Price of a 4x4 Dacia Duster?
What would the cost be of a Dacia Duster 4x4 Hybrid fitted with a towbar? What weight could the above tow?
Vincent Hennelly (Claremorris)Jun 2025 Filed under: towing
Expert answer
Hi Vincent,
I'm afraid it's not possible to get the Duster with both the hybrid powertrain and four-wheel drive. If you need 4x4 then you'll have to go for the petrol engine called "TCe 130", which costs from €33,390 as a 4x4 against €32,090 for the entry-level (front-wheel-drive) Duster Hybrid - called "HEV 140" by Dacia.
The 4x4 model can tow up to 1,500kg of braked trailer, while the front-wheel-drive hybrid version is limited to 750kg.
Will the new MINI Countryman be sold as a PHEV?
Will the new MINI Countryman be sold as a PHEV?
Alan O'Brien (Dublin 12)Jun 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Alan,
As far as we are aware, there are no plans to sell this car as a plug-in hybrid. Only fully electric and petrol models have been confirmed.
If you'd like help choosing another SUV, please do come back to us with your budget and other preferences.
Which stylish family car for about €20,000?
Hi,
We are looking to purchase a new car and we're not sure where to start. We have a 2019 Dacia Sandero and a 2004 Skoda Octavia and are thinking of trading both in for something decent if we can manage with one car (we both work from home frequently and use public transport if needed). Aiming for a budget of about €20,000.
We have older children now, so we need something spacious for family outings or journeys. Any advice would be great thanks.
Alex O'Halloran (Naas)Jun 2025 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Alex,
Offline you mentioned you'd like something stylish as well as solid and spacious. One of the first cars that comes to mind is the Audi Q3, which is decently practical, has a premium badge and is plentiful for your budget of about €20,000. I'd urge you to stick with petrol power given your annual mileage of no more than 15,000km.
The BMW X1 would do the same job, but it's very difficult to find one that isn't diesel. Same story with the Audi A6 Avant and BMW 5 Series Touring estates, both of which we'd prefer over an SUV. And same thing for the excellent Volkswagen Arteon.
A hybrid-powered Lexus NX would be a good option for you, as would the Mazda CX-5, though neither are as common in the classifieds as the Audi above.
Have a look at some of those and test drive as many cars as you can.
Come back to us if you'd like us to help narrow down your search.
Three-cylinder turbo or four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine?
Hi.
As a long-term keeper would you recommend a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine or would a four-cylinder non-turbo be a safer bet?
We'll be buying a new car next year. There are so many variants out there it's doing my head in.
We're not quite ready for all electric yet.
Teresa (Co. Clare)May 2025 Filed under: future engines
Expert answer
Hi Teresa,
I'm afraid there's no definitive answer to that as every engine is so different. There's generally less to go wrong on a non-turbocharged engine, but they're usually less efficient and less powerful as well.
Feel free to come back to us with your detailed requirements and we can try to help you narrow down your search. Tell us your budget, your annual mileage and how many people you have to carry regularly. Also any preferences you may have.
What size is the MG HS PHEV's fuel tank?
I have the new MG HS PHEV and have noted that you say that the fuel tank is of 55-litre capacity. I live in England and all the literature over here states 37 litres. But today I drove into a petrol station with 50 miles of petrol range on the clock and without filling up I put 44 litres in.
Is the 55-litre tank an EU market thing? If it is I would seem to have an Irish model as it's right-hand drive. Can you share any insights you might have on the tank size?
Bernard Bradbury (Chatham)Expert answer
Hi Bernard,
The UK and Ireland cars are more or less identical and, according to this official MG Europe document, the 55-litre tank is standard across the board in the new MG HS.
Timing belt or chain in a 2023 Audi A3 2.0?
Timing belt or chain in a 2023 Audi A3 2.0-litre petrol?
Jeremy Smith (Oklahoma )May 2025 Filed under: timing belt or chain
Expert answer
Hi Jeremy,
That engine has a timing belt.
Which side does the MG HS PHEV cable plug into?
Which side does the MG HS PHEV cable plug into? I assume the gasoline filler is on the opposite side?
Tad (Murcia International)May 2025 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Tad,
The cable plugs into the left-hand side of the 2025 HS PHEV above the rear wheel (the passenger side of the car in Ireland) and yes, the petrol filler is on the opposite side. The flaps covering them look identical.
Can the fuel I put in affect my car's emissions?
I accidentally put E05 petrol in the car immediately prior to its NCT test last week. About 11 litres was put in with the remaining seven litres of E10 left in the tank. The CO emissions were off the charts (1.41 instead of 0.11 in March). I was wondering if, given that E05 is more like 97 octane, would it be the reason for the high numbers? If I had known that E05 was like 97 octane I would not have got it as it was not an emergency.
Regards
Joe Ball (Murcia International)May 2025 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
There's no easy answer to this as every car has a different set of sensors and calibration. In short, the level of ethanol in the fuel can certainly affect a car's emissions, but we're surprised by the jump in the level recorded and don't think that alone would account for it unless something very odd is going on with the engine control unit.
Should I change my BMW 520d?
There is only 33,250km on the clock; am I mad to be thinking of changing the car? I have been driving BMW 520ds for years and I am not very happy going back to petrol. I love the diesel as I have my own tank in the yard and never have to worry about getting fuel when I go on holidays down to Cork or Kerry.
Michael Smyth (TINLOUGH Carrig Birr Offaly )May 2025 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
If the car suits you now then there's no reason to change it. Sounds like it's barely broken in. Saying that, low mileage at low speeds does not suit diesel engines and their exhaust systems so make sure you take it for a good spin at higher engine speeds regularly to keep it in good condition.
The latest petrol engines are quite efficient, though, so you should go test one out to see what you think of it.
Will I swap my Velar for a Nissan Qashqai?
I am currently driving a 2021 Range Rover Velar PHEV, which I bought new. It has only covered 8,500 miles to date. It's in perfect condition. Silver metallic paintwork, with black top and it also has a full fixed-glass roof with automatic blind.
I was thinking of changing for a Nissan Qashqai e-Power hybrid, or a Mazda MX-30 with the petrol engine to charge the battery. This seems to be a big improvement on the original launch model which had a very limited range.
I may be moving to an apartment which does not have a car-charging facility, and I am not quite ready to go fully electric yet.
I have a buyer interested in my Velar and I was wondering what value you would put on it, if I was to sell privately, and purchase the new car in a straight deal?
Patrick Devery (Blackrock, Dublin)May 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
First up, if you're not going to be able to charge a car up at home, we'd recommend you do not buy the MX-30. Yes, it's much improved with the 'range-extender' engine on board, but it's still a car designed to be plugged in and charged up. Without that, it would be a very frustrating petrol car with a tiny fuel tank. Read our review of the MX-30 R-EV here if you're still interested.
We're big fans of the Qashqai e-Power. It feels very like an EV at times to drive, giving you a flavour for that, yet you don't plug it in to charge it up. Go take a test drive for yourself to see if you agree with us. And read our detailed reviews of the Qashqai e-Power here. https://www.completecar.ie/car/search/car-reviews/Nissan/Qashqai
There are 2021 examples of the plug-in hybrid Velar in the classifieds varying from about €49,000 to as high as €75,000, though none are as low-mileage as your car, so that will help get a strong price for sure. That €75,000 example is an anomaly though so bank on somewhere slightly north of €50,000.