Expert answer

Hi Roger,

We put this one to Volkswagen Ireland. It was confirmed that Park Distance Control is available for the 2005 Passat saloon (B6), with part number "3C0 054 630". It includes a control unit, four sensors, a sound generator and connecting wires. Best bet is to contact your local Volkswagen dealer for a price. We believe the sensors can even be painted to match the colour of your car.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Susie,

Click here to get our news story from the launch of the new Audi Q3 in Ireland. Prices start from €35,180 on-the-road now, following the VAT increase on January 1st. The most up to date prices should be on www.audi.ie and here's the current price list.

You'll find an Audi dealer list on there too.

Let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi Donal,

Before talking about the Renault Fluence specifically, diesel cars in general are better when used on longer trips regularly - for the DPF and other components. We're not aware of any problems with Renault's DPFs in particular.

We asked Renault Ireland about the differences between the 90- and 110hp Fluences and they essentially said that most people are more concerned with saving money, so the 90hp option is, as you've discovered, the best-seller. Here's Renault's statement:

"Both the 90- and 110hp Fluences are great value. It depends on the usage of the car by the customer. €700 can be sometimes hard to upsell these days so dealers prefer to offer the best value, which is the 90hp. It's the customer's choice, and down to what they want to purchase.

Both engines are in Band A and theyare under the same servicing/maintenance programme. For the last point (DPF), this is not an issue on Fluence."

So essentially it comes down to whether you want the extra power. In our view whether it's worth it or not will depend on how often the car is full of people and luggage. In those situations you'll want the higher power output.

Hope that helps - come back to us if you want to discuss it further.

Expert answer

Hi Jimmy,

We've done some ringing around for you based on extra information you provided us with (2010 Volvo S40 1.6 diesel). First of all, you can't do anything about different brands charging different amounts; that's a fact of life. We talked to several Volvo dealers around the country to compare pricing and they all quote similar amounts to the numbers you gave us. It seems expensive for the first service for sure, but at least you know it's standard across the network.

While we didn't ring every dealer in Ireland, we did get a quote from Bandon Motors (www.bandonmotors.com) that was much cheaper for the first service - though the same after that. Best bet is to ring all the Volvo dealers you are within easy driving distance of.

Of course, failing all that you could take the car to a non-Volvo garage, but I'm guessing you'd like the main dealer stamp in your service history.

Let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi Rob,

It's tempting to save money on tyres, but it's impossible to understate how important they are. As you've found out for yourself!

Personally I like the security of having winter tyres on at this time of year. I acknowledge that there are extra costs involved, plus some inconvenience in terms of changing them twice a year and storing the other tyres. However, I was converted last year when I experienced the difference first hand.

Saying all that, and despite two bad winters, the statistics still say that Ireland's climate is too mild to warrant having winter tyres on for a long period. If we do get heavy, sustained snow then snow socks will get most people out of a tricky situation at low speeds, but they have limitations.

So, assuming you'd rather not fork out on two sets of tyres in the next few months, what are your options? Well Bridgestone offers a good compromise called the A001 All Weather tyre. Sounds like it'd be perfect for you? I spoke to Bridgestone and there are limitations on the size they do - or have in stock - but take a look for a stockist though www.bridgestone.ie and take it from there.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

Toyota Ireland has confirmed that the plug-in Prius will go on sale here in June 2012. No word on pricing as yet though.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Shane,

First of all, DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) utilises the ABS sensors to operate, so if you have DSC then you have ABS. We checked with MINI Ireland about standard equipment on the Cooper S and they confirmed that the September 2008 to 2009 model year version did indeed have DSC as standard, which incorporates ABS, as well as Anti Skid Control (ASC) and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC).

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Steve,

We are not aware of any issues with this engine as yet. Most problems would have been rectified under warranty so far in any case, making it too early to say for sure.

Prices vary around the country and of course between dealers and private sellers, but the car you're describing is worth somewhere in the region of €13,000 to €15,000.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Donal,

We're not 100% certain is the truth. We've been told that an announcement is imminent regarding Chevrolet sales in Ireland in 2012. It seems logical enough that the Cruze would be sold here in that case.

As soon as we hear for sure we'll let you know.

Expert answer

Hi John,

I put your question to Paul Healy, our News Editor, but also a very experienced man in the way of Japanese imports. Here's his response:

May we first commend you on your choice of choice of cars? There is little that can offer the kind of thrills the MX-5/Eunos Roadster does for the money.

In regards to your question; yes the Eunos Roadster is essentially just a Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) MX-5, but there are a few differences between the two cars. For the most part these are cosmetic or inconsequential differences such as the shape of the number plate surround or the fact that the speedometer will be in km/h instead of mph (which is actually handier). The bigger issues relate to the likes of the thinner windscreen that would require a new surround rubber should you need to replace it with one from a MX-5 and also the engine management system (ECU) differs between the cars, but failure of this system is rare so the likelihood of it being a problem is minimal.

While air conditioning was offered on both models many MX-5s do not have it whereas most Eunos Roadsters do. This means that the power steering belt that would also drive the air conditioning compressor will be different between the two cars. So too will be the radiator, as the Eunos almost certainly (the Japanese like their air conditioning) will have additional mounting points for the unit.

None of these issues present any real problem though. Such is the appeal of the MX-5/Eunos Roadster that a whole industry has sprung up to supply parts for both cars that are sometimes unavailable through official channels. Websites such as mx5parts.co.uk and mx5ireland.com are good resources.

Hope this helps!