Keep or sell our diesel BMW X1?
I have a 2011 BMW X1 xDrive automatic with 85k kilometres on the clock. When purchased it was for longer drives but now journeys are short and local, less than 10 miles, with the occasional 50-mile motorway trip. We are trying to decide if we keep it and take the hit on preventive maintenance on timing chain, EGR and maybe DPF or trade in on a petrol or hybrid SUV. Trade in values seem low - €13k. What would be your opinion - keep or sell?
Thanks!
Ciara Collins (Dublin)May 2017 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Ciara,
It’s always tempting to trade in a car that’s starting to look expensive, but for the most part, it’s almost always more economical to keep an existing car going, even if it does need regular servicing. In fact, that regular servicing is the key to all of this — keep it looked after and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t provide years of service yet. As you point out, the diesel filter needs longer journeys to keep it from clogging up, but a regular circa 20-30km run at motorway or main road speeds should be enough.
Which SUV for kids with €30k to go for?
Good morning guys,
I need some advice on cars or SUVs! I am looking for a family vehicle as I have three kids under five. So that means car seats. I have a bad back so I need height and I need boot space for a buggy. My budget is €30k and I already have a Renault Grand Scenic that does the job, but is ugly to be honest. I live in Kildare and do drive on bad roads. I do have an option to buy in the UK and bring the car over, as well.
Can you recommend anything?
Thank you
Donna
Donna Phelan (Maynooth )Apr 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Donna,
The current Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage are both just about wide enough to take three child seats across the back, or you could try the SEAT Ateca or Volkswagen Tiguan too (this has the widest back seat of all those). The Skoda Kodiaq is brilliant, but it’ll be outside your budget if you want a diesel, or, if you can hang on until the summer, the new Peugeot 5008 is coming, which has three ISOFIX points in the back, and should come in for under €30k.
Relevant reviews:
Nissan Qashqai or SEAT Ateca petrol?
Hi guys,
My wife drives a Volkswagen Golf 1.4 petrol with 80,000km on the clock. Her work will be based in Naas from August this year. We're looking to upgrade her car, we don't reckon she warrants diesel and have narrowed it down to the Nissan Qashqai or SEAT Ateca (1.2 and 1.4). We have about €20k to put towards it (including what she'd get for the Golf). Reliability and running costs are important. We've had two kids since she bought the Golf so she's looking for something a bit roomier.
Which of the above would you say is the better option and is there anything else we should consider (she doesn't like the Golf SV)?
Much appreciated
Brendan Cullen (Knocklyon)Apr 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
We really like the Ateca, and the 1.4 turbo petrol engine really suits it, so that’s the one we’d advise you to go for. There’s an updated version of the Qashqai coming very shortly, so bear that in mind if you’re looking at the Nissan — you might be able to get a better bargain on a run-out model.
I have €20,000 to spend on an SUV...
Hi,
I have €20,000 to spend on a manual five-seat SUV. I have narrowed my choice down to a used 141 Volkswagen Tiguan Sport & Style with 95,000km (2.0 diesel manual), which I really like or a brand new Dacia Duster Signature. I have also considered the Mercedes-Benz B-Class. I live in a town and only do about 10,000km a year and I don't want to go below 141.
Also bear in mind my 17-year-old son is going to start to drive in October and he will be driving this car. And that I will occasionally need to transport large items, which both the Tiguan and Duster would be able to handle. I would greatly appreciate if you could recommend which of the two to go for and if you could recommend other alternatives that may be better.
Kind regards
Liam Fagan
Liam Fagan (Navan, Co.Meath. )Mar 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Liam,
OK, first off you don’t need and shouldn’t be buying a diesel. With that kind of mileage, and doing most of it in town, you’ll never get enough efficiency out of the engine and you’ll run into trouble with the particulate filter and more potentially.
Of the three cars you’ve mentioned, I think that the Mercedes B-Class might actually be the most sensible, and it’s certainly the roomiest if you’re concerned about carrying big loads. Worth remembering that for similar money you could probably get yourself into a nice C-Class Estate too, which is only a little smaller inside and a whole lot nicer to drive. I’d be tempted to stick with the Mercedes, too, for safety reasons, if your son is going to start learning to drive.
The Tiguan is another very good option, and there are versions with Volkswagen’s excellent 1.4 turbo petrol engine if you shop around. Again, safe and good to drive, if not quite as roomy as the B-Class. I’d avoid the Duster at this point — it’s diesel only, and not as safe as the Merc or Volkswagen.
We'd like an SUV with three ISOFIX points.
Hi,
We are looking for a car, ideally an SUV that will have three ISOFIX seats for three children under the age of three. This is proving hard to find; do you know of any?
If not, can you suggest a suitable MPV with an SUV look?
Thank you
Jacinta, Cork
Jacinta O'Mahony (Cork)Feb 2017 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Jacinta,
Mostly, SUVs with three ISOFIX points in the middle row are the really big ones - Land Rover Discovery, Audi Q7 and so on. The good news is that Peugeot is about to launch the new 5008 and that has three ISOFIX points in the middle row, but it won't be on sale until July in Ireland.
Which SUV for up to €40,000?
Can you recommend a reliable economical SUV type car? I have a budget of €30-40 thousand, looking at an Audi Q5 or Q3. Is there any other car in that class and price bracket similar?
William Neale (Dublin)Feb 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi William,
Yes, the Q5 and the BMW X3 are both solidly reliable and good to drive, but if your budget is around the €40k mark, can I suggest instead shopping for a Honda CR-V or Kia Sorento? Not only would both of those be more reliable, long-term, than either of the German cars, for your budget you’ll also get a brand new one, and the 1.6 i-DTEC Honda is very economical. Some reviews for your consideration:
What is the best SUV for families?
What is the best SUV for families?
Kim Spendlove (South Circular Road)Feb 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Kim,
At the moment, I'd say the Kia Sorento, which is big, comfy, smooth and has the requisite seven seats. Hang on though, because the new Skoda Kodiaq and Peugeot 5008 are imminent and those are both cars with big appeal. Relevant reviews:
Are SUVs safer than saloons or hatches?
Are SUV vehicles safer than saloons or hatchbacks?
Tony Morris (Dublim)Feb 2017 Filed under: safety
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
No, they're not. Admittedly, any larger vehicle that puts the point of impact further away from you is going to be in some small way a little safer, but go to the EuroNCAP crash test website and have a look at the ratings. You'll see that SUVs don't do any better than any other body style. Safety depends on a lot of factors.
What are the safest cars on sale today?
What is the safest car/SUV on the Irish market today? I am particularly interested in any vehicle that provides extra protection when somebody crashes into your back.
Anthony Morris (Dub)Feb 2017 Filed under: safety
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
According to the EuroNCAP crash test experts, the three best-performing cars tested in 2016 were the Toyota Prius, Hyundai Ioniq and Volkswagen Tiguan. That said, the NCAP crash test is a laboratory test, and its parameters can be designed in to a car's structure. Only two car makers still have teams that investigate real-world accidents involving their cars and they are Volvo and Mercedes-Benz. Generally speaking, if I'm thinking of safety above all else, those are the two brands I'd look at.
How to sort out ownership of NI car?
I swapped my old van and SUV for an 09 Hyundai Coupe on NI plates and I filled out the log book when I bought it and sent it away to Swansea like it said on it. They have sent it back saying that I need to sort out the log book over in Ireland. Where do I go to do something like that?
Jason Ryan (Limerick)Jan 2017 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Jason,
You need to go through a specific process for importing a car from the UK and Northern Ireland. Within seven days of the car’s arrival here, you need to have informed Revenue and booked an inspection for the purposes of assessing the car’s value for Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) at your nearest NCT centre. Then you have a 30 days to complete the process, pay the VRT and get your new number plates. The Citizens Information website has a lot of useful details on this process so have a look here.