Expert answer

I think the new BMW X3 is where the BMW X5 used to be and the Audi Q5 is a little like where the BMW X3 used to be, if that makes any sense!

The Q5 is a decent compact SUV and it comes in cheaper than the X3 at base level. While there is a 2.0-litre TFSI petrol Q5, if we ignore that (as you should in Ireland at least) then you are left with the 2.0-litre TDI model with 143hp for €42,350. In comparison, the BWM X3 has 184hp for €45,900. Even though the X3 has more power, it is cleaner, with Band C road tax compared to Band D in the Audi.

BMW X3 - 184hp - €45,900 - Band C

The problem right now with the X3 is that you simply can't get one. They are in very short supply, so you could be waiting months. There is a similar situation with the Q5, but we believe you would get one sooner than you would get a BMW.

If you are asking us to choose one regardless of that, then I would have to say I'd much prefer the new X3. I didn't really like the old model, but this one is now so much better than before.

Audi Q5 - 143hp - €42,350 - Band D

Expert answer

Hi Ciaran,

Thank you for your query. The Kia pro_cee'd is a good car, but thankfully the only thing negative about it is the silly name. We really rate the car and it would make a great second-hand buy. It has been a while since we drove a pro_cee'd so we called Kia Ireland to get a reminder on the engines. We were told that very few 1.4-litre petrol models were sold in 2008 and practically none in 2009 after the road tax laws based on emissions were introduced.

The first thing to note then is that the petrol models are scarce, but quite a bit cheaper than the diesels. A petrol model will cost you €9,945 while a diesel from the same year could cost you €12,950 - more than €2,000 more. You certainly won't save €2,000 in fuel and road tax in a hurry, so it depends on how long you intend to keep your car. If you change your car quite often and residual values are a concern then you probably need to get the diesel, but if you will be keeping the car for a long time then you should get the petrol, especially given the relatively low mileage that you do.

In terms of what to look out for, there is nothing. There have been no recalls that we know of and the car has few real faults apart from the fact that visbility isn't great out of the small rear window, but then you can expect that with any coupé-like hatchback.

Anyway, I hope this helps and doesn't actually make it more confusing! If there is anything else don't hesitate to come back to us.

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Hi Joe,

There were four new Audi R8s bought in Ireland in 2007. Two were silver, one was grey and the other black. All were bought in Dublin.

Hope that's of some help to you

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Hi Eileen,

I am presuming that you don't have windscreen cover through your insurance. This is something that you should certainly look at in the future. We contacted Fiat Ireland on your behalf and the cost of the windscreen, including fitting for a 2003 Fiat Doblo is €310. You might want to check with some independent outlets to compare prices though.

I hope this helps.

Expert answer

Hi Caroline,

Paddy here. Given your budget, I would say that you need something that is going to be easy to live with, cheap to run and reliable. 

The Suzuki Swift is a really easy car to own. It is reliable, spacious, cheap to run (tax, fuel, insurance) and good value too. This one I have picked out because it has really low miles (10,000km) and is about half way up your budget: Suzuki Swift

Another decent buy would be a Ford Focus 1.4 - which is a really good larger family hatchback with a big boot. This one we found has just 34,000km on the clock, comes from a good dealership and the price is good: Ford Focus

At the upper end of your budget would be a Volkswagen Golf. They are really good investments because they hold their value well. This one again has really low mileage: Volkswagen Golf

I hope some of these are of interest. I think the Swift would be a super choice for you guys though. 

Come back to us if you need more advice though.

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Hello David, 

In short - no. Anyone importing pays the same rate of VRT. 

Revenue has a full guide explaining VRT here. 

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Hi Richard,

We talked to Brian Coogan, Peugeot Ireland's National Technical Advisor, about this. He told us: "In colder countries they do add kerosene - they sells it at pumps (a five percent mix) during winter months as it has a lower freezing point than diesel. But, we advise that it could cause starting problems. The lubrication is not the same as diesel and therefore the injectors don't get enough lubrication to work efficiently. Even a small amount can cause problems."

I hope this answers your query, but come back to us if you'd like more information.

Expert answer

Hi Chloe,

The fact that you really seem to like your car would signify that perhaps you should simply change to the 1.7-litre diesel SXi version of your car and save yourself a few quid in the process. You will probably get around €11,000 - €11,500 for your car at current market prices, but that should leave you well placed to replace it with a diesel model without too much trouble.

There weren't too many SXI models in Ireland with diesel engines but there do appear to be a few Vauxhalls imported with this spec that might work for you unless you had any particular objections to driving a Vauxhall over an Opel. 

You could have a diesel version for in and around the same money so perhaps you could even get into a slightly newer model if you were prepared to invest a few more quid, but since money saving seems to be the aim here then maybe just swap into a diesel. 

Aside from that you could perhaps look at getting a Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion, which is incredibly fuel efficient. This would make a great buy for you really and something like this would be very cheap to run. 

I hope this helps,

Expert answer

Hi Chris and thanks for your enquiry,

We asked Ciaran Lowe, an ex-service manager for Nissan Ireland, to answer this one for us. He said, "In order to avail of the warranty franchised dealers require vehicles to be maintained according to manufacturer standards using genuine parts.

However, by law, if the car has been serviced at the correct intervals outside of the franchise network and there is proof that GENUINE parts were fitted then the warranty should not be affected.

The genuine parts fitted is the key (if parts are not of merchantable quality it's a different story). There should be no problem as you have all the receipts of genuine parts fitted. Some service advisors can make it difficult depending on the approach."

Hope this helps

Expert answer

Hi Jim,

The combined economy figure for that car is about 50mpg (5.6 litres/100km) and it has CO₂ emissions of 149g/km. I would say that this would be a better buy than a 2005 Passat Estate because there will probably be less wrong with it and it will be easier to put right if it has a few issues. The Passat of that year wasn't VW's finest work, so I'd plump for the Avensis. The usual rules apply in terms of proper history checks.

Hope that helps.