Who can sort my Mazda6 problem?
I currently drive a 2006 Mazda6 TD Sport with 260,000km on the clock - I'm a taxi driver so I do big mileage: over 200,000km in two and a half years. Needless to say I've had problems with the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) and had to have it regenerated six or seven times. Now the DPF has run it's course and can no longer be regenerated. The price is very prohibitive to get a new DPF, as it costs about €2,500 before fitting.
I couldn't afford to go for this option so decided to have the DPF removed and get the ECU remapped. This has worked to a certain extent, economy has improved and power has been increased. Only problem is that the DPF light is still flashing and engine management light is on.
Would you be able to recomend somebody who can sort this problem for me?
Ronan Laverty (Bettystown )Mar 2011 Filed under: taxi
Expert answer
Hi Ronan,
We asked Ciaran Lowe, a former service manager for Nissan Ireland, to answer this one. He told us. "I can understand your reasoning for removing the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) because of the excessive cost of replacement. However, the DPF on diesel vehicles plays an important roll in reducing vehicle emissions. In fact these filters can reduce diesel soot emissions by up to 80 percent, so by removing the DPF it is interfering with the emissions on your vehicle. By re-mapping the ECU it is only tricking the engine management system to see emissions within spec regarding the DPF system. However even with the ECM re-mapped the vehicle will still fail any future emissions tests. The fact your light is on indicates the system has identified out of range emissions."
I'm afraid the best solution all-round is to seek a used DPF filter.
We've talked to a few people in the industry and short of messing with the actual lights in the dashboard there is no way around this. We can't recommend this route, but it could be done by any auto electrician.
What would you choose between a Ford Focus and VW Jetta?
What would you choose between the Ford Focus saloon 1.6-litre TDCi or Volkswagen Jetta 1.9 TDI? I need a car with a large boot to do about 30,000km per year. Any recommendations would be welcome.
Kevin Reilly (Longford)Feb 2011 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi there Kevin,
I am not sure whether you are choosing a new or used car. There is a brand new Jetta just gone on sale and it is absolutely massive - quite close to the Passat. This would probably be the better of the two at the moment, but then there is a new Focus arriving in April.
The new Focus is really good too and that comes with a 1.6-litre diesel engine, while the Jetta also comes with a 1.6-litre diesel. I haven't driven the new Jetta yet personally here in Ireland, but we have driven it and I have driven the new Focus, which is brilliant.
Out of the two, if I was doing lots of mileage, then the Jetta would probably be the better of the two, but without totally sitting on the fence the best thing to do is to try them both for yourself.
Let us know how you get on.
Why is there a difference in VW Group finance rates?
Why are SEAT and Skoda able to offer finance at 4.9%, but VW only does 5.9%? All three are provided by the Volkswagen Bank, right?
Paul Campbell (Irishtown)
Feb 2011 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
We spoke to Volkswagen Ireland about this and this is what it had to say:
"Direct lenders (banks) and credit unions are supplying money (if at all) at around 9 percent - 10 percent. Volkswagen are offering 5.9% so significantly under standard rates and hardly a rip-off. SEAT and Skoda for tactical reasons have decided to offer exceptional rates on certain model lines to push sales even harder and you can see that Volkswagen have also done that for Polo. The rate is a decision by each Brand and used as tactical tool where appropriate."
I hope this helps!
Is a second-hand Audi A4 a good buy?
Hi, I've been looking at upgrading my car and have been looking at Audi A4 around 2005/2006. They are all quite high mileage but is this something I need to be concerned about? I have been looking at this one, which seems a good deal and has 79,000 miles on the clock - what do you think? I do roughly 5-7,000 miles per year so not too worried about fuel costs. Is there anything else I should watch out for or take into account?
Ciaran Reid (Mulhuddart)Feb 2011 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Ciaran,
There were a lot of used Audi A4s brought into Ireland over the last few years, mainly by personal import. I remember seeing a statistic at the time stating that there were more used Audis being imported into Ireland than there were new Audis being sold. The quality of these imported cars varied quite a lot. Two members of my own family bought cars from the years that you mention and while they have been fine, when something does go wrong (through wear and tear) the costs of parts can be pricey.
The car you have shown us is petrol powered, which might make it tricky to sell on again, especially since you will probably reach 100,000 miles reasonably soon in it. It has had three owners too in quite a short space of time, so I would want a full history check done on the car and I'd want to know if there have been any problems.
I think if everything checks out on that car then you could be on to a winner, although I would probably be inclined to look at a diesel with slightly higher miles because resale value might be better.
Hope that's of help
Is there a car tracking system in Ireland?
I was wondering why is there no LOJACK system in cars in Ireland. I live here in the States where you would never hear of cars being stolen. Every car has a tracking device built into it. If the car is stolen the police are called by the car and within minutes the car is recovered. It is a great system. You pay $200 a year, which is cheap, and you never have to worry about your car being stolen. The police also perform sting operations placing cars in poor neighbourhoods and waiting to see what happens. When the car is broken into the police follow it and arrest everyone involved.
NESSA CALLAGHAN (KNOCKLOYN DUBLIN 16)
Feb 2011 Filed under: car theft
Expert answer
Hi Nessa,
There are a number of companies that do GPS tracking in Ireland, so I guess that would be similar to the ones you are talking about.
Here is an example of a company that does the service here in Ireland.
How much should changing the crank sensor cost?
I arrived at your site when I was looking for information on crankshaft sensors. I have to have the crankshaft sensor replaced on my SEAT Leon TDI FR. The dealer said the gearbox will have to be removed and that the cost will be around £300. Is this correct and a reasonable cost?
CH Belfast
Colin Harvey (Belfast)Feb 2011 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Colin,
We've checked with SEAT Ireland and it has been confirmed that it is indeed necessary to remove the gearbox for this job.
Given that, the price does not sound unreasonable at all.
Hope that's of help.
When did diesel particulate filters come?
Could you tell which were the first diesel cars on the Irish market to be fitted with diesel particulate filters (DPF) as standard or even as an option? We're looking for a 6-8 year-old car and would like to consider a diesel for cheaper running costs, but a DPF is a must because of our concerns over how diesel soot particulates can cause asthma. Preferably at least medium sized or mini-MPV.
John Cradden (Celbridge)Expert answer
Hi John,
This one took a little bit of research, but according to Peugeot, it was the first to market a car with a diesel particulate filter in Ireland with the 607 saloon. Then in 2002 Peugeot introduced the DPF on its 307 2.0-litre HDi model. They came into general use around 2005 onwards. Ford told us that its cars came with DPFs from then on.
I am not sure of your budget, but perhaps a Ford Focus C-Max diesel would make sense? This car would be a top choice for you.
I hope this helps, but come back to us for more information if needed
Which dealers offer PCP finance in Ireland?
Which dealers offer PCP finance in Ireland?
Katie Dyer (Enniscorthy)Jan 2011 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi Katie,
The Volkswagen Group is offering a PCP scheme in Ireland at the moment. It trialled the scheme last year with the Volkswagen Polo, but a number of offers across the range will be in place soon. Audi also has an offer on several of its cars, such as the A1.
Hope that's of some help.
Should I buy a Fiat Croma?
I spend half the year in Ireland, half in the USA. I am being offered a low-mileage fully serviced 2007 Fiat Croma 2.4 turbodiesel for €9,000 with a full service history and the owner says they never had a problem, but there aren't many about (why?). Do you think it's a good deal for me as a 12,000 mile p.a. driver?
Henry Gibson (Oyster Cove, NY And Callan,, KK.)Nov 2010 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi there,
The simple reason that the Fiat Croma didn't sell very well was that number one, it wasn't particularly good and number two, it was way overpriced for what it was. The result was that there were 33 sold in 2007 and just five sold a year later in 2008.
Having said that, I've often thought they would make a good second-hand buy because while they weren't a match to their key rivals such as a Ford Mondeo or Toyota Avensis, they are superb value on the used market and the 2.4-litre diesel engine that you mention is a particularly good one.
That is a great price you are being offered for that car and if it is good and the mileage is low then I have to say I would be tempted. It certainly should be up to the task.
Should I worry about the coolant warning light in a Passat?
Hi, I'm currently looking to move to a diesel as my new job has me doing a far longer commute. I've spotted a second hand '03 VW Passat 1.9 TDI that I like the look of. I did a full history check on the vehicle and it seems genuine. Only issue is that the coolant warning light is flashing when the coolant level is fine. A friend suggested it could be the sensor needs to be replaced, but I don't want to buy if it's something more serious. Is this a common problem with VWs?
Thanks. Sean.
Sean McDermott (Cork)Nov 2010 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Sean,
Stephen McDonnell from Volkswagen Ireland contacted us with some really useful information on this. Apparently the sensors themselves are quite robust, but they can be fooled into thinking the level is low by poor quality coolant. So, if there's more water than coolant in the car it may not register properly. Likewise, if there's oil in the water it could throw up a strange reading.
So, the advice is to have a look at the quality of the coolant and ask the buyer when it was last changed.
It could still be the sensor, but it's more likely that the above is the reason for the warning light.
Hope that helps,