks ago I was down to three choices for looking at secondhand 2011-2013 saloon cars: Honda Accord i-DTEC 2.2-litre diesel (150hp), Volkswagen Passat TDI 2.0-litre diesel (140hp) and Ford Mondeo TDCi 2.0-litre diesel (163hp). But on Saturday I test drove a very nice 2012 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0-litre diesel (160hp), which was very nice to drive.
Just wondering how would this compare to the three above in terms of reliability, handling and resale value. Which would you choose between these four?
Best regards
Barry
Barry Gilbert (Dublin)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
The Insignia's really nice and I do have something of a soft spot for it. A car that feels more sophisticated and more engaging the more you drive it. The Passat and Mondeo are nice choices too, but to be honest, the one I'd go for out of all of them would be the Accord. Comfy, smooth, frugal, nice to drive and above all it will almost certainly never break down. There's nothing quite so nice as the feeling you get from driving an utterly indestructible car.
Is the new Volkswagen 1.6-litre TDI diesel engine ok?
Are the new Volkswagen 1.6-litre diesel engines as good for long distance mileage as the old 1.9 version was?
Thomas Gahan (Wexford)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Thomas,
Yes, in fact they're much better because they're smoother (thanks to direct fuel injection instead of the old Pump Düse system) and have much more sophisticated electronics to monitor their health. They don't seem to suffer from the old air mass sensor issues that plagued the 1.9 either. It's also a much more economical engine - figure on getting high-fifties mpg, rather than the high-forties of the old engine.
What's the top automatic Renault Kadjar?
What will the top of the range automatic Renault Kadjar cost?
John Robertson (Abbeyleix )Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
At the time of writing, the Renault Kadjar pricing ranges from €24,990 to €33,990, the latter for the top-of-the range Kadjar Signature Nav powered by the 130hp 1.6-litre dCi diesel engine featuring four-wheel drive.
It's not currently possible to pair an automatic gearbox with that 1.6-litre engine though, so the most expensive automatic Kadjar is the Signature Nav powered by the 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine with 110hp. That costs €32,290.
Does it still make sense to import cars from the UK?
Do you still think it makes sense to import cars from UK given the high VRT charges?
Paul Jones (Louth)Aug 2015 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
Sometimes it can, actually. It's all a matter of doing your sums carefully. Yes, the drop in the value of the Euro has made things much more marginal, but the fact is that UK cars are often still good value compared to Irish equivalents. Just do your homework, don't forget to include travel and accommodation costs in your calculations and keep your fingers crossed come VRT inspection time.
Should the garage change my Ford Focus timing belt?
Hi, I very recently bought a 2008 Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi with 94k miles on the clock. I asked the garage where i purchased it from about the timing belt and for them to replace it. They said I had "30k or 40k miles left" before it needs doing and wouldn't entertain my request to get it changed. Can you give me some information about when it needs doing or about what mileage I should get it checked out at?
Thanks in advance.
Therese Norton (Offaly)Aug 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Therese,
Ford's official guidelines for that car are 125,000 miles or 10 years, so the garage is perfectly in its rights to refuse to do the work. Personally speaking, I'd get it done a little earlier than the manufacturer says, say 115,000 miles or so.
Hope that helps
How much should I get for a 2012 BMW 520d SE?
How much should I get for a 2012 BMW 520d SE on a trade in/private sale? It's in perfect condition, automatic, full leather interior, heated seats, parking sensors (front and back), electric folding mirrors, 55,000km, full service history and two years left of BMW service pack.
Thanks.
Michael Wall (Galway)Aug 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
I'd say, as a trade-in, you'll make somewhere in the high-thirties, probably €36 to €37k.
What's the older Kia Sportage like?
Hi, I'm thinking about buying a 2009 Kia Sportage 2.0 petrol EX manual 4x4. I saw your review of the 1.7-litre front-wheel drive Sportage. How good is the older 4x4 2.0-litre version? It's done 100,000km and just had the timing belt replaced so it looks like a good buy?
Thanks,
Nick
Nick Price (Dublin)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Nick,
It is a good buy as long as you're not planning to do big miles in it - it's a good bit less economical than the diesel you see, so regular long journeys aren't a great idea. The old Sportage is a good thing though - simpler and more rugged than the current version, and very practical. With four-wheel drive it has decebt off-road ability too, if that's any use to you. No major reported problems or unreliability black spots - just make sure it has a full service history.
Is high mileage a problem for the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso?
Is 122k miles a bit high to justify spending €2,995 on a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, which has to last us three years?
Stu Paterson (Elgin)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Stu,
Not necessarily. Mileage is, to be honest, more or less irrelevant. It's all down to the condition of the car and its history. If it comes with a full service book, showing every stamp and receipt, and it's clearly been looked after and cared for then it should be fine.
Just check to make sure that all the electrics are OK and that the cabin doesn't show obvious signs of abuse. Might be worth getting someone to look at the engine too - that 1.6 diesel has a fragile water pump and is prone to 'sludging up' with deposits of old oil. Worth getting it flushed and have the oil changed.
Ford Focus or Citroen C4?
With a budget of around €3,000, I'm looking to buy a Citroen C4 hatchback or a Ford Focus hatchback around 2006-07 1.6 diesel. Would you recommend one over the other? I heard that the Focus can be troublesome but I can't find a bad review on the C4. I've been told I should go for a better make car 2005 with that budget but how can you tell which ultimately is a better buy? Will there be more problems with an 05 than an 07?
Moza Walsh (Galway)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Moza,
You won't necessarily get more trouble from an 05 than an 07 - it's all down to the condition and history of the individual car.
You're right to say that there are no major problems with the C4 - it's actually pretty well made - but check it for any electrical gremlins. The 1.6 diesel is shared with the Ford Focus (and several other cars) so any problems are basically identical - water pump and oil 'sludge' are the common issues. I'd say the Focus has a slight edge in terms of reliability and quality but it's a close run thing.
If you want a 'better make' and reliability is your primary concern then you need to be buying either Japanese or Korean. Corolla, Civic, Almera etc.