How do I get the original value of my Golf for BIK?
Hi, I am wondering would you know a way of finding the original market value of a car? I.e. a 2007 Volkswagen Golf 1.4 Comfortline for BIK purposes.
Thank you.
Fiona Crowley (Dublin)Apr 2015 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Fiona,
The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) keeps an online archive of its recommend retail price lists dating back as far as 2004 and you can find them here: http://www.simi.ie/Statistics/Recommended+Price+Guides.html
Your Golf cost €22,620 by the way. Mind you, that's without options, which would have an effect on the price. The only way to find the options inclusive price would be to go back to the dealer that originally sold the car and see if they have a copy of the original bill of sale.
Will a Volkswagen Passat's alloys fit a Golf?
Will 16-inch alloys from a 2008 Volkswagen Passat fit onto an 08 Golf?
Anthony Torpey (Limerick)Apr 2015 Filed under: aftermarket
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
It’s unlikely we think. The Passat wheel hubs are actually shared with the Audi A4 and not the Golf, so the spacing of the wheel studs is slightly different. One can always try, of course...
Volkswagen Golf diesel: 1.6 or 1.9 TDI?
Looking at getting a Golf diesel, 2008 onwards as my next car, but I'm not sure whether to go for a the 1.6 or 1.9? What would the difference in cost of diesel be too, thanks?
Daniel Wathen (Cork)Mar 2015 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi Daniel,
Definitely go for the 1.6. It's a much more modern unit than the 1.9 and is quieter and more frugal. I'd estimate that in real-world terms you should get around 5-10mpg more out of the 1.6 compared to the 1.9.
Will a gearbox from a 1.6 Volkswagen Golf fit a 1.4?
Will a gearbox from a 2001 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 five-speed fit a 2001 Golf 1.4?
Michael Mc Crossan (Dublin)Mar 2015 Filed under: gearbox
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
It may well be that the housing of those gearboxes is the same, and that they appear interchangeable, but there could be important differences internally that would make the swap less than ideal. Most mechanics won't necessarily know the answer either. We reckon you should should check with a well-established car dismantler, as they come across that sort of thing all the time.
Best of luck
Should I repair or replace my trusty Golf?
I have a 2007 Golf that needs replacement fuel injectors. Obviously that's expensive. Previously the car gave me no problems, however I'm wondering is this the start of issues. Is it time to replace or should I repair?
Colette McCann (Dublin)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Colette,
It shouldn't be. The MkV Golf was really well made and in fact actually had to be redesigned so that it cost Volkswagen less to build. Generally speaking, cost of repair is always less than cost of change but if you're getting spooked that the car is about to start running up big bills, have a word with your local Volkswagen dealer and get them to give the car the once-over. They'll either be able to reassure you or give you a good deal on a trade-in.
Looking to change to a Skoda Octavia. Thoughts?
Hi,
I'm going to change my car this year to a Skoda Octavia 08/09 model, but I was wondering if you could recommend any other reliable lower end road tax and economical diesel family cars. Been driving 2002 Volkswagen Passat for last 10 years.
Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Aisling,
You won't go far wrong with the Octavia. Get the 1.6 TDI and you've got a potential 55mpg car with lots of space and terrific build quality and reliability. If you're looking for alternatives, then there's always the Volkswagen Golf (mechanically the same as the Skoda but less spacious inside) or the Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi (terrific to drive and good value but poor standard equipment and they're tight in the back).
Are the Volkswagen Golf BlueMotions really economical?
Need suggestions for a very economical used diesel. I currently have a 1.8 TDCi Ford Focus averaging about 50mpg. Are the BlueMotion Golfs actually getting high 60s to low 70s mpg?
Brian OC (Wexford)Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
There's a serious, serious issue at the moment in the chasm between what the car makers claim you will get in economy terms from a car and what you actually get in real-world driving. There are changes to the official testing regime coming down the pipe, but the car makers are resisting that with all their lobbying might as it means that their CO2 ratings will go up too.
In the meantime, and this is based purely on personal experience, a Golf BlueMotion should get close to 60mpg in daily driving, and you may even crack the 65mpg mark, though 70mpg is probably not going to happen, being realistic.
Further reading:
Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus?
Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus?
Centrepoint Autos Ltd (Athlone )Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi there,
Easy: Golf. Or Focus. They're both good.
Need a little more? OK, the Golf (and I'm talking about the models currently on sale) is a touch more sophisticated and a little more spacious and if you're really nit picking then it has a better 1.6 diesel than the Focus.
It's also true to say that the Volkswagen 1.2 TSI petrol is a slightly better engine than Ford's 1.0-litre turbo EcoBoost, but here the gap is much narrower.
The Focus has it won with dynamics though - even though the Golf is nice to drive there's just no beating the Focus' steering feel and response and its chassis balance.
So, honest answer? Golf. Or Focus. They're both excellent.
Further reading:
Volkswagen Golf or Skoda Octavia?
I am looking at upgrading my car to a one or two-year-old Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI Highline or a Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI Elegance. There is as you know a price difference, but which would be the better buy? Should I look at something else?
Des Wynne (Dundalk)Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Des,
It depends entirely on your priorities. If you favour style and badge appeal, go for the Golf. There are few better cars. If you're a practical type, get the Octavia as it has significantly more rear seat and boot space than the Golf and is more or less identical to drive.
Is the 1.2 TSI engine strong enough for the Volkswagen Golf?
I'm wondering if the 1.2 TSI engine is strong enough for the latest Volkswagen Golf.
Thanks,
Margaret
Margaret Coyne (Dundalk)Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Margaret,
Yup, plenty strong enough. So much so that the first time I drove it I thought that I was driving the diesel. In fairness, it was late and I was tired but it's still a cracking engine, potentially Volkswagen's current best.