Will the Volkswagen Golf Mk6 tow bar fit the Mk7?
Will the Volkswagen Golf Mk6 tow bar fit the Mk7?
Joe Flynne (Carlow)Oct 2014 Filed under: towing
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
We're awaiting an official answer from Volkswagen on this, though our feeling is that it's highly unlikely. The latest Golf is built on an all-new platform and it'd be very surprising if they maintained the tow bar mounting points in the redesign.
Nothing like trying it for yourself though! It would take two minutes under a ramp to line it all up and see if it fits...
Should I go for the 1.6 or 2.0 TDI Golf?
What to get, a 1.6-litre TDI Golf or 1.9/2.0-litre?
Caitriona O Donnell (Liimerck)Oct 2014 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi Caitriona,
I'd go for the 1.6 Golf to be honest. It's a more modern engine and doesn't suffer the air-mass sensor issues that occasionally plague the old 1.9 TDI engine. It's also not really worth upgrading to the 2.0-litre engine, simply because, in spite of a relatively weedy-sounding 105hp and 270Nm of torque, the 1.6 TDI engine actually has very decent on-road performance and the upshot is low emissions and the potential for being able to average 60mpg if you treat it gently.
How much should I sell my Golf for?
How much should I sell my car for? Volkswagen Golf 6 Comfortline. 2011 year model with 170,000km on the clock.
Thanks
Tara Salie (Port Elizabeth)Oct 2014 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Tara,
Golfs of that spec and age will generally go for around €15,000 to €17,000, but with the high mileage on yours, I'd say you'll have to aim a little lower. Stick it up for €14,000 and see how it goes.
Unless of course that's a typo, and you meant 17,000km, in which case go with €16,000.
Why won't my Golf's gearbox go into gear?
When I push in the clutch on my 2008 Volkswagen Golf petrol, the car does not go into gear. Why?
Paddy Lynch (Ramelton)Oct 2014 Filed under: gearbox
Expert answer
Hi Paddy,
That's a tricky one to assess from afar I'm afraid as it could be several different things. The clutch cable/pedal/actuator could be faulty or out of adjustment, the gear linkage could be out of position or the gearbox itself could have major internal problems. The good news is that the latter is the least likely scenario.
I'd urge you to bring the car to a good mechanic to have a look at it for you before quoting for the fix.
Can you explain the thinking behind the APMP categories?
Who designated the categories for the APMP awards? Specifically, how did the Audi A3 end up as "family" car? What size family is that supposed to hold? How did the Mercedes-Benz C-Class end up as a "large" car? If that's large, what's the E-Class or S-Class? And how did the Outlander end up as "large" SUV? What does that make Land Cruiser, Land Rover Discovery/Sport/Range Rover, Audi Q7, BMW X5 etc?
Peter G (Virginia)Oct 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
As I guess you already know, Shane, Dave, Paul and myself from CompleteCar.ie are all on the APMP voting jury for Car of the Year, so we'll take this point by point if that's OK.
The Audi A3 Saloon was the model specifically being looked at, and while it's certainly at the pricey end of things for many families, more and more family buyers are being tempted in by the attractive repayments and resale figures offered by the German 'Big Three' premium brands. As for cabin and boot space, the A3 sits roughly between, for instance, a Golf and a Passat in this instance, and isn't far off the cabin space of the current Audi A4. As a father of two, I've had my family out and about in various A3 models and can confirm that they're perfectly acceptably spacious.
It's a similar case for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Size-wise, it's pretty much spot on a rival for the Passat or Mondeo. Perhaps it's a little tighter inside, but not by much, and that's the price paid for a less space-efficient rear-wheel drive platform. Again, while it's at the expensive end of things for a family purchase, there are plenty out there defecting from the more traditional 'mass-market' brands such as Ford, Opel and Toyota to get themselves a slice of the premium action. Once again, it's often down to the tempting finance packages on offer.
As for the Outlander, it is, strictly in size terms, somewhat in-between things. Taking the BMW X5 as an example, it's slightly shorter (200mm) overall, but has a similar wheelbase measurement and it's slightly larger than the next BMW down, the X3. We judged that, given its overall exterior dimensions, its large boot space and the availability of a seven-seat version when specified with the diesel engine, that Large SUV was the best fit. A perfect fit? Perhaps not, but given the continual fracturing of the car market into ever smaller and more narrowly defined niches, it is close to impossible to find a perfect market segment for every car on sale without having an award 'for everyone on the audience'. We put the Outlander PHEV into the Large SUV category because we felt it would compete strongly there. Seeing as it took two awards home on the night (its PHEV drivetrain took the APMP Innovation Award) it looks like we were right.
The categorisation was discussed long and hard by the membership and somebody somewhere will always disagree.
I have €35,000 to spend on a sporty car...
If you had €35k to spend on a sporty car what would you buy? Doesn't necessarily need to be new, would go up to three years old, running costs wouldn't be that much of an issue but need to tolerable all the same, i.e. car tax < €1,000 a year.
Simon MacMahon (Dublin)Oct 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Simon,
OK, for that kind of budget you have a wealth of options, new and used. How about a new MINI Cooper S 2.0-litre? Massive fun to drive, affordable to run (it'll do 50mpg and costs just €290 a year to tax) and they're really well built. Better yet, a brand new one starts at €27k so you have plenty left over for insurance, extras and servicing.
Not practical enough? How about the best hot hatch around at the moment then? The Volkswagen Golf GTI? Your budget just about gets a new one, but it'll be pretty basic. Better to go for nearly-new; get one with a bit of spec and make sure it has the optional Performance Pack fitted - it turns a brilliant car into a gob-smacking one.
What diesel replacement for my Golf should I go for?
I am driving a 2000 Volkswagen Golf petrol and I need to change to diesel. I have about €7,000 to spend; what would you recommend?
Tina Byrne (Wicklow)Oct 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Tina,
Well, it all depends on what kind of car you want. Trading in your old Golf and adding €7,000 probably gives you a budget of between €8-9k and that, thankfully, means the world is your motorised oyster.
If you want to be sensible, you could just stick with what you know - there are plenty of 2008 Golf 1.9 TDI models around in your price range and there are few cars that are better to be honest. Plenty of Focus, Astra, Auris and Kia cee'd options around too if you fancy a change.
Which automatic car for about €10,000?
Hi, I need to get an automatic car for a price in the region of €10k. Preferably economical and reliable but not a Micra type car. I am looking at 2008/9 Prius, 2008/9 Golf, 2010 Kia cee'd and 2011 Renault Fluence. I am edging towards the Fluence but I am getting the usual "you can't trust Renault, stick to German or Japanese cars" type comments.
Any thoughts on the topic?
Pat O'Connor (Dublin)Sep 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
Your commenters are right. Although the Fluence is reasonably well built, it cannot hope to match the likes of the Prius or cee'd in the reliability stakes, and it will be far, far duller than either. If your driving is mostly around town, I'd say go for the Prius - city driving is its natural environment. If you're doing a lot of longer journeys (drives that destroy the Prius' economy) then go for the Golf or cee'd.
Let us know which way you go
Are these Volkswagen cats interchangeable?
Hi,
Would a 1.6 FSI Volkwagen Golf's front catalytic converter be the same as the 2005 Volkwagen Passat (new shape) 1.6 FSI's?
Richard Thomas (Dublin)Sep 2014 Filed under: parts
Expert answer
Hi Richard,
No, because the two cars are based on two different platforms. Although the engines are the same, the ancillary fittings and their attachment points will be very different.
Is the new Volkswagen Polo way better?
Guys, I have a 2000 Volkswagen Polo. How much better would the "new" Polo be compared to it? Even though I do very little mileage, I'm in two minds whether to upgrade or not, please help!
Michael Cavanagh (Dublin)Sep 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
This question arrives at a timely moment as I've just stepped out of a brand new Polo 1.4 TSI test car. I'd have to say that it's a long, long, loooooong way ahead of a 2000 model year Polo, fine car though that was at the time. I had always felt that the Polo was a little bit of the also-ran of the Volkswagen range, but I think that this latest round of updates, especially on the inside, finally make it feel like the mini-Golf it always should have been.
It's nice to drive, comfy and that 1.4 turbo petrol engine is a gem, giving almost-diesel-like economy but proving revvy and willing when you want to get going. A far cry from the too-sluggish 1.2 petrol Polos of old. So, yes, upgrade - my take is that it's well worth it.
Here's our first drive of the new Volkswagen Polo for reference