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Showing 51 - 60 results (out of a total of 198) found for "Passat" in Ask Us Anything

Does the MINI have heavy steering?

Hi,

Are MINI hatches supposed to have quite heavy steering and controls? My car is fine to drive for me, but I never really noticed until I tried my friend's Volkswagen Passat today and it feels toy-like in comparison in that it has extremely light steering. Both cars are 2009.

James Patrick (Wicklow)

Jul 2016 Filed under: hatchback

Expert answer

Hi James,

It's all just down to the way the power steering is set up and yes, all MINIs have quite weighty power steering, designed to feel sporty and make the car feel more agile. 


How popular is the 1.4-litre TSI Passat?

Hi,

Can you tell me how many of the 1.4-litre Volkswagen Passats were registered in Ireland in 2015 and 2016?

Thanks.

Brendan Cullen (Knocklyon)

Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Brendan,

According to the figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), 57 Passat 1.4 TSI models were sold in 2015 (53 saloons and four estates) and 42 so far this year (37 saloons and five estates). There were also two Passat GTE plugin hybrids registered so far this year, which also use the 1.4 TSI engine.


Can I change UK Passat clocks to km?

We are interested in a 2014 Volkswagen Passat Saloon 1.6 TDI Executive BlueMotion from Belfast. The speedometer is in mph only, we need it in km; can this be changed digitally on this car, or what can be done?

Thanks.

Orlaith Daffy (Ennis )

Jun 2016 Filed under: mileage

Expert answer

Hi Orlaith,

Most UK cars should come with a main analogue speedometer (the physical dial bit) with both mph and km/h markings. The good news is that the digital speedo display between the main instruments can be adjusted from the settings menu. A quick glance at the owner's handbook should see you right. 


What cars are best-suited to importing?

In terms of VRT, what are the best value used cars to import (from the UK) in the large family saloon/mid range exec range?

Brian Quinn (Drogheda)

Apr 2016 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Brian,

Well, it's all down to the CO2 emissions because it's that on which the rate of VRT will be applied. You need to do your homework though as cars that can be quite affordable in the UK can be wildly over-priced in the Irish market leading to you paying more VRT than you really should do.

Ideally, you need to be spending above €30k on a car to make it truly worth your while on importing a car, thanks to the exchange rate. The BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class are all well worth looking at, as well as higher-spec versions of the likes of the Skoda Superb, Volkswagen Passat and Mazda6. 


Volkswagen Passat CC or Volvo S60?

Hi,

I am considering two cars at the moment: 1) 2011 Volkswagen Passat CC 2.0-litre diesel (140hp) with 62,000 miles, €18,950; 2) 2011 Volvo S60 D3-R 2.0-litre diesel (163hp) with 41,500 miles, cost €17,950. Which would you consider the best car in terms of reliability, fun driving, value and resale value? The Passat has a slightly better trim (brown leather heated seats, satnav...), but I liked the extra power of the Volvo!

Thanks

Barry

Barry Gilbert (Dublin)

Mar 2016 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Barry,

Tough choice - both really good but quite different cars. The CC is arguably more stylish and slightly the sharper to drive, the S60 has that wonderfully reassuring Volvo safety and a really gorgeous cabin. Personally, I'd say the Volvo just shades it but it's a close run thing and you won't go far wrong with either.


Audi A6 Avant or Volkswagen Passat Estate?

Hi there,

I am currently looking at buying either a Volkswagen Passat Comfortline Estate 2.0 TDI (2013) or an Audi A6 Avant 2.0 TDI (2013). The price difference is around €8k/€9k. Which is the better buy all round?

Thanks

Patrick Malone (Dublin)

Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

Well, the Passat is definitely better value - and it's only a little less spacious than the Audi. But you are trying to compare two quite different cars - one a regular family car, one a premium executive model. It depends on what you want more; value for money or something more prestigious and luxurious. Both are excellent cars though - reliable and nice to drive. 


Will the Volkswagen Golf be updated in 2016?

Is Volkswagen planning a facelift for the Golf this year?

Gary Murray (Dublin)

Feb 2016 Filed under: future cars

Expert answer

Hi Gary,

Yes, but it's not due to arrive until late this year. It'll likely have only very small exterior changes (expect a more Passat-like front end), but there will be some bigger changes to the interior, including a new centre stack with the option of a big, Tesla-like tablet-style touchscreen with 'Gesture Control.' We may also get sight of the new family of 1.5-litre turbo petrol and turbodiesel engines this year (although they're more likely to be reserved for the all-new MkVIII Golf in a couple of years' time), but we'll definitely get to see the ultimate hot Golf - a four-wheel drive 420hp version of the Golf R designed to take on the Ford Focus RS.


Which of these €4,000 cars are most reliable?

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a car around €4,000. Had a look at the Audi A4, Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Passat and Toyota Avensis. Which one from your point of view would be most reliable given all of them would be 10 years old and more.

Thank you

Martin Faturik (Dublin)

Feb 2016 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

Go for the Octavia or Avensis according to taste - both have superior reliability (crucial when you're buying an older car) and the Avensis will, just slightly, have the edge in that respect.


Is it worth looking at the Jaguar X-Type?

I'm looking at an X-Type Jaguar, around 2008 or 2009. Are they worth looking at? Or should I look at a Mondeo or Passat?

Hugh Fleming (Wicklow)

Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Hugh,

Well, a Mondeo or Passat would be a more sensible choice - more around to choose from and slightly cheaper running costs. And that's the Achilles' heel of the X-Type - running costs. While the diesels are reasonably frugal, and in general it's a well-made and reliable car (after some serious horrors on early-build examples back in 2001 and 2002), the X-Type can be expensive to fix if and when it does go wrong, and don't go assuming that because it's based on a MkIII Mondeo that you can use more affordable Mondeo bits; there's still a lot of bespoke Jag in there.

Still, it's a lovely car to drive, and the 2008 facelift (new grille, slightly squarer looks) made it much more stylish. Shop around carefully, don't buy anything that doesn't have a full service history and check for any noises coming from either the transmission or the suspension.


Which new exec diesel auto saloon to go for?

What compact exec would you choose in a diesel auto as a private buyer? BMW 320d M Sport, Audi A4 S tronic, Jaguar XE Portfolio or Mercedes-Benz C-Class? Or would you go with something cheaper like a Volkswagen Passat Highline DSG 190?

Andrew Kelly (Limerick)

Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Andrew,

Well, of the posh-badge brigade, my personal favourite is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class - it's supremely comfy, beautifully made and really satisfying to drive, but, to be honest, you couldn't go wrong with any of those cars, it really is down to personal taste.

Your other question is an interesting one though. If you can live without the posh badge, and aren't quite so worried about driving dynamics, then a Skoda Superb is pretty much unbeatable. Same mechanical make up as the Audi but far bigger and way better value. Try a Ford Mondeo or Mazda6 if you want something with a keen chassis or a Toyota Avensis if you never, ever want it to break.

Some relevant reviews for you:

Updated BMW 320d review

New Audi A4 2.0 TDI review

Jaguar XE review

Mercedes-Benz C-Class review

Volkswagen Passat Highline review

Skoda Superb review

Ford Mondeo review

Toyota Avensis review


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