Fuel economy for 2012 Ford Focus diesel?
Miles per gallon for 2012 1.6 diesel Ford Focus?
Glenn Jessop (Tyrrellspass)Expert answer
Hi Glenn,
Assuming you mean the 90hp model, then the official fuel economy was 64.2mpg on the combined cycle.
How do I change a timing belt on a Ford Focus C-Max?
How do you change a timing belt on a 2004 Ford Focus C-Max 1.6 Zetec?
Olivia Donovan (Claregalway)Jan 2014 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Olivia,
I'm afraid a timing belt change is not something that the average person can do on their own. It's a skilled job that really should be left to a trained mechanic. It's not simply a case of unbolting something sliding the belt off, sliding a new one on and bolting it all back together I'm afraid.
Please get it done professionally. Even if you do a lot of work on your own car, getting the timing belt wrong can have catastrophic consequences for the engine.
Ford Kuga or Volkswagen Tiguan?
I'm looking at a Ford Kuga 2.0-litre with four-wheel drive against a Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0-litre four-wheel drive, both 2008 and diesel. pros & cons? Worried about economy!
Audrey Connor (Athlone)Jan 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Audrey,
Go for the Tiguan and go for four-wheel drive if you can find a good one within your budget. That first generation Kuga didn't age well at all (interior feels very cheap and nasty now) and the last time I drove a four-wheel drive version I struggled to get better than 35mpg out of it. By contrast a 4Motion Tiguan should easily crack the 40mpg barrier in everyday driving, has a lovely cabin and is crackingly good to drive.
What's the 1.6 TDCi Ford Mondeo like?
What are the pros and cons of a 1.6 TDCi Style version of the Ford Mondeo?
Tirziman Julian (Meath)Jan 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Tirziman,
Mostly pros, few cons. Mondeos are very well made and reliable and while the 1.6 TDCi engine is no ball of fire, it is very economical. You should get well over 1,000km from a full tank.
The only cons are down to the age of the design. Compared to the likes of the Volkswagen Passat, Hyundai i40 or Opel Insignia the cabin is starting to feel rather old-fashioned but that's about it.
How reliable is the 2006 Volvo S40?
How reliable is the 2006 Volvo S40?
Sean Crowley (Cork)Jan 2014 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Sean,
Volvos tend to be built pretty tough, actually and the S40 is based on the second-generation Ford Focus, a car thatwas noted for its reliability, so it's starting from a strong base. There were a couple of recalls involving a potential fuel leak and some issues with the windscreen surround, and the key and remote locking system have been known to give trouble too. The popular 1.6-litre diesel engine can also develop problems with the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve and it needs to be topped up with high-grade oil at service time. Other than that, you shouldn't have any major problems.
Timing belt change on Ford Mondeo?
When should I do the timing belt on my Ford Mondeo?
Chris Murphy (Kilkenny)Jan 2014 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Chris,
It would depend on the year and model, but the previous generation Mondeo with the 2.0 TDCi diesel engine, needed its timing belt done at 200,000km or every 10 years.
Can you recommend a good family car?
Can you recommend a good family car? I have a newborn on the way and am looking to buy a family car in the next 2-3 weeks. I have a budget of roughly €10,500. I'm six-foot-four in height so space is very important. My wife and I also have family down the country so would be making regular trips now and then outside Dublin. In a nutshell, I'm looking for something reliable, pratical, economical and fun to drive. I've been homing in on a Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Zetec.
Any advice or other recommendations would be much appreciated.
Seamus Hadrill (Dublin)Jan 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Seamus,
A Mondeo 2.0 TDCi is, frankly, a great choice - spacious, comfy, well made and superb for that kind of long-haul journey. Just as a suggestion though, it may be worth coming down a class and having a look around, just as a way of potentially keeping your running costs as low as possible. Perhaps a Honda Civic diesel or a Skoda Octavia TDI? Both are massively spacious (so would carry your height with plenty of space behind for baby seats etc.), but would also be a little cheaper to run than the Mondeo, and almost as comfy on the long haul. Worth a thought, but if you fancy the Mondeo, go for it. Buy one with a full service history and you won't go wrong.
Let us know which way you go in the comments below.
When to change a Mondeo's timing belt?
I have at 2008 Ford Mondeo 1.6 petrol with 110,000km on the clock. When do I need to change the timing belt?
Thanks
Thomas
Thomas Brady (Dublin)Jan 2014 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Thomas,
It needs to be done at 160,000km or every eight years.
What does the Ford B-Max look like?
What does the Ford B-Max look like?
Ron Waller (Torrance)Jan 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
I want to replace my Yaris with a MINI.
I currently drive a 2008 Toyota Yaris Luna, 1.0, five-door, petrol. I've had the car since 2008 but didn't buy it new; I'm the second owner. It has never given me a minutes trouble, I've had it serviced most years at a main dealer, no major issues have ever come up - just new brake pads and other small things that you'd expect when you've been driving the car for years. I bought the car with a loan from the credit union, which I've paid back so there's nothing owed on it.
All that being said I'm really bored of it! I've wanted a MINI since I was in my teens and I would absolutely love one! I can probably only afford to spend an extra €1k max on top of trading in my Yaris. Do you have an idea roughly what the trade-in value for the Yaris would be? Seeing as I'd have to buy an older MINI would I be opening myself up to a bigger chance of expensive things going wrong with the car? All I've ever had to spend on the Yaris is service costs and new tyres so am wary of changing for that reason.
Stella Greene (Dublin)Jan 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Stella,
OK, the good news is that your Yaris is an in-demand model and values for cars from around that era are holding up well because of the scarcity of new car sales since the financial crash. I'd hope that you'd get around €8,000 for it, but let's play safe and assume you get €7,000 and you can add your €1k to that. That opens up an entire world of MINIs to you, and not just old models - you should be able to get into the second-generation post-2006 model, which is noticeably more refined and well made. I'd suggest trying to track down a nicely specced 1.6 Cooper and enjoy the heck out of it. As a MINI owner myself, I can tell you that they're great fun to drive and not quite as impractical as you might think.
Now, reliability. There's no two ways about it - Toyotas are staggeringly reliable and break very rarely. MINIs aren't bad, not bad at all, but they're just not quite as bank-vault solid as the Japanese car. Buy carefully, make sure you get one with a full and complete service history and you should be fine. Regular servicing isn't too pricey (about €190 for a normal service) and fuel economy should be pretty good too.
Hope that all helps