Can I put kerosene in my diesel tank?
Can a diesel car run well on kerosene?
Richard Nolan (Carlow)Mar 2011 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
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.
Can you recommend an MPV as a second car?
Can you recommend an MPV as a second car?
Reilly Sean (Longford)Feb 2011 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Sean,
It really depends on your budget and how many seats you need, but you can't go too far wrong with something like a Ford C-Max, Mazda5 or Peugeot 5008. These are probably the best around at the moment. If you need more room, then a Ford S-Max or Galaxy is your best bet. But come back to us if you need a more detailed response and can give us an idea of your budget.
I hope this helps.
What car has three ISOFIX points?
Hi
We hope to trade in our 2005 Skoda Octavia during the summer for a car that has three isofix points in the back. We would prefer not to get a seven-seater as we don't need that many seats. Our wishlist would include the three isofix points, a big boot to accomodate a double buggy, low tax and fuel efficiency. We have been looking at the Peugeot 307 SW. The trade in value of our present car seems to be in around the €5,000 mark. We can afford to add another €,5000 to that.
Any advice greatly appreciated! Many thanks.
Feena Farrell (Kilcock)Feb 2011 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi there Feena,
The Peugeot 307 SW would be a good solution for you and it is great value and cheap to run. The 1.6-litre diesel engine is the best-seller in that model, is fuel-efficient and has low road tax. You would get one for within your budget alright. My sister has driven one for the last few years and apart from some loose bits of trim it has been a very solid car. Unfortunately there are only two ISOFIX points in the centre row.
Absolutely brilliant is the Fiat Multipla. Is it a little on the unusual side, but has a really clever 3+3 layout that your kids will really enjoy. The difficulty is that there are only two ISOFIX points in this too.
A little bit of research seems to suggest that there are normally only ISOFIX on the outer seats in the second row of a car. There are exceptions though, with the latest Renault Scenic (late 2009 on) having three ISOFIX points in the second row of seats. But this is outside your budget.
The Citroen C4 Picasso can take three ISOFIX seats across the rear and this might be a little bit outside your budget too, but perhaps you could haggle a little. Here is an example of one.
However, I reckon the solution for you is a Honda FR-V, which has three ISOFIX points across the six seats and it is a really good car. It only came as a petrol model early on, but if you don't do too many miles it should be okay. Here is one from 2006 within your budget.
Hope that helps.
What car-based van will I buy?
I currently drive a 2005 Toyota Avensis saloon - 1.6-litre petrol. I travel up to 450 miles every week to work so I'm looking at getting a diesel car, maybe a VW Golf van, Peugeot van or Skoda Octavia. Don't really know to be honest.
I don't mind a van as my girlfriend has a Ford Focus that I could use whenever needed. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Ronan O Connor (Kilcock)Feb 2011 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Ronan,
I reckon a Volkswagen Golf Van would do a brilliant job for you. You told us by e-mail that you have another €2,000 to spend on top of the value of your Toyota Avensis so I reckon this one could be a good option.
The Ford Focus van is good too, but I don't imagine you want to be a two Focus family! If I was having a car-van I'd have a Golf.
Hope that helps
How much is my Peugeot 307 SW worth?
Where can I find out how much my 2002 Peugeot 307 SW Estate is worth? Thinking of trading it in for a new car, if possible a Renault.
Lisa Naughton (Tullamore)Jan 2011 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Lisa,
You don't mention whether your car is petrol or diesel or how many miles it has on it and that makes it difficult to give you an idea of the price on it. Could you come back to us with these details and we will do our best to help you?
Thanks
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 estates have seven seats?
Can you recommend any estate car (not SUV or MPV) that can seat seven?
Paul Stack (Co Kildare)Dec 2010 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
I am not sure if you want a new car or a used car. In terms of a new car, there aren't all that many seven seat estates anymore. First up is the Peugeot 308 SW, which is available with a third row of seats. However, it doesn't seem to be offered on Peugeot's online price list anymore - since the 3008 arrived it doesn't really have a large audience. We did contact Peugeot though and if you do want a 308 SW with seven seats the car is available on special order. A 1.6 HDi 308 SW seven seater will cost from €25,725 plus delivery and a 2.0 HDi will cost from €28,150.
But you can have a 2008 307 SW model for very little money. This one is just €9,990 for a 1.6-litre diesel.
Mercedes-Benz still does a seven-seat option for the E-Class Estate, but the third row is best suited to kids. That range starts at €46,500 before you start putting in optional extras.
Here is a quite nice 2004 model though: low mileage, a nice 2.7-litre diesel engine and it is a decent price too.
Add more detail in the comment box below if you'd like to know more.
Thanks a lot.
Peugeot 407, VW Passat or Mazda6?
Hi lads,
Any thoughts on the Peugeot 407 1.6-litre diesel? Seems to be great value. Looking at that or either a 2007 Volkswagen Passat or Mazda6.
I have heard mixed reports on all at this stage. Budget is tight so swaying to the 407 as seems to be a lot of spec etc.
Thanks,
Mick
Michael Mulvey (Ashbourne)Jul 2010 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
Having contacted you by e-mail since we have a better idea of your budget and we know that you are trading in a 2006 Opel Vectra 1.6-litre petrol with 40k on the clock. You could get offered around €7,500 for your Vectra (depending on condition) and add your budget of €6,000 to this, so you'll have €13,500 or so to spend.
Of the cars that you mentioned the Peugeot 407 will no doubt offer the best value for money, quite easily in fact, with something like this 2007 model likely to end up within your budget. The 407 diesel is great for economy. The quality isn't bad either. You might get the odd electrical fault, but by and large these cars are capable of quite high mileage. I'd be more inclined to spend a little less if I was buying one.
The other cars you mentioned are the VW Passat and Mazda6. There are lots of Passats about so this means that there is lots of choice and the prices are pretty competitive too. A diesel one would put up with high mileage pretty well, like this example, which would be a nice car, feeling more upmarket than the Peugeot. They aren't without their faults though and the Passat has had issues with the handbrake and some other items.
Lastly is the Mazda6, which is a grossly under rated car and you could have a fully loaded 2.0-litre diesel version with low mileage and loaded with kit for €13,950. Of all these I would probably buy the Mazda, as it should be ultra reliable and there aren't too many reported faults with it.
I hope this helps, if there are any other questions then do come back to us.
What do you think of the Peugeot 3008 Ecomatique?
Any comments on the Peugeot 3008 "Ecomatique"?
Pat Fitzgibbon (Castelbar)May 2010 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
First up, we thoroughly recommend the Peugeot 3008 itself. It's an excellent family car with a high quality, well thought out interior and it drives pretty well.
However, we're not sure that the Ecomatique version makes any sense in Ireland, unless you absolutely have to drive an automatic car. It's not a conventional smooth automatic gearbox; instead it features a robotised manual, which means that the clutch and gear change are operated automatically. Sounds great in theory, but in practice the gear changes feel slower and progress is jerkier than in a manual car. That's partly perception and you can learn to smooth out the changes yourself, but overall we reckon it detracts from the driving experience.
On the positive side, the Ecomatique 3008 is a little more economical than the regular 1.6 HDi 110hp version. However, it's only a difference of 0.2 litres per 100km on the official combined cycle. Given that the Ecomatique is more expensive to buy in the first place, you'd have to cover a lot of distance to start making savings and even then we'd argue that in real world conditions the manual version will be just as econonomical.
In some countries, the Ecomatique's lower CO2 emissions would reduce your tax bill, but it's still in band B in Ireland, just like the regular version.
Hope that helps with your decision. If you'd like to know more, feel free to add a comment in the box below.
Changing my 406 Coupé for something new or used.
Hi guys,
Firstly, congrats on the website, fair play and good luck with it. I'm just looking for some advice! I'm 29, living in Dublin and do on average city say 14k per year in my car, a 2001 Peugeot 406 Coupé 2.0, which I love. I'm looking to trade up and am not sure what to go for? Would like something sporty-ish, comfortable, economical all round (fuel, tax, servicing) and not too common on the road. I have a budget of €15k with no real preference on year but the younger the better!
I've never driven a diesel before but with the way that diesel engines have improved I am not adverse to change. So I'm prepared to go for either.
Brian Gallagher (Dublin)May 2010 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hello Brian,
This is an interesting one. I am guessing, as you own and love the 406 Coupé that you don't really want something too mainstream. It might seem obvious to put you into something like a BMW 3 Series Coupé, but I don't think that is what you are after.
As you probably know, you might not get offered very much for your 406 Coupé, which is a shame. Try to sell it privately because these cars do have a loyal following and if you got €2,000 that would no doubt be welcome. There is one for sale with a lot less miles than yours in Dublin for €2,650, so work backwards from there.
Trading it is probably the easiest. Let's say that you have a budget of €16,000 and see what is around that might suit.
One, perhaps rather obvious, choice would be to go for a Peugeot 407 Coupé. The diesel model sold really well and remains expensive, but I found a 2007 2.2-litre petrol version with just 21,000 miles on the clock and they are asking just €14,950. You can find it here:
That might work given the really small mileage that you do and since you loved your 406 Coupé then this could be a great buy.
If you want something very pretty and unique, how about an Alfa Romeo Brera? Here is a 2.2-litre petrol model for €17,950, but you could well haggle this price down further. There aren't too many about and while we cannot say that it won't give you the odd headache, it is a real head turner.
Even if you're not a BMW guy, it's worth considering a 2006 320d Coupé, which will be reasonably economical for under €16,000. This one is in Monaghan and the mileage is pretty good at 69,000 miles.
I don't think you need a diesel given your mileage. I'd pick a Volkswagen Golf GTI. I know it isn't a coupé, but it is a super car to drive. This one is a 2006 model, but you might sneak into a 2007 version for your budget too. The example we found has the brilliant DSG gearbox, has done just 26,000 miles and is loaded with kit. It is such a rewarding car to drive and, since you live in the city, the gearbox should suit you perfectly giving you the best of both worlds.
Please feel free to come back to us if we are way off the mark!